Grayson Menges

Prof. Miller
ENG 216
3/24/2020
AT2020 Microphone Evaluation
The AT2020 microphone is an entry level recording microphone targeted at people
looking to start recording their voice in a higher quality manner. It is a well proven microphone
that many get to start out, and it holds up to that reputation. At $99, it may seem steep to the
average person, especially when the XLR version will need an additional audio interface to
function, but it is much cheaper than most other microphones at that quality level, and worth it in
my opinion.
I have had my AT2020 for almost 2 years now, and in that time I have used it almost
daily for voice calls and recording for various projects. It has a very clear sound with very little
interference in the quality of the recording. It is crisp, and very accurate, with some people I call
over chat programs saying that I sounded like I was in the same room as them. While the sound
is accurate, it can very easily blow out the sound when there is a noise that is very loud gets near
the microphone. It is incredibly sensitive and can pick up on unwanted sounds such as keyboard
typing if not calibrated correctly in the software you are using. Overall, very high quality sound.
It’s build quality is great as well,
with an all metal housing and cover for the
cardioid condenser (the microphone device
inside) to ensure that it is well protected.
The microphone is also pretty small as well,
only about 6 inches in length for the mic
itself (see figure 1). It has a clearly labeled
front and back, so you know which side to
talk into as well. I notice the connector can
come a bit loose over time, so you may need
to reinsert it periodically.
The price is very reasonable as well,
at only $99.99. Many other microphones at
this quality level are more expensive, with
the Blue Yeti being $130 while being lower
quality. Another thing to consider with price
though is the fact that you will need an
Audio Interface with the microphone if you
get the version with an XLR connector, as
the interface converts the signal from an
analogue one to a digital one (see figure 2). Figure 1
 The setup for the microphone is quite
simple. Just plug in the microphone to the
interface, and the interface to the computer
and the computer should automatically install
the correct drivers for it. Using the
microphone is also quite easy, as you should
adjust the input volume and the output
volume as necessary.
Overall, the AT2020 is a fantastic
microphone that I highly recommend to
anyone who wants a nice quality studio
microphone that won’t break the bank, and
will be a good microphone to use daily.

Figure 2