Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone Black

This microphone is high quality, both in build and in audio quality. it is easy to setup with just needing to plug it in and following the included instructions to ensure that its volume is appropriate. The microphone comes included with a small tripod to mount it on to allow it to point towards the desired audio source (usually you). The microphone is a little heavy and the small tripod is prone to falling over if bumped but if you dont move it, it's perfectly adaquate. It can pick up voices with crystal clear quality making this a good mic for talking or recording. I bought this microphone to talk to people over the internet and to record my guitar, for this it is excellent. It can pick up the softest of plucks and the hardest of strums just fine making music recordings possible with it. along with its mount, it comes with a small carrying bag and a 2m cable making it easy to place anywhere you need. When plugged in it automatically installs its required drivers which include a virtual audio cable. This allows you to switch software to output its audio back into your microphone. This is very useful for things like soundboards where you want to blend sound effects with your voice. The microphone has a dial on the device to adjust the blend between the microphone's audio and its input from the virtual audio cable. The microphone also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack which allows you to hear your voice live without the delay usually caused from software's audio monitoring. The second dial controls the volume of this monitoring feature. Neither dial however controls its output volume to the computer. Overall, this is a wonderful microphone. It has everything a person might need in an audio input device. While it may seem expensive, in terms of audio equipment this is an affordable option without sacrificing quality.

I’ve been using the Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone for a while, and overall, it’s a solid choice, especially if you’re just getting into recording or need a step up from basic USB mics without spending big. It delivers Clear, detailed sound for vocals and instruments. Solid build quality. This is an XLR mic, so you’ll need an audio interface or mixer that provides 48 V phantom power; it won’t work plugged straight into USB without extra gear. It also picks up room noise if the space isn’t treated. If you’re building a home recording setup for music, podcasts, voiceovers, or streaming, the AT2020 is one of the most reliable budget condenser mics out there.

The microphone is easy to use, good quality, and works well. It seems robust and is quite weighty, which does mean that the small tripod stand that came with it is not really stable enough to support it adequately - within an hour of opening the box, the microphone ended up on the floor because the little stand over-balanced when I moved it slightly. Hence the conclusion that the microphone seems robust, as falling from the desk to the floor didn't do any harm!

So, lemme start by saying I paid my own money for this after much extensive research. I compared it to the Rode NT1, the AT2020 XLR version, the Rode Procaster and the Blue Yeti. Where does it stack? Sadly not at the very top. The mic itself is a condenser cardioid microphone, meaning it's pick up panel is roughly the shape of a heart in terms how where the sound is picked up from the FRONT of the mic, not the top (don't confuse this with a dynamic mic such as the Rode Procaster and talk into the top of it). The sound quality is great, 9/10, it's crisp, better than any headset mic from the Astro A50s to the Turle Beach Pros, it beats them. What it does do though, and where it really lets you down if you are trying to stream with it, it picks up EVERYTHING. This mic is unbelievably sensitive, imagine telling your partner they've gained a little bit of holiday weight and they got upset, this mic is more sensitive than that. It sucks trying to stream with it and talk to your chat or Twitter because the keyboard noises from any decent mechanical keyboard can be heard. The USB aversion is plug to play so it doesn't require phantom power or any audio interface, but it desperately needs one. The PS4 has a built in microphone gain adjuster but its limited to -5db to 6db gain, pretty substandard. Even on the lowest gain, mic right near my mouth, my friends and stream chat said they could hear my keyboard, even when I was trying to be discreet. In conclusion, the mic quality is phenomenal, it's great for voice overs, talking to an audience but don't expect to be able to multitask with it on. The lack of a mute button kills it too, but majority of mics don't have this so I don't give it a negative rating for that. I'm already intended to upgrade to the Rode Procaster with a Focusirite Scarlett audio interface and a Cloud Filter CL1 just for better gain control, and you should consider though the USB model is slightly more expensive, opt for the XLR version and get an audio interface. You'll prefer having all the controls to hand. P.s get the Rode PSA1 boom arm. Don't skimp and buy the cheaper Neewer or other brands. The Rode boomarm is comfortably the best boomarm for value.

Everything was perfect from packaging to setup. With this purchase you get an AT2020 Microphone, a tripod Stand, USB Cable, swivel adapter and a pouch. Being a USB microphone it is as easy as plug and play with both OSX and Windows. The sounds is amazing. Crystal clear, sharp and professional. It has a headphone jack to listen back and almost zero lag. There is two volume controls on the mic. One for headphones and the other as a monitor. I live in a noisy environment and was worried about it picking up to much. Just by using adjusting the microphone levels in your OS's settings it can work to how you want. Coupled with other programs it can do a lot more. For live recording.... Adobe Audition can process your voice to give it broadcasting/radio quality. In OBS (Open Broadcasting Software) the noise gate can be adjusted so it picks up your voice and not loud keystrokes. For stuff like Youtube or pre-recorded videos. The sound can be ran through Audacity or a number of programs and maximizes the sound quality due to the AT2020 being one of the best microphones on the market. In terms of quality this in my option beats the Blue Yeti hands down. Aesthetically its looks more pleasing to the eye and due to the slim design it will fit in most shock mounts/ mic stands. I know the Blue Yeti has trouble sliding into some stands. Do remember that this is a USB mic, so the advantage is you do not need a mixer to adjust the audio levels as with the AT2020 standard. It is all done digitally with whatever program you use. I also recommend buying a boom arm stand instead of using the standard tripod (more room for Keyboard and mouse) and a cheap pop shield like this one Mudder Recording Studio Microphone Mic Windscreen Pop Filter with Double Layer for streaming and gaming . If you have the space directly in front of your person then the tripod stand is sufficient. The only downside is the blue L.E.D. It is not distracting but when coupled with a green screen can shine a little. However you can always rotate the mic so the blue light is on the other side. There is no way to turn this light off but it is the only flaw on what I deem a perfect microphone. The sound is AMAZING!

A good few years back I had an XLR AT microphone that I loved the quality from. In January I had a need for a microphone but wasn't sure I would use it much, so I just bought a cheap USB microphone. For the price, it wasn't bad but a few month in and it started developing a fault. Since I found I was using a microphone more than I thought, I decided it was worth paying the extra for an AT based on my previous experience. It's good to see that their microphones still live up to my expectations. The sound quality is excellent and picks up a lot less background noise than my previous USB mic too. Build quality is great, it feels a nicely constructed bit of kit and looks the part......just a single blue light to indicate power without any of the flashy gamer stuff, this is good with me! I didn't use the desk stand, I have it on an arm, so can't comment on that. I'm glad I paid the extra now, I have found it very worthwhile and good to see AT still making quality products.

Product arrived early, brand new in perfect condition, and packaged well. Many thanks!

This is a superior sounding microphone. I bought this for use on vocal and acoustic guitar. It is excellent for either, and for that matter with good positioning, both at the same time as a mono source. Unusually for a condenser of this design, it works well on close miking vocal with a pleasant proximity effect without excessive sibilance. It seems fairly resistant to plosives when used slightly off axis. A foam pop shield is available. (just make sure you get the right size – my mistake! at the very least it will keep the dust out). I already have two vintage large diaphragm mics from the 1990s and this is my opinion offers better sound quality than both. Having said that, it is at an entry level price, and considerably less expensive than either of the older ones were by far. It appears reasonably rugged and is well designed. It is of sufficient quality for professional studio use. I have an AT3525 (its ancestor) from the 1990s and an AKG C3000 (the original - Made in Austria version). Sonically, I believe the AT2020 is superior to both, however there are a few minor considerations. The polar field is fixed (there are more expensive models in the range that have multi polar patterns), there is no bass rolloff switch, there is no attenuation switch. So, if you're not jumping around in front of it, or banging away on a nearby drum kit, or setting your Marshall to 11 those things shouldn't be a problem. These are additional features available in more expensive models in the range, and if you don’t need them, not important. The sound is airy on vocal, and there is a nice balanced bass end without being too boomy. There has been criticism of this mic for having inherent noise, I didn’t find that an issue myself. (I use a Behringer UMC404HD interface on my PC) I don't like the mounting system, I found the supplied mount can be awkward to position at different angles, and it cannot be used with other makes of mic. It’s well made, but I’m not convinced about the design. It won’t be a problem for everybody, but I find it a little cumbersome. If the mic is on a stand and rarely exchanged with another, then it won’t be an issue. It is however a fairly minor nuisance the way I work. There are suspension mounts available of course at additional cost. As a bodge, I got about 2 inches of 1 inch (external) diameter plastic hose that nicely fits over the XLR connector and the bottom of the AT2020 allowing it to be used in more generic mic holders. All in all, an excellent purchase. No regrets.