Audio-Technica AT5040 condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

Audio-Technica’s AT5040 is a cardioid condenser microphone with XLR connection.

A condenser microphone records small sounds in fine detail. It is often used to record singing and narration.

In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 32 microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 32 microphones, AT5040 is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.0.

Strengths

• Quietness (5 dB(A), 5 points): The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.
• Sensitivity (56.2 mV/Pa, 5 points): You get a solid level even from a softer voice.

Things to keep in mind

• Features (0 of 3, 1 point): It has few or no switches, so adjustments are made on the audio interface or the computer.
• Lightness (582 g, 1 point): It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record quiet voices and whispers cleanly; people with a softer voice who still want a solid recording level.

Main features of AT5040

A large diaphragm made of four rectangular units

According to the official page, it carries a large unit made by combining four rectangular units, twice the size of a round unit. It is presented as having very little noise and a wide dynamic range.

Inherent noise of 5 dB SPL

According to the official specifications, the equivalent sound pressure level of the inherent noise is 5 dB SPL and the signal-to-noise ratio is 89 dB or more. The sensitivity is −25 dB, which this site converts to 56.2 mV/Pa for scoring.

A shock mount and case are included

The dedicated shock mount AT8480 and a hard-shell carrying case are included. The body weighs about 582 g, which is on the heavy side.

Video: “AT5040” (official Audio-Technica YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Recording singing and narration with little noise
• Recording instruments such as acoustic guitar and piano, where you want to keep the fine resonance of the sound

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 5 / 5

How little of the small hiss the microphone itself makes (self-noise). The smaller the number, the quieter.

AT5040: 5 dB(A). That is a high rating among the products we compared. The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.

Sensitivity: 5 / 5

How large a signal the same voice produces (sensitivity). The bigger the number, the easier it is to get a good level from a quiet voice.

AT5040: 56.2 mV/Pa. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You get a solid level even from a softer voice.

Handling of loud sound: 3 / 5

How loud a sound it can record without distortion (maximum SPL).

AT5040: 142 dB. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Features: 1 / 5

How many of the pad (lowers loud sound), low-cut (reduces low noise) and pickup-pattern switch it has.

AT5040: 0 of 3. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It has few or no switches, so adjustments are made on the audio interface or the computer.

Lightness: 1 / 5

The weight of the microphone. The lighter it is, the less load on the microphone stand.

AT5040: 582 g. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 32 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Quietness	Self-noise	≤7	≤12	≤16	≤20	>20
Sensitivity	Sensitivity	≥25	≥20	≥15	≥10	<10
Handling of loud sound	Maximum SPL (without the pad)	≥148	≥144	≥140	≥135	<135
Features	Pad, low-cut and pickup-pattern switch	All 3	2	1	—	None
Lightness	Weight	≤300	≤350	≤400	≤450	>450

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Items that are not disclosed are not scored, and the rank is based on the average of the remaining items. Where a model publishes only the signal-to-noise ratio and not the self-noise, the self-noise is converted as "94 minus the signal-to-noise ratio".

AT5040 connection and getting started

Connection	XLR (3-pin). Connect it to the microphone input of an audio interface or mixer (it cannot connect to a computer directly by USB)
Power	Phantom power (48 V, 3.8 mA) is required
In the box	Shock mount AT8480, thread adapter (3/8-5/8) and carrying case (an XLR cable is not included)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 18, 2026.

Compared with other microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It needs phantom power (+48 V). This is an XLR condenser microphone, so connect it to an audio interface or mixer that can supply phantom power.
• Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Shock mount AT8480, thread adapter (3/8-5/8) and carrying case (an XLR cable is not included). Anything not on that list (a shock mount, a pop filter, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.
• It has no pad or low-cut switch. When you need one, adjust with the audio interface or the DAW instead.

Read next

• TLM 102: features and rating (rank B)
• AT4050: features and rating (rank B)
• C414 XLII: features and rating (rank S)
• C414 XLS: features and rating (rank S)