Audio Technica AT804 at DVinfo.net

Steve House · November 11th, 2008, 04:17 PM

Anyone used the AT804 dynamic as a handheld reporter's or interview style mic? Experiences?

Jay Massengill · November 12th, 2008, 08:42 AM

I have one and the sound quality is very good. Handling noise is also low.
The other characteristics I'll list can be either good or bad depending on your situation.
For example, it's very short and compact if you need a small mic, but for person-on-the-street interviews it doesn't have a lot of physical reach because the handle is so short.
It has a higher output than most dynamic mics, so that may make it sound less isolated in a noisy environment, but if you need more output for a quiet subject it's clean and clear for a dynamic.
The cosmetics look very 1970's. If you're shooting something that's set in the 70's you're good to go, otherwise if it's on-camera it doesn't look up to date. Which is a minor point since it does sound good, but it's something to consider.
The price has always been good compared to EV, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic and Shure equivalents.
Lastly, on my one example, it would not latch with the Lectrosonics plug-on transmitters. I couldn't figure out why, XLR cables latch just fine. Latching is important to noise-free transmission since the mic body becomes part of the antenna when connected to a plug-on transmitter. This may be isolated to just my one mic. I've never tried it on a Sennheiser plug-on or an Audio-Technica plug-on.

Jack Walker · November 12th, 2008, 11:15 AM

It may be of interest that the AT804 has been discontinued (though apparently still available from some suppliers):
Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT804 Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone (DISCONTINUED)

The replacement seems to be the AT8004:
Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT8004 Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone

The AT8004 also comes in a long-handled version, the AT8004L:
Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT8004L Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone With Extended Handle

November 11th, 2008, 04:17 PM	#1
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Audio Technica AT804 Anyone used the AT804 dynamic as a handheld reporter's or interview style mic? Experiences? __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

November 12th, 2008, 08:42 AM	#2
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	I have one and the sound quality is very good. Handling noise is also low. The other characteristics I'll list can be either good or bad depending on your situation. For example, it's very short and compact if you need a small mic, but for person-on-the-street interviews it doesn't have a lot of physical reach because the handle is so short. It has a higher output than most dynamic mics, so that may make it sound less isolated in a noisy environment, but if you need more output for a quiet subject it's clean and clear for a dynamic. The cosmetics look very 1970's. If you're shooting something that's set in the 70's you're good to go, otherwise if it's on-camera it doesn't look up to date. Which is a minor point since it does sound good, but it's something to consider. The price has always been good compared to EV, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic and Shure equivalents. Lastly, on my one example, it would not latch with the Lectrosonics plug-on transmitters. I couldn't figure out why, XLR cables latch just fine. Latching is important to noise-free transmission since the mic body becomes part of the antenna when connected to a plug-on transmitter. This may be isolated to just my one mic. I've never tried it on a Sennheiser plug-on or an Audio-Technica plug-on.

November 12th, 2008, 11:15 AM	#3
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	It may be of interest that the AT804 has been discontinued (though apparently still available from some suppliers): Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT804 Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone (DISCONTINUED) The replacement seems to be the AT8004: Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT8004 Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone The AT8004 also comes in a long-handled version, the AT8004L: Audio-Technica - Microphones, headphones, wireless microphone systems, noise-cancelling headphones & more : AT8004L Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone With Extended Handle