BlizzardWares is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links in our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Review
The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ is one of the most popular microphones on the market. It is ideal for vocal use due to its rich sounds and extended frequency response. This is a high-quality plug and play mic, with USB connectivity that connects to your laptop or computer directly.
Apart from the ease of setting up, the microphone is powerful and well-built. This makes it perfect for your gaming needs.
In this review, we will take a look at the Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ so you can decide if it is the right gaming microphone for you. We will consider its major specifications and pricing, pros and cons, and the general experience while using the microphone.
Specifications and Pricing
Element |
Condenser |
Polar Pattern |
Cardioid |
Weight |
386g |
Length |
6.38 inches |
Maximum Body Diameter |
2.05 inches |
Frequency Response |
20-20,000 Hz |
Sample Rate |
44.1/48 kHz |
Bit Depth |
16 bit |
Power Requirement |
USB Power (5V DC) |
Output Connector |
USB-type |
Headphone Jack |
3.5mm (1/8”) TRS Stereo |
Headphone Output Power |
130mW (at 1kHz, 10% T.H.D., 32 ohm load) |
Volume Control |
Mix Control, Headphone Volume Control |
System Requirements |
Windows 8.1 or 10 Mac OS X or later USB 1.0 or 2.0 At least 64MB of RAM |
Included Accessories |
Pivoting stand mount for 5/8”-27 threaded stands, 5/8”-27 to 3/8”-16 threaded adapter, tripod desk stand, soft protective pouch, 3.1m USB cable |
Price |
$149.00 |
Pros and Cons
Pros |
Cons |
Superior sound quality. |
Only available in the Cardioid Polar Pattern |
Easy-t0-use USB connectivity. |
The tripod stand is unsteady. |
Lag-free monitoring control. |
Low resolution. |
Extended frequency. |
|
Image Credit: Audio-Technica
Where to buy the Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+?
You can purchase the Audio-Technica 2020 USB+ for $149.00 directly from the Audio-Technica website or from Amazon.
Design
With the design of the Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+, it looks more like a studio mic than one for gaming. This is a good thing, as the last thing you want during streams is an array of RGB lights from your microphone.
When you plug in the mic, a blue LED light comes on to show that it is getting power from the USB. On the mic, you will find the gain and volume controls. At the front, there are two thumb controller wheels. The first one is for controlling the headphone volume, and the second one is for monitor control.
The mic itself has a metal finish with solid connections. It has a rugged build that is meant to withstand constant use. There is nothing to break and the capsule has a rigid grid protection.
It comes with a 10-foot USB cable that is adequate for most applications. The USB connector is an old-school square type which does not bend and detach like the mini-USB. There is also a 3.5mm audio out that you can use to record audio to a device. You can plug monitor headphones directly into the microphone for no-latency audio.
The desktop stand comes with a tripod design. It might be a bit wobbly, but there are locking tripod arms that keep the mic from falling during use.
Image Credit: Audio-Technica
Audio Quality
The Audio-Technica 2020 USB+ uses a medium-weight diaphragm with a permanently polarized condenser to offer flexibility. This also gives the mic a 120-degree cardioid pattern. This means that it only takes input from the front. However, you can make the most of the cardioid pattern.
When you are within four feet of the mic, all the attention is on your voice, but when you move away, you can add a little ambience to the audio. Despite this, there are no complaints in terms of background noise. With normal use, you should have no issues with the sound quality.
The mic offers deep lows and crisp highs, which makes the audio quality even better. Its back-electret capsule has a low mass diaphragm which gives the mic a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. It can also record audio at 16-bit depth and a 44.1/48kHz sample rate.
These are fairly standard specifications, but Audio-Technica specializes in studio recording, so the end result is of amazing quality. This microphone is perfect for vocal and speech purposes, including streaming and gaming.
Features and Performance
There is no issue with the performance when it comes to streaming. The Audio-Technica 2020 USB+ has the same sturdy build as studio mics. It is a class-compliant device, so you do not need drivers to connect it to Windows or MacOS devices.
The mic comes with some great features, which include a headphone preamp that offers a latency-free monitoring experience. It also has a mix control that you can use to blend the microphone signals with pre-recorded audio. This allows you to make one sound more prominent than the other, and you can adjust the blending to your choice.
You also get a volume control that is ideal for USB microphones. With this, you can use the microphone in different situations without needing intermediary devices such as a preamplifier.
Image Credit: Audio-Technica
Accessories
The package comes with nearly everything you will need for your gaming or streaming setup. The only thing missing is a pop shield, and it is quite cheap if you decide to get it separately. Your microphone comes with a premium protective pouch. The pouch has several layers of padding and a smart leather exterior.
The tripod stand comes in handy, although it is very low and sometimes unstable. But it works well if you tighten all the screws and balance it properly. If you still have issues with the tripods, you can swap them with a shock mount.
Final Thoughts
The Audio-Technica 2020 USB+ is an incredible USB condenser microphone. The ease of use, as well as the USB connectivity, makes it ideal for gamers. It is well-built, has high audio quality, and is versatile.
Although the microphone could have a higher resolution, you might not even need it. It comes with a tripod stand that makes setting it up quite simple. This mic is ideal for solo recording. The audio is quite clear because of the monitoring available with the headphone input. With this, it is able to do more than just the occasional game stream.
The Audio-Technica 2020 USB+ is quite affordable. It is a perfect fit for those who sit in one place with the mic placed on a desk close to them. Overall, it is a solid microphone with a number of manual controls. It is easy for beginners to use and produces great audio quality for pros. So, if you are satisfied with the features, then you should definitely get it.
