Freesound Forums

I just read on the naturerecordists list that the Audio-Technica AT-3032 microphone has been discontinued, in favor of a similar (but twice as expensive) model. The 3032 is/was a very nice, low self-noise, small capsule omni condenser mic, well suited particularly to field recording of quiet sounds. They are rated at a respectable 14db of self noise, but production samples (and the two I own) routinely measure even better. And they are/were pretty cheap, all things considered.

In the US, B&H (and maybe other dealers) still has some in stock (I just ordered another pair of them), so if you were considering this mic, now's the time.

Just a heads-up.

-matt

mab
I just read on the naturerecordists list that the Audio-Technica AT-3032 microphone has been discontinued, in favor of a similar (but twice as expensive) model. The 3032 is/was a very nice, low self-noise, small capsule omni condenser mic, well suited particularly to field recording of quiet sounds. They are rated at a respectable 14db of self noise, but production samples (and the two I own) routinely measure even better. And they are/were pretty cheap, all things considered.

In the US, B&H (and maybe other dealers) still has some in stock (I just ordered another pair of them), so if you were considering this mic, now's the time.

Just a heads-up.

-matt

Yes thanks Matt, I have a pair of these also. Thinking of buying some more and the 3031.

The noise specs on the 303X series were particularly under-rated, probably deliberately?

http://www.godsownclay.com/Equipment/Microphones/at3032p.1.html

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/May02/articles/audiotechnica.asp

The good news? is I suppose that the 303X series started out ~$450 each in todays money and fell to $169 street by the end. Hopefully the replacement 402X series will do the same.

At MRSP $495 each they overpriced, given you can still pick up a 303X mic for $169 with what are essentially identical specs.

So it looks like they have changed the roll-off switch on the mic...big deal. The other minor differences could easily be test-re-test variability and or marketing poking around with the graphs So in summary as it appears to be a new paint-job and some minor tweaks to the internal circuity... so + $250 goes the RRP

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/resource_library/product_images/88e0cf5f527dff32/orig/at3031_freq.jpg
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/resource_library/product_images/6bae0f4f498e5b13/orig/at4041_freq.jpg
http://www.digifishmusic.com/public/images/TapersSection_AT30vs40_Mics.jpg

AT4021 and AT4022 vs AT3031 and AT3032 above.

I settled on a pair of AT3032 mics for field recording ambiances and acoustic instruments aster about 12 months of searching. They simply sound as good as some of the most expensive mics I tested @ 5X more $$$. The Gods Own Clay link is what got me to audition a pair.

digifish

What is a good microphone to use for internet sound? Hi all, my cousin is currently learning to design flash animated cartoons and wants to incorporate sound into them using a microphone. For now I have suggested him to use a cheap pc mic for practice purposes and get a better one later. Any suggestions on a cheap, yet decent quality mic for this purpose?
_________________________
affiliateelite ~ affiliateelite.com ~ adgooroo ~ adgooroo.com

I concur. Great mics and I've owned a pair for some years now. Only weak point, they are not RF condensers like the Sennheiser MKH20 or MKH 8020 so electro magnetic interference could be a problem. Get a Koala size 5 fluffy when using them outdoors.

--Peter

mab

In the US, B&H (and maybe other dealers) still has some in stock (I just ordered another pair of them), so if you were considering this mic, now's the time.
Just a heads-up.
-matt

The best mic i used, and its low self-noise perfectly suited for the most sensitive digital recording equipment.

The mic has been discontinued but may be available as a used item. It's dissapointing, indeed, i love this omnidirectional mic, it suits me perfectly..

I've been reading this thread about the AT3032 being discontinued. From what I hear this would be the perfect MIC for what I am doing - recording nature sounds without having a lot of hiss in them....so....since the 3032 is not sold anymore where can I buy one? E-Bay, Craig's List ??

Kevin