Audio-Technica’s AT2020 is a bit of a different deal. Yes, it is also a condenser and a USB microphone that’s mostly focused on speech and broadcasts. But the AT2020 is also great for vocal or instrument recording. The frequency response is relatively flat, although it has a noticeable peak in the high end, somewhere from 5 kHz to 15 kHz. The price/performance standard in side-address studio condenser microphone technology; ideal for project/home-studio applications. Pivoting, threaded stand mount included.
Audio-Technica's AT2020 is often recommended as an modestly priced mic that gives much better results than you'd expect. A USB version must have seemed a no-brainer to Audio-Technica, and the AT2020 USB was released a few years ago. As with many of the early USB mics, though, this lacked features, such as a headphone output, that are needed for some applications. The latest version, the AT2020 USB+, puts that right, and bundled accessories include a conventional standmounting swivel clamp, a small tripod desk stand and a 10-foot USB cable.
As with the other AT2020 variants this is a side-address, medium-diaphragm (16mm diameter) cardioid mic, and its back-electret capsule features a low-mass diaphragm with a frequency response in excess of 20Hz to 16kHz, and a maximum SPL handling of 144dB (1kHz at 1% THD). Power is drawn from the USB port, the standard full-size USB connector taking the place of the usual XLR socket. A blue LED inside the basket confirms that the mic is powered up. The signal-to-noise ratio is quoted as 74dB (1kHz at 1Pa), which equates to a self-noise or EIN figure of 20dB. This isn't exceptional but it's adequately low for typical close-miked studio applications, which is precisely what this mic is intended for. There are no pads or filters, so any necessary low-cut EQ must be applied after recording. Pads shouldn't be necessary, though, given that the mic can handle pretty high SPLs.
The USB side of things caters for 16-bit A-D conversion (which can accommodate a dynamic range of over 90dB) and a sample rate of 44.1kHz. As well transmitting the mic signal, the USB connection brings stereo audio back from the computer. Headphones are plugged into the mini-jack socket on the side of the mic and a thumbwheel potentiometer governs the headphone level, while another adjusts the balance between the direct signal from the mic (for latency-free monitoring) andthe computer's stereo output. Being a class-compliant device, the AT2020 USB+ needs no additional driver to be used with Apple operating systems (OS X, iOS), and a suitable driver should download automatically for Windows if one isn't already installed.
Speech recordings confirmed that this mic has essentially the same sound character as its wired counterpart: rather than sounding completely neutral, it does add a hint of warmth to the lower mids in a vocal, and it imparts a very slightly compressed quality that's mildly reminiscent of some valve mics. In other words, it has a slightly flattering tonality. In past tests we've found the AT2020 to be kinder to female vocals than many budget microphones, and there's nothing to suggest that this version will be any different in that respect. The AT2020 USB+ is well suited to a wide range of vocal styles, though, and it can also double up as a very capable acoustic instrument mic.
I didn't perceive any problems at all in terms of background noise, and you really shouldn't be put off by the 16kHz upper end of the quoted frequency response, or the 16-bit conversion, because neither have any detrimental effect on the sound quality in normal use. This mic can still pick out transient detail while staying warm and smooth, exhibiting minimal distortion or unnecessary noise. Its headphone output is very clean and loud, and the ability to balance the mic and computer return signals is ideal if latency is normally a problem on your system.
I've always been surprised by how well the AT2020 works, almost regardless of who or what you put in front of it, so this updated USB version is most welcome.
AT2020 USB+ £169; AT2020 USB £149; AT2020 £99. Prices include VAT.
AT2020 USB+ $169; AT2020 USB $129;AT2020 $99.
At2020 Usb Drivers Free
Hope this is the correct place.I'm recording an acoustic piano with a recently purchased AT2020 USB+, and I'm having some issues with quality after the fact. I suppose for the sake of simplicity I'll paste my email to Audio Technica support here; I'm sure the people here have probably seen this before.
I received my microphone certified refurbished from Amazon about a month ago. At the moment, I am making a recording of a Yamaha grand piano. Based off of videos/comments on the internet, I believe my current setup does not produce a quality of audio that the microphone should probably be capable of.
Right off the bat, I need to mention that I am recording in Mono (one microphone), so this may affect quality.
I asked a friend with prior audio experience to describe the issue. After listening through my ATH-M50X headphones, he notes that the recording sounds muffled and low fidelity, the piano's sound is missing its brilliance/shimmer, and there there is a lack of overtones; all combined, it sounds as if there were a blanket in front of the mic. He mentioned that recording in stereo would most definitely improve the sound, but the microphone should probably not be producing that sound. I'm unable to record in stereo for now (budget) but I plan to in the future. He asked if the mic came with any EQ software, or any way to adjust it. He also listened through the live headphone jack monitor and noted that the mic is extremely sensitive, so he suspects it could be some sort of driver issue. I uninstalled and reinstalled the Windows USB Mic Driver just to be sure.
I record using Audacity, and have made sure that all recording settings match. (Windows properties and Audacity are both set to 48000hz, 2 channel, 16 bit.) I also followed the official Audio-Technica guide to microphone placement, and have optimized my placement based off of what it instructs.
Is there anything I'm missing that would improve audio quality?
Thanks!
Anyone have any ideas? I can rerecord if any settings need to be changed, but it would be inconvenient.
At2020
Is there any way I can fix the audio with Audacity or Adobe Audition?
I
At2020 Usb Driver Windows 7
could post the raw audio, but the forum won't allow it until I post more. Just search Soundcloud (dot com) for 'Joel Johnson Sample AT2020' and it should pop up.
Thank you all so much!