Customer Reviews

Audio-Technica ATR25 Stereo Condenser Microphone

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I bought this with some hesitation; I couldn't quite believe a quality camera mic could be had for this price.

I was very pleased and now plan to equip all my DV cameras with these mics. While the quality is not what you would get from a $500 professional stereo shotgun mic, it is FAR better than the built-in mics in any DV camera and neatly eliminates all motor noise while producing a clean, fresh-sounding stereo recording.

I teach digital filmmaking and do have more expensive mics (and cameras) that I pull out for demanding projects. However, for day-to-day use I now use Canon Optura 60 cameras with these ATR25 mics. We routinely intercut footage from a $25,000 Sony camera and pro-level studio mics with footage taken from these inexpensive, highly portable camera/mic combinations and viewers literally can't tell the difference in most cases.

I recommend getting a 15- or 20-foot extension cable for the mic, so that you can use it as a boom mic, position it in a scene or have an interviewer hold it newscaster-style. The short cable that comes with it is fine of on-camera mounting. (Notably, the mic comes with both a camera shoe mount and a mic-stand mount. Unfortunately, you need a screwdriver and a minute or two to switch the single clip between the two types of mounts. Save yourself the trouble and buy an extra two-dollar mic mount!) The windscreen that comes with this mic is fine for most situations, but not beefy enough for outdoor recording in the wind.

My only complaint with this mic is that the on-off switch sticks out so that it is very easy for it to turn on by accident when inside a camera case. This means the battery wears out more quickly, though I've had this happen a couple of times over the last few months and haven't had to replace the battery yet.

Be aware that this mic is about 8 inches long, and might not fit well in some smaller consumer/prosumer camera bags. I went through a few different bags before I found that the medium-sized Samsonite camera bag (about $15) was perfect for just about any handheld DV camera and has a quick-access pocket just the right size for an ATR25 on the front.

One more warning: if you want a mic to record straight into a computer, this one may give too strong a signal depending on your audio card. A cheapie computer mic would work better for that application. For camera use, however, this really can't be beat unless you want to spend at least $100 more.

The ATR25 comes with everything you need for recording with most camcorders. It's very well made. It has plenty of output, good stereo separation and little self noise. Compared to my AT822, it's bass is a little weak, but most mics in this price range are. For music, it's tonal balance is better than my ATR55 (mono, shotgun). This mic typically sells for under $40 which makes it a very good value, but don't expect it to sound like the $250 AT822. I based my rating on it's value. I think there are a lot of people looking for a stereo mic in this price range and this one shouldn't be overlooked.

The review that says that this mic has a very low quiet sound is WRONG. That person was plugging this MIC level microphone output into a LINE level input. That means the sound is so quiet you can barely hear it. But what you do is you can use a USB audio adapter with a mic/line switch, or most camcorders have mic level input, so it will work beautifully with camcorders! Great value, very professional looking, great microphone!

AT's ATR25 is just the product for the home video enthusiast. It gets you the sound you need without breaking your budget. In addition, the AT staff are supportive and wonderful. A great product, a good company, a good price.

I have used this (these) condenser mic(s!) for capturing the practices and improv jamming that a band I'm in does (indoors). The sound quality was better than the pair of good-quality dynamic mics we had set up in the past, and the stereo separation was quite (suprisingly) good. And the ATR25 did not distort at sound levels in the Very Loud 3-Piece Rock Band range, in a small room, at 6-ft range. And no external power required! Good deal. Only drawback (in terms of part interchangability) is that the main mic body connector is an unusual twist (literally--it has screw threads) on the regular 1/8" stereo jack/plug interface. But it stays put!

I placed the mic in a camcorder bracket hotshoe mount. The problem was that there is no form of isolation provided between the mic and the bracket. Any slight vibration is picked up by the mic through its snug-fitting slide-on shoe mounting bracket. I guess it's intended for a boom or a remotely operated tripod setup.

Microphone works great. The sound produced is a noticeable difference compared to the internal mic (of course). It makes the video sound so much more professional.

PS: Visualdude- Sounds like you didn't research what you were buying. All that interference is from incorrect specifications.

This microphone does the job you bought it for. It includes all the necessary wires and connectors (you may feel the need for a case or pouch for all those things) and it delivers a decent sound quality.
I tested it with video equipment and for digital live recordings and I was very satisfied with the result. Huge jump up from any built in mic, still a long ways to go from pro equipment, but for the money it's a great buy.

The external mike for my Canon Optura 300 is great -- compared to the built in mike up over my eye that picks up my breathing and sniffling vs. the sounds of those I'm trying to video tape. I tested it on my grandaughter (3) and she launched into a song and dance routine. Now if I could just get her to stop twirling the wind screen ... it'd be perfect

I highly recommend this mike to all.

This is a good mike, with nice stereo recording, and it works on my iPod, voice recorder, which is line in only, supplying no phantom power for external microphones.
However, this mike was clearly intended for use by someone holding it directly up to his mouth, instead of in, say, a lecture hall to take notes.
For that type of application, you will want to switch from this type (cardioid or directional) to omnidirectional.
Still, this would be an excellent mike for recording an interview, or for applications where you are trying to avoid ambient noises from interfering with your recording.
Amazon got it to me in exactly the time promised, so I have no complaints.