Audio Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone

Posted: December 17th, 2009 | Author: Condenser Microphone Reviews | Filed under: Condenser Microphone Reviews | Tags: Articulation, Audio Technica, Cable Storage, Condenser, Condenser Microphone, Diaphragm, Gem Type, Hidden Gem, Low Mass, Output Windows, Polar Pattern, Recording Software, Reliability Standards, Self Noise, Storage Pouch, Studio Quality, Transient Response, Unbeatable Price, Usb Digital, Usb Plugs | No Comments »

Audio Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone

The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Microphone offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility.The AT2020 USB plugs right into your computers USB port, and functions seamlessly with your favorite recording software. Equipped with a USB digital output, the AT2020 USB is perfect for home studio recording, field recording, podcasting, and voiceover use.Based on the renowned AT2020The AT2020 USB is based on the design of Audio-Technicas critically acclaimed AT2020 cardioid condenser microphone. Like the AT2020, it features a low-mass diaphragm, custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response.With low self-noise, the AT2020 USB is perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment. Audio-Technicas state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the companys renowned consistency and reliability standards.Experience AT2020 USB. Plug it in and transform your sound.Audio-Technica AT2020 USB FeaturesSide-address studio condenser with USB digital output (Windows and Mac compatible)Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover useCustom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient responseCardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound sourceLow self-noise perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipmentIncludes tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable & storage pouch

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Unbeatable Mic At An Unbeatable Price
This here is truly one of those hidden gem type products that you just don’t really get to appreciate unless you have one for yourself. This is a great investment for anyone looking to do ANY type of recording on the casual level, vocals in particular. But why buy, you might ask?

1) This mic is USB powered. This is pretty much the prime reason that this is the perfect mic for the casual/beginning level user. If you were to buy a regular condenseor mic, or even the regular version of the AT Condenser Mic, you would have to have additional equiptment to power it. For those who, like me, know very little about audio equipment, you would end up paying for far more then you originally expected to spend and most likely been all kinds of confused about how to use it. Being USB powered is truely a God-sent, because all you need to do to make it work is plug it in. Theres no program to load, no instructions to follow, and best of all no sweat to break. As soon as you plug it in, the computer acknowledges it just like any other UBS device and you go on with your buesiness. You dont even need to sit and “safely” eject the thing, just yank it out and your done. No damage done to you computer or your mic. Best of all, the UBS cord is pretty standard, so you can easily replace it if the one that comes with it gets damaged.

2) The price. A lot of professional level condenser mics are pretty expensive, like around three hundred dollars at the cheapest level. Granted, that’s a somewhat random number, but again, for the casual user, that’s not exactly wallet friendly. I got mine in a music store for one fifty. I wish I had looked online for one a little cheaper, but it was still a wise investment. Thus far I haven’t seen another mic this good for this cheap.

3) Durability. If you have any experience with audio equipment, mics in particular, you know that you need to be gentle with it when handling. I got my mic a good year and a half ago, and it’s traveled with me a lot, sometimes in less gentle conditions then I would like. Its been bumped, dropped, and even sat on, yet it still runs strong. The only fragile thing this thing has on it is the legs that prop it up.

4) Sound Quality. Ok I lied, THIS is the best reason to get this mic. I started out doing vocals with a regular stage mic and one thing I can honestly say is that the quality was absolutely terrible. It was grainy, smothered, and I had to almost whisper to make sure my levels didn’t peak while recording. The purpose of a condenser mic is to pretty much rectify all that. This one does it over and over again. My recordings come out crisp and professional sounding, and thus far, no one has been able to tell that I did all the recording my my basement with nothing but the mic, my laptop, and some quite time.

So if you looking for great quality for a affordable price, look no further then

Audio Technica AT2020USB. I have yet to find something I don’t like about this thing. I am a very satisfied customer, and I can almost guarantee you will be too if you decide to get one too.

Peace

5 Stars Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone Works Great
Works great! Easy to use. True plug and Play even with Windows 7. I have been using to record on Windows 7 using Audacity.

5 Stars Worth every dollar plus more!!!
I got my mic the other day and decided to lay some bars down. This was my first mic that i have bought and i must say that i beleive i picked the best one!! easy plug and play picks every up perfect. it is way more than i expected. all im wating for now is my pop filter and my stand. this microphone is worth the money people. do not think about it just get it. you will not regret it. i would reccomend this to anyone.

4 Stars Great mic, poor mic mount
I bought this microphone to make PowerPoint narrations and software demos with Camtasia. The performance of the mic is excellent I don’t have a lot of other mics to compare it to, but I did compare it to the Sure SM58 and the AT2020 had a much warmer, fuller sound. It also picked up a lot more room noise, so make sure you have a nice quiet place to record.

USB compatibility: PowerPoint 2007 does not recognize this microphone, but Camtasia does (and of course, Audacity). PowerPoint will record with it, but you can’t set your levels, so it’s a pain (I know none of you are going to record in PowerPoint, but I am frustrated with the spotty USB mic support in it and I just want to let people know). Did not have to install any drivers on my XP box.

The only flaw is the microphone mount that it comes with. You can’t tighten it enough, so the mic can rattle around in the mount. This is also true for the Samson SP01 Shockmount that I bought to use it with. So, you might need to get a spacer (another reviewer suggested a garden hose gasket).

4 Stars 2nd one works great
First Mic arrived d.o.a. in a well packaged, undamaged box. Amazon customer service was simply awsome. UPS came to my house and picked up defective one the very next day, and the replacement arrived 2 days later. The at2020 looks and works great and amazon is great too Looking for a high quality mic that looks great on your desk? This is a good choice.