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AT2020 USB Owner's Manual
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AT2020 USB Submittal Sheet
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AT2020 USB FCC Statement
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AT2020 USB USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The new AT2020 USB offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility. It plugs right into your computer’s USB port, and functions seamlessly with your favorite recording software. Equipped with a USB digital output, the AT2020 USB is perfect for home studio recording, field recording, podcasting, and voiceover use.

Based on the renowned AT2020
The AT2020 USB is based on the design of Audio-Technica’s critically acclaimed AT2020 cardioid condenser microphone. Like the AT2020, it features a low-mass diaphragm, custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response.

With low self-noise, the AT2020 USB is perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment. Audio-Technica’s state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the company’s renowned consistency and reliability standards.

Experience AT2020 USB. Plug it in and transform your sound.
  • Side-address studio condenser with USB digital output (Windows and Mac compatible)

  • Crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use

  • 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

  • Low self-noise – perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment

  • Includes tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable & storage pouch



SPECIFICATIONS
ELEMENT Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
POLAR PATTERN Cardioid
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20-16,000 Hz
POWER REQUIREMENTS USB Power (5V DC)
WEIGHT 13.2 oz (374 g)
DIMENSIONS 6.38" (162.0 mm) long,
2.05" (52.0 mm) maximum body diameter
OUTPUT CONNECTOR USB-type
ACCESSORIES FURNISHED Pivoting stand mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter; soft protective pouch; tripod desk stand; 10' (3.1 m) USB cable


WARRANTIES



BIT DEPTH: 16 bit
SAMPLE RATE: 44.1 kHz


Conditions
AT2020 USB USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone 4.6 5 5 5
Love it Bought this microphone a few years ago and I love it. Only problem I'm having is that for some reason my codec splits it into two inputs, and the stereo input is considerably louder on the left channel than it is on the right. For Mono recording it's perfect. It has only done this on my Windows Vista system, all other system it works fine. Sound is phenomenal, though the tripod it comes with is cheaply made and will break if the microphone falls. January 27, 2012
Great mic, easy to use I purchased a used AT2020 USB, to set up a home studio. I record vocals and voice overs, and wanted a quality mic. I am totally impressed with the recordings I've made with this mic! Not only is it easy to set up and use, but the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommended! November 26, 2011
Polished Professional Sound I see videos everyday on the Internet that are from big name companies that sound like they were recorded from the bottom of a barrel. This microphone gives you clear sound with a minimum of fuss. My main experience has been with voice and it picks up voice very well. Crystal clear results. October 20, 2011
Great mic for podcasts I use this mic for recording podcasts and voice-overs for software demonstrations. The sound is clear and accurate for the human voice and the built-in USB connection eliminates the need for and external mixer or analog-to-digital converter. October 20, 2011
Insanely simple, Outstanding quality. I plugged the mic into a USB port, the computer immediately recognized it. Integration into Audacity is seamless and the sound reproduction is everything you'd expect from a good condensor mic. This is a great little mic for home studios with computer control. October 20, 2011
1-5 of 5
(51 Questions : 63 Answers)

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1 year, 8 months ago
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Answer: 
--Overall high level of performance, especially:
--Very low self noise, so no hiss
--High sensitivity and strong output signal
--Cardioid pickup pattern; many others are hyper-cardioid pattern which has a rear-facing lobe that defeats noise rejection to the rear of the microphone. Cardioid mics reject sounds coming from the rear (which are usually noise). Omni-directional mics don't reject sound from any direction. Figure-8 mics only reject sounds from the sides, not the rear. Only true cardioid mics reject sounds from the rear--a cardinal virtue because the rear of the mic can be pointed toward a noise source (audience, noisy recorder or video camera, etc.) and will substantially reduce the noise level in the output..
--High maximum SPL (sound pressure level) so that output signal remains undistorted even with extremely loud sounds
--High max SPL - low noise = Wide Dynamic Range
--High quality of build
--USB port allows direct plug-in to computer USB port (no preamp or mixer needed) and receives power from the computer's USB port (no Phantom power or batteries required).
--Modest cost compared to mics of similar quality.

I hope this helps.

DoyleCC
Age: 55-65
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1 year, 1 month ago
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Answer: 
This mic is simple to set up and use. I was impressed by the quality of recordings I was able to make with it. It's durable as well.
Age: 45-54
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1 year, 5 months ago
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Anonymous
McComb, MS
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Answer: 
Thank you for your inquiry. The convenience of a USB connection on our very popular, side address, AT2020 studio microphone makes this a very nice microphone to have
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1 year, 7 months ago
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3 answers

More than one AT2020 USB at once?

It would be awfully nice to use 2 of these at once with my MacBook Pro (w/2 USB ports) for stereo recording or voice + instrument. Is this possible with GarageBand, ProTools or Logic?
1 year, 7 months ago
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Answer: 
I don't know what yowradio meant by a "switcher," unless he meant a USB hub, in which case I'm not sure he understood that this is a MacBook Pro with 2 separate USB ports (System Profiler shows "Bus Number: 0x1d" and "0x1a"). Maybe those numbers indicate the ports are not truly separate busses, but it certainly looks that way, the way the info is presented in System Profiler. Thanks for everyone's input.
1 year, 7 months ago
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Answer: 
Forget 2 USB mics on the same switcher. The basic problem is that digital and analog are so different. Yes, you can find plenty of ways to convert from USB to analog or visa-versa, but not to run USB mics in pairs to a single PC.

You can hook up multiple analog mics to an inexpensive USB out switcher, but no joy on multiple USB mics to the same source.

If you want to do this, I suggest the less expensive analog version of the AT2020 USB. For what you save on two of those, you can get a small switcher that gives you two analog mics in, to a single USB out to your PC.
1 year, 7 months ago
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Answer: 
Thank you for your inquiry. You can do this if you are using a Mac by creating and configuring an Aggregate Device. This is a very easy thing to do. Please note this is not possible with a Windows operating system. Plug in both microphones and then follow the directions at the below link.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1215

Please note the screens for your version of the OS may be a little different than what you see in the link, but they should be close enough to help you set it up.
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1 year, 7 months ago
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3 answers

Windows 7 compatibility

A reviewer on amazon states that windows 7 does not recognize the microphone... "I plugged in into my Windows 7 desktop, and received the message 'No Drive Found'. "
Is this correct? I have 64-bit Windows 7. Thanks!
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1 year, 2 months ago
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Answer: 
Yes, works on Windows 7, but the side address function is not working.... how to fix that?
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3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Answer: 
As far as I can determine, the AT2020 does not work on Windows 7 64 bit.

This was a great mic when it worked on my Vista machine, but it is not recognized by Windows 7. It should be associated with the built-in Windows USB Mic driver (which is usbaudio.sys) but attempting to troubleshoot generates the error message "AT2020 USB doesn't have a driver." I have spent hours searching the Internet looking for a solution to this and am not alone – there are plenty of other people with the same unanswered question. My advice would be do not buy.
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1 year ago
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Answer: 
Thank you for your inquiry. We have many Windows 7 customers, including me, that are using the microphone successfully. The microphone uses the USB Audio Codec that is a standard part of the Windows operating system. No special drive is necessary. You may need to check with your computer vender to make sure the USB Audio Codec is installed on your system.
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1 year, 2 months ago
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Or should I buy one with that doesn't include a USB connector
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1 year, 7 months ago
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Answer: 
With USB "3" due out soon, you should be good to go for a while, but it depends on where YOU plan on going!

If "onward and upward" is the answer, then you will be entering the realm of mixers and mic pres, so a conventional mic would be with you for a lifetime...

Plus, you're given the option for better mics.

Also - there are XLR-to-USB converters, so a conventional XLR mic can still be used now with your existing USB setup, yet be compatible with mixing boards and mic pres down the road.

Good luck!
MG
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1 year, 6 months ago
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Answer: 
Thank you for your inquiry. I have heard nothing about USB going away. Technology does change quite often, although USB has been around for a long time. USB 3 has recently been released and appears to be backward compatible with other USB devices. If you purchase the non USB version of the microphone you will still need an interface to connect the microphone to the computer and most of those are either USB or Firewire.
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1 year, 7 months ago
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my usb cable spoiled so i am wondering if i could get it somewhere else or is the cable common?? By the way i live in singapore thank you
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1 year, 7 months ago
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Answer: 
Any USB 2.0 compliant cable will work. I sometimes use a generic 30 foot USB 2.0 extender with my mic, and it works just fine.
1 year, 7 months ago
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Answer: 
Thank you for your inquiry, You can contact our office in Singapore. They should be able to help you.

Audio-Technica (S.E.A.) Pte. Ltd
Singapore
Tel: +65-67495686
Fax: +65-67495689
E-mail: sales@audio-technica.com.sg
Web site: www.audio-technica.com.sg
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AT2020 USB : USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone
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