Last evening I was browsing through my new Pro Audio catalog from B&H and I noticed this sub $100 dynamic omnidirectional mic by Audio Technica. The AT804 is specifically designed for broadcast interviews, film ambience, and sounds effects gathering.
According the the manufacturers specs included in the product description, the mic is housed in a “rugged die cast enclosure with a hardened steel grille,” and produces a “natural uniform response with a slight high-end lift for additional source clarity.” The frequency response is 15 Hz-15kHz, and the mic includes an internal shock mount.
Typically I recommend the Electrovoice RE-50b or the Sennheiser MD-46 mics for correspondent style interviews. In fact, I own the Electrovoice model. For producers interested in a “budget” correspondent style mic, the Audio Technica AT804 looks like a pretty good deal in my opinion.
Street price is $89 US.
I own the AT 804. I’ve had it for about a year. I haven’t owned other omni interview mics, so I’m not qualified to compare it, but I like its audio very much. Its only drawback is that its barrel is very short, making it tricky to hold in your hand when you’re having another person speak into it. I’ve gotten used to it, and have managed to avoid mic-handling noise by beaing careful. The mic is very sturdy, too.
Shelly,
Good to hear that you are satisfied with the audio quality of the AT 804.
The short barrel length is an important issue, especially if a particular mic is intended for hand-held interviews.
There is an obvious difference in “barrel” length between the Electrovoice RE-50b and the Sennheiser MD-46. The Sennheiser provides extended length.
-ptfigg.
On Transom.org folks have suggested this mic might be ideal to use with the Marantz 660 because its high impedance (600ohms) and sensitivity at 3.5 are an excellent match for the (lousy!!) mic preamps of that recorder.