Check out the digidesign.com web site, and look under support, user's forum (DUC). Look at the bottom of the master listing page for "Buy or Sell". A person in Santa Fe is selling a pair of 4040s and a 3035 for $750. Says their brand new, never used. Worth a look.

What mics/preamps do you currently own?

I'm not familiar with the AT4040 but I can say from experience the AT4033 is a great mic for the money. A step up to the AT4050 will give you more polar patterns. But if your recording strings you may want to consider going with SD condensers like the AKG 451, Shure SM81, AT4031, AT4041, or AT4051a.

Originally posted by gerax:
OK

I'll be rewarding myself for some hard work in the end of this year with a Christmas present: a new pair of mics (some disposable income from the last gigs) and I'm eyeing a pair of Audio Technica that would fit the bill: 4040 or 4033 what do you think would be a better pair as a multi purpose mic?

I was thinking about getting a single good mic around the same price of the two (like a Rode K2) as an alternative but I already have a BLUE Baby Bottle for vocals and solo instruments, and I need more a pair for the string ensembles I do, but if something similar comes to your mind feel free to suggest, you're welcome.

Thanx for your feedback

L.G. :)

Consider the Josephson C42s. Very nice small condensers. $900 for a pair. I know this is more than your budget. But these mics are keepers.

If you have a good vocal mic already the 4033's may be a better choice for strings. Their diaphragms are smaller and they're a little more neutral.

Also, $750 isn't a great deal for a pair of 4040's and a 3035. You can get them brand-new from just about any dealer on the web for $797, so unless these are actually brand new with a warranty unstead of just "never used" it's not a good deal, and even if they are brand new it's not a great deal.

-Duardo

Thanx for the replys.

A few things to clarify:

I already have Small Dia condensers, and I would get a pair of Large dia not only for strings, but for other instruments too (drums OHs, for example and other recording needs).

Yon, I currently track with a Focusrite Octopre and I'm adding a Focusrite ISA428 in the first few months of the next year.

I can get both the 4040 (new) for about $600 (actally a little less in € since I'm from Italy), a little more for a pair of 4033.

I hope this will help you getting a better picture of the situation.

Thanx for the input

L.G.

I have heard good things about the 4040, but haven't used one and cannot further comment. However, I own a 4033 and I can tell you it is not suited for most vocalists.

There is a honky midrange bump on this thing that I have yet to find suited to anyone. It's good for guitar cabs, but so is the AT3035 and the 3035 does well for vocals.

Hope this helps.

Warren