This microphone was not only delivered with care by the Sweetwater team, but it came and did its job! My Shure SM7B broke just 3 days before I ordered the AT4033, and boy am I glad that I had a reason to order this microphone. Truly an awesome piece of gear for the price.

Excellant MIC! I have had one for decades that I used for vocals and room and decided to get another one to use for stereo micing and whatever else I need because the response and audio clarity is done so well. I highly recommend this mic for bang for the buck for this price range.

The 4033 is one of the best mic for Bluegrass music. If you are looking for a true Bluegrass sound this is the one to get. I use two on stage and they cover everything from banjo to fiddle. This mic is so much fun working in and out and it's awesome for vocals. If ya'll are true hard driving pickers be sure to get one or two of these AT4033's.

This mic is very hard to beat for stereo micing acoustic guitar. Check out sweet waters shootout for acoustic guitar mics. This mic wins the day.

My Manley reference C is amazing for vocals but for acoustic guitar it sounds comparatively clicky, thin and muddy/boomy compared to this mic. Acoustic guitars signature sound lives in the upper mids/low highs, and an accentuated or even flat bass response easily destroys an acoustic guitar recording. This mic is perfect as a medium diaphragm condenser, as is its frequency response. Rolls off the lows where acoustic guitar gets boomy, and a little boost in the high mids.

I haven't been able to find any mic at any price that beast this one for the type of clear, even sound I want out of my acoustic. Mixed with the crystal clear, pristine, hi-fi sound of my RME babyface pro preamps, and an acoustically treated room, it sounds perfect.

I got one of these years back when I was recording a lot of indie rock stuff and read that Julian Casablancas used this on his vocals for the entire first Strokes album.

It is not a Neumann or any other ultra high-end (read: expensive) mic and will not sound like that under any circumstances. So if you're being really specific and trying to get that silky studio vocal sound, this won't do it. BUT it is endlessly useful. It's got some real character to it–some people call it gritty and, while I'm not sure that's how I'd describe it, there's a bite to it that's cool and functions really nicely in the mix. It's amazing on vocals, guitars, bass, horns, drum overheads/snare, piano, strings, just put it in front of something and enjoy. Especially if what you're putting it in front of needs to carve out it's own place in a mix. I've recently taken to using it on guitar amps in a jazz trio setting so that the guitar won't overpower the vocal (recorded with one of those silky studio mics), but will maintain a nice natural presence in the combo with very little eq. It's like a nuanced spotlight in the mix. I think you'll really love it as long as you listen to and respect what it gives you, cus it's always good.

Purchased to primarily record instrumental fingerstyle guitar and occasional vocals.
purchased the Blue Ember initially. I was not satisfied. It was descent but sounded thin. I upgraded to this AT4033 and am so glad I did!

Incredible sound
Great balance
I have tested this on many instruments with fantastic results!

You get what you pay for. If you're considering this Audio Technica 4033, just buy it already!

Previously had AT2020 and this is a great step up from that, the stock shock mount fits great and setup was easy as pie, definitely happy I made the investment

This mic is a must havein your collections once u have a recording studio just have simple has that Don't have to say anymore, doesn't matter what other mic's you may have, for sure u won't be disappointed in anyway at all.

I bought one of these in 1992 when it was a brand new product, and there was a LOT of buzz in the audio mags about it, calling it the next generation vocal condenser, etc... For years it was my main all-purpose mic, and I've used it many hundreds of hours. I have even used it in front of the kick drum when mic'ing a kit a'la Glyn Johns (with pad and pop filter), and the result is stellar. After nearly 30 years of hard constant use, it is still going strong. So don't let the lowered price fool you; this is a great mic.

Little did I know how impactful the right amount of gain would bring the 'spark' out of this microphone. This definitely competes with a handful of top-end, $1000 standard mics. I was really impressed by the silkiness on the high end. And this is ALL WITHOUT EQ. Its so flat, yet incredibly transparent and natural, with a subtly warm feel to it. This AT doesn't even need EQing. That says a lot already.

The mic is amazing. Already knew it was going to be based on people I know who have it and records I've been on that it was used. The awesome part about ordering this mic was how easy it was, how helpful Philip from Sweetwater was, and the fact that it got to me a DAY EARLY! Seriously that never happens to me. Can't guarantee that yours will arrive a day early but I CAN tell you Philip and Sweetwater will make it the easiest ordering experience you've ever had.

The 4033/CL is an astounding microphone for the price. Clear sounding and un-hyped, there's none of the strident high end that other cheap condensers often have. I use it on a number of different applications and it never disappoints. Absolutely quality build. Has to be the nicest sub $500 LDC around.

I bought two of these mics new in 1991....the moment they first came out. It was the first affordable studio quality mic. I still own the two originals...and use them regularly when I record. I have a ton of other mics....neumann KM86, u67, at4050st, at4050, rode classic ii, Warm wa87, rode m5, shure dynamics. I have always been very happy with the build quality of the 4033, the top notch customer service from AT. Even 28 years after original purchase...AT replaces the rubber bands in the shock mount without charge. I don't consider it to have a large sonic signature...possibly a tad bright in the high midrange....which is in keeping with its frequency response chart. It works great with my flavored preamps....tube, and my all around favorite...the Pacifica. However, for some reason it works well on everything....always has. For 399 it's cheap. However, as i recall they were about 500 bucks in 1991! But mine is all discreet component....I'm not sure that matters. I took it apart to look at the components and AT uses audio grade Nichicon electrolytic caps and polypropylene film caps....so it's a nice piece of gear. Hope that helps. I won't say it's better than this or that...but it always sounds great to me.

I was looking to upgrade my Samson condenser mic. After looking at countless possibilities from the meek to the mighty, and considering my budget, I decided on this. Great choice for my vocal range (alto/tenor) and acoustic guitar. Did a side-by-side comparison with the Samson and the audio difference was immediate with the AT clearly the more robust mic.

Best microphone i've ever had.

Can record any acoustic instrument, voices, podcasts, even the room jam session only with this mic.

The price is just between cheap and expensive, but it can outlast a $1000 mic.

I've been using mine for 16 years for vocals and still sounds sweet. I will put it up to other microphones more than twice the price and it will out perform them,especially on vocals. The 10db pad and 80hz roll off switches are a big deal especially for close proximity vocals. The capsule is a mid size, permanent charged electret condenser -not a standard condenser, but reproduces vocals amazingly without having to use alot of EQ. Sounds great also on acoustic guitar. Some try to give this mic a bad review, which doesn't make alot of sense to me. I've A/B'd this mic against others the I own such as Neumann TLM103 ,Rode NTK and NT1, and Shure SM7B - they are all nice on vocals ,but this one beats them all and holds it's own for micing amps,acoustic instruments and as a room mic. I also own the AT4040, which is a nice mic but really not as good. Try one out, and you will hear the quality.

I use it for my mandolin. Nice flat response. Self noise is a little more than a Shure KSM32, but not noticed. The 80Hz roll off switch is a big help. I highly recommend this mic for use onstage and in the studio. It's well made and can stand up to the rigors of the road. 3/4" diaphragm is perfect for any instrument and it's a cardioid pattern so even if you move around you're covered.

Awesome for acoustic guitar recording and certain vocals (male included). The SM58 of condensers!
Excellent sale price at Sweetwater! Thanks!

It is a classic and it will work well on some sources and not as well on others. It certainly has a clear and professional sound with very little noise. The frequency response tends to emphasize the mids and high-mids around 5kHz which makes small sounding instruments sound bigger and more present in the mix but will also create harsh sibilants on vocals (It helps to sing further away with this mic and use a tube preamp to smooth things out). There is a drop in the highs frequencies above 8k and for this reason I do not use it on acoustic guitars. It is very obvious if you compare it to a C414.

With its clear low frequencies It also works very well to record upright bass, bass cabs or kicks. Since it is a medium diaphragm you can successfully use two AT4033's for drum overhead as well. It is awesome on brass instruments and it is also a staple mic for Bluegrass vocals because of its emphasis on twangy/nasally singing.

When it came out in the 90's it was the first time a budget mic could really keep up with high-end microphones, today there is a lot more competition and options out there.

This is a good mic, but man you have to be careful. I find it way too crisp for most vocals. When you hear about shrill bright condensers, this is what they're talking about. This is why you buy an MA200. That being said, it is usable on acoustic guitars at 12", but even then you'll need some eq.

If your budget is $400 and it's a first mic - fine. But believe me when I tell you, wou'll want and need a better mic right away.

Most review on this mic are from guys who only have a 57 or have never heard a condenser. No wonder they're impressed. And AT is a good brand. But the 4033 is not their best offering. Honest review - I've owned this for many years and just use something else whenever I can.

Best band for the buck. Awesome mic. I used it on drums, vocals, acoustic guitars, guitar cabinets, etc etc. It's a well round workhorse mic, sound good almost on everything.

I have two of these that I bought from Sweetwater. I bought the first because it included a pair of ATH40MX headphones. I'm pretty much blown away by both! This bad boy doesn't do ANYTHING that's not VERY good! Vocals, acoustic guitars, mic'ing guitar cabs- all very well done with the proper placement! I bought the second because of how much I liked the first one! It's sweet to have a stereo pair of very good mics. For the price, it's hard to beat. If the rating scale had tenths I might give it a 4.7 or something- but not because I'm not enamored with it! It's just in today's world, a perfect rating should be reserved for perfect stuff. But it's perfect enough for me- especially at less than $400.

I have lots of high-end mics in my studio and this AT 4033, is the one I personally use as a go-to mic for my own vocals, as I have it on a single/straight stand with a SE sound absorber behind the mic. I have this set up just in front of and to the right of my mixing desk so I can lay down vocal tracks, while running the board, all by myself, when I am working on my songs and my writing partners are not in the studio. GREAT SET UP and produces excellent results! It is similar to using virtual musician software, (drums, keyboards, background vocals, etc.),no problems with dealing with humans in the studio.

This is my first good Microphone, I never knew it would make this much of a difference.

Smooth, crisp, decent bodied sound. This is a great mic for beginners and seasoned pros as well. Very dynamic and gets the job done. Hope you're ready for great vocals when you purchase this solid piece that is a beautiful addition to any studio!!

I love this microphone! I compared it to an SM57 on my Marshall amp (1982A) through an M-Box 2's built in preamp and the difference is phenomenal. I like the 4033CL's warmth and clarity. I also love the way vocals and acoustic guitar (both classical and steel string) sound with it, that is, crisp yet warm.

The shock-mount is a bit tricky to use, but it's very effective by way of isolating the mic from its environment. I would recommend this microphone to anyone looking for an all around great mic, at a very reasonable price!

It picks up very nicely most types of voices, especially female vocals. I've had this mice for many years (over 10) and it's very consistent on the sound that is recorded. I don't have the best room set-up; and when I first started using this mic, I was recording in different rooms of the house; mostly due to space limitations. Once I recorded a vocal along with a guitar in a small room, which resulted in a great recording. There are many mics out there, this is one I can speak with a high degree of confidence, having used it for so many years with good results, time and time again.

I purchased this as primary vocal mic for my Project Studio. Recorded hip hop vox, female vox for a musical, and one song male vox on rock/metal genre in past two weeks. "This mic just sits perfect in my mixes."
I have read that quote many times reading mic reviews...now I understand. This mic requires hardly any eq'ing after a take. It is also forgiving if the singer gets too close, or strays a little far away from mic during take. BEST $400 ever spent! + FREE $150 HEADPHONE REBATE to boot! *My first review written because I cannot how good this mic sounds. Thank you.

I had this mic about 6 years ago and used it a lot. Then I bought more mics and this mic stopped being used. Since I was not using it in my home studio, I sold it last year. Now that I am preparing for my next album, I have been listening to some of my old songs and noticed that my recordings on some Pink Floydish type vocals sounded great. Also, the acoustic guitar was exceptionally done. Then I remembered that it was the AT 4033 that got the sound I wanted. I compared the acoustic guitar work with my AKG 414 B-ULS which I also like, but my cedar top acoustic sounds so much fuller with the AT 4033. So with my tail between my legs I called Kent Sallaz
at Sweetwater (great salesman I have gotten to know in the past 2 years) and re-ordered another AT 4033. Besides the 4033 I own 2 Audio-Technica 4047/SV which I really like on male vocals and guitar cabs.

This is a great mic, really good for male and female vocals, acoustic guitar, and also as a "room mic" picking up natural ambiance and reverb in a room.

Do not let the price tag fool you. Very underrated mic. Great all around mic?

When I started my shopping for a project studio I was on a tight budget so I asked my Sweetwater sales engineer what my first mic should be and he said hands down the AT 4033 CL. Since then I’ve bought mics from Mojave, Rode, and others, but I still find this is the go to mic for almost anything from vocals to strings including standup bass and arch top guitars. The only reason it doesn’t get a rating of 5 from me is it isn’t multi-pattern. I’ve made some really great recordings with this mic and I would highly recommend it as the foundation of your mic locker.

I've been using this mic for a few months now. It was an upgrade from the first large-diaphragm mic I'd ever purchased, a $90 MXL. You can read around various places and see that AT has starting making some really great quality mics for under $500 and this is one of them. Really, really clear vocals, low noise, built-in rolloff and 10dB attenuation. This mic will do for me until I'm purchasing something very high end.

Also notice that the Hans guy who gave this mic a so-so review is rating it against Neumann mics that cost more than $2,000. Relativity is not his strong suit.

This microphone has a very clean open sound. This mic sounds great recording vocals and instruments. Very low noise. Finally the mic is great at capturing acoustic space in a live room while maintaining its focus on the primary instrument. Highly recommended.

I needed a moderately priced condenser and the 4033 worked great!! I use it primarily as a single source mic for live performances of acoustic groups of 3-4 vocalists with insturments. (bluegrass type stuff) I was very surprised by how warm the low end sounded even at 3-4 feet from the vocalists. The high end is articulate without the harshness of some mics in this price range. The pickup pattern was good and the rear rejection allows for moderate volume monitors without a lot of drama. All in all a very good mic for the price!!

Sorry to disagree with all the cheerful reviews but this one didn't cut it for me. Compared to a Neumann M147 or a TLM127 this mic didn't impress me- it was technically ok (no noise issues) but it reminded me of a Toyota Corolla, ca. 1998. Boring. The sound quality tapered off compared to above mentioned mics, especially with hi-end preamps. But, for the price it is an ok home studio mic. I sold mine on eBay.

I have used this mike on a lot of sources.I love it on acoustic guitar.i have used it on death metal vocals and it sounds great for that as well.For a affordable mic it definitely has a expensive sound.

Blind TEN mic shootout including M49, U87, 67, 414, all kinds of great high-dollar mics. This thing won with ALL the judges hands down, no questions asked. Well until I asked "how much" and was just blown away. Used this mic for a day and realized after mixing and laughing with satisfaction, for a small studio, this is it! Very True but it's not like it's trying too hard. Just another one of those
"must-have" mics.

this is it- no kidding- i have ribbons, multi-pattern condensers, did the A/Bs with higher end mics, and this one still gets pulled off the shelf every session. i compared it to 414s, and it held its own- great on acoustic guitar, overhead on drums,and vocals. you just can't miss- even recorded horn sections with it- it works. It doesn't color the sound, but provides a true, clear sound-I think that's why it does well on acoustic guitars-
It helps if you have a good pre on it, but even on one of my mackie 1604 mixers, this mic holds its own- Worth every penny, and AT has created a classic.

I decided to pick up a 4033 after discussing microphones with another engineer friend of mine. His recommendation was for acoustic guitar, and he was right. This 4033 really did the trick (used with a Grace 101) to give me a nice clean acoustic track that I could warm up nice with a little EQ, Massey Tape-Head, and a little Massey CT4. Little did I know the 4033 would also be awesome micing up my bass amp. Turn the pad on, put it back around a foot or more (to taste) and I get a nice round bass sound that sits just right in the mix. I'm very happy with my 4033.

This has been claimed for a lot of microphones, but...

This mic sounds good on everything.

Really. I've used it on many different sound sources, and I liked it on each one. A stereo pair make incredible drum overheads, and sound excellent on acoustic guitar. I used two to mic a string trio. Each instrument found its place in the mix naturally. It's OK on acoustic bass, and sounded great on a soft-voiced female vocalist (though the mic I use for her vocals usually is an AT4047).

I have yet to find an application for this microphone where the result was anything less than quite useable, and in most apps the sound is quite excellent.

I bought these after doing a side-by-side comparison with AKG 414s. At half the price, to my mind, they sound twice as good. The 414s are dull and muddy in comparison.

In my part time, home recording career, I've used a number of inexpensive large diaphram condensor mics. I had liked their sound, I thought the difference in microphones was purely subjective and that I didn't need anything fancier. I wanted to try the AT4040, but instead ended up trying the AT4033. Upon plugging in the 4033, I immediately noticed a very 3D sounding microphone, the captured signal sort of stuck out and felt more alive. I plugged in a few of my other LDCs and heard what I used to think was a decent mic, were by comparison, not very impressive. The 4033 also has a much smoother top end, even my own voice sounded delicate and pretty (which it is not). I have yet to try this microphone out on any other singers, but I would expect it to excel.

I have used this side-by-side with an AKG 414 ULS and though it has a lot of midrange color, it is a more pleasant sounding vocal mic. This may be annoying to some, but for the right voice it works wonders. I found that if a person sounds "nasaly" than it isn't the better microphone though.

Try this on guitar amps - definitely a different approach than the typical SM57. It has a lot more bite.

I paid a lot more for mine than the going price now and even still, I can't believe I got such a great mic for so little.