Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser Microphone (USB connection) for voiceover, podcasting, streaming and recording

Product Information

The AT-2020USB-XP microphone provides users additional digital control with on-board automatic gain control. This feature allows users to maintain a consistent microphone output level regardless of how loudly or softly they speak or sing. Bringing the studio-quality sound of our 20 Series to the stage, the AT2010 cardioid condenser vocal microphone was released in 2007. Bundled with the Yeti is Blue Voice, a comprehensive suite of software audio effects, filters and samples but it's not a requirement for recording.

In the red corner we have the no-nonsense AT2020USB+. The name may sound like a spare part from an air-conditioning unit, but it befits this mic's sombre looks. Small, tough, resilient, accurate and lightweight, it's no, ahem, lightweight. Latency-free headphone monitoring is common to both microphones but, as previously mentioned, only the AT2020USB+ provides you with the facility to mix the sound of your mic input with your computer's output. There's no getting away from the fact that the appropriately named Yeti is huge compared with the diminutive AT2020USB+. Mounted on its quirky stand, it stands tall at 295 mm / 11.6" and weighs in at 1.55 kg / 3.4 lbs. That's substantial. Whether you are looking for the best streaming microphone or looking to enhance your content creation for YouTube videos, the AT2020USB-X is the optimal choice for all types of content creation. Recognising the need for an affordable recording mic for podcasters and content creators looking to upgrade their setup, Audio-Technica launched the AT2040 podcasting microphone in 2021.

How do you control the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X?

You will need a 3-pin XLR female to XLR male microphone cable to connect your AT2020 to a phantom power supply or audio interface.

USB microphone with smooth, extended frequency response is ideally suited for streaming, podcasting, and other content creationOne of the main differences between the AT2020USB+ and the AT2020 is their intended use. While the AT2020USB+ is ideal for home recording studios, podcasting and voice-over recording, the AT2020 can be plugged into a mixer and used in live situations. The Yeti can be used to mic up other instruments but in many cases it'll prove too heavy and awkward to do so. Ideally, you'll want to restrict the Yeti to your desk or suspended from a robust boom arm – it's at its best recording vocals. There's very little to find fault with here. Audio-Technica's streaming- and podcasting-friendly AT2020USB+ is built with the same sturdiness and quality you'd find in its studio mics, with a USB interface and tripod stand that makes for an easy streaming setup. If you regularly stream or record podcasts as a duo, a mic with a bidirectional polar pattern like HyperX's Quadcast might be more suitable, but for solo recording this model's a dream. The automatic gain control is going to be of less interest for some. However, there are plenty of us that can get quite loud when we get excited (when we’re usually not), and this feature does a good job of adjusting the mic volume on the fly to minimize any sort of distortion. The second issue is a slightly insubstantial low end which we're not sure what element to pin the blame on for. It might be a function of the analog-to-digital conversion, since there's no reason a mid-sized diaphragm like this one shouldn't be able to capture some authoritative bass frequencies. We are talking slight, though. It's the kind of thing you notice while listening to wav files of different microphone recordings specifically to hear their differences, not during everyday use.

The feature of note for both of these mics is their USB connectivity. This makes them very easy to set up and does away with the need for a separate audio interface, which saves time, space, expense and, ultimately, a whole load of potential hassle. Smooth, extended frequency response ideally suited for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording and voiceover use There is currently a range of seven microphones within our 20 Series, each providing unique qualities to benefit particular applications, from live performances to at-home studio recordings. This microphone is equipped with a high-resolution A/D converter that supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording sampling rate, providing crystal-clear and natural sound reproduction to create captivating audio.Both the Yeti and the AT2020USB+ ship with mic stands. The Yeti's stand is a heavy, gargantuan affair that, front on, makes it resemble the human form or, if you squint hard, a Yeti. The AT2020USB+ comes with a more standard-looking mini tripod. Both mics have thread mounts, making it possible to support them on any stand or boom. In 2020, we debuted a range of limited edition 20 Series products, including the AT2020TYO Cardioid Condenser Microphone in an indigo blue finish and the AT2020V and AT2020USB+V in a reflective silver finish. For pro users, the omission of XLR will probably rule both mics out, so if it's a feature you can't live without consider the less expensive non-USB AT2020 or the more expensive Yeti Pro. Both have XLR connectors. Featuring three switchable polar patterns - omni, cardioid and figure-eight - the AT2050 is ideal for both studio use and live sound productions. This versatile mic always delivers consistent, superior performance whatever sound source is being captured, thanks to its multiple directivity. Both the AT2020USB+ and the Yeti exhibit smooth high-end and low-end roll-off, which sounds undesirable but will actually improve noise cancellation and harshness. Good traits for a vocal mic.