Add ADK Vienna or Hamburg.

The ADK's are nice, indeed.

Personally, I'd start out with an AT 4040 as soon as you can afford it. The 3035 is a very nice alternative, for less money. You wont regret either purchase, and they'll all be good to have in your mic locker for long-term use. (Remember, you're not just buying for today or tomorrow, you're making lonterm investments in your overall mic collection.)

Well, I just bought an AT4040 on eBay brand new for $230 shipped. The Bluebird was tempting me, but after listening to [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.betterof…"]this[/]="http://www.betterof…"]this[/], (everything was recorded with a 4050 through Firepod preamps), I decided I really wanted to give the 4040 a shot. The retailer I bought it from has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if I decide I don't like it (unlikely!) I can just send it back for a full refund.

I think you'll be very satisfied with the 4040. It is NOT a 4050 by any stretch of the imagination. What it IS, is a very clean and accurate mic that will reproduce the source with good bandwidth, size, and image. The color will come from the outboard in this case. I think it is very similar to the Shure KSM32 although the Shure has a bit 'bigger' lowend. By this I mean it to be more exagerated while the 4040 is very tight and flat.

Audio Technica mics are, by design, dissimilar throughout the model numbers. The '40' series all display different characteristics per model. They are quite usefull and some have become studio standards. You will find 4050's, 4033's and 4047's in most large studio mic lockers. Dont think of any of these as an 'upgrade' from your choice, however. They are simply different.