Audio-Technica ATS99

If you want to add a little weight to your live vocal sound, A‑T’s new handheld dynamic mic could be just the ticket.

Audio‑Technica are well‑known for their studio mics but when talking about live vocals, other brands tend to come more readily to mind. That might change, though, as the ATS99 hypercardioid dynamic microphone is priced to appeal to those who are happy to spend a little more than for the more obvious affordable choices, but perhaps don’t have the budget for super high‑end mics of the kind used by professional touring companies. Audio‑Technica tell us that the mic was designed after listening to feedback from a number of vocalists, the aim being to create a mic that was comfortable to use and that could cover an adequately wide frequency range while adding a little more push to the mids and lows.

Finished in satin black and measuring just over 18cm in length, the mic’s aluminium body has a general physical profile typical of live vocal mics. The barrel‑shaped basket can be unscrewed for cleaning and...