Jan 4, 2010 2:34 PM

Pictured at the October 2009 AES Convention in New York City are, from left: Gary Boss, Audio-Technica director of marketing; George Massenburg; Audio-Technica engineer Shingo Suzuki; Chuck Ainlay; Audio-Technica Engineering Department Manager Hiroshi Akino; Audio-Technica VP of Marketing Greg Pinto; Phil Ramone; Frank Filipetti; Michael Edwards, Audio-Technica's Director of Product Management; and Ed Cherney.

Photo: David Goggin

The Music Engineering and Technology Alliance (METAlliance) has certified four new microphones in Audio-Technica's 40 Series: the AT4080 and AT4081 bidirectional active ribbon microphones, the AT4050ST stereo condenser microphone and the AT4047MP multipattern condenser microphone. Audio-Technica is a METAlliance Pro Partner. METAlliance is working closely with manufacturers to evaluate, recognize and certify products that meet the call for quality in the recording arts and science.

Audio-Technica showed these new models for the first time in the U.S. at the 127th AES Convention in New York City in October 2009.

"We are extremely proud that our new 40 Series microphones have been recognized and certified by the METAlliance," says Greg Pinto, Audio-Technica's U.S. vice president of marketing. "Everyone at A-T worked hard to develop these new mics, and to have them certified by the METAlliance speaks volumes. This honor is particularly meaningful to us because it comes from a dedicated group whose mission of ensuring highest-quality music recording/delivery dovetails perfectly with our own."

"Audio-Technica has done it again with the introduction of four brilliant sounding microphones," says METAlliance co-founder Chuck Ainlay. "Once again, these microphones exhibit the same quality sound and solid reliability that we expect from A-T, but this time they have stepped out of their box by introducing two new phantom powered, active ribbon mics." Phil Ramone adds, "The reintroduction of ribbon mics has now achieved what A-T condenser mics have: a great warm mic that creates great identity for an artist."

The AT4080 and AT4081 are Audio-Technica's first-ever ribbon microphones. A-T's R&D team in Japan engineered and manufactured the AT4080 and AT4081 from the ground up, using a hand-built, proprietary design with rugged construction.

Elliot Scheiner explains, "A-T's new ribbon mics are definitely a must for any mic collection." Frank Filipetti says, "The Audio-Technica pencil ribbon mic has moved right up to the top echelon of my go-to mics, along with the multi-pattern 4047." Al Schmitt adds: "I love the new A-T mics. They are crystal clear and still very warm."

The METAlliance is comprised of a group of globally-recognized, award-winning audio engineers and producers who have been deeply involved in establishing techniques and technical standards that are the foundation of modern music recording. The METAlliance founders are Chuck Ainlay, Ed Cherney, Frank Filipetti, George Massenburg, Phil Ramone, Elliot Scheiner and Al Schmitt.

For more information, visit www.metalliance.com and www.audio-technica.com.

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.