Updated 9/12/19

758-word post, approx 2 min. read

Hi friend and Welcome aboard!

Before we get into the Audio Technica AT2020 condenser microphone review, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..

You’ve come to the right place!!

A perfect budget XLR condenser.

What I will bring you in this review

Ratings/Price
Specifications
Introduction/Summary
Pros
Cons
Video Review
Stu’s Sound Test
Who this mic benefits?
What you will need?
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
Consensus/Conclusion
Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!

Audio Technica AT2020 (XLR version)

Ratings/Price

Amazon | Check Sweetwater! | check eBay!

Specifications

Microphone Type: Condenser. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid.
Diaphragm Size: 0.63″ (16mm)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
Max SPL: 144 dB. What is SPL?
Output Impedance: 100 Ohms
Signal to noise ratio: 20dB
Color: Black
Connector: XLR. What is XLR?
Weight: 0.76 lbs.
Included Accessories: Stand Mount, Microphone Pouch
Manufacturer Part Number: AT2020

Introduction/Summary

The AT2020 is a phenomenal entry-level cardioid condenser microphone. What is a cardioid capsule?

It feels really solid and durable in your hand and is super easy to set up. The sound coming out of this puppy is impressive, especially for the price.

One thing I really appreciated is that it rejects background and ambient noise quite well. My room currently does not have any Acoustic Sound Treatment, but I could only imagine how much better it would sound with some bass traps and wall panels.

I did end up recording under a blanket for you to see how it sounds when the environment is completely dead. More on that a bit later!

Pros

Crisp sound and good sound quality for such an inexpensive piece. It has a very flat and neutral response and does well with EQ.
Durable and quite heavy. Feels built to last like Duralast 😛
Comes with a nice carrying pouch.
Versatile piece. Does well with pretty much anything you throw at it. Just don’t throw anything at it because it gets sad. 🙁

Cons

The storage bag is a bit flimsy and doesn’t have any padding. Some disagree, for example, the guy in the video below 😛
Doesn’t come with XLR cables or shock-mount.

Video Review + Mic Shootout

Comparing the C01, AT2020, and Blue Yeti! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to my growing channel. Any support is much appreciated! 🙂

Stu’s Sound Test

with Pop-Filter:

with Pop-Filter under a blanket:

with Pop-Filter, under a blanket, farther away:

Who this mic benefits?

I’ve seen this thing used for nearly everything:

Acoustic instruments
overheads
amps
brass
vocals
electric guitar
drums
banjo
violin
pod-casting
spoken word
singing
you-tube
twitch shooter commentary
narration
skype
conference calls

What you will need?

This mic requires:

48v phantom power via your audio interface, mixer, or preamp. I would just go with an interface here. What does an audio interface do?
XLR cable(s). Cables and Wiring
A Mic stand. I’m currently using a Pro-Line boom stand, and it’s freaking amazing, lol. Rock-solid and heavy like Thanksgiving at Grandma’s. Heavy hitters.
A shock-mount. Optional, but helps out in minimizing the vibration that travels from the mic stand to the diaphragm.

Thoughts from Stu’s notepad

The AT2020 doesn’t have any on-board features like a dB pad or low cut filter, etc. It’s bare-bones Jones baby!
A majority of the negative reviews (specifically the 1-star) failed to recognize that this mic does NOT plug and play. It’s an XLR condenser microphone that requires 48v phantom power. The difference between a USB microphone and an XLR microphone. Please keep this in mind before purchase!
Does well with darker sources, as well as deep, husky male voices.

Consensus/Conclusion

A versatile mic with a frequency response that does well with EQ, but also sounds crisp and even without it. Durable and heavy. Really does a phenomenal job of blocking out background noise, even without room treatment.

Final Word

If you’re looking for an entry-level option at this price range, I would wholeheartedly recommend starting out with the AT2020. You can always upgrade or try out different mics later, and it’s a great investment for a musician or vocalist starting out.

SEE THE AT2020 FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!

Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the Audio Technica AT2020 condenser microphone review.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please contact me!!

Are you diggin’ the AT2020? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…

All the best and God bless,

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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