This mic first appeared fifteen years ago, and I became an immediate fan despite the price tag (it was well over £600 back then). Smooth and crisp for vocals (particularly female vocals) and bright and articulate (like the word?) for acoustic instruments, I bought a pair and used them on almost every session.

Since then, the price has been slashed as word spread, and now the 4033a is without doubt the best value llarge diphragm mic on the market. Forget all those mundane, heavy, characterless Chinese jobbies that fill the ad pages of your favourite mag (largely because the distributors have such a massive margin to play with) this is the baby if you want top quality results on a maegre budget.

Without doubt, A funky STAR BUY.
Eccentric

What the manufacturers say... 

The side-address AT4033aSM offers low-noise, symmetrical, transformerless circuitry that results in exceptional transient response and clean output signals. A strong up-front presence characterizes the sonic signature of this 40 Series pro-audio classic. The AT4033aSM’s 80Hz high-pass filter easily switches between flat frequency response and a low-end roll-off that diminishes ambient noise and popping with closely-miked vocals.

• A strong up-front presence characterizes the sonic signature of this versatile pro-audio classic
• Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low-frequency distortion and provides superior correlation of high-speed transients
• Precision-machined, nickel-plated brass, acoustic element baffle provides enhanced element stability and optimal sensitivity
• The 2-micron-thick, vapor-deposited gold diaphragm undergoes a five-step aging process so that the optimum characteristics achieved remain constant over years of use
• Floating-construction capsule assembly provides isolation from noise and vibration
• Open acoustical environment of the symmetrical housing assembly minimizes unwanted internal reflections
• State-of-the-art surface-mount electronics ensure compliance with A-T's stringent consistency and reliability standards
• Custom shock mount provides superior isolation

Technical Specs

• ELEMENT Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
• POLAR PATTERN     Cardioid
• FREQUENCY RESPONSE     30-20,000 Hz
• LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF  80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
• OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY  -32 dB (25.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
• IMPEDANCE  100 ohms
• MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL
  145 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.;
  155 dB SPL, with 10 dB pad (nominal)
• NOISE 17 dB SPL
• DYNAMIC RANGE (typical) 128 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
• SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO 77 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
• PHANTOM POWER REQUIREMENTS  48V DC, 3.2 mA typical
• SWITCHES Flat, roll-off; 10 dB pad (nominal)
• WEIGHT     13.4 oz (380 g)
• DIMENSIONS    
  6.69" (170.0 mm) long,
  2.10" (53.4 mm) maximum body diameter
• OUTPUT CONNECTOR Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
• ACCESSORIES FURNISHED AT8449 shock mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; protective carrying case
• AUDIO-TECHNICA CASE STYLE R1