Audio-Technica AT2020
Medium-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone with Pivoting Stand Mount
Quality & Price In One Mic!
The AT2020 from Audio-Technica breaks new ground in terms of quality and cost. Perfectly suited for today's home and project studio, the Audio-Technica AT2020 was designed by Audio-Technica engineers to fit comfortably in your mix and your budget at the same time. The perfect "first microphone," we're sure the AT2020 will find its way into many studios of all sizes. The Audio-Technica AT2020 at a Glance:- Sets new standards for quality, performance and price.
- Designed by Audio-Technica engineers with pride.
- Perfect alone, or in pairs.
Standing AloneIntroducing a new strategy for superior sound. The AT2020 looks to the future, setting a price/performance/quality standard in side-address studio condenser technology that's way ahead of its time. State-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure compliance with A-T's stringent consistency and reliability standards, setting the AT2020 apart from other side-address mics in its class. Designed by Audio-Technica EngineersWhen Audio-Technica decided to build the ultimate low-priced studio microphone, they didn't turn to off-the-shelf designs. Instead, they looked inward at their world-class team of engineers. The result? The AT2020's low-mass diaphragm is custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. With low self-noise perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment, the Audio-Technica AT2020 offers a wide dynamic range and handles high SPLs with ease. Its rugged construction is designed to stand up to years of use and it holds its appearance well. Get One, Two or More!For the price, we have to wonder whether it might be not only the perfect "first" mic for the studio student, but by purchasing two for the price of other "value" mics, it might just be that stereo overhead set you don't mind taking out for mobile recordings! Known for standard-setting quality control, you won't need to order a matched pair; any two AT2020 off the assembly line will sound the same! So, whether you're searching for one, two, or more, the Audio-Technica AT2020 will fit the bill. Audio Technica AT2020 Features: - The price/performance standard in side-address studio condenser microphone technology
- Ideal for project/home-studio applications
- High SPL handling and wide dynamic range provide unmatched versatility
- Relatively low self-noise - perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment
- 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
- Pivoting, threaded stand mount attaches securely for easy and precise placement of the microphone
The AT2020: tomorrow's standard for affordable side address studio condensers.
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Sweetwater Advice
Scott DeMarko
The AT2020 delivers in every aspect that you want a good quality cardiod condenser mic to offer. The vocals are clean, crisp, and very direct. The mic really gives a very airy sound which, added with a preamp or compressor plug-in of choice, is the perfect combination a good vocal is looking for. I have used this mic on Hip Hop, R&B, and Rock recordings. For the price, this mic can't be beat. They say you get what you pay for. With the AT2020 you get an incredible value in a very affordable mic, and so much more.
Shootout winner
by Steve from Avondale, AZ
September 2, 2009
Music Background: Pro Musician, Recording Engineer
I recently decided to stop getting so stressed about reviews and what other people think of gear. Instead I'm just gonna go in and LISTEN to the gear to see if it works for me.
So I walked into ... read more [+] my local Guitar Center to shoot out every condensor that they had for $99.
I brought my laptop and my Apogee Duet, and lined up the AT2020, MXL 990/991, Sterling Audio ST51, and the AKG Perception 120 and did a shootout with acoustic guitar.
Obviously for me, the AT2020 won out. It was clear full, and had an airy high end that gave the guitar some sparkle.
After bringing it home and testing it with vocals, I was even more impressed with the quality of this mic.
So far I have used it on Nylon String guitar, acoustic guitar, and vocals and it has really shined running through the Duet.
I highly recommend that you give this mic a listen. In fact, do that with all of your gear purchases and take opinions with a grain of salt. Find what works for what you are trying to do that fits your budget, and then make great music! close [-]
The AT2020 Mic
by Doe Boi from Fort Wayne, Indiana
April 26, 2007
Music Background: Rapper & Engineer
Me and my group bought this mic because of the cost and the reviews we heard about. So we put it to the test, and started recording with it. Many hits have came from this mic, including one radio hit. ... read more [+] If you are looking to buy a new mic, and you don't wanna spend a lot of money, I recommend getting this one. close [-]
Pleasantly suprised with the quality considering the price
by Dave from London E16
January 24, 2007
Music Background: Singer/songwriter
I wanted some decent condenser mics for home recording. I have a Tascam DP-01FX plus a Focusrite twin trak pro whic I use as a front on to the Tascam.in the past I have used a ADK A51 and an SE Electr ... read more [+]onics 2200A, they are both good mics but found them a bit boomy for my guitar.
I went to the PA centre in London and spoke to one of the staff who has had a lot of experiance in Sound Engineering and he told me to try this out.
I first did a search on the net and read many good reviews on this Audio Technica 2020 so I went back to the shop and tried it out. I am amazed at the quality and it was ideal for my acoustic guitar . I did'nt need to add to hardly any eq'ing it picked up the sound beautifully. I ended up buying two of these mics and I love then to bits.
It works beautifully with my Focusrite Twintrack pro .
Dave close [-]
AT2020 vs AKG C4000B
by Rad from Boston
June 30, 2006
Music Background: Musician, Recording engineer
Recently I had an opportunity to test AT2020 against the much more expensive AKG C4000B with really surprising results that I want to share. The test involved a guitar part and a vocal part with both ... read more [+]mics running trhough an uncolored Mackie Onyx 400F preamp, with the microphones placed together and at the same distance and angle with respect to the sound source. I listened to the mix with the standard AKG k240 Studio headphones, a proven studio standard. Here are the results:
The results on guitar were to say the least unexpected. AT2020 revealed a crystal-clear image of the flamenco guitar part capturing all of the string buzz and sharp transients that are essential to flamenco. Due to proximity effect, (recording at 8 in) there was also a sizable low-end boost that I had to cut with EQ by applying a 150 Hz 12dB-per-octave cut. The AKG revealed the same low-end boost that I was able to cut with the inbuilt lo-cut filter, revealing an exceptionally warm and rounded sound which did not capture any of the strumming/pick noise and was noticeably weaker on the transients. A 6-dB dip above 15kHz in the documentation chart revealed this as a weak side of the AKG relative to the AT. Of the two mics, AT came out as substantially more accurate and faithful to the original sound, which is surprising given the price difference.
On vocals AT conveyed an airy, "breathy" and roomy sound with almost zero proximity effect recording a male basso profundo-type voice performing vocal arias from Bach. Despite the vocal's bass range, proximity was not at all apparent, it seems, due to the different radiation patterns of guitar vs voice.
AKG produced pretty much the same picture here as with guitar: sweet, overly mellow, non-edgy, a kind of 60's vacuum tube sound that might have done well for a jazz recording, but then again, this is not what I was recording. AT made the vocal just a tiny bit brighter than in reality due to the +3db presence peak at 10kHz, but remained essentially faithful to the original.
In conclusion, I was forced to make the conclusion that apparently AT is intended as an all-around mic, not coloring its sound input and reproducing very beautiful transients. By contrast, AKG C4000B came out as a strong "character mic" with its own personality which at times was not at all suitable for the kind of music I was recording. Other things notwithstanding, it did awful on flamenco guitar and hand claps but seemed more suited for classical guitar and certain vocals. This conclusion is reinforced by a recording I made recently at another studio where they used AKG SolidTube and we got similarly disappointing results on flamenco guitar. Later I learned that the C4000B capsule was descended from the Solid Tube capsule which was taken as a model.
To summarize: I give AT 2020 4.5 out of 5. The only reason I am hesitant to give 5 is the lack of shockmount and bass cut filter. close [-]
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See Also: Condensers
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