Audio-Technica AT4060
The AT4060 is a hand-built, limited edition vacuum tube condenser microphone from Audio-Technica. It was originally priced at $1,985. The tube mic was first teased as early as 1994, when Audio-Technica unveiled its AT4050 large-diaphragm studio condenser, and the project that followed became something of an open secret in the industry before its release. Mix (1998, p.176) ran a field test noting the microphone had been anticipated since that 1994 unveiling. It also described the 10-meter cable with 6-pin Neutrik XLRs, which connects to a 1U power supply with detachable rack ears.
The microphone is cardioid only. Frequency response is 20-18,000 Hz, open circuit sensitivity is -40 dB (10.0 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa, and impedance is 100 ohms. It handles a maximum input SPL of 147 dB at 1 kHz with 1% T.H.D., which gives it a 127 dB dynamic range. Audio-Technica's own advertising leaned on that figure heavily. The ads claimed a dynamic range "far exceeds that of any other tube microphone," and positioned the mic as equally suited to a whisper or a screaming guitar cabinet (Mix, 1999, p.21). The mic has a 10 dB pad and an 80 Hz high-pass filter at 12 dB/octave. It needs 48V DC phantom power at 2 mA.
Reviewers were impressed. One field test in Mix (1998, p.176) praised its "unhyped, natural reproduction" and noted the proximity effect on vocals was just enough to add a nice bass edge for a singer who knows how to work it. Additional reviewer commentary quoted in period listings agrees - one reviewer described it as one of the best microphones used on vocals and acoustic guitar. A separate review noted the high end is natural and open, with no harshness or artificial sheen.
The mic measures 7.72" x 1.85" and weighs 11.6 oz (330g) without accessories, or 1.0 lb (456g) with them. It ships with an AT8449 shock mount, dust cover, and protective carrying case. No source found so far documents the tube type, and production years remain unconfirmed. The "Limited Edition" label implies scarcity, but no production numbers have surfaced. The record is otherwise fairly complete for a studio mic of this era, though circuit topology and transformer details were never published.
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