Audio-Technica Drum Mic

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WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM SUMMER 2017 |
A
udio-Technica’s ATM350D is the
drum variant of its popular
multi-instrument ATM350a
condenser mic. Launched in
2016, the ATM350D features an increased SPL
(the dynamic range that a mic is capable of
handling) over its predecessor and a brand
new mounting assembly.
Build
In some situations size does matter and the
ATM350D is about as discreet as it’s physically
possible for a drum mic to be. The pint-sized
capsule is barely over a centimetre in diameter
and is located at the end of a wirey gooseneck,
which can be bent in any direction. The other
end of the gooseneck locks into the new
UniMount clamp. This both hooks into and slots
over a tension rod of your choice making a
rock-solid mounting that is quick to snap into
place and remove. This combination provides
complete fl exibility, ensuring that the mic can
be placed in a spot where it is unlikely to be on
the receiving end of a stray stick.
Hands On
While Audio-Technica almost certainly had the
live market in mind for this mic I was lucky
enough to blag some studio time, which is a far
sterner test. Four ATM350D mics were sent for
review, so I miked a four-piece kit, placing them
on the snare, rack tom, fl oor tom and kick (not
strictly recommended but worth trying
anyway). The only additional mics used were
two condenser overheads and no EQ was
employed to colour the sound.
From the off, the sheer accuracy and clarity
of sound they captured was nothing short of
exceptional. The snare was crisp and warm, the
toms were open and rounded and even the
kick drum came across strongly (certainly a
useable signal that could be shaped as
desired). As the mics are cardioid in pattern
they only focus on the sound they are facing, so
sound-spill from the other components is kept
to a minimum – which is a boon as much in the
studio as it is in a live setting. These drum mics
are also breathtakingly sensitive: I went from
full-on, stick-shredding playing to whisper-quiet
brushwork and everything was relayed
PRICE
Audio-Technica
ATM350D drum mic:
£333
MIC TYPE
Condenser
PHANTOM
POWER
REQUIRED?
Yes
CABLE
INCLUDED?
Yes
FREQUENCY
RESPONSE
40-20,000 Hz
MAXIMUM
SOUND INPUT
LEVEL
159dB SPL
DYNAMIC RANGE
130dB
ACCESSORIES
INCLUDED
AT8491D UniMount
drum mount and
AT8490 UniMount 5"
gooseneck
CONTACT
Audio-Technica UK (Ltd)
www.eu.audio-technica.
com; 0113 277 1441
Essential spec
SIZE
The diminutive
dimensions of the
ATM350D make
it easy to avoid
accidental stick hits
MOUNT
Well-engineered
UniMount locks securely
onto a tension rod with
no tightening required
SOUND
The quality of sound the
ATM350D produces
belies its tiny proportions
VERDICT: While this is not the cheapest
drum mic on the market it’s probably
the most user-friendly, versatile and
quality-sounding option available. As a
package, it’s hard to beat.
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
RATING
£333 Small in size, big in sound, Audio-Technica’s
ATM350D drum mic is a miniature marvel
AUDIO-TECHNICA
ATM350D DRUM MIC
WORDS: ADAM JONES
faithfully with the drums sounding utterly
natural wherever they were on the dynamic
spectrum. A truly impressive piece of kit and
hard to fault.
I WENT FROM FULL-ON, STICK-
SHREDDING PLAYING TO WHISPER-
QUIET BRUSHWORK AND EVERYTHING
WAS RELAYED FAITHFULLY
RHY271.gear_audio.indd 91 13/07/2017 14:04