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If you know anything about recording equipment, you’ve probably heard of recording-Technica. Since the 1980s, this name has been making some of the best headphones. The AT2020USB-X is the newest USB microphone. It builds on the AT2020 models that came before it to be one of the best microphones for streaming and one of the best USB mics on the market.
If you want to start streaming games, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X is a great, high-quality place to start making content online. You don’t get the full range of XLR dynamics with this little player, but for its size and price, there’s not much to complain about.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X Specifications
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Microphone Type | Condenser |
Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz |
Sample Rate | 44.1kHz/48kHz |
Bit Depth | 16-bit |
Output Connector | USB |
Headphone Output | Yes |
Dimensions | 162mm x 52mm x 52mm |
Weight | 386 grams |
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X: Design
At first glance, there’s nothing special about the way the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X is made. Even though it looks nice with its all-metal construction and black color scheme, the way it looks is kept simple and clear until you plug it in. Once it’s turned on, the bright blue LED behind the grill will let you know that the microphone is on and ready to send sound.
There is a touch-sensitive panel on the front of the controls that mutes the mic totally silently. This means that broadcasts and recordings won’t have any interference. The blue light turns dark red, which is a clear sign that no sound will be sent. It’s a nice touch that helps set the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X apart from other similar products. It gets its power from USB-C, but it connects to your computer, laptop, or game device using the more common USB-A. You can buy this microphone frm its official website
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X: Connection
The AT2020USB-X is simple to connect to your device. It is possible to connect to any computer by using only a USB cable, as suggested by its name. Because the USB-C connector is located on the bottom of the microphone, it is simple to access when the device is placed on a microphone stand. You will receive from Audio-Technica a cable that connects USB-C to USB-A and is 2 meters (6.6 feet) in length. Additionally, you will receive adapters that allow you to switch between USB-A and USB-C.
Next to the connector for the USB-C cable, there is a threaded insert that can be used to attach the microphone to a mount with a 5/8-inch thread pitch. A threaded adapter measuring 3/8 inches to 5/8 inches and 27 threads is also supplied.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X: Sound Quality
The AT2020USB-X, which is based on the original AT2020 and AT2020USB, usually has a professional sound. It has a cardioid polar pickup pattern, which means it is best at picking up sounds that come from right in front of it. Even though the microphone is designed to record speech for podcasts or radio, it can also be used to record some musical acts. The built-in analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can sample at up to 96 KHz with a precision of 24 bits.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X: Performance
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X, which we use every day at work, has been a much better than normal microphone. The sound quality of this model has really surprised me, whether we were having a meeting with my friends via video conferencing or doing an interview. At first, the lack of a gain dial made me feel stuck, but we quickly got used to it by experimenting with how far away from the pickup we needed to be.
We haven’t seen a USB-A microphone in this price range that can pick up my voice as clearly as the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X. It sounds a lot better right out of the box than the tried-and-true Blue Yeti and Blue Snowball that I’ve had around my house for years. There aren’t as many features on the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X as there are on Blue’s products. For example, you can’t choose from different pickup patterns to record just one voice instead of several, as you can with Blue’s products.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X review: The good and The bad
The Good
- Sturdy construction
- Effective touch controls
The Bad
- No gain dial
Final Words
Even though it has some issues, the AT2020USB-X is still a good choice if you want a good USB microphone. This Audio-Technica microphone might not be the best choice for work calls or Discord hangouts because of how sensitive it is. But the AT2020USB-X is a great choice for voice work if you have a good place to record. It is more helpful than the original AT2020 because it has a mute button, LED lights, a headphone jack, and the controls for those things.