Audio Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone Review
Equipment used:
Headphones: Beyerdynamic T90
Apple Macbook Pro 15inch
Audacity: 2.1.0
Disclaimer: samma3a.com and @Mazen provided me with a demo unit of the Audio Technica AT2020USB+. I am not affiliated with Shure or Samma3a.com Though I really highly appreciate what samma3a is doing for the audiophiles in the region!! Thank you so much for letting me test and review this player.
TL;DR
Pros:
- all in one podcasting/home studio recording solution
- very good (CD quality) recordings
- great suppression of off-axis sounds
- 16-bit/48kHz A/D and D/A converter
- built in headphone amplifier for monitoring
- Latency free monitoring (thanks to build in headphone amp)
Cons:
- looks (can be a pro as well)
- works only via USB
Simply put: I can’t find a negative. Very good CD quality voice and music/acoustic recording microphone with a few unique qualities like build in headphone amp and jack for monitoring with volume control with no latency. Extremely detailed sound quality.
Now, the longer version:
Packaging & Accessories:
The Audio Technica AT2020USB+ comes with:
- Microphone itself
- USB cable
- Tripod Desk stand
Technical Highlights
The Audio Technica delivers what you would expect from a USB microphone. But it adds a few nifty features. Like the build in DAC and headphone amp so that you can actually listen with headphone Latency free to the mic and the music/audio/etc. that is playing form your computer (for mixing). This is great as usually the sound of your mic has to be converted form analog to digital, fed into the software on the computer, processed and then fed back – this mic skips that and let’s you listen to the recording as it is recorded without any latency. The volume and mixing controls for the audio make it really quite unique.
ELEMENT: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
POLAR PATTERN: Cardioid
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20 – 20,000 Hz
POWER REQUIREMENTS: USB Power (5V DC)
BIT DEPTH: 16 bit
SAMPLE RATE: 44.1/48 kHz
VOLUME CONTROL: Mix control; Headphone volume control
WEIGHT: 386 g (13.6 oz)
DIMENSIONS: 162.0 mm (6.38″) long, 52.0 mm (2.05″) maximum body diameter
OUTPUT CONNECTOR: USB-type
HEADPHONE OUTPUT POWER: 130 mW (at 1 kHz, 10% T.H.D., 32 ohm load)
HEADPHONE JACK: 3.5 mm (1/8″) TRS (stereo)
Usability and Build Quality:
Audio Technica is a Japanese company that is in the audio business for decades. Their build quality is impeccable and the usability is refined from many many generations of sound engineers and studios around the world using their products.
Sound Quality Comparisons
General
It’s very good for it’s intended purpose. Recording of voices for podcasts, music and acoustic are brilliant – of course there are limitations compared to a full blown studio setup but you get an awful lot for your money with this AT2020USB+.
Conclusion & Issues
If you are a podcaster, want to start recording music in your home studio or want to do voiceovers for videos etc. This is your new toy.
THANKS to www.samma3a.com for the review loaner!.
