Hmmm....very tough to answer.

I like the 4040s a lot. However, I like the 4050s a lot too. They do not sound the same - the 4040 is a bit more.....neutral. Not to say that it's more "linear" and the 4050 is more colored. Basically, with the 4040 what you hear is what you get.

With the 4050, I find that, while they're also very truthful mics, they add a little bit of savor to the sound. Not deep coloration or even distortion, just a little more rich flavor without adding unwanteds.

The multi-pattern aspect is nice as well in the 4050.

I would say - if you would find the multi-pattern useful, go for the 4050. If not, go for the 4040. Me personally - I own 2 4040s and 0 4050s. However, I have some other multi-pattern mics as well as some good single pattern mics in fig 8, omni and cardioid, so the appeal of the multi-pattern did not grip me as it might some others.

If this is to be your "staple" mic or your "go-to" for your studio, the 4050 might be a better bet.

Other mics to consider for that price (assuming you're looking at Large Diaphragm condensers) would be:

Rode (NT1a, NT2, NT2000, NTK, K2 - I dig my K2 a LOT!)

Blue (Baby Bottle or Blue Bird - other varieties used on Ebay are close to $600)

Shure (any of their LDCs are pretty decent and all are less than $600)

For a little more, you can get a used AKG C414 or a used Neumann TLM 103. I'm not a fan of either of these mics, but plenty others are. They might just be your cup of tea...

Cheers -

Jeremy

way to still make my choice difficult!

if i spend the money on an AT4050 it will be my only mic for a little wile. but i got plenty of friends with plenty of mics to borrow from if need be.

I would like to spend the little extra cash so my recording quality is better then the next guys in my class. i know i know acoustics and blah blah blah, i know that a a good mic and mic pre is not the only things to take into consideration. but i would like it to be the foundation of my solid tone.

sorry about all the questions, i am just buying gear for the first time and i dont want to have to buy the same things over and over again, i would much rather buy right the first time.

i am just buying gear for the first time and i dont want to have to buy the same things over and over again, i would much rather buy right the first time.

No matter how well you research or plan, that just about never ever happens. And it certainly never happens when you don't choose from the highest quality of tools to begin with.

The 4050 is a good general workhorse type of mic. If your already thinking of how to get someting like it for even cheaper, you've already blown that goal of buying right the first time. Buying right the first time so you don't spend again requires much more insight and experience on what your buying and why then it does how much it costs.

So i am looking at the NTK. i am not a huge fan of the NT1A, but my school studio has an old NT1 and i enjoyed that mic for acoustic guitars and female vocals.

Would the coloured tube sound be a good combo with a transparent preamp?

oh is this mic just a cheap tube mic.