Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone, Ideal for Project/Home Studio Applications

The Audio-Technica AT2020 has been my trusted microphone for the past 10 years, and it continues to perform as flawlessly as the day I bought it. Here's my detailed breakdown:Build Quality & DurabilityAppearance: The microphone looks pristine, with no visible wear and tear despite a decade of use. Occasionally, I notice some dust accumulation since I only use it weekly, but this is minor.Durability: I’ve never needed to repair any part of this mic—it's built to last.Performance & Sound QualityConsistency: The sound quality has remained totally consistent over time.Popping Sounds: While it does pick up popping like any other mic, it seems to handle and disperse them better than others in this price range.Sensitivity: It’s a highly sensitive mic, which can be both a pro and a con depending on your setup. Without software filters, it picks up ambient noise easily, but with proper settings, it’s fantastic.Noise Issues: Occasionally, I’ve encountered noise and interference, though I believe this was due to a faulty cable rather than the microphone itself.Usage & VersatilityApplications: I’ve used the AT2020 for voice acting, Twitch streaming, YouTube videos, voice calls, and music recording. It performs exceptionally in all scenarios.Studio vs. Untreated Spaces: While it excels in a studio setting, it holds its own in untreated spaces when paired with good software. Programs like Voicemod help resolve minor environmental issues effectively.Comparison to Others: I haven’t done a direct comparison, but based on my experience, it competes with microphones 2–3 times its price.Ease of UseSetup: The AT2020 is truly plug-and-play. Setting up the microphone stand will likely take you more time than getting the mic ready to use.Sensitivity Learning Curve: Initially, the mic's sensitivity posed some challenges, but once I learned how to properly adjust my preamp settings, it became a non-issue.Design & ValueDesign: The sleek design is aesthetically pleasing and practical. My only critique would be that the groove for the mic stand could be a bit more pronounced for a more secure latch.Value: This microphone is an outstanding value. It cost nearly double when I purchased it compared to today’s price, and I would still recommend it even at the higher cost.Longevity & Overall ImpressionsLongevity: When I purchased this mic, I knew it would be a long-term investment. Still, I’m impressed to realize it’s been 10 years, and I can easily see myself using it for another decade.Recommendation: For beginners, this is an ideal microphone. Even experienced users might appreciate its quality, although higher-end options are available for those who want premium features.Final ThoughtsThe Audio-Technica AT2020 is the definition of reliability and value. It’s affordable, durable, and delivers professional-quality results across a wide range of applications. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned creator, this microphone is an investment you won’t regret.Rating: 5/5 Stars

The AT2020 is a fantastic microphone, especially considering the price. It sounds incredibly clear and detailed, and it can even hold its own against the much more expensive Shure SM7B. Whether I'm recording vocals or podcasting, this mic captures my voice perfectly. It's build is solid and is super easy to set up. I'm incredibly impressed with the sound quality for the price. 100% would recommend.

This microphone was an excellent upgrade from the previous one I was using. Prior to this one I was using a maono caster cardoid microphone. The audio quality on this one is pristine requiring me to use no voice effects from my rodecaster duo to reach a quality sound. The microphone itself has a heavy feel with metal construction. It's done a great job at performing for all the tasks I've used it for whether it be for dm'ing my dnd games or recording my voice for games. I should note this is not a great product for plug and play gaming purposes. It requires an xlr connection and 48v phantom power. If you want something more plug and play accessible try getting the usb version of this mic. Overall though 10/10 would recommend it.

Excellent sound quality. Build quality is top notch as well. Out of all the microphones I've had in the past, this one is the best.

I will have two reviews on here, the "Basic Review For Beginners" and the "Audiophile Review." I will also have a section after the basic review that talks about the required equipment you need/should buy/obtain and hopefully already have (unlikely) to properly utilize the microphone.-Basic Review For Beginners-The AT2020 (XLR) Cardioid Condenser Microphones is perfect for beginners and newbies! The AT2020 is a good starter microphone but perhaps not the best, but it will still give you your money's worth, not to mention Audio Technica is an internationally trusted brand. For the use by beginners, amateurs, and 'some' semi-professionals (not really recommended for that last category) who are looking for a budget microphone for use in making music, podcasting, and voicovers it is a good condenser microphone. Also, if you get this, it's a sensitive piece of technology. Be careful with it and do your research, trust me.-Equipment Information-You will need/have to buy additional equipment to use this. Now this is not the company trying to screw you over (except not providing you with an XLR cable, that's just rude). Buying any XLR Microphone requires that you buy equipment to go with it so it can properly function. You are entering the peripheral of the world of professional recording, congratulations, it's expensive. The equipment needed is as follows, assuming you have a computer, you better have a computer...1. Three-Pin XLR to XLR balanced cable. This is usually the standard (most common) XLR cable used and found. One end will plug into your mic and the other must plug into our next item...2. USB Audio Interface and/or dedicated mic preamp MUST HAVE 48V PHANTOM POWER FOR MIC TO OPERATE. The XLR plugs into this and then the interface plugs into your computer via USB. Most interfaces already have 48V switchable phantom power so don't let this disuade you from purchasing this mic. I recommend doing a little research on interfaces before making a final purchase.3. Mic Stand - You need somewhere to put your mic, period. Make sure you get a stand with the right size grooves or whatever that term is.Recommended/You Really Should Buy This Equipment:(If you're using this mic and you want the best possible sound and/or you're doing it semiprofessionally, I highly recommend buying the following)1. Pop Filter/Windscreen - This prevents something called "plosives" from distorting or peaking your audio, it makes it sound better. Certain consonants seem to be picked up by the mic very easily and create an uneven listening experience so pop filters can almost completely fix this. Almost any different brand pop filter would do, they're very generic, common, and inexpensive. When I mention pop filter, in that I also mean windscreen. They do the same thing with the tiniest of already minor differences. I've seen these things referred to as pop filter, windscreen, recording shield, sound absorbing foam cover, foam mic cover, acoustic filter, pop screen, pop shield, mic screen. Any of those and/or any combination of any of those words and you've found it. They all do the same thing with very minor differences. If you really wanna know the specifics, google.2. Headphones - I would get studio headphones for mixing because most headphones have enhancement features that change the sound while studio headphones provide an accurate representation of the sound, being designed to have a flat frequency response. The headphones I use are Beyerdynamic DT 770 Studio 80 Ohm which is the exact same as the DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm except the Studio says "Studio" on the side instead of "Pro." I wanted to feel special, leave me alone. Also, the Audio Technica ATH-M40x are really good.Now! For those of you curious about how the AT2020 compares in the ears of an audiophile, listen up...-Audiophile Review-• Condenser microphones by nature are more sensitive, but on the spectrum of condenser microphones the AT2020 is on the less sensitive end.• It can handle loud sounds without distorting.• The self noise (the noise the microphone makes by simply operating) is a little too loud in my opinion. It's 20 dB(A) which is on the louder side of professional condenser mics. Most are around 15-19 dB(A) I would say and that's pretty good. For some reason that one extra dba kills me. But I'm an audiophile and I notice things like that.• This isn't an audio thing but it's durable and that's nice. Now don't go throwing it against a wall or intentionally dropping it for that will most likely break it.• Only use it in a studio and/or controlled and/or low noise environment. It's not meant to be a stage microphone meaning not live performances. This isn't a critique but a tidbit of information.• It's quite sensitive to handling noise, so try not to touch it while recording. Buy a shock mount to reduce noise from the floor!• Please god soundtreat and soundproof your rooms, there is a difference.• It struggles with plosives and you could move the mic further away to combat this, but you would need the mic closer to combat the high self noise but that would make plosives worse, so this is paradoxical... Pop filter I guess but even then pop filter only reduces the plosives so much. Don't get me wrong, pop filters can get rid of (my personal guesstimate based on experience being) around 80-85% which is good.• Mic struggles with sibilant sounds but that's a little complicated for me to explain so... Google.• Has very midrange audio specs so you do you.OVERALL: Not bad... If you're willing to shell out a little more money for something better because you want to go professional, and you're 100% sure, then go ahead. But if you're unsure and this is you dipping your toe in the water, go ahead and buy the AT2020. It's pretty good for a beginner mic. Just please don't buy USB mics, those make me sad. Self noise is my biggest personal complaint. Plosives really aren't that bad though there are others that say different, I disagree, just get a pop filter. Pop filters or windscreens should just be mandatory requirements for owning a mic. Also, it's interesting how they don't provide you with an XLR cable, it's kind of just a common courtesy, one they don't extend. Overall, not bad.