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HypercardioidAudio-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'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications

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