Audio-Technica BP4025

I've been using this microphone for about 3,5 years. I'm a field recordist and sound artist. I record in urban and nature environments alike, all over the world. Over the past years, this microphone has become one of my go to microphones, especially for quick setups and run and gun ambiance work. And it's great as a backup or second mic on an expedition. Apart from this microphone, I also use the DPA 4006A, DPA 4060, Rode NT4, and Lom Usi a lot.

The BP4025 is a very quiet and natural sounding microphone, which delivers a lot of detail in its sound. It has a very low self-noise making it great for nature recordings. The XY stereo image is a tad smaller than other XY stereo mics I know, and because it uses a special mounting of the large diafragms, might take a bit getting used too. But when it is used well, it delivers a beautiful and enthralling stereo image, while remaining very uncolored. Because it uses large diaphragms (the only stereo mic I know that does so) it has a very present low end response. When I use this mic in urban areas, this can lead to an overpresent low end, but that's easy to correct in post. If necessary, the mic also sports a bass roll off. (I've never used it). And sometimes I've used this mics over my other ones precisely to take advantage of the low end response. The LDC's are also responsible for a quite lush midrange. The frequency reponse tapers of after 17K, but because of the fullness of the sound below this frequency, I rarely notice that.

I have my BP4025 fixed quasi permanently in a blimp, and it's great for quick setups and shoots. I've taken it everywhere in moderate climates, even sometimes in quite wet ones, and it is build sturdily enough to withstand a reasonable amount of abuse. I've not had humidity issues with it, but this is not the microphone I would be taking to the rainforest. For most places, it performs most adequatly. It's a bit front heavy, so get the correct suspension for it (I use a rycote duo lyre mounted in a rode blimp).

For this budget, I know of no other stereo microphone that would outperform the BP4025 for quiet ambiance recordings. And if you can live with the slightly smaller stereo field, it works great on music recordings too. So if you're looking for a versatile and quiet microphone that doesn't break the bank, this one's it.

To start, I'm not a professional, audio engineer or anything like that. But, I own a range of equipment from very cheap to reasonably expensive and so my comments are mostly relative

Firstly a few comparisons to the Rode NT4 which I bought used a few years ago. The BP-4025 is quite heavy but lighter than the Rode, narrower in diameter and shorter. It is is a little more top-heavy as the stem of the mic is narrow, most of the weight is in the head, this is not a problem, just an observation.

In terms of build quality, it feels great, very reassuring, when I pay this much for audio equipment I want to feel fairly sure that the item will not fall apart after a few years.

It comes with a mic stand adapter, 5 pin to twin 3 pin xlr lead and a basic foam wind cover. In use it needs more, I am planning to buy the appropriate Rycote BBG cover (I think 21mm) and will use it with the windjammer. I think it will probably just fit in my Rode Blimp II but I haven't tried it.

In terms of field use, the audio quality is superb, comparing it to my Sony PCM D100 and the Rode NT4 I think it just has the edge in terms of detail and has lower self noise.

It's quite sensitive to handling noise so I'll be using it in a grip or stand.

I do mostly field recordings or urban or mixed environments, occasionally nature sounds and I see myself using it more where there are fewer people. I find in the city and urban areas that a pair of binaural mics or the Sony handheld (with grip/shockmount) are more discreet.

Overall it's a superb mic. One of the things I like is that because of the design it will fit in a regular,cheaper blimp, unlike the rode which is has a much fatter diameter. The Rode is also a really good mic, but this one for me will be easier to use.

Really, any combination of words will be insufficient to describe the level of detail and realistic soundstage possible with this microphone. The self noise is barely noticeable, even with high gain situations, and the dimensionality, combined with wide frequency response, is startling on playback through headphones. Certainly the most impressive microphone experience I have had.

Having previously owned the Rode NT4, Shure VP88, and a pair of DPA 4060, there is no comparison to the fine sound resolution of the BP4025.

Very compact and lightweight for travel, as well as highly weather resistant, I would have no issues using this mic in the field or studio.