Audio-Technica AT2020 Review
Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
- 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
- Requires +48V phantom power
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 280,007 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Audio-Technica AT2020. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Audio-Technica AT2020. For example, 92% of 143,222 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Audio-Technica AT2020 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 72 Reviews
Blew Me Away!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by ACE.KING on Guitar Center
I bought this mic as the last addition to my home studio. This mic is awesome. Very clear vocals. Alot of my friends have come over to use it, and have asked to borrow it because they liked it so much.
On the Bright Side, It Ain't Dark
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Thomas Cox on Guitar Center
Good thing is you get sharpness, clarity, openness, low noise, and durable build quality. Downside is it's anemic on the lows and low-mids, has elevated upper mids, and a somewhat harsh and sibilant top end. It's hyped in the upper end of the spectrum. Therefore at worst it can make a neutral vocal sound thin, honky, harsh, and brittle. But it's nowhere as harsh and brittle as the MXL 990. The MXL V67g errs in the other direction, warm and smooth to the point of being dark and woolly. The AT2020 is great on acoustic though, really brings out the vibrance of the strings. Overall, for under a hundred, the AT2020 is a great mic, especially if you properly EQ the highs and upper mids on vocals. It's a very good mic, but not a really great mic. ... More
Great studio mic for a Mezzo
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Michael McNerney on Guitar Center
Back in the days when state of the art studios were bulked down with Otari analog tape decks, I owned a recording studio in the San Francisco area. Our mic selection ranged from Shure SM33 and 55's, RCA 77dx to Neumann M269c, various AKGs, Sennheisers, etc. I have to say, however, that with all the firepower we had available, I don't think anything made my wife's voice shine as well as the AT2020. I'm not saying this mic is for everyone, however, as a professional mezzo soprano opera singer who also belts jazz, this mic loves her tones. It's durable enough to handle the massive presence she can create, without sounding tinny, shrill or muddy. As a mezzo, she has more than a three octave range and the 2020 performs beautifully from her lowest, chocolate tones to the near glass-shattering highs. Every voice is different and should be evaluated individually before making a mic selection, but for our needs, the AT2020 is the perfect choice. ... More
No Coloring at all
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Allen KV on Guitar Center
first when I got my MXL 990s I thought that it was the best thing ever. I found that there are better mics out there with a similar price. So I bought the Audio Technica AT2020 and man, This mic produces your actual voice. I record a friend who spits it and his real voice sounds the same on the record. I'm sure its enough info for you guys, same sound in the software as the original !!!
ST0P IT!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by K. Marvel on Guitar Center
This is a good microphone. STOP saying this is a good mic for beginners. It's a good microphone for everybody it sounds professional. A Mic is a mic when you say beginner your making it seem like everyone is a beginner maybe you are but not everyone else
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What a GREAT mike!!!!!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Kidterry on Guitar Center
I use this mike to record vocals and guitar. Although I own some sure mikes, I only use this one for lead vocals or quartet/trio combinations. For a hundred bucks, buy 2 !!!! Highly reccomend this one!
Hey, mine was free!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by darren on Guitar Center
Yep, got it with a Presonus Eureka channel strip. The ridiculous thing is that this mic kicks butt! When used with a pop screen this is my favorite vocal recording mic. My other condenser picks up everything in the room, but this one does a nice job of delicately picking up what you put in front of it. The sound is very transparent and uncoloured. For lots of fun, try running your voice through this, then a distortion pedal. Monitor it with open headphones.
Sound Great!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Brian Jones on Guitar Center
I finally got to use these as drum overheads tonight...I was VERY impressed! I have used it on Acoustic and Electric Guitars and also Main Vocals and I liked them..but I REALLY liked them on my drumset as overheads...I ran them through a Pre Sonus ADL600 mic pre and it was ultra clean! I think I have a new fav mic brand seeing as the AT4050 has become #1 on my vocal takes in the studio...def a great buy!
A fantastic, deceptively priced microphone!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Matthew Sampson on Guitar Center
When I got my AT2020, it was my first microphone, and I thought it was great. Now that I've upgraded my mic collection over the years, I still think it's great! One of the first things I noticed when I got it was how amazingly it picked up acoustic guitar. With a bit of low-cut, this thing will give you the perfect bright sound for a quickly-strummed acoustic guitar. Another place it shines is as a drum overhead, capturing the shine of the cymbals to an almost earsplitting volume. A third area it excels in is with acoustic piano. Put this microphone over the low strings of a grand piano, dial in some of the low ends, and pair it with another AT2020 over the high strings, and you've got a remarkably lifelike sound. Now with all this great stuff, you might be asking why this mic doesn't have 5 stars. Well, it's because for a beginner mic that's supposed to be versatile, it really lacks in the vocals department. You have to REALLY play with this thing to get a clear vocal sound without any unpleasant bite. Is it a great buy? Absolutely. Does it work for vocals? Well...not for a beginner. ... More
My favorite microphone
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Chris on Guitar Center
I use this microphone to record vocal and acoustic guitar and it performs like a champion. It picks up everything perfectly making it easy to find a good placement for it, which is very important when mic'ing an acoustic guitar. For vocals I couldnt ask for more. You probably want to get a screen so you dont mess it up though. This mic is great and is worth ever penny!
Awesome Kick Drum Sound
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Devin Zorn on Guitar Center
I am an Audio Engineer with a suitable home recording studio with more than a couple years of experience and this mic is absolutely astounding for capturing the Kick drum! Compared to my Shure Beta 52A on my session drummers kick drum (no front port hole) this mic has given me the best drum sound ive ever had. stick it a couple feet away from the drum and make the capsule parallel to the head, and the top or bottom of the mesh surrounding the capsule with the bottom lip at the top of the drum and you get an amazingly deep and punchy sound! some compression and its perfect. Good for vocals as well! Get this mic! ... More
Great for male vocals!!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Klyde on Guitar Center
The audio-technica AT2020 is an outstanding condenser microphone for the money. In comparison to the more expensive Sterling Audio ST59 (which was recommended to me) the AT2020 sounds distinctively 'warmer' than the ST59, which sounded more 'open.' Coupled with a ART Tube MP Stuido tube preamp, the AT2020 brings out the warmth and flavor to my voice with little mastering required later after. There is only one function on this microphone, and that is ON. I plan to keep and use it often through my adventures of home recording.
Thank You, Other Reviewer !!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by john on Guitar Center
Thank You, Other Reviewer !! ?Friday, ?August ?8, ?2014 I have been using the AT2020 for 3 months now and most of that time has been used testing this mic out. This mic is as professional as the rest. Someone let me know when you can get a reading of -75db out of an entry-level microphone. I wanted a mic that was hi output, low noise and worked for my voice. I want no more. I was also very pleased with the price and shipping time. Thanks Guitar Center and The Other Reviewer. J.S.
Second one, as great as the first!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Alan R Cooper on Guitar Center
I bought one of these several years ago when they first came out. Its recording qualities for vocals were far better than several other more expensive condenser mics I have or have had. I damaged it by dropping on a concrete floor and tried to get by with using my other, supposedly better mics. I just ordered and received this new one. What a great mic, at least for my voice -- baritone/tenor, and for my other musicians, who range from soprano to alto to rich bass. I use both a standalone recorder, an old beat up but still reliable for out-of-studio quick takes Fostex MR-8HD, and a Tascam US-800 on a dual core 3Mhz PC, using Sonar X3, Reaper, Audacity, and some other tools. This mic is great for all. On the standalone, which is limited to 16-bit .wav, it compensates for some of the recorders limitations. I highly recommend this for us amateurs who want great results and appreciate bang or the buck. ... More
Studio standard for over a decade
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Helen on Guitar Center
I have more expensive mics that don't capture sound as well as my AT2020's. The sound is clear, low noise, and uncolored. If you want an honest mic that won't break the bank, you will be happy with this one. I used two in a stereo config on an opera singer (well back of the source, she's LOUD) in a recital hall for an audition video. I couldn't be happier with them.
Sofar so good
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by lee hazlewood on Guitar Center
I can't really say how good this AT-2020 is as of yet.I haven't had a chance to use it on a good mixer yet. Just using it in practice with my band it seems to pick up my cymbals as overheads on my drum kit way better than my Audix F9s that came with my 7pc Audix FP7 mic set. I just ordered a PreSonus 16.4.2 digital mixer which should be here tomorrow. Then I'll be able to put my 9 mics on my kit through a great board and see how theses AT-20202s really sound. I picked up 2 of these for a great price at Christmas time, but all the reviews were are saying that these mics work great in lots of different situations. So, I decided to try them out! Once I have a chance to run them through my mixer and EQ them and mix them right, then I'll know how good they really are! I gave these 4 stars because of other reviews and the fact they have given me better recordings so far. When I unboxed them I was amazed how well they look, and how professional they are built! The quality is very present as soon as you see them in person. ... More
Perfect!!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by DJ on Guitar Center
You can even use it as a live condenser if you have a windscreen that fits this. you can buy from amazon cus guitarcenter only has windscreens for small diaphram or dynamic ones. I have a portable PA speaker (Behringer k1800FX) which provides 12V phantom power, and this mic still works without flaws with 12V. So i use it live. but be a little more careful carrying it around. as long as you put windscreen on and keep it dry, it lasts very long.
Great Mic
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Glenn on Guitar Center
I have used this mic for over two years now and use it with a presonus audiobox recording interface. I have had great results especially on acoustic guitars positioned right around the twelfth fret. It also seems to work well for vocals and even electric guitar when recording at lower volumes. I do suggest getting a shock mount to use with this so you won't have any extra noises as I did for mine. This mic holds up very well and should last a very long time. It's as clear as it was when I first bought it.
WOW!!!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by Clarke on Guitar Center
Just bought this mic today! Totally met and exceeded my expectations! AWESOME mic!
Definitely would buy again! A gem for the price!
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Reviewed by adrian on Guitar Center
I use the AT2020 for my little home studio and it definitely gets the job done! Have used it on electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and of course on vocals. Music recording and podcasts. My only complaint is that there isn't enough low end on vocals, pretty midrange and highs, but not a deal breaker. Don't think about it, go and get one! It's definitely a gem for the price!
