The AT2020USB+ is an excellent choice for pod-casting, making home and professional level voice-over recordings. Included in the box is an instructional leaflet, warranty card, a very short lightweight tripod mic stand, a 9 foot long USB connector cable and a soft carry pouch. The AT 2020USB+ records directly onto a computer through a recording software (not included), like Audacity and others. I have the (free) Audacity for mac and the (paid for) NCH Wavepad, and find Wavepad simple to use and easy to record and process the audio.
The mic has a function for directly mixing the mic input with a pre-recorded audio from the computer it is plugged into, by means of an adjustable control on the mic. There is also a headphone jack to monitor the mic signal in real time with a volume control on the mic.
When plugged in to a computer's USB port, the AT2020USB+ lights up with a bright blue led showing that it is on, as well as giving the 'front and center' mark for recording. Speaking into the mic from the front or a sideways angle of about 45 degrees on each side (90 degrees total) gives a very good quality of recording volume. Going beyond that angle towards the rear of the mic captures less and less sound. From a rough and ready test-- at a constant volume level of speech, the recorded volume comes to a fairly uniform maximum of -12 dB directly to the front of the mic and within a 45 degree range from the front. Going towards the back the max recorded volume drops to -18 dB or less.
Thus the cardioid pickup eliminates a lot of ambient sounds from the side and back, but not all of it. The quality of the recording is bright and realistic. When recording in a home environment like bedroom/living room environment, the mic tend to give a slight echo effect even though there are soft furnishings and furniture. While this is not unpleasant, for professional quality recordings a regular or portable sound booth will be needed. A temporary one can be quickly rigged as described below.
***Useful tips***
* Quick tip for acoustic isolation -- Enclosing the mic in 12" sound absorbing Acoustic foam panels around the mic fixes this. These can be the
Auralex Studiofoam Pyramid 2 Inches Thick and 2 Feet by 2 Feet Acoustic Absorption Panels, Charcoal (12 Panels)
or similar, but in 12" square panels. The mic on the stand, aligned vertically upright is around 9.5 inches tall and easily can be accommodated in a 12" enclosure. I use 5 free-standing panels to create a 5 sided cuboid form (including a base) leaving the front side open. I prop the foam panels up against each other like a house of cards and dismantle them when not needed. The pyramid wedges of each panel loosely grip the edges/pyramids of other panels, somewhat untidy looking but very serviceable. [As I am in India I needed a local equivalent and found an excellent substitute for the Auraflex pyramid foam through an internet search. The cost was around $3.00 per 12" x 12" panel--6 panels total=$18.00 + phone calls to manufacturer and local conveyance to pick up the material=$4.00. (Total cost=$22.00)]
* Pop Minimization & Filter -- For minimizing pops in the recording, record from a slight sideways angle rather than the front and center line of the microphone. While the AT 2020USB+'s grill design around the cardioid capsule reduces clicks and pops in closeup speech, a pop filter shield in front of the mic helps to remove the clicks and pops further. I made my pop filter with a 6 inch embroidery hoop with nylon hose stretched through it and it works well. Attached to a flexible goose-neck on a lamp base this adjustable pop filter is highly portable and can be easily packed for travel, like the AT2020USB+.
* Mic stand problems -- The stand is adequate if one adjusts the angle of the mic so that it has a stable center of gravity--about 30 degrees from the horizontal plane over the center of the mic stand makes it quite stable. However, then one will access the mic from a semi-sideways position rather than directly at the front. (Addressing the mic at a slight sideways angle will usually give a better recording.) If the mic has to be upright, then stabilizing the mic stand further is needed, or it will tend to topple over if nudged.
* Additional Mic stand stabilization tip -- Align the vertically positioned mic, as shown on the box, but with a slight tilt towards the center of the stand--and--over one of the the tripod legs. That will give it the maximum stability possible given the limitations of the stand. If one aligns the vertical mic as shown on the packing box--that is, in between two of the tripod legs, it will surely tip over at the slightest touch.
* Vibrational isolation -- As there is no vibrational isolation from the surface the mic stand rests on, any vibration from the surface will transfer to the recording. Setting the mic on an acoustic absorption panel like Aurafoam will help a little. A separate shock-mount can be got if needed, but if one is careful, and sets the mic on a surface not likely to be handled or touched during recording, the shock-mount is probably unnecessary for most uses. If the mic and monitor function levels, or headphone volume level on the mic are to be accessed during a recording session, the handling noise of this will come through on the mic regardless of having or not having a shock mount. Doing test recordings to set volume and mix levels before the actual recordings will help create better quality recordings. Some trial and error adjustments are to be expected.
I was earlier using a ZoomH4N for closeup recordings. As it picks up a lot of ambient noise, for podcasts or closeup voice audio that did not give the results I was looking for. The Zoom is excellent for general recordings in a lecture or concert as it has an adjustable audio capture spread of either 90 or 120 degrees, and is quite sensitive. The AT2020USB+ is great for closeup voice-overs or specialized recordings due to its cardioid pattern audio capture pattern and off-axis rejection of sound.
All in all--I am very pleased with this product--a great buy, reliable seller.
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There is a newer model of this item:
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone, Black
$129.00
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$129.00
(359)
Only 11 left in stock - order soon.
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From the manufacturer
Cardioid Pattern
Condenser
Zero Latency Monitoring
USB Output
Overview
AT2020USB+
Equipped with a USB output, the AT2020USB+ is designed for digitally capturing music or any acoustic audio source using your favorite recording software. Perfect for singer/songwriters, podcasters, voice-over artists, field recorders, and home studio recorders.
Home Studio
Acclaimed Sound
This microphone offers the renowned sound of the AT2020, this USB mic brings professional audio to your home studio with studio-quality articulation and intelligibility.
Professional Build Quality
State-of-the-Art Design
Built to provide the consistent, reliable performance you expect from Audio-Technica.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
-
AT8458a Microphone Shock Mount
Attenuates noise, shock and vibration transmitted through mic stands, booms and mounts. Compatible with 3/8"-16 and 5/8"-27 threaded stands.
-
AT8175 Microphone Pop Filter
The custom-designed AT8175 microphone pop filter clips onto the front of the mic to provide added protection against plosives. Designed to fit 20 Series vocal microphones.
-
AT8700 Adjustable Microphone Boom Arm
Attach your favorite microphone to this professional-quality boom arm to add versatility to your setup and free up space. Includes four USB cable clips, four XLR cable clips, and a table clamp.
Compare with similar items
This Item  Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone, With Built-In Headphone Jack & Volume Control, Perfect for Content Creators (Black) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $107.00 | -13% $129.00 List: $149.00 | $199.00 | $99.00 | $141.90 | -20% $249.00 List: $311.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| For gaming | ||||||
| Camera quality | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Sold By | Firemall LLC | Amazon.com | Vintage King Audio | Amazon.com | K&M Camera Since 1976 | Adorama |
| power source | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Usb-c |
| connectivity tech | USB | USB | USB | XLR | USB | USB, XLR |
| connector type | USB | USB | USB | XLR | USB Type-C | USB, XLR |
| model number | AT2020USB PLUS | AT2020USBX | 700100 | AT2020 | AT2020USBX-001 | MV7-S |
| audio sensitivity | 10 decibels | 30 decibels | 125 decibels | 120 decibels | 30 decibels | 10 decibels |
| signal-to-noise ratio | 74 decibels | 80 decibels | 25 decibels | 37 decibels | 80 decibels | — |
| polar pattern | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional |
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Customer Review: Audio Quality Well Above the Price Break
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Price: $100 - $200
Connectivity Technology: USB
Product Type: Microphone Only
Brand: Audio-Technica
Recommended Uses For Product : Singing
Recommended Uses For Product : Streaming
Compatible Devices: Headphone
Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
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Reviews with images
Works good, wish there wasn't a blue light on it.
Why do all products now have LEDs everywhere? This would be great if there wasn't a blue LED staring me in the face all the time.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2014
Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Am@zon Customer
Awesome!
Reviewed in Canada on December 2, 2022Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Great microphone
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2024Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
Hamza Ali
Great Mic for People Getting Into Voice Recording
Reviewed in India on July 18, 2023Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
MJ
Spoko mikrofon
Reviewed in Poland on February 11, 2023Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
TidalSlash
perfetto direi
Reviewed in Italy on December 6, 2022Style: AT2020USB+Pattern Name: MicrophoneColor: BlackVerified Purchase
