If you have looked into recording vocals at home, you have almost certainly come across the Audio-Technica AT2020. It is one of the most common first condenser microphones for home studios, podcasters and streamers, and it earns that spot by sounding far better than its modest positioning suggests.
Here is what the AT2020 is, who it suits and where to buy one.
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What it is
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a side-address cardioid condenser microphone. Side-address means you sing or speak into the side of the mic, not the top. Cardioid means it picks up mostly what is in front of it and reduces sound from the sides and rear, which helps in untreated rooms.
As a condenser, it uses a lightweight diaphragm and a fixed plate that act as a capacitor. Audio-Technica says its custom-engineered low-mass diaphragm gives extended frequency response and superior transient response, so it captures detail like breaths, acoustic guitar strings and the snap of percussion. Condensers need power to run, and the XLR AT2020 takes 48-volt phantom power, which almost every audio interface supplies with the press of a button.
The specs that matter
- Element: fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser.
- Polar pattern: cardioid.
- Frequency response: 20 to 20,000 hertz (Hz), the full range of human hearing.
- Maximum input sound level: 144 decibels sound pressure level (dB SPL), so it handles loud sources without trouble.
- Phantom power: 48 volts direct current (DC).
- Output connector: integral 3-pin XLR.
- In the box: a stand mount for 5/8-inch threaded stands.
Why it is worth buying
- It is a real studio condenser. It gives you the open, detailed sound of a condenser without the cost or fragility of high-end studio mics.
- It is versatile. Audio-Technica pitches it at musicians, podcasters and streamers alike. Vocals, voiceover, acoustic guitar and overhead drums are all fair game.
- It handles volume. A 144 dB SPL maximum means it will not choke on a loud singer or a guitar amp.
- It grows with you. Because it uses standard XLR, it works with any interface or mixer you upgrade to later.
Who it is for
The AT2020 makes the most sense for someone setting up a first or second recording space. Singer-songwriters can use it for vocals and acoustic guitar on the same day. Podcasters get a clear, present voice sound. Producers who sample their own sounds can use it to capture percussion, found sounds and instruments around the house. Because it is a fixed cardioid design with no switches, there is very little to get wrong, which makes it a forgiving way to learn microphone placement.
XLR or USB
Audio-Technica makes several versions of the AT2020. The standard model is XLR and needs an audio interface. There are also USB versions that plug straight into a computer, which is convenient for streaming and podcasting but less flexible for music recording. If you plan to make music, get the XLR version and pair it with one of the picks in our guide to the best audio interfaces for home recording. If you outgrow it, the AT2035 is a related step-up condenser from the same family.
Condenser or dynamic
A condenser like the AT2020 captures more detail and air than a dynamic mic, which is great in a quiet room and less great in a noisy one. Dynamic mics like the Shure SM57 and Shure SM58 are more forgiving of room noise and loud sources. Many home studios end up with one of each: a condenser for vocals and acoustic instruments, and a dynamic for amps and drums.
Tips for better recordings
Use a pop filter for vocals to stop plosives, the bursts of air from P and B sounds. Keep about a hand's width between your mouth and the mic as a starting point. Record in the deadest space you have, since a condenser will pick up room reflections; a closet full of clothes works surprisingly well. Monitor on closed-back headphones from our best studio headphones guide so the mic does not pick up your playback. For the rest of the setup, our home studio starter gear guide covers the essentials.
Where to buy
Audio-Technica sells the AT2020 direct, and it is widely available from authorized dealers.
AT2020 at Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica AT2020 cardioid condenser microphone
Shure SM57 dynamic instrument microphone
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