Audio-Technica AE4100
A cardioid dynamic that Audio-Technica built to be the next classic, and priced so working stages could afford one.
Overview
Audio-Technica positioned the AE4100 as the cardioid dynamic anchor of its Artist Elite line. The company assembled that series for live-sound professionals and other discerning users. The pitch was simple: a handheld vocal mic with a solid feel and enough shock isolation to survive a real stage.
Audio-Technica built the whole handheld family around a very solid feel, and the AE4100 was no exception. The company claimed superior antishock abilities and shipped the mic with its new shock-absorbing stand clip. The body is finished in the metallic gray that set the Artist Elite handhelds apart.
The AE4100 showed up in more than the wired version. Pro-Audio Review (April 2004, p.56) reviewed Audio-Technica's 3000 Series wireless system and found the handheld transmitter built around the AE4100 cardioid dynamic element. The review called it a "superb" capsule, paired with metal construction and a slim ergonomic design. The same AE4100 element appeared again in the 3000 Series advertising that ran through 2007, cited as "stage-proven."
Audio-Technica marked its 50th anniversary in 2012, and the AE4100 was one of the models chosen for a limited-edition run. The AE4100/LE carried a silver metallic finish with blue accents, an etched anniversary serial number, and a $329 price, a $40 premium over the standard version. Mix (March 2012, p.29) listed the AE4100/LE among the limited-edition models introduced for the anniversary. The AE4100 sat in that set alongside the condensers.
The AE4100 is not a rare vintage piece and it was never priced as a luxury item, so examples turn up affordably. The standard metallic-gray version is the common one. The AE4100/LE is the variant to watch for, given its limited run and etched serial. Expect a mic that has seen stage duty. Check the grille for dents and confirm the shock-absorbing clip is present, since that accessory is part of the package.
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