Audio Technica AT4051B Cardioid Condenser Recording/Broadcast Microphone + Case

The AT4051b is a small-diaphragm cardioid condenser for recording and broadcast work that asks for accuracy. Direct-coupled balanced outputs keep the signal clean under high-output conditions and remove the distortion that comes with transformer-coupled designs. Its fast transient response suits sources that are hard to capture cleanly: hi-hats, acoustic guitar, piano, strings, and percussion.

The mic is built as two modular subassemblies, an AT4900b-48 body and an AT4051b-EL cardioid head capsule, both available separately as well. That structure lets one body serve several pickup patterns. Swap on the AT4049b-EL for omnidirectional or the AT4053b-EL for hypercardioid and the same body covers a different job, which keeps a mic locker smaller and a location kit lighter.

A switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter trims low-frequency rumble, and a 10 dB pad gives headroom in front of loud sources. Transformerless circuitry keeps low-frequency distortion down and preserves high-speed transients.

The turned-brass housing is built for repeated setup and teardown in studios, broadcast suites, and touring rigs. The microphone is fully RoHS-compliant, free of substances named in the EU directive on hazardous substances.

Reach for a pair as drum overheads, as a stereo pair on piano or choir, or as a single spot mic on acoustic sources in a broadcast setting.