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Product Description

The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Microphone offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility. The AT2020 USB plugs right into your computer’s USB port, and functions seamlessly with your favorite recording software. Equipped with a USB digital output, the AT2020 USB is perfect for home studio recording, field recording, podcasting, and voiceover use. The AT2020 USB is based on the design of Audio-Technica’s critically acclaimed AT2020 cardioid condenser microphone. Like the AT2020, it features a low-mass diaphragm, custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. With low self-noise, the AT2020 USB is perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment. Audio-Technica’s state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the company’s renowned consistency and reliability standards. Experience AT2020 USB. Plug it in and transform your sound.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41 in Musical Instruments
• Brand: Audio-Technica
• Model: AT2020USB
• Released on: 2008-07-16
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 2.75" h x 9.50" w x 9.75" l, 6.80 pounds

Features

• Side-address studio condenser with USB digital output (Windows and Mac compatible)
• Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use
• Custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm provides extended frequency response and superior transient response
• Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
• Low self-noise perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment

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Customer Reviews

Video Review of AT2020 USB Microphone
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RRJX2RJN2AHGB This is my video review of the AT2020 USB microphone from Audio-Technica. USB Microphones are made to be plugged in directly to a laptop or desktop. I connected this to a Vista 64 laptop during filming and did the voice over on a Macbook Pro.

Text review:
I give this product a 5 star rating. It is easy to use, high quality and very competitively priced. This is a great desktop mic to use for making podcasts or recording music.

I am not a musician so I am not able to speak to that aspect of the microphones ability. I did use it to make several voice over videos and it performed perfectly. Never a hick-up or any spurious noises heard at all.

I did not include specs into my video review because it would add to the file size and be too small to read here on Amazon's video player.

Regular readers of my reviews know I try to supply specs when necessary.

Here are the specs:
Element: Fixed-charge back plate permanently polarized condenser
Polar pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20Hz-16,000Hz
Power Requirements: USB power (+5VDC)
Bit depth: 16
Sample Rate: 44,000 kHz
Weight: 374g (13.2 oz)
Dimensions: 162.0 mm (6.38") long
52.0mm max body diameter (2.05")
Output connector: USB type
Accessories: Pivoting stand for 5/8"-27 threaded stands, 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter, soft protective pouch, tripod desk stand; 3.1m 10' USB cable

System Reqs: Mac OSX, USB 1.0 or 2.0 64MB RAM minimum. Windows XP Home or professional USB 1.0 or 2.0 64MB RAM minimum.

So for a great USB microphone I recommend this highly!

About the video: After uploading I noticed that Amazon's codec (video compressor) has made the video quality sub-par. I will try to reupload it again with a different codec.
Thank you for watching!

video editor
I was looking for the pre Amp for my microphone to do do voice over video and found this USB microphone from Audio technica. So I did not have to buy the preamp . Just plug it to the USB port then you go. It was very easy to use and noise floor very quiet, it does not record the fan noise from your computer or the background noise in the recording room, very happy with the purchase.

Great Mic
My review is not going to be too useful, but hopefully it will influence the mic's overall rating.

Pros:
- Great signal range!
Seems to capture everything I've thrown at it, including deep lows from vehicles and crisp highs from breaking glass. (Used for sound production)
- Decent noise floor...
Could be better, I ended up switching to the non-USB version and a mixer.
- Nice blue LED light...
It adds some character to the mic in the dark, although looks are not everything.
- Plug and play! No driver installation required. (Tested on XPSP3)

Cons:
Included stand picks up vibrations; I have replaced it with a better one after breaking it. It was an accident, I swear!

UPDATE (12/2/08):
Although this is a very convenient way to capture high quality audio, for a more serious solution, I would recommend going for the non-USB version with a mixer or mic preamp for better quality.