In 2020, we debuted a range of limited edition 20 Series products, including the AT2020TYO Cardioid Condenser Microphone in an indigo blue finish and the AT2020V and AT2020USB+V in a reflective silver finish.

Whether you are looking for the best mic for podcasting or the best microphone for home music recording, the AT2020 is a high-quality microphone at an affordable price. Smooth, extended frequency response ideally suited for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, voiceover, and on-stage use Combining high audio resolution and numerous connectivity options, AT2020USBi adds a level of audio quality and practicality to the range of Audio-Technica microphones. Designed from the famous AT2020, the AT2020USBi has a digital output with A/D converter that allows a sampling frequency of 24-bit / 96kHz to provide articulation and intelligibility, ideal for recording in a home studio, outdoors and also for podcasting or voiceovers. This means that you can choose to hear only what’s coming out of the PC, or to only hear the direct signal from the Mic, or a blend of those two. Of course, additional equipment can increase the cost of your overall setup which means USB microphones are often the more affordable option, as they have a built-in recording interface and preamp. That said, XLR microphones offer greater flexibility as they can record multiple vocals or instruments simultaneously and can also be used live - all while producing professional standard sound.The gain control knob located on the microphone body, to adjust the input level of the AT2020USBi on your iPad or iPhone. Design techniques and advanced manufacturing ensuring compliance with Audio-Technica's trict standards of consistency and reliability. 24-bit/96khz resolution Audio-Technica’s AT2020 is a condenser microphone. It is a critically acclaimed model that provides affordable, professional-quality audio for both recording and home studios.

The cardioid polar pattern reduces unwanted sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of the desired sound source. The AT2020’s ability to produce studio-quality sound with unwanted pops is ideal for podcasters looking to elevate their current podcast equipment for a more professional sound. In addition to podcast equipment, the AT2020 is an ideal streaming microphone, delivering crystal-clear communication during streaming sessions. The Audio-Technica AT2020 has been the standard microphone for most home recording studios for years now due to its great sound quality at a very affordable price. In this article I will answer these questions and also tell you which one to go for depending on your needs. AT2020 XLR vs AT2020 USBXLR microphones are analog devices that require an XLR cable (1) that feeds the analog signal to an Those looking for a little more punch will likely get what they need from the higher-end models of the Blue Yeti series. This USB microphone series is one of the industry leaders, as they offer flexibility & durability as well as being feature-rich, but most importantly, having studio-grade quality. Their two best models are the Blue Yeti X and the Blue Yeti Pro, which offers the highest resolution with the option of using an XLR connection. However, I didn’t like how it recorded my electric guitar once I cranked up the gain, and it took me forever to get a respectable tone out of it.

In fact, most professional studios have a couple of those lying around that they use more often than you’d think. Audio-Technica’s AT2031 is engineered to amplify and record stringed instruments, piano and percussion. It offers a smooth extended frequency response with a slight rise in the high frequency region for a more detailed sound. As with all microphones in the 20 Series, the AT2031 offers outstanding performance and sturdy construction at a cost-effective price. In 2021 our US division offered Audio-Technica fans the opportunity to win a 24-karat gold-plated AT2020 microphone to celebrate the flagship mic achieving its one-millionth sale. The two controls on the side are for the headphone volume, which comes in handy when you want to do zero latency monitoring, and the Direct mix control between mic input and source output. He has a Behringer XENYX QX1204 usb mixer, a laptop and presently uses an AKG Wireless mic which has been serving him quite well for a couple of years.If quality is your primary concern and you can stretch that budget, the Blue Yeti series is always a fine choice. If you want to learn more, we've written a review on the base model.

High-resolution AD convertor with 24-Bit/96 kHz sampling rate for extremely clear, natural sound reproduction. Another great alternative to the AT2020 is the Rode NT1-A, which is a bit higher priced, but definitely sounds more professional. Recognising the need for an affordable recording mic for podcasters and content creators looking to upgrade their setup, Audio-Technica launched the AT2040 podcasting microphone in 2021. The USB version of the Audio-Technica AT2020is just as good as the XLR AT2020 with the advantage of being a plug n’ play microphone which works both on Windowsand Mac OS. Being an industry leader for podcasting, this USB microphone is going to be great for vocal/speech applications, including gaming, streaming, voice-overs for YouTube, and more. The cardioid pattern was perfectly executed so that when closing up, all attention is on you, but as you move further away, you get a stellar ambiance in your audio.

Here’s a post where I compare the Blue Yeti to the AT2020+, should you be interested. What do you get in the Box?