The AT4081 is a side-address active ribbon microphone with a bidirectional polar pattern. Delivering the warmth and natural sound of a classic ribbon microphone, the AT4081offers a robust build for long-lasting performance and high gain for easy use with microphone preamplifiers.

With 18 patents pending, Audio-Technica’s innovative ribbon transducer advances the evolution of ribbon microphone technology, combining remarkable durability and high-SPL capability with smooth, rich audio quality. The microphone is recommended for horns, strings, acoustic instruments, drum overheads, orchestras, ensembles and guitar cabinets. It excels in recording studios as well as in live-sound settings.

A significant breakthrough in ribbon cartridge design, Audio-Technica’s patent-pending MicroLinear™ ribbon imprint minimizes ribbon distortion for durable performance and accurate reproduction of the sound source.

While the application of phantom power was prohibited for oldschool ribbon microphones, Audio-Technica’s AT4081 requires 48V phantom power for operation. The phantom power is used—not for the microphone’s dynamic ribbon transducer—but for its active electronics, which bring its output to near condenser microphone level. This highoutput
and stable impedance make the microphone easy to integrate with microphone preamplifiers.

The bidirectional polar pattern of the microphone makes it equally sensitive to sounds originating in front and back of the element.