Cardioid Pencil Condenser Microphone

The AT2021 is FET condenser mic with cardioid polar pattern.

It is intended as an all-purpose instrument condenser.

Its “low-mass” diaphragm is said to produce a “superb transient response.”

Its high SPL rating of 145dB (1% THD) makes it suitable for loud sources such as drums.

Its relatively high self-noise level of 19dBA would seem to make it unsuitable for very quiet sources, such as nylon-string guitar.

The mic’s frequency response dips -2dB at 80Hz, but is otherwise flat from 30Hz–3kHz.

Above 3kHz is a ~4dB peak centered at 10kHz. The HF -3dB ponit is right at 20kHz.