Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone

by Audio-Technica

Product Features

• Side-address studio condenser with USB digital output (Windows and Mac compatible)
• Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use
• Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response
• Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
• Low self-noise-perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.6 x 2.6 inches ; 2.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001AS6OYC
• Item model number: AT2020USB
• Batteries CR2 batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (257 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #5 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Condenser Microphones > Multipurpose
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

AT2020 USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Experience AT2020 USB. Plug it in and transform your sound.

The new AT2020 USB offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility. It plugs right into your computer's 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.

With low self-noise, the AT2020 USB is perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment. Audio-Technica's state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the company's renowned consistency and reliability standards.

AT2020 USB Key Features:

• Side-address studio condenser with USB digital output (Windows and Mac compatible)
• Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use
• Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response
• Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
• Low self-noise – perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment
• Includes tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable & storage pouch

Specifications

Element: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Power Requirements: USB Power (5V DC)
Weight: 13.2 oz (374 g)
Dimensions: 6.38" (162.0 mm) long, 2.05" (52.0 mm) maximum body diameter
Output Connector: USB-type
Accessories Furnished: Pivoting stand mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter; soft protective pouch; tripod desk stand; 10' (3.1 m) USB cable

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Audio Technica AT2020 Side Address Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone

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Product Description

The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Microphone offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility. The AT2020 USB plugs right into your computer's 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 AT2020 The AT2020 USB is based on the design of Audio-Technica's 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-Technica's state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the company's renowned consistency and reliability standards. Experience AT2020 USB. Plug it in and transform your sound. Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Features Side-address studio condenser with USB digital output (Windows and Mac compatible) Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source Low self-noise - perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment Includes tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable & storage pouch.

AT2020 USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Experience AT2020 USB. Plug it in and transform your sound.

The new AT2020 USB offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility. It plugs right into your computer's 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.

With low self-noise, the AT2020 USB is perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment. Audio-Technica's state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the company's renowned consistency and reliability standards.

AT2020 USB Key Features:

• Side-address studio condenser with USB digital output (Windows and Mac compatible)
• Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use
• Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response
• Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
• Low self-noise – perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment
• Includes tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable & storage pouch

Specifications

Element: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Power Requirements: USB Power (5V DC)
Weight: 13.2 oz (374 g)
Dimensions: 6.38" (162.0 mm) long, 2.05" (52.0 mm) maximum body diameter
Output Connector: USB-type
Accessories Furnished: Pivoting stand mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter; soft protective pouch; tripod desk stand; 10' (3.1 m) USB cable

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Built Strong and Affordable, Audio Technica Provides True Tone for Your Microphone. There's really no reason to doubt this product, Audio Technica designs microphones and knows what they should sound like, this mic cable is built with all the quality and attention to consistent mic tone that you would expect from this brand. These cables are a true value and engineered for outstanding reliability providing a durable performance from a cost effective cable. The copper outer shield and dual conductive PVC inner shields protect signal quality with superior coverage.

Audio Technica AT2020 Side Address Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone

The price/performance standard in side-address studio condenser microphone technology, Audio Technica's AT2020 studio mic has a low-mass diaphragm that is custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. With rugged construction for durable performance, the microphone offers a wide dynamic range and handles high sound pressure levels (SPLs) with ease.

Audio-Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone

Designed for critical home/project/professional studio applications and live performance, this side-address cardioid studio condenser delivers exceptional detail and low noise. Equipped with a switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter and 10 dB pad, the AT2035 handles high sound pressure levels with ease. Along with its rugged construction and high-performance specifications, the AT2035 provides an exceptional level of consistency from model to model. It comes equipped with a protective pouch and a custom shock mount.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

370 of 394 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Video Review of AT2020 USB Microphone December 11, 2008

By J. J. Marino TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Length: 4:28 Mins

This is my video review of the AT2020 USB microphone from Audio-Technica. USB Microphones are made to be plugged in directly to a laptop or desktop. I connected this to a Vista 64 laptop during filming and did the voice over on a Macbook Pro.

Text review:
I give this product a 5 star rating. It is easy to use, high quality and very competitively priced. This is a great desktop mic to use for making podcasts or recording music.

I am not a musician so I am not able to speak to that aspect of the microphones ability. I did use it to make several voice over videos and it performed perfectly. Never a hick-up or any spurious noises heard at all.

I did not include specs into my video review because it would add to the file size and be too small to read here on Amazon's video player.

Regular readers of my reviews know I try to supply specs when necessary.

Here are the specs:
Element: Fixed-charge back plate permanently polarized condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20Hz-16,000Hz
Power Requirements: USB power (+5VDC)
Bit depth: 16
Sample Rate: 44,000 kHz
Weight: 374g (13.2 oz)
Dimensions: 162.0 mm (6.38") long
52.0mm max body diameter (2.05")
Output connector: USB type
Accessories: Pivoting stand for 5/8"-27 threaded stands, 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter, soft protective pouch, tripod desk stand; 3.1m 10' USB cable

System Reqs: Mac OSX, USB 1.0 or 2.0 64MB RAM minimum. Windows XP Home or professional USB 1.0 or 2.0 64MB RAM minimum.

So for a great USB microphone I recommend this highly!

About the video: After uploading I noticed that Amazon's codec (video compressor) has made the video quality sub-par.... I will try to reupload it again with a different codec.
Thank you for watching! Read more ›

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Audio Technica AT2020USB November 17, 2008

By NW Outside

I've had this condenser microphone for about a month now and it has suited my purposes very well. I needed something to record podcasts with and do some voiceover work as well. I do my recording with Audacity, and the microphone was imediately recognized and easily installed as my primary microphone for Audacity. It is a very sensitive mic, and I had to build a small "porta-booth" ([...])to reduce the echo in the room where I record, but was able to get good clear recording after that. I recomend using a pop filter with this microphone to help reduce "S" & "P" sybillance. All in all, a very good microphone for the price.

78 of 82 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars video editor September 11, 2008

By Billy S. M. Luong

Amazon Verified Purchase

I was looking for the pre Amp for my microphone to do do voice over video and found this USB microphone from Audio technica. So I did not have to buy the preamp . Just plug it to the USB port then you go. It was very easy to use and noise floor very quiet, it does not record the fan noise from your computer or the background noise in the recording room, very happy with the purchase.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbeatable Mic At An Unbeatable Price November 7, 2009

By Q. Pair

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 Read more ›

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great mic for the price September 17, 2011

By rhyelee

Length: 4:41 Mins

I recorded this song with the mic to put on my youtube channel (rhyeleee at YouTube). Needless to say, the quality is great for the price.

The only reason why I put 4 stars instead of 5 is because it's not very good at accepting very loud sound.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great For Recording Music! April 8, 2010

By Alexander VINE™ VOICE

I am a musician. I use a lot of acoustic-guitar in my songs as well as my own vocals. I had been using the built-in microphone on my macintosh computer for a few years...it did the job but the quality was noticeably lacking. I love top-notch quality in my music...I hate settling for less...I decided it was time to invest in a quality mic. I saw the reviews for the AT2020 and decided to go with it. Two minutes after it arrived at my door the mic was plugged into my computer and fully working.

The quality blew me away. I had to tweak a few settings in garageband (reverb, EQ) to get the clean sound I wanted but it took very little time to do. My vocals are now very clear and the acoustic guitar sounds so much more alive in my recordings.

I noticed that when my RAM is lagging there is a VERY noticeable sound delay (This is due to the fact it is not a direct line in, rather it is a USB mic that has to take up more RAM to process the sound). I fixed this problem by closing out of the other programs and/or unplugging the USB cord, waiting a few seconds, then plugging the cord back in - sound lagging problem solved.

The mic is heavier/bigger than I thought it would be. It is constructed with quality materials (I'd venture to guess that the entire exterior of the mic is made of metal). Included in the box are the USB cord, the Mic, tripod legs, booklet, and a soft travel case.

I am VERY happy with this mic. For the price you are getting an amazing deal.

5/5

Update Mid March 2011:

It has been nearly a year since purchasing this mic and so far I am still very impressed with it. Since buying this mic I updated my recording software to Logic Pro 9 and the mic still works perfectly.... I have accidentally dropped the mic numerous times and it still performs the way it did the day I got it. And if ever it does break, I will not hesitate to buy another one - this mic is perfect for both vocal and instrumental recording, and for the price it is an absolute steal.

5/5 Read more ›