Audio-Technica ATM250
Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphone
The ATM250 is a hypercardioid dynamic microphone designed for high-SPL sources such as kick drum and brass.
The frequency response graph shows a profile similar to that seen in many kick-drum mics — a peak below 100Hz to capture the body of the drum, a somewhat scooped midrange, and a peak at 3000-4000Hz to capture the attack or click of the beater.
That said, the graph for the ATM250 reveals a more-subtle interpretation of the traditional kick-drum EQ curve, with peaks around +3dB rather than +5-6dB as is sometimes seen (such as in the Audix D2 and D6 mics) and a midrange at 0dB rather than -5dB (as in the D6).
A related mic, the ATM250DE, incorporates a cardioid condenser element mounted within the same housing, providing interesting additional options in capturing an instrument’s sound.
ProAudioReview
The 250 yields a great natural kick sound that doesn’t have the over pronounced low end of some other popular kick-dedicated models. Consequently, it has a nice attack that means you won’t have to boost 2kHz-3kHz on the channel. With the HPF off [Ed. note: the ATM250 has no HPF; the writer may have been thinking of the ATM250DE], a bit of 80 Hz boost, and a moderate reduction in the 400 Hz range, I was able to get a very satisfactory sound.
EQ Magazine
This one has a big, bold, and punchy tone that takes hot source levels and begs for more… I placed it about 4'' above the floor tom and angled slightly inward; the result was a big and deep tom tone, with a ton of chest thumping bottom end beef. I would describe the sound of this mic to be almost “pre-EQed…” It is nearly perfectly optimized for toms and kicks.
The Audio-Technica ATM250 is also known as: ATM-250.
The mic was released in 2006.
Specifications
Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
---|---|
Hypercardioid
(1.9 mV/Pa; 40 - 15,000 Hz) |
|
Coil Diameter | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
---|---|---|
n/a | 600 Ohms (Low) | SPL n/a |
Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
---|---|---|---|
252g (8.89oz) | 128mm (5.04'') | 55mm (2.17'') |
|
Power Specifications |
---|
Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!