Audio-Technica AT5047 Cardioid Studio Condenser Microphone

Product Overview

The Audio-Technica AT5047 is a transformer-coupled cardioid condenser microphone built for premier studio recording of vocals and acoustic instruments. Its defining characteristic is a quad rectangular diaphragm assembly — four 2-micron ultra-thin diaphragms functioning as a single element — that provides a combined surface area twice that of a standard one-inch circular capsule, delivering exceptional low-noise performance and transient response. The transformer-coupled output maintains a constant load output impedance regardless of SPL level, ensuring a predictable and stable electrical interface with any microphone preamplifier or console input. With an industry-leading 142 dB dynamic range and a self-noise of just 6 dB SPL, the AT5047 cardioid studio condenser microphone captures sources across the full dynamic spectrum without compression or coloration artifacts.

Product Description

The AT5047 occupies the top tier of the Audio-Technica microphone line, representing the combination of the company's highest-specification capsule design, transformer output stage, and hand-assembly quality control. The rectangular diaphragm format — derived from AT's experience with specialized capsule geometries — provides a larger effective capture area than round diaphragm designs of comparable size, contributing to both the extremely low self-noise (6 dB SPL) and the broad dynamic range (142 dB) that distinguish this microphone from conventional large-diaphragm condensers.

The transformer-coupled output is a deliberate design choice rather than a concession to vintage aesthetics. Transformers provide galvanic isolation between the capsule circuit and the output, buffer the capsule from varying load impedances presented by different preamps, and contribute to the smooth frequency response and transient character that engineers associate with classic studio microphones. Even at maximum SPL levels (148 dB SPL at 1% THD), the AT5047 maintains a stable output impedance relationship with the connected preamp or console input, preventing the dynamic impedance variation that transformer-less designs exhibit under high-level transients.

Each AT5047 is hand-assembled by Audio-Technica technicians and individually inspected before shipment. The microphone includes the AT8480 custom shock mount, which uses an advanced internal decoupling design to isolate the capsule from mechanical vibration transmitted through the stand. The AT8480 accepts 5/8"-27 threaded stands and includes a 3/8" to 5/8" adapter. A custom hard-shell carrying case with die-cut foam compartments provides protection for the microphone body and accessories. Phantom power requirement is 48V DC at 2.7 mA typical. The AT5047 carries a five-year limited end-user warranty from Audio-Technica. Available from Creation Networks.

Key Features

• Quad Rectangular Diaphragm Element — Four matched 2-micron ultra-thin diaphragms function together as Audio-Technica's largest-ever element, providing a combined surface area twice that of a standard 1-inch circular diaphragm.
• Transformer-Coupled Output — Maintains constant load output impedance even at extreme SPL, ensuring a stable and predictable electrical interface with any microphone preamplifier or mixing console input.
• 142 dB Dynamic Range — Audio-Technica's widest dynamic range across their entire microphone line, capturing sources from the quietest room ambience to loud instrument transients without limiting.
• 6 dB SPL Self-Noise — Exceptionally low noise floor enables high-gain recording applications including acoustic instruments, quiet vocals, and room microphone placement.
• 148 dB Maximum SPL Handling — Accepts extremely loud sources at 1% THD, covering kick drum close-miking, guitar amplifiers, and high-output brass instruments.
• 20–20,000 Hz Frequency Response — Full audio bandwidth with -29 dB open circuit sensitivity (35.5 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa.
• Advanced Internal Shock Mounting — Decouples the capsule from the microphone body to reduce handling and stand-borne noise transmission.
• Included AT8480 Shock Mount — Custom-designed shock mount provides superior mechanical isolation; fits 5/8"-27 threaded stands with included 3/8" adapter.
• Hand-Assembled, Individually Inspected — 100% quality control with technician verification on every unit; aluminum and brass housing construction.
• Discrete Component Design — Internal components are individually selected and optimized for compatibility with standalone preamps and console inputs.
• Five-Year Limited Warranty — Audio-Technica's five-year limited end-user warranty applies to all AT5047 microphones.

Typical Applications

• Broadcast studio — voice-over booth and on-camera talent recording
• Auditorium — orchestral recording and acoustic instrument capture
• Commercial meeting space — high-quality speech capture in boardroom recording environments
• House of worship — lead vocal and instrument recording for broadcast or archival production
• Training room — lecture recording requiring high intelligibility and low background noise

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What preamp gain is recommended for the AT5047?
The AT5047 has an open circuit sensitivity of -29 dB (35.5 mV). This is a relatively high-output condenser, so moderate preamp gain (40–55 dB) is typically sufficient for vocals and most instruments. The transformer-coupled output is stable across a wide range of preamp input impedances, making the AT5047 less sensitive to preamp matching than transformer-less designs.

Does the AT5047 require a specific phantom power voltage?
The AT5047 requires standard 48V DC phantom power at 2.7 mA typical. Most professional mixing consoles, audio interfaces, and standalone microphone preamps provide 48V phantom power. Do not use reduced-voltage phantom (e.g., 12V or 24V) as this may result in degraded performance or prevent the microphone from operating correctly.

What is the AT5047's maximum SPL handling?
The AT5047 handles 148 dB SPL at 1 kHz and 1% THD. This is adequate for close-miking of kick drums, guitar amplifiers, and most acoustic instrument sources. No pad switch is included or required for typical studio applications.

What shock mount is included, and will third-party shock mounts fit?
The AT5047 includes the AT8480 shock mount, custom-designed for this microphone's body diameter (57.0 mm maximum). Third-party shock mounts designed for large-diaphragm condenser microphones may fit depending on their adjustment range, but the AT8480 is optimized for the AT5047 and provides the best mechanical isolation.

Is the AT5047 side-address or end-address?
The AT5047 is a side-address microphone. The capsule faces perpendicular to the long axis of the body, in the same orientation as most large-diaphragm studio condensers. The front of the capsule (cardioid null at the rear) is indicated on the microphone body.

What is included in the box with the AT5047?
The AT5047 ships with the AT8480 custom shock mount, a 3/8"-to-5/8" stand adapter for use with European-thread stands, and a custom hard-shell carrying case with die-cut foam inserts. The microphone and all accessories fit securely within the case for storage and transport.

What warranty coverage applies to the AT5047?
Audio-Technica provides a five-year limited end-user warranty covering manufacturing defects under normal use. This warranty applies to the original purchaser. Creation Networks can assist with warranty claims and provides pre-sales technical support for AT5047 purchases.

How does the AT5047 compare to the AT4047/SV?
Both microphones use transformer-coupled outputs and fixed-charge condenser elements, but the AT5047 uses Audio-Technica's proprietary quad rectangular diaphragm assembly rather than a single round diaphragm. This results in lower self-noise (6 dB vs. 20 dB for the AT4047/SV), wider dynamic range, and the broader surface area's effect on transient capture. The AT5047 is the higher-specification product intended for critical tracking applications.