Audio-Technica ATM230

Audio-Technica ATM230 Hypercardioid Dynamic Drum Microphone

The Audio-Technica ATM230 is a purpose-built hypercardioid dynamic instrument microphone designed from the ground up for close-miking snare drums, rack toms, floor toms, and other high-SPL percussion sources. Engineered around a proprietary dynamic capsule with a rare earth magnet, it delivers the low-end weight, fast transient response, and clean attack that drummers and front-of-house engineers look for when a drum needs to sit forward in a mix. A tight hypercardioid polar pattern keeps stage wash and cymbal bleed under control, while the compact low-profile body makes it easy to position on crowded drum kits.

What Sets the ATM230 Apart in the Drum Mic Category

The proprietary hypercardioid capsule paired with a rare earth magnet is the core of this mic's identity — that combination produces an unusually high output level and a warm, full low-end response with excellent attack, so each tom hit cuts through the mix without aggressive EQ. A rugged, all-metal housing and the included AT8665 drum rim mount with a 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adaptor mean the ATM230 installs cleanly onto virtually any kit configuration, both live and in the studio.

Technical Parameters — Capsule, Pattern, and Response

The capsule, polar pattern, and frequency window define how the ATM230 captures a drum hit. Tuned to handle punishing SPLs without choking, the dynamic element pairs with the tight hypercardioid rejection to focus the mic on the source and filter out adjacent cymbals and stage noise.

• Element: Dynamic with rare earth magnet — handles very high SPLs at close range without distortion.
• Polar Pattern: Hypercardioid — reduces pickup from the sides and rear, improving isolation of the drum head.
• Frequency Response: 30–12,000 Hz — a wide window covering the deep body and fast attack of toms and snare.
• A –54 dB (1.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa open-circuit sensitivity keeps the preamp gain lower and the noise floor calmer, even when the source sits inches from the head.

Build, Connectivity, and Dimensions

The physical package is built for working musicians who load in and out of venues every week. Metal construction, a low-profile body, and standard XLR connectivity make this mic slot into any existing drum mic rack or stage snake.

• Weight: 292 g (10.3 oz) — substantial enough to stay mounted, light enough to leave on the rim during transport.
• Dimensions: 82.5 mm long, 38.0 mm maximum diameter — compact housing that fits inside rack tom rims and tight drum kits.
• Wired into a standard 3-pin XLRM-type output connector, the mic drops into any existing mic pre, drum snake, or live rig without extra cabling.
• Included Accessories: AT8665 drum mount, 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adaptor, soft protective pouch — ready to clip on a tom out of the box.

Who the ATM230 Is For

The ATM230 is the right choice for drummers, live sound engineers, and recording engineers who need a dedicated percussion microphone that captures the full body and attack of toms and snares without requiring heavy EQ. Players who run an active stage kit, mid-size touring bands, and project-studio producers will get a plug-and-play solution that pairs naturally with kick and overhead condensers. Anyone upgrading from a generic SM57 placement on a rack tom — or replacing the cult-classic ATM25 — will recognize the warm, punchy character this dynamic delivers right out of the box.

Artist Series Heritage and Drum Mic Lineage

The ATM230 sits inside Audio-Technica's Artist Series of dynamic instrument microphones, a family built specifically for high-SPL close-miking of drums and percussion in demanding live and studio environments. Drawing on the capsule lineage of the long-running ATM25 — a beloved studio and touring workhorse — the ATM230 re-engineers that sonic DNA into a smaller, rim-mount-friendly body with a tight hypercardioid pattern.