Best Settings for AT2020 USB & XLR Microphones [Pro Guide] (2023)

FAQs

What are the best settings for Audio Technica AT2020? ›

GoXLR & Audio Technica AT2020 De-Esser Set up

We recommend a de-esser setting between 40% and 60% and find that 50% works best for us.

An AT 2020 microphone may not work for various reasons, including; you are not using phantom power, or you are using the incorrect phantom power. Additionally, the mic may not be connected to your audio interface or system correctly.

Sound-wise, no, they have the same capsule / diaphragm. I think the USB version is more “safe” since you get full digital signal out of the USB, while the XLR version depends on preamp and interface / soundcard quality too (more cables, more possibility of noise).

For music, 64 (AAC)/96 (MP3) kbps is a good general-purpose setting that will sound good most listeners. This is the standard bitrate for podcasts, for example, and it sounds great on most contemporary devices, including smart speakers and mobile devices.

Audio levels should be kept around -10 to -12dB. Quietest recorded audio to should be kept well above the noise floor, maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio.

The AT2020 delivers in every aspect that you want a good quality cardiod condenser mic to offer. The vocals are clean, crisp, and very direct. The mic really gives a very airy sound which, added with a preamp or compressor plug-in of choice, is the perfect combination a good vocal is looking for.

While the tone of both mics is similar, the AT2020 picks up far more background noise and it sounds more distant when used at the same position as the Blue Yeti.

The most common cause of either no, intermittent, or distorted audio on one side of the AT-LP120-USB, AT-LP240-USB or AT-LP1240-USB turntables is improper calibration of the tonearm assembly prior to setting the vertical tracking force for the stylus (needle).

Does XLR to USB affect sound quality? ›

In fact, many USB mics use the exact same components as their XLR counterparts, so the sound quality is comparable.

Key takeaway: Both mics offer a great sound quality, although the AT2020 USB has better frequency response and tonal characteristics than the Blue Yeti and has an overall better sound quality.

Audio Quality

You might have heard the trash talk on XLR vs USB like “XLR is for professionals and USB is for beginners”. There is a truth to this. The audio quality from an XLR Microphone is clear, crisp, and noise free. That is why all professional studios, podcasters, and content creators prefer XLR Mics.

Both WAV files and AIFF files represent the highest quality possible in the audio world – they are the files of choice for any mixing or mastering engineer looking to retain the highest quality possible. AIFF files were developed by Apple but also play on the Window's OS.

To check the true quality of an audio file is to run a spectrum analysis. A spectrum analysis is nothing new, what it does is measure the power and magnitude of an input signal versus frequency.

A microphone with a frequency response range of around 80 Hz to 15 kHz would make a good choice for a vocal mic. However for miking snares and toms, you would look for a range that starts lower, at around 50 Hz, and for a bass drum mic, you will want a low end of 40 Hz or even lower, down to 30 Hz.

Most analog electret and MEMS microphones have sensitivity between –46 dBV and –35 dBV (5.0 mV/Pa to 17.8 mV/Pa). This level is a good compromise between the noise floor—which can be as low as 29 dB SPL for the ADMP504 and ADMP521 MEMS microphones—and the maximum acoustic input—which is typically about 120 dB SPL.

According to ProSoundNetwork, Billie and Finneas used a Neumann TLM 103. This microphone retails at $1,100 and can be bought at Sweetwater. The interface used by the duo to record their Grammy-winning productions was a Universal Audio Apollo 8.

What is the best mic technique for vocals? ›

The most common method of recording a human voice for any purpose is the direct on axis close proximity placement technique. Producers/engineers commonly call this "in your face". It has a number of advantages; intimate sound, good articulation of consonants, up front or leading sound and proximity warmth.

The AT2020 is a condenser microphone, which is highly sensitive and great for recording subtle sounds and details, such as the sound of fingers on guitar strings. As condenser mics go, the AT2020 is on the less sensitive end, with an open circuit sensitivity of 14.1mV/Pa.

Despite the fact that the AT2020 has a wider frequency range, the MXL 990 ultimately has the better low end response.

What Happens If Gain Is Too High? If the gain is too high at the input stage, your audio will reach the point of distortion or clipping. This can be a good or bad thing depending on what you are going for, as you might want to get some distortion with an amplifier, though you might want a clean tone for digital audio.

If the gain is set too high, the amplifier will reach full power when the volume control has not reached full; if the volume control is turned up higher, the amplifier is now pushed beyond its limits into clipping.

In the vast majority of cases, the gain setting is to blame for static noise. Find the “gain” or “input” knob on your amplifier, interface, or mic. Turn it down 1-2 dB (decibels) and talk into the mic again to see if it helps. Keep adjusting the sound until you find a level where the static noise is completely gone.

One recent study found that 38% of people fell asleep faster listening to white noise. Pink noise reduces the difference between the background hum and loud, jarring noises that jolt you out of sleep, like a door slamming, a car horn honking, or someone snoring.

Over the last 20 years, scientists have uncovered evidence that immersive sounds like white, brown and pink noise may help the brain to focus, sleep or relax — especially for people with A.D.H.D.

What background sound is best for focus? ›

Listening to the sounds of nature can enhance cognitive function and concentration. Soothing sounds such as flowing water, rainfall, and rustling leaves work well, while jarring noises such as birdcalls and animal noises can be distracting.

A dirty record is one of the most common culprits for distorted sound. Check the surface of the record in direct light to see if you can spot any debris. Even if you don't visibly spot grime, cleaning your record can produce better sound regardless.

Gently hold the headshell to stabilize the tone arm while releasing the tone arm locking clamp. The tone arm may swing freely as it is unbalanced at this point. With the cueing lever in the down position, continue to gently hold the headshell above the rest position.

USE PROPER MIC PLACEMENT

It may sound too good to be true, but one of the best ways to fix common audio problems like pops, muffled low end or too much echo is to scoot the microphone backwards or forwards a few inches.

Advantages of XLR over RCA

XLR connectors are a professional cable standard, so find more use in professional settings than RCA. They are a higher quality cable and deliver a balanced signal, making them far less susceptible to signal noise, attenuation, and crosstalk.

Dynamic mics can handle sound pressures better than condenser mics: If a mike preamp can handle all the juice coming out of the mic, a condenser mic can handle high sound pressure just as well as any microphone. Condenser mics feed more easily than dynamic mics: It boils down to selecting the right microphone.

Set the Mic at the Right Distance

One characteristic of the Audio Technica AT2020 that you must bear in mind is its polar pattern. It is one of the condenser microphones, and works best when it is 6 to 8 inches away from your mouth. The pop filter should be around an inch away from the microphone.

The AT2020 is a studio condenser microphone meaning it is predominantly used for studio recording and is a great starter microphone for anyone just setting up. Known for its crisp sound and flat response, the AT2020 is perfect for vocal pickup.

The Bottom Line. This mic has many features: multiple polar patterns, a switchable high-pass filter, and a switchable preattenuation pad, making it extremely versatile. The Bottom Line. This broadcast microphone is designed to make the voice sound great, whether it's speaking or singing.

Which dynamic microphone is best for singing? ›

Yes. A USB mic becomes the recording interface to your computer. It replaces any other inbuilt microphone or recording system and gives you a good, clean recorded sound. While many are designed for speech there are plenty, as listed here, that will operate brilliantly over the dynamic range of the singing voice.

The output of the microphone is a USB-type connector. The microphone has a bit depth of 16 bits and a sample rate of 44.1 kHz. The microphone includes a 3.1 m (10') USB cable that connects the microphone to any computer with a USB port.

A good starter mic, but perhaps not the best. Frankly, the Audio-Technica AT2020 isn't the best microphone on the market, but it is one of the most affordable. At only $99 USD, its sound quality is pretty good, and the mic is built durably for the clumsy and those not yet familiar with the world of recording audio.

The AT2020 delivers in every aspect that you want a good quality cardiod condenser mic to offer. The vocals are clean, crisp, and very direct. The mic really gives a very airy sound which, added with a preamp or compressor plug-in of choice, is the perfect combination a good vocal is looking for.

The AT2020 is a studio condenser microphone meaning it is predominantly used for studio recording and is a great starter microphone for anyone just setting up. Known for its crisp sound and flat response, the AT2020 is perfect for vocal pickup.

Overall, recording at 44.1kHz is a safe option that will provide you with high-quality recordings, regardless of the type of audio project you're working on. 44.1kHz is the most common sample rate for music CDs. It captures the entire audible frequency spectrum accurately.

Here's the bottom line. I recommend that you record with a sample rate of 48kHz. I recommend that you then bounce down to 44.1kHz for the final release. Recording at 48kHz enables you to record everything within the range of human hearing while leaving ample room for the anti-aliasing filter.

88.2kHz. This is now the gold standard for hi-res recordings. Using this sample rate produces less distortion (called 'aliasing') when converting from analogue to digital and allows greater freedom when mixing and mastering.

She and her brother, Finneas, initially used an Audio-Technica AT2020, a medium-diaphragm condenser mic that retails for about $100USD. It's a good mic, not a great one, and clear evidence that songwriting, arrangement, performance, and production are far more important than expensive gear.

What microphone is best for recording vocals? ›

Condenser mics are generally preferred over dynamic microphones for vocal recordings because they're more sensitive and they tend to have wider frequency response ranges. Dynamic mics can be used for vocal recordings, but condenser mics will provide better overall quality for your recordings.

Oh, and a bed, of course, against one of the walls, on which Eilish sat to record with an Audio Technica AT2020 mic (at least, in the early days). As an amateur mixer myself, it was exciting to know that the duo use the exact same mic I own to record my vocals.

While Ariana also uses the Atlas MS-12 mic stand, this one has the tip that slims down at the top to fit her Shure microphone mic clip.