At the 127th AES Convention, Audio-Technica brought a variety of microphones to the table, in an effort to please the whole crowd. In addition to the AT4080, AT4081, and AT4050ST ($1,625 MSRP), the company debuted the AT4050ST stereo condenser microphone, a stereo version of its AT4050 predecessor in the 40-Series of mics. According to A-T, this mic is ideal for recording overheads, piano, classical/string ensembles, group vocals, acoustic/bluegrass bands.

Since Audio-Technica is all about responding to user feedback these days, it developed the AT4050ST for those outspoken users who really wanted a stereo version of the AT4050. With stereo side-address, this condenser mic with independent cardioid and figure-eight elements is configured in a midside arrangement with switch-selectable internal matrixing. Choose between a left-right stereo output (wide 127 or narrow 90) via the internal matrixing system, or discrete midside signals for later manipulation.

It features transformerless circuitry, 2-micron-thick vapor-deposited gold diaphragms, and 5-pin XLRM output. For that output, you'll need the 16.5-foot dual-output cable terminating in a 5-pin XLRF-type to two standard 3-pin XLRM-type connectors that comes included with the microphone. The AT4050ST requires 48V phantom power and is equipped with a switchable 10 dB pad and a switchable 80 Hz highpass filter. This mic comes with the AT8449 shockmount, a dust cover, and a protective carrying case.

Expect the AT4050ST to begin shipping in November, 2009.