When it comes to selecting dynamic mics for live instrument miking, the choices are nearly endless. So earlier this year, when Audio-Technica unveiled its new AE2300 model, I must confess that initially I wasn’t overly excited about the concept. However, what quickly piqued my interest in the AE2300 was its onboard switchable low-pass filter.
Mics with high-pass filters for attenuating excess bass build-up are fairly common, but a high-frequency roll-off switch on a mic designed to capture drums, guitar amps, reed/horn instruments enters into some new territory and I wanted to check it out the AE2300 first-hand.
Diving In
Part of Audio-Technica’s Artist Elite lineup, the AE2300 is a compact 3.7- by 1.1-inch design, with its double-dome dynamic cardioid capsule housed in a road-tough, machined all-brass body, with a rugged steel screen and side venting panels. Overall, the AE2300 seems ready for stage action, especially on toms and snare, where drummers occasionally miss the mark and can put a substantial hit on any close-in mic.
The AE2300’s small, unobtrusive size and (included) AT8471 swivel mount are definite assets when working with tight placements, especially with drum sets, snares, multiple rack toms, congas or percussion. Touted as an “Isolation Stand Clamp,” the AT8471 (also available separately, as it works with a wide range of A-T models, as well as some mics from other manufacturers) offers a certain amount of LF isolation, although to a far lesser degree than you would get from a suspension mount. That said, the AT8471 does an excellent job of gripping the mic securely, and the mic can be rotated within the clamp to provide access to the HF rolloff switch from any angle.
The low-pass (high-cut) filter is enabled via an inset switch on the mic stem, so it cannot be accidentally engaged. The filter itself is a gentle design with a first-order (-6dB/octave) slope centered around 6k Hz.
The mic’s frequency response is fairly flat from 100 Hz to around 2kHz, where a presence boost gradually starts rolling in to a 5 or 6 dB peak in the 5k Hz to 6k Hz range that tapers downward from that point. At the other end of the spectrum, the low-bass response is fairly minimal — it’s -10dB at 40 Hz and increases (again gradually) to the 100 Hz mark, where it levels off. While this response is anything from ruler-flat, it actually works very well for its intended target instruments.
This leaves out some other applications, such as deep floor toms and bass cabinets miking, but the AE2300 excels in the right situation.
On both snare and guitar amps, the AE2300’s natural LF roll-off combined with presence boost makes for an ideal combination that offers punch and detail, without a lot of additional EQ. At the same time, kicking in the high cut filter does an effective job of keeping amp or high-hat bleed out of your mix, for a great sound in a hurry — something we can all appreciate in a rushed situation. And to no surprise, the more pedals a guitar player has in the signal chain, the more you will appreciate keeping the AE2300’s high-pass filter in the HF roll-off position.
The nice part is that the filter’s gentle action does this without resorting to heavy-handed “chop the top” artifacts. Another plus is that the mic can handle high-SPLs without any issues. Even on tight snare and close-in Marshall 4×12 miking, I never encountered a situation where the AE2300 couldn’t handle the levels.
The AE2300 also shined on rack toms, providing a nice bit of close-in proximity boost fullness, with clear attack and definition, and the results were similar on congas with just the right blend of bottom-end and snap. The mic had no issues with trumpet or sax, serving up both clarity and warmth, but what surprised me was flute, where the AE2300 was spot-on on this occasionally difficult instrument.
I had some great experiences with this mic — and on the right sources, it’s a real problem solver. At a street price of $269, there might be room for one (or several) AE2300’s in your mic trunk.
At a Glance
A New Slant on Instrument Miking
The Audio-Technica AE2300 combines a great instrument mike design with a versatile switchable HF rolloff filter.
Audio-Technica Artist Elite AE2300
PROS
- • Tailored response for amps, snare/toms, horns/reeds
- • Useful low-pass filter
- • High SPL handling
CONS
- • Not for bass-heavy sources
- • AT8471 isolation mount only offers slight isolation
STATS
- Configuration: Dynamic double-dome diaphragm design
- Polar Response: Cardioid
- Frequency Response: 60 Hz to 20k Hz
- Sensitivity: -57 (1.4 mV) re: 1V @ 1 Pa
- Impedance: 250 ohms
- Weight: 4.9 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.7 x 1.1”
- Street Price: $269, with AT8471 mount and carry pouch
- Manufacturer: Audio-Technica
- More Info: www.audio-technica.com
