Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning engineer/producer Dave Reitzas (Barbra Streisand, The Weeknd, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Seal, Stevie Wonder, Guns N’ Roses and many more) utilizes a range of Audio-Technica microphones in both his studio and live recording work.
“I have a pretty big arsenal of A-T products,” Reitzas notes, “and I consider many of them ‘go-to’ mics for just about anything I might want to do in the studio. The very first mics I owned from A-T were a pair of AT4050’s that I’ve had since 1994. I used these mics on everything, and still do. This was the beginning of my long and strong relationship with Audio-Technica and the first of now dozens of A-T mics that I own and use.”
In particular, he cites the AT4060 cardioid condenser tube microphone as a recent favorite. “I have a pair of 4060’s,” he notes. “These are my go-to mics for drum overheads. When not used for drums, I’ll have them set up in a room as a stereo pair to help capture the ambience for whatever instrument I’m recording. Also, it’s a great vocal mic and perfect for any sound that needs a full bodied, rich capture.”
For example, he put the AT4060 to use on a recent project with artist Miguel Lugo Mireles. “This is the sixth album we’ve worked on together,” noted Reitzas, “but the first I have produced for him. On his earlier records, we always used musicians from Mexico, but he wanted a change of pace for this one, so I was able to gather my favorite L.A. session musicians and record at EastWest Studio Two. Then we did strings and horns overdubbed in Mexico. We have Audio-Technica all over the record, but the AT4060 in particular really let his voice shine through.”
Other models in his toolkit include AT4080 and AT4081 ribbon mics on guitar amps and horns; AT4041 on wind instruments, light snare drums, percussion or stringed instruments; BP4025 and BP4027 for live concert ambience; or several other essential components of his setup.
“When I think Audio-Technica, I think ‘family,’” he concludes. “The one thing that is very prevalent in Audio-Technica’s core from my point of view is how well they have reached out to the recording community for our ideas and feedback. A-T is very interested in what helps us to create. They also give back to the community in so many ways. Whenever there is an audio event, you can always count on A-T to be a sponsor of some kind. And I especially love it when they have their own events and bring our community of engineers closer together. I am proud to call the people of Audio-Technica my friends.”
