Audio-Technica AT4040 condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

Audio-Technica’s AT4040 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, AT4040 is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 4.0.

Strengths

• Quietness (12 dB(A), 4 points): The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.
• Sensitivity (25.1 mV/Pa, 5 points): You get a solid level even from a softer voice.
• Handling of loud sound (145 dB, 4 points): Loud voices and instruments recorded up close are unlikely to distort.
• Features (2 of 3, 4 points): You can adjust to the sound you are recording with switches on the body.

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; people who record loud voices or instruments up close.

Main features of AT4040

A 1-inch large diaphragm

This condenser microphone uses a large 1-inch diaphragm, and the official page describes its acoustic characteristics as smooth and natural. It is a model meant for professional recording and broadcast use.

A transformerless circuit

The circuit does not use a transformer at the output, which is said to eliminate distortion of low sounds and react quickly to the start of a sound. The self-noise is a low 12 dB SPL, a number that makes it easier to record small voices quietly.

Low-cut, pad and a shock mount

It has switches for an 80 Hz low-cut and a -10 dB pad. A dedicated shock mount AT8449a, an adapter screw, a dust cover and a case are included.

Video: official Audio-Technica YouTube channel (narration in Japanese) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Recording a vocal cleanly with little noise
• Recording instruments such as acoustic guitar and piano
• Upgrading from an entry-level microphone

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 4 / 5

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

AT4040: 12 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.

AT4040: 25.1 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: 4 / 5

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

AT4040: 145 dB. That is a high rating among the products we compared. Loud voices and instruments recorded up close are unlikely to distort.

Features: 4 / 5

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

AT4040: 2 of 3. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You can adjust to the sound you are recording with switches on the body.

Lightness: 3 / 5

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

AT4040: 360 g. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

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".

AT4040 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, 4.2 mA) is required
In the box	Shock mount AT8449a, adapter screw, dust cover and case (an XLR cable is not included)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 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 AT8449a, adapter screw, dust cover and 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 a pad and low-cut switch. When loud sound would distort, or when you want to reduce low noise (such as an air conditioner), you can adjust it on the microphone itself.

Read next

• NT1 5th Gen: features and rating (rank A)
• AT2035: features and rating (rank A)
• C414 XLII: features and rating (rank S)
• C414 XLS: features and rating (rank S)