If you’re wondering whether Audio Technica AT2020 is a good microphone for you, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right review! I’ve been using this mic for a few years know and I feel like I’m in a good spot to share some of my thoughts with you. It’s a really popular microphone but is it actually good for guitar and vocals?
Absolutely! Audio Technica AT2020 is a really good microphone suitable for musicians, podcasters, gamers and even rappers! In addition, it’s not too expensive, so it’s a great choice for people on a tight budget.
Undoubtedly, low price and high versatility make it one of the best cheap mics available on the market right now. Let’s dive deeper with research and find out what makes this mic so special. Of course, there will be a few sound demos as well! But firstly, let’s start with my thoughts about the AT2020.
My Experience With Audio Technica AT2020
I bought my AT2020 microphone a few years ago and I’ve been using it efficiently for a lot of things: music production, recording guitars and vocals, gaming and generally chatting with my friends. Honestly, this mic is really versatile and it can be used in many different ways.
What I like about the AT2020 is that it’s cheap and it does the job really well. I’ve seen a lot of way expensive microphones in my life and the truth is that this model by Audio Technica offers almost the same quality as some of the high-level mics used in professional recording studios.
The manufacturer released this microphone in two versions: XLR and USB. Personally, I prefer the USB model because it’s a bit more versatile and you can take it with you whenever you want and just plug it in to any computer. On the other hand, the XLR may be a better choice for musicians who are using a music interface.
What’s interesting, the AT2020 is really durable. Throughout the last few years, I dropped it a few times on the ground. And you know what? It still works perfectly fine!
I recorded a quick sound demo for you to check out – you have to admit that the sound quality on that video is really good! If you enjoyed this video, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel – there are a lot of other reviews in there.
Specs & Pricing
AT2020 is a condenser microphone which offers an exceptional sound quality. It is mainly designed for digital recordings. The mic offers a high quality A/D converter with 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate.
There are two controls available on the mic:
- Mix Volume Control – allows you to experiment and blend the mic-signal to pre-recorded audio
- Headphone Volume Control – allows you to monitor the microphone signal
The microphone is really simple to use and you can find it in two versions: XLR and USB. The second option is slightly more expensive, but the price difference between them is not that noticeable.
Overall, the AT2020 is considered as one of the best and most affordable condenser mics available on the market. It’s not surprising that this model is so popular all around the world – it’s just a really solid piece of gear.
Who is it for?
AT2020 microphone is an excellent choice for anyone who’s looking for an inexpensive and reliable mic. Whether you want to record your vocals and instruments or use it for podcasting and gaming, this model offered by Audio Technica will be an absolutely great choice.
In my opinion, this is a perfect and essential mic for any home music studio. If you’re just starting your journey as a music producer and you’re looking for your first microphone, the AT2020 will be more than enough.
It’s also a really good option for all YouTubers and podcasters who are more into talking rather than singing or playing instruments. The great sound quality mixed with low price makes it one of the best and most affordable condenser microphones available on the market right now.
Is AT2020 good for vocals?
Of course, the AT2020 is an absolutely great microphone for recording vocals. Whether you’re talking or singing, the mic offers a really nice and balanced sound quality.
It’s difficult to describe the sound quality with words, so if you’d like to check out a sample recording of vocals, here’s a really good demo.
Disadvantages Of AT2020 Microphone
Of course, the AT2020 model isn’t the best microphone in the world and it has a few disadvantages as well.
Firstly, if you decide to get the AT2020, you’ll need to find a good pop-filter as well. The mic tends to be really sensitive at times, so it is absolutely necessary to use that filter to reduce any unwanted noise.
In addition, this condenser mic is designed for studio use, so it doesn’t work well in live environment. That’s not a disadvantage for music producers and podcasters, but if you’re looking for something to perform with, you may need to find a good and reliable dynamic microphone.
Lastly, the original stand mount added to the microphone is not ideal – sometimes you get the impression that it’s a bit awkward to use on the desk.
FAQ
Is AT2020 a dynamic microphone?
No, Audio technic AT2020 is a condenser cardiod microphone.
Is AT2020 good for rapping?
Absolutely! AT2020 is an excellent choice for amateur and advanced rappers. Just remember to use the pop filter, because this mic tends to be really sensitive.
Are condenser mics fragile?
Yes, they are fragile. In fact, condenser mics are way more fragile than dynamic mics. Nevertheless, it is not that easy to completely destroy a condenser mic due to a physical damag – they’re usually manufactured in a way that protects them from minor damages.
How do you clean a condenser mic?
Keeping your microphone clean is really important, so if you want to clean your condenser mic, make sure to use a dry and soft toothbrush to scrub the mic from the outside. Be careful though – you don’t want to push the dirt into the chamber.
Summary
As you can see, the AT2020 microphone is a really good piece of gear. Whether you’re a guitarist, vocalist, podcaster or a rapper, you will definitely be satisfied of its sound quality. Of course, it is not the best mic in the world, but considering the fact that it’s a budget microphone, it’s definitely worth it.
What do you think about the AT2020? Do you think that there are better microphones at this price level? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, I hope that it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re looking for more gear recommendations, make sure to check out this list of best amps under $100.
