Audio Technica AT2020 Side Address Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone

by Audio-Technica

Product Features

• The price/performance standard in side-address studio condenser microphone technology
• Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response
• High SPL handling and wide dynamic range provide unmatched versatility
• Ideal for project/home-studio

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.6 x 2.6 inches ; 12.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0006H92QK
• Item model number: AT2020
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #7 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Condenser Microphones
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 13, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Audio-Technica’s stringent quality and consistency standards set the AT2020 apart from other mics in its class. Its low-mass diaphragm 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 SPLs with ease. The AT2020: the new standard for affordable side-address studio condensers.

AT2020 Key Features:

• The price/performance standard in side-address studio condenser microphone technology
• Ideal for project/home-studio applications
• High SPL handling and wide dynamic range provide unmatched versatility
• 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
• Pivoting, threaded stand mount attaches securely for easy and precise placement of the microphone

Specifications

Element: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Open Circuit Sensitivity: –37 dB (14.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
Impedance: 100 ohms
Maximum Input Sound Power: 144 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
Noise: 20 dB SPL
Dynamic Range (Typical): 124 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 74 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
Phantom Power Requirements: 48V DC, 2 mA typical
Weight: 12.1 oz (345 g)
Dimensions: 6.38" (162.0 mm) long, 2.05" (52.0 mm) maximum body diameter
Output Connector: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
Accessories Furnished: Stand mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter; soft protective pouch
Audio-Technica Case Style: R7

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Audio-Technica AT2020USB Studio Condenser Microphone

Audio-Technica's stringent quality and consistency standards set the AT2020 apart from other mics in its class. Its low-mass diaphragm 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 SPLs with ease. The AT2020: the new standard for affordable side-address studio condensers.

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.

Product Description

There are many reasons for the universal praise the AT2020 has inspired. A-T's renowned quality and consistency standards are evident in details like it's low mass diaphragm, painstakingly engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. The microphone offers an extremely wide dynamic range and handles high SPL's effortlessly.

AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Audio-Technica’s stringent quality and consistency standards set the AT2020 apart from other mics in its class. Its low-mass diaphragm 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 SPLs with ease. The AT2020: the new standard for affordable side-address studio condensers.

AT2020 Key Features:

• The price/performance standard in side-address studio condenser microphone technology
• Ideal for project/home-studio applications
• High SPL handling and wide dynamic range provide unmatched versatility
• 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
• Pivoting, threaded stand mount attaches securely for easy and precise placement of the microphone

Specifications

Element: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Open Circuit Sensitivity: –37 dB (14.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
Impedance: 100 ohms
Maximum Input Sound Power: 144 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
Noise: 20 dB SPL
Dynamic Range (Typical): 124 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 74 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
Phantom Power Requirements: 48V DC, 2 mA typical
Weight: 12.1 oz (345 g)
Dimensions: 6.38" (162.0 mm) long, 2.05" (52.0 mm) maximum body diameter
Output Connector: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
Accessories Furnished: Stand mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter; soft protective pouch
Audio-Technica Case Style: R7

Similar Products to Consider

Audio-Technica Xlrf To Xlrm Balanced Microphone Cable - 25 Feet

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 AT2020USB Studio Condenser Microphone

Audio-Technica's stringent quality and consistency standards set the AT2020 apart from other mics in its class. Its low-mass diaphragm 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 SPLs with ease. The AT2020: the new standard for affordable side-address studio condensers.

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

71 of 81 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars It's Okay... February 3, 2011

By Ryan S.

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this as a gift for a friend he was really happy with it but, I have a completely different view. The AT2020 is a pretty bright mic which sounds good at first but once you layer tracks on top of each other it can sound very harsh. Second it is not a true large diaphragm condenser. It is a very good mic for people starting out in music or just using it for podcasts, but there are a bunch of better mics near this price. Two that come to mind are the MXL V67g and Studio projects B1 (stay away from the studio projects C1) both exceptional microphones for the price. Although there is one mic you that is a bit more expensive but is absolutely amazing, the MXL 2003a. A lot of people have claimed the studio projects C1 sounds like the Neumann u87 it doesn't, the MXL 2003a however sounds very similar and is easily the best LDC mic under $500. With that being said the AT2020 is not a bad microphone but it is not great, to people who have just used built in mics on there computer or camera this will blow them away but as time goes on they will learn the limitations of this microphone.

Although to be fair I have a lot of experience in pro audio and production, so I maybe a bit overly critical. One thing is for sure though; there are definitely better mics in or near this price range.

52 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Value May 18, 2009

By j eastman

Let's face it...I'm just a hobby musician. A guy in his mid-30's who has tinkered with music most of his adult life. I've played both as a solo artist and with bands. I've also been fortunate enough to spend time in actual recording studios with true professionals. None of this qualifies me as an expert...but I do have a certain level of familiarity on the subject.

I purchased this mic to supplement my home studio. I was hoping to get a little better sound than my usual stable of dynamic mics provide. I think I got pretty lucky with this purchase - it's my understanding that in this particular price range, you shouldn't expect a whole lot. I mean, it's just a microphone, right?

What I will say is that I was certainly satisfied with my purchase. I've used this microphone in conjunction with a tube preamp on a handful of recordings with great success. I bought this with the intention of using it for vocals, but I've found that I actually prefer it to record my acoustic guitar - this microphone picks up all the sound that I'm looking for from my acoustic - it's the nice, mellow, and full bodied sound that I hear when I'm playing, but that I was never able to capture before. In terms of its originally intended use, I felt is was only a slight improvement over the SM58 that I typically used for vocals - however, I wouldn't put too much stock into my assessment, as vocals are not one of my strengths when it comes to music (let's face it, autotune was created for a reason, right?)

Granted - everyone is going to have different opinions of this product, and I happen to think it works great for those of us on a budget. In terms of value - it is a great product for a fantastic price. I liked this microphone so much, I plan on buying at least one more.

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars At first I thought it was amazing... February 24, 2009

By Harrison Y.

Amazon Verified Purchase

Wow! This microphone is amazing. I see what people mean when they talk about condenser microphones being more fragile than normal dynamic microphones, but this isn't a piece of plastic, it's built well.

I paired it with the Behringer 502 5-input mixer, and it sounds great, totally professional quality. I just wanted something simple to begin home music projects, and this microphone's quality is more than enough for me.

It's very warm and highly sensitive. I don't even notice that it's side address, you can turn it up so that it picks up everything in the room.

I would have bought a stand for it as well, and a cheap pop filter. Otherwise, great deal for a mic of this quality.

Edit:
I now notice that the mic lacks full sound across all frequencies... which isn't something I noticed without looking for it specifically. Basically, the mic can be crystal clear and warm and all that, but still not retain the bass depth in a deep voice and the highs of a high voice. It is sensitive and clear, but it doesn't do what professional mics do--which is drop the midtones and hit the highs and lows.