Rakesh Anderson Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I recently bought a used AT4073a for $300 bucks. Did I do good? I noticed on a camera site that one poster regarded this mic as a mic used by camera people and "neophyte" sound mixers because of it's more forgiving pickup pattern than say a 416. Does this mic really have a rep as a lesser quality mic? I was curious what those who have experience with this mic think about it. I haven't had a chance yet to really test it out, but from my 1st and only listen, it seems pretty hot, and little darker sounding than I was expecting. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Rakesh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelo Waldron Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 it's a good mic, and does have fairly hot output. I wouldn't call it lesser quality. Not sure about the dark sound. I've seen people use it on boom instead of 416 and when I saw the final result, I couldn't tell any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTA Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I love this mic. I think it is a steal for its price point. I have compared it with mics that are 2 - 3x as much money and couldn't justify paying that much more for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I've been using this as my main boom mic for a few years now. It's a hotter output, pick up pattern is a little odd, sounds very crisp in the high mids to me, and very dependable. I think you did well for 300, it's a great mic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep owl Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I've been using this as my main boom mic for a few years now. It's a hotter output, pick up pattern is a little odd, sounds very crisp in the high mids to me, and very dependable. I think you did well for 300, it's a great mic! +1 on all that. 4073a is my only shotgun. A/B it with a 416 or 460 and it's very similar just a little brighter/harsher at the top end. I think the Sanken CS-3e sounds a little dark compared to 4073a. It's definitely a hot output mic. Switching between Oktava MK012 to 4073a I have to pull my trim way down. Good find. Enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephane Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 This was my first mic purchase and I still keep it as a backup. Don't equate it to the Sennheiser me66, a lesser mic and another mainstay of camera ops and beginner mixers. The at4073a sounds good, is well built, and is a steal at $300. Nice find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I think the term "harsh" is accurate, but it's not that harsh. A very good buy for that price, if it's actually at factory specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakesh Anderson Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Thanks for the responses. I'm happy to hear the positive experiences, and feel like I made a good buy. I'm sure it'll be reinforced when I get to give it good test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 A vey good mic. I have one and used it all over the world in extream climatic condtions back in the 90s.. never a bit of trouble and it still works great... I love the hot output and the ability to run on less than 48V PP saving batteries. Not better or worse than a 416.. different, a bit brighter IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Green Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 ...Same as everyone on the thread. I've had mine since '97. It has served me well. From inside caves in TX. with 97% humidity to the.. mountains of Columbia - never fails. Good mic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrd456 Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 Relax-----It's a good mic. and for $300 bucks............Well yea J.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 The Audio Technica 4073 is probably the most under-noticed and under-appreciated mic in our industry. It's not the RF circuitry of the Sennheiser MKH line, but it's definitely professional quality and makes a good boom mic where a short shotgun will do. They were used extensively in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and those mics were dumped on the market at a very low price, which made them difficult for dealers to afford to carry them and promote them. Thus the low price. You spent well. Glen Trew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 If you want to SELL that mic for $300 PM me. phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted July 5, 2012 Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 " Did I do good? " cognitive dissonance... you bought it... hook it up and listen... and use it... then answer your own question. BTW, I got 2 of the Olympic mic's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conleec Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 Loving mine that I purchased for $500. And I thought that I did good. $300 is definitely a steal. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted January 15, 2013 Report Share Posted January 15, 2013 I got one in 1991.. (or was it '92) still works great. It even went through all kinds of inhospitable hell when I was working documentaries in the worst shit holes of the world one could imagine, came through it better than I did. I was so impressed, I bought an (Olympic) 4071 (long shotgun) when one became available. (never used it that much though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattinSTL Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 The 4073a is a great mic. If you got one in good condition for $300 then it's a steal. You'll find it's limits... it's not that great indoors unless the interior space is REALLY good. The 416, CS3e, and even NTG3 will do a typical interior that a 4073a won't do well... but the 4073a is almost somewhere between a 416 and an 816... with really long range pickup compared to most mics. It sounds very natural on sounds that are much farther from the mic... I don't think I'd want it as my only option... but it's a great mic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattRobertson7 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Would i be wrong in assuming this would fit better to cut with my 4053 which I would use for interiors? I'm on the hunt for a shotgun for exteriors and debating between this and the legendary mkh416 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scout72 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Would i be wrong in assuming this would fit better to cut with my 4053 which I would use for interiors? I'm on the hunt for a shotgun for exteriors and debating between this and the legendary mkh416 Matt- I am probably not the most qualified to answer your question as I am just starting out - but in my opinion, you don't have to worry about matching mics when you are going from exterior to interior- the sound charateristics are so different that they are not supposed to intercut. I did a lot of research before purchasing my first mics- and I ended up with a at4073a, an at4053b and a ntg-2-(becuse I needed one battery powered mic)- anyway- I think you would find that the at4073a is a great COMPANION to the 4053b. The mkh416 is a great mic and in my opinion a better mic than the 4073- it is also double the cost, but you should not worry about "cutting" the mics- if that was your only concern and not looking at cost difference then by all means go with the 416. *disclaimer- I am a total newbie neophyte hobbyist- my personal experience with the mkh416 vs at4073a is limited to two hobby projects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattRobertson7 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Matt- I am probably not the most qualified to answer your question as I am just starting out - but in my opinion, you don't have to worry about matching mics when you are going from exterior to interior- the sound charateristics are so different that they are not supposed to intercut. I did a lot of research before purchasing my first mics- and I ended up with a at4073a, an at4053b and a ntg-2-(becuse I needed one battery powered mic)- anyway- I think you would find that the at4073a is a great COMPANION to the 4053b. The mkh416 is a great mic and in my opinion a better mic than the 4073- it is also double the cost, but you should not worry about "cutting" the mics- if that was your only concern and not looking at cost difference then by all means go with the 416. *disclaimer- I am a total newbie neophyte hobbyist- my personal experience with the mkh416 vs at4073a is limited to two hobby projects Awesome! Very good advice there, thanks man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_bollard Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 I bought a 4073a as one of my first shotgun mics. It's pretty good for the price. If you can talk to your local sound dealer and arrange to borrow the mics you are thinking of buying to try them out. Try a few, I would include the sankens, and make a decision from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronFilm Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 I'm seriously considering an AT4073A and thought I'd bring up this old thread, would it be a worthwhile upgrade from my existing two shotguns I have now of a NTG2 and MK66? (aside from those two shotguns I own, I don't have much experience on any other higher end shotguns than that, aside from a 416 I occasionally use) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 A 4073A is bunches better than a 66, but I'd choose a 416 over it any day of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 The 4073 is a very good short shotgun mic. It doesn't get the attention it deserves, which is why you were able to get it at such a low price. You did very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afewmoreyears Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 Every time I am in a situation where I don't want to use one of my "normal" mics, I pull this one out.... Situations of danger...dust, dirt..super loud explosions, possible smashing..potential water...etc... I am always surprised how decent it sounds... I tried selling it brand new in the box and couldn't give it away... So I kept it as a danger go to mic...glad I did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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