Audio-Technica AT4040 Cardioid Condenser
Audio-Technica | microphone | $329
Broadcast-style microphone designed for vocal capture, podcasting, and treated streaming setups.
Key Specifications
- Connection Type: xlr
- Sample Rate: 96kHz
- Bit Depth: 24-bit
- Frequency Response: 80Hz-16kHz
- Polar Pattern: Hypercardioid
- Phantom Power: Yes
What These Specs Mean
Sample Rate: 96kHz
On USB mics, the internal sample rate affects recording quality.
Bit Depth: 24-bit
On USB mics, higher bit depth gives more dynamic range.
Frequency Response: 80Hz-16kHz
Wider frequency response captures more of the audible spectrum, from deep bass to airy highs.
Polar Pattern: Hypercardioid
Polar pattern determines where the mic picks up sound from. Cardioid rejects background noise; omnidirectional captures the full room.
Phantom Power: Yes
Condenser mics require phantom power; dynamic mics do not.
What You Need To Run This
This XLR microphone needs an audio interface or mixer with XLR input.
Audio interface or mixer with an XLR input — the 6 cheapest of 54 in our catalog
XLR cable — 4 options in our catalog, cheapest first
Realistic Total Cost
The cheapest working combination in our catalog, using the least expensive item that satisfies each requirement above. Swap any line for a pricier option and the total moves with it.
Price Position In This Category
At $329, Audio-Technica AT4040 Cardioid Condenser is the 31st cheapest of the 35 microphones we list, which puts it in the upper third of the category by price. In the rest of the category the cheapest is Amazon Basics USB Condenser Microphone at $40.84 and the most expensive is Shure SM7B at $439; the median microphone price is $169. That is $110 below the most expensive option and $288.16 above the cheapest in this category.