Audix SCX1-HC versus AT-4053

puredrifting

puredrifting

Major Contributor
Anyone try them head to head? I just did and I highly preferred the Audix. The AT sounds okay, but not a ton better than my cheapo AT 875R. The Audix, OTOH, to me sounded much better. I need a new interior interview mic, the AT is okay but I think I need to up my audio game for low end and travel setups. The tiny size of the Audix is a win too!
 
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Ever since I picked up my Audix SCX1-HC I've never looked back. I'm no sound guy but I love having it for solo operations when I need dependable audio. Pair it with a decent pre amp and you can have terrible boom technique and still get decent sound lol. :embarasse
 
The nice thing about the Audix is that it cuts through a mix with music a bit better. Someone (it may have been you, actually!) once described the sound of it as a bit more tiring for the ear compared to the slightly warmer sound of the AT4053. It does seem to have a slightly more mid-forward sound, but that can be a good thing for clarity of dialogue. It's definitely not as BIG NARRATOR SOUND OF GOD as an MKH50, but I've been having great success with it and it's an amazing price, especially when found used. I'm using it with the MixPre3 these days and it's a great combo.
 
OSCURO said:
My experience with both has been a bit different. I owned both at one point and decided to keep the AT4053 for several reasons:

• Cardioid and Omni capsules can be sourced easier adding to its versatility.
• Built-in low pass and -10db switches.
• Lower noise floor and higher sensitivity by a few decibels -- quite noticeable in a quiet setting if you A/B both mics.

However, the Audix is a little better at rejecting reverberations, but, because of its higher sensitivity you can get the AT4053 closer thus reducing reverberations and the noise floor even further. Handling noise on both is similar which is why the ATs built-in low pass filter is especially useful for folks working with mixers without their own filters.

It was a tough choice considering that both have similar off axis coloration, but I preferred the AT4053s slight bump in the higher frequencies which makes dialogue 'pop' a bit more. Audix has a nice well rounded 'fat' sound across the spectrum to my ears, but ultimately the AT4053s slightly hyped upper range and versatility won me over.

Also, other older AT shotguns (at4073a, 4071a) match nicely and can be had for low $ on the bay. So for under $1000 you can build a nice kit.

The Audix's small size is useful but can also be a conundrum when finding a suitable shock mount that mates nicely with other mics. Personally I prefer mics that are a little longer for that extra reach when you really need it, even if just by a few inches.

Both mics are excellent for the price, it just depends if you need the bells and whistles that the AT offers.
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Thanks for responding all.

1. I have zero need for an Omni capsule so not a factor for me.
2. I tend to prefer doing real audio processing and filtration in post, it seems to me that low pass and sensitivity switching on microphones can be a bit "blunt and coarse" compared to what you can do in post?
3. The noise floor observations are interesting, I didn't really test that.

I've read some polar pattern testing that the 4053 has a wider pattern than the Audix, which can be a curse and a blessing depending on how and what you are miking. Generally, narrower pickup patterns will have more off-axis rejection of noise, both behind the mic and around your subject. I don't do much hand booming, I mainly would like something that has a bit more detail and smoothness over my AT-875r. I used to have the MKH-50, which I love but budget is too tight to replace the MKH-50 right now, I found a dealer on Ebay who offers reconditioned Audix for $349.00 with factory warranty. Seems like a better value than most used 4053s I see and I like the sound of the Audix too, it does seem a bit like the poor man's Schoeps CMC641.
 
I have the Audix for years. Love it. I keep wanting to upgrade to the MKH-50 but that little stinker just keeps chugging. Best deal around.
 
puredrifting said:
I tend to prefer doing real audio processing and filtration in post, it seems to me that low pass and sensitivity switching on microphones can be a bit "blunt and coarse" compared to what you can do in post?
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In film dialogue recording, removing excessive low-frequency energy (from boom handling, wind etc.) as early in the chain as possible is often wise not 'coarse', which is why so many professionals use high-pass (not 'low-pass'!) filters on mics and on their mixers (and note how manufacturers of some of the field-recording mixers and recorders emphasize, where applicable, that their high-pass filters are located before the preamp stage: this reduces overloading/clipping from these unwanted bass frequencies, and gives more headroom for the wanted frequencies).

Obviously how relevant this is to anyone will depend on where and what you are recording, and, of course, the mic itself. Products like the Rycote Tac!T cable (with an 18db/octave active filter) also exist for good reason too, to use with mics that don't have high-pass filters or where cumulative high-pass filtering is needed for particularly challenging circumstances. I have one in my bag for very occasional use: the need for high-pass filtering should be judged on a case-by-case basis, rather than applied (or not applied) as a blanket rule.

A pad is less likely to be of use for dialogue recording (if ever) as a) the levels are unlikely to require it and b) if prior to the mic's own amplifier stage, it will reduce the signal to noise ratio. The use of such pads is for SPLs that will otherwise exceed the mic's capability and overload its internal amplifier stage.

Cheers,

Roland
 
I usually use the mic's HPF for dialog. Boom, plosives and wind noise can trigger unwanted limiting and pumping, not to mention over driving the preamp and digital overs (clipping) in the recorder. Other EQ however is best left for post production.
 
I would have to agree with the HPF use. I have it in except for SFX where I know I will want any lows I can get. Uncontrolled low end can eat up a lot of range and if you are not going to use it you just wasted resolution for nothing. I'm using the HPF on my MixPre and not on the mic, mostly for convenience since it can be switched in and out with out having to open the zeppelin.
 
I just bought the Audio Technica AT4053B.
I did consider purchasing the Audix, however, here in Australia I was able to purchase the AT4053B for AU$570 (including shipping), whereas the Audix was approximately AU$950 plus shipping.
By comparison the Sennheiser MKH50 costs about AU$1,775 and the Schoeps CMC6/MK41 costs about AU$2,400 so hard to argue the value-for-money proposition of the Audio Technica.
 
doubledark said:
thats a great price; can I ask where you got it :)
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Sure thing.
Mannys have it for $595 and then you get a further 5% off by using the discount code GET5OFF.
Really struggled to find the Audix anywhere in Australia. Certainly would've been a tempting prospect had it been a similar price to the Audio Technica. I think at almost twice the price any advantage is completely diminished.
Although I did salivate over the Schoeps, for what was ostensibly going to be a pre-wedding interview mic the Schoeps would clearly be overkill.
 
That's a good deal. I don't recall ever seeing the AT4053b on any kind of sale. I watched it for a few years and finally went ahead and bought one when I had a store credit.
 
How about using both the the audix and AT in a 2 person interview? For the price (audix significantly less here) I don't think I'd buy a 2nd AT
 
Just ordered the Audix SCX1-HC, will report back on my findings and some tests on how it works. Needed a good cheap HC mic, I sold off the MKH-50 years ago, which I loved but have only had a shotgun for the past few years.
Ordered the Rycote Softie for it as well and I already have a nice carbon K-Tek pole and Lyre mic mount. Also ordered the SD Mix Pre 3 as well so we'll see how the Audix works with the Kashmir preamps. I bet it's going to sound
pretty nice.
 
If the Softie ends up being too big, you could check out the new(ish) Rycote Baseball... I demoed it and it seemed pretty nices; kind of a simplified, modern, and cheaper version of the BBG Windshield:

https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/baseball/

https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/bbg-windshield/

Maybe for interior interviews if the softie's extending too far from the capsule. Baseball + Windjammer = $75 or so. But just store away this info for later. Looks like you're good to go. I look forward to hearing how the mic works for you.
 
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Jim Feeley said:
If the Softie ends up being too big, you could check out the new(ish) Rycote Baseball... I demoed it and it seemed pretty nics; kind of a simplified, modern, and cheaper version of the BBG Windshield:

https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/baseball/

https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/bbg-windshield/

Maybe for interior interviews if the softie's extending too far from the capsule. Baseball + Windjammer = $75 or so. But just store away this info for later. Looks like you're good to go. I look forward to hearing how the mic works for you.
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Very cool thx!
 
I did a similar test years ago and ended up with the AKG SE300b/CK93 hypercardioid mic!

I am also a fan of the AT875R and the 4053b.

Thumbs up.

Rob
Smalltalk Productions/NYC
 
Jim Feeley said:
If the Softie ends up being too big, you could check out the new(ish) Rycote Baseball... I demoed it and it seemed pretty nices; kind of a simplified, modern, and cheaper version of the BBG Windshield:

https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/baseball/

https://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/bbg-windshield/

Maybe for interior interviews if the softie's extending too far from the capsule. Baseball + Windjammer = $75 or so. But just store away this info for later. Looks like you're good to go. I look forward to hearing how the mic works for you.
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I'm hoping to just use the included foam for indoor interviews and the Softie for any exteriors or open patio/door type of stuff. If I really need to do an outdoor interview, I would tend to use one of my shotguns probably anyway but thanks for the information Jim. We'll see how the Softie works.
 
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