Audio-Technica Introduces Next-Generation Artist Series Live Sound Microphones

Jul 15, 2006

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Audio-Technica announces its next generation of the classic Artist Series live-sound microphones is ready to hit the road. The company has capitalized on its 40-plus years of transducer design to create the new Artist Series — adding innovative microphones to the line, while upgrading classic models for a comprehensive selection of vocal, instrument and drum mics.

The new A-T Artist Series was inspired by extensive market research and consultations with leading touring artists and FOH engineers who rely on these microphones onstage every night. Satisfying their foremost concerns, these rugged all-metal microphones are engineered for consistently flawless performance, featuring response and low-distortion characteristics to faithfully reproduce the details of virtually any sound source.

For the singer, the Artist Series vocal microphones set industry standards for intelligibility, detailed reproduction and noise suppression. The new versions of these critically acclaimed microphones offer broad frequency response and extremely low handling noise in an attractive, durable design that delivers outstanding performance. Handheld vocal models include the ATM710 cardioid condenser, ATM610 hypercardioid dynamic and ATM410 cardioid dynamic.

The Artist Series includes new models optimized specifically for instruments. Tailored for clear, full-range reproduction of acoustic and amplified instruments, the Artist Series instrument microphones are designed for natural audio reproduction, and feature fast transient response, low distortion/noise, and rugged, durable construction. These mics offer crisp, clear, well-balanced response, even at high SPLs. The Artist Series instrument microphones include the ATM650 hypercardioid dynamic and ATM450 cardioid condenser along with a clip-on model, the ATM350 cardioid condenser. An example of how Audio-Technica offers direct answers to musician and engineer needs, ATM450 is an innovative side-address stick design with endless placement options and minimal obstructions. In addition, a wide range of convenient accessories is supplied with the microphones. These include Audio-Technica's innovative new violin mount and versatile UniMount flexible gooseneck mount (both supplied with the ATM350), and a professional isolation clamp that provides versatile positioning and effective dampening of unwanted mechanical noise (included with the ATM250, ATM250DE and ATM450).

For the drums, Audio-Technica built on the legacy of its legendary AE2500, and introduced the new ATM250DE, a dual-element kick-drum mic that combines two perfectly positioned capsules — a cardioid condenser and hypercardioid dynamic — in a single housing. The ATM250DE is also excellent for toms, guitar and bass cabinets as well as brass and upright bass. The ATM250 hypercardioid dynamic is ideal for high SPL applications including kick drum, toms, bass, brass and upright bass, offering rich, warm low-frequency response.

The new Audio-Technica Artist Series microphones will be available July 2006 with U.S. MSRPs as follows:
ATM410 Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Mic — $169.00
ATM610 Hypercardioid Dynamic Vocal Mic — $249.00
ATM710 Cardioid Condenser Vocal Mic — $299.00
ATM250 Hypercardioid Condenser Instrument Mic — $329.00
ATM250DE Dual-Element Instrument Mic — $549.00
ATM350 Cardioid Condenser Clip-on Instrument Mic — $449.00
ATM450 Cardioid Condenser Side-address Instrument Mic — $369.00
ATM650 Hypercardioid Dynamic Instrument Mic — $169.00

For more information, visit their web site at www.audio-technica.com.