Korena
Product detailSKU #1273887988848

Audio-TechnicaAT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone

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Audio-Technica AT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone
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Independent shopping perspective

The Korena take

A large-diaphragm cardioid studio condenser with pad, roll-off and shockmount included. A main vocal and room mic for home and project studios.

Audio-Technica AT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone product detail
Product studyAudio-Technica AT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone
Audio-Technica AT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone alternate view
Alternate view

Strong match

Who this is for

  • Lead vocals in a treated or partly treated room
  • Acoustic guitar, piano and voiceover work
  • Close-miking loud sources with the 10dB pad engaged

Consider the trade-offs

When to look elsewhere

  • Live vocals on a loud stage — a dynamic handles that better
  • Untreated rooms with traffic, HVAC or computer fan noise
  • Anyone needing switchable omni or figure-8 patterns

What matters in use

The specifications, translated

Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.

Audio-Technica AT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone construction detail

Detail 01

12dB SPL self-noise

Very quiet electronics. You can record whispered voiceover or fingerpicked guitar without a noise floor sitting behind it.

Detail 02

145dB max SPL, 155dB with the pad

Handles guitar cabs, snare and brass up close. Flip the pad in and distortion is not a concern.

Detail 03

10dB pad switch

Drops the mic's output before it hits your preamp, so loud sources stop overloading the input stage.

Detail 04

80Hz roll-off, 12dB/octave

Cuts rumble, floor thump and proximity boom at the mic instead of fixing it later with EQ.

Detail 05

48V phantom, 4.2mA

Standard draw. Any interface or mixer with real 48V phantom will run it, including bus-powered units.

Detail 06

100 ohm output, XLR

Low impedance means long cable runs without high-end loss. Plugs into any standard mic preamp.

Detail 07

12.7 oz, 6.69 inches long

Substantial in the shockmount. A lightweight desk stand or boom arm will droop under it.

Final check

Know before you order

  1. 01Includes the AT8449 shockmount, dust cover and case — no XLR cable
  2. 02Shockmount threads are 5/8-27; European 3/8 stands need an adapter
  3. 03Buy a pop filter separately — the shockmount does not include one
Audio-Technica AT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone close-up

Product questions

Before you decide

Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.

01Do I need a preamp or is an interface enough?

An audio interface with 48V phantom is enough. The mic draws 4.2mA, which is standard, and its 100 ohm output suits any normal mic preamp.

02When should I use the 10dB pad?

When you close-mic something loud — a guitar cab, snare, or a belting vocalist — and the preamp input clips even with the gain turned down.

03Does it come with a shockmount?

Yes. The AT8449 shockmount is included, along with a dust cover and a protective carrying case. It fits 5/8-27 threaded stands.

04Can I record loud drums with it?

Yes. It takes 145dB SPL, or 155dB with the pad engaged, which covers overheads and close-miked snare or brass.

Reference

Full specifications

The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.

1 detailsBody & build
Color
Black
5 detailsOther
Category Source
detail
Tier
new
Korena Special
false
Source Id
site51273887988848
Prop65
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Complete your setup

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