AT4071 vs. ME67 vs. ???: Mic Specs at DVinfo.net

Dave Largent · December 17th, 2003, 10:24 PM

I've been thinking about checking out
some hypercardioids. Any others in this price range
I should consider?
The polar pattern of the AT looked better as
it showed a narrower angle of pick up and almost
no rearward pick up, unlike the ME67.
I'd like to compare the sensitivities of these mics
but I don't understand the specs. Can anyone here
compare using these official specs?:

AT4071:
Open Circuit Sensitivity (1 kHz) -21 dB (89.1 mV)
+/- 1 dB, re 1 V at 1 Pa

ME67:
Sensitivity (free field, no load) (1 Khz) 50 mV/Pa ' 2.5 dB

Anyone heard both these mics?

Helen Bach · December 18th, 2003, 06:08 AM

Hi Dave,

I've got both these mics - there is no comparison. The AT4071 is a true condenser mic, the ME67 is pre-polarised. The AT has significantly lower self noise. The AT bears comparison to the mighty MKH70. The AT turns in an impressive performance in relatively noisy outdoor locations.

Oh, the specs you quoted mean that the AT is also almost twice as sensitive (ie 86 mV/pa instead of 50 mV/Pa).

Best,
Helen

Jeff Donald · December 18th, 2003, 07:09 AM

I also have two AT4071's and will second Helen's opinion. If you need a shotgun, you'd have to spend $1,000, probably $1,500 to get a better mic.

Dave Largent · December 18th, 2003, 11:52 AM

Thanks Helen,
Right now I've got the ME64. I don't care much for
the sound of speech that I capture with it. Just doesn't
sound very warm or flattering to the speaker's voice.
Would I expect about the same from the ME67?
How would you compare the sound of the two
mics in regards to naturalness and warmth of
vocal reproduction? Is one brighter?
And how about for indoor use? Any issues I should
be aware of?
Would either one be better at rejecting the off-axis
frequencies in the lower frequency range, or are they
about the same this way?

Helen Bach · December 20th, 2003, 03:35 AM

Hi Dave,
Sorry not to have replied - I'm in the middle of the Holiday Tour!

Quick reply for now (just my opinions, of course):
I've only used the 4071 indoors once for a real recording - after I mislaid the 4073. It was usable, but didn't quite have the naturalness (warmth) of the shorter 4073. It has a very tight pattern.

During sound workshops I have done indoor side-by-side comparisons of the 4071 and ME67 to show differences in front pickup, tightness, colouration off-axis, echo pickup and self noise. Your question might be answered by my choice of these two mics as being demonstrably different to almost anyone's ears! The 4071 wins on all points. Like the 4073 it has a nice, flat off-axis response which gives both mics better-than-average naturalness (to my ears, anyway). If you are going to use a long shotgun indoors, the 4071 has to be one of the few usable ones.

Best,
Helen
(probably out of reach of the the sticky web for a week or so from now)

December 17th, 2003, 10:24 PM	#1
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	AT4071 vs. ME67 vs. ???: Mic Specs I've been thinking about checking out some hypercardioids. Any others in this price range I should consider? The polar pattern of the AT looked better as it showed a narrower angle of pick up and almost no rearward pick up, unlike the ME67. I'd like to compare the sensitivities of these mics but I don't understand the specs. Can anyone here compare using these official specs?: AT4071: Open Circuit Sensitivity (1 kHz) -21 dB (89.1 mV) +/- 1 dB, re 1 V at 1 Pa ME67: Sensitivity (free field, no load) (1 Khz) 50 mV/Pa ' 2.5 dB Anyone heard both these mics?

December 18th, 2003, 07:09 AM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I also have two AT4071's and will second Helen's opinion. If you need a shotgun, you'd have to spend $1,000, probably $1,500 to get a better mic. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 18th, 2003, 06:08 AM	#2
Helen Bach Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 120	Hi Dave, I've got both these mics - there is no comparison. The AT4071 is a true condenser mic, the ME67 is pre-polarised. The AT has significantly lower self noise. The AT bears comparison to the mighty MKH70. The AT turns in an impressive performance in relatively noisy outdoor locations. Oh, the specs you quoted mean that the AT is also almost twice as sensitive (ie 86 mV/pa instead of 50 mV/Pa). Best, Helen

December 18th, 2003, 11:52 AM	#4
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Thanks Helen, Right now I've got the ME64. I don't care much for the sound of speech that I capture with it. Just doesn't sound very warm or flattering to the speaker's voice. Would I expect about the same from the ME67? How would you compare the sound of the two mics in regards to naturalness and warmth of vocal reproduction? Is one brighter? And how about for indoor use? Any issues I should be aware of? Would either one be better at rejecting the off-axis frequencies in the lower frequency range, or are they about the same this way?

December 20th, 2003, 03:35 AM	#5
Helen Bach Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 120	Hi Dave, Sorry not to have replied - I'm in the middle of the Holiday Tour! Quick reply for now (just my opinions, of course): I've only used the 4071 indoors once for a real recording - after I mislaid the 4073. It was usable, but didn't quite have the naturalness (warmth) of the shorter 4073. It has a very tight pattern. During sound workshops I have done indoor side-by-side comparisons of the 4071 and ME67 to show differences in front pickup, tightness, colouration off-axis, echo pickup and self noise. Your question might be answered by my choice of these two mics as being demonstrably different to almost anyone's ears! The 4071 wins on all points. Like the 4073 it has a nice, flat off-axis response which gives both mics better-than-average naturalness (to my ears, anyway). If you are going to use a long shotgun indoors, the 4071 has to be one of the few usable ones. Best, Helen (probably out of reach of the the sticky web for a week or so from now)