Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone

Other products 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: 9.8 x 9.5 x 2.8 inches ; 6.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001AS6OYC
• Item model number: AT2020USB
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19 in Musical Instruments (See Bestsellers in Musical Instruments)

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Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The new AT2020 USB offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility with modern convenience. 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.

Studio-quality articulation and intelligibility with modern convenience. Click to enlarge.

Great for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use.

View frequency response/polar pattern. Click to enlarge.

Based on the Renowned AT2020
The AT2020 USB is a side-address studio condenser based on the design of Audio-Technica's critically acclaimed AT2020 cardioid condenser microphone, which can be found in studios worldwide. Like the AT2020, it features a low-mass diaphragm, custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. The Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source.

Digital-Ready
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.

This means you'll get crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use.

AT2020 USB Specs

• Element: Fixed-charge back plate permanently polarized condenser
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: 20 -16,000 Hz
• Bit Depth: 16 bit
• Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
• Power Requirements: USB power (5V DC)
• Weight (less accessories) 13.2 oz (374 g)
• Dimensions: 6.38" (162.0 mm) long, 2.05" (52.0 mm) maximum body diameter
• Output Connector: USB-type connector

Audio-Technica 20 Series--Affordable Pro Audio Microphone Solutions
Audio-Technica's stringent consistency, reliability and quality standards bring professional performance to this extremely affordable line of home/project studio microphones.

What's in the Box
AT2020 USB microphone, tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable & storage pouch

Product Description

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 143 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 "Geekasaurus Rex" (Rochester, New York) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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!

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars video editor, September 11, 2008

By	Billy S. M. Luong (CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Mic, July 28, 2008

By	A. Fortier (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

My review is not going to be too useful, but hopefully it will influence the mic's overall rating.

Pros:
- Great signal range!
Seems to capture everything I've thrown at it, including deep lows from vehicles and crisp highs from breaking glass. (Used for sound production)
- Decent noise floor...
Could be better, I ended up switching to the non-USB version and a mixer.
- Nice blue LED light...
It adds some character to the mic in the dark, although looks are not everything.
- Plug and play! No driver installation required. (Tested on XPSP3)

Cons:
Included stand picks up vibrations; I have replaced it with a better one after breaking it. It was an accident, I swear!

UPDATE (12/2/08):
Although this is a very convenient way to capture high quality audio, for a more serious solution, I would recommend going for the non-USB version with a mixer or mic preamp for better quality.