Audio-Technica is introducing two USB microphones for home music recording and podcasting at CES 2011. The new ATR2100-USB handheld USB mic and ATR2500-USB side-address mic offer outstanding sound and value at under $100 ($79.95 and $99.95 MSRP), and enable consumers to easily create professional-quality recordings. Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica Consumer Marketing Manager, noted, “It wasn’t long ago that having an in-home recording studio was an impossibility for most people. Now, available software for PCs and Mac® computers has paved the way for anyone to produce professional-sounding recordings. All a user needs to do is connect an ATR2100-USB or an ATR2500-USB mic to a USB input and they’re ready to lay down music tracks at home, produce their own online podcasts or add high-quality sound to computer videos.” The ATR2100-USB and ATR2500-USB connect directly to the USB input of a computer with no additional hardware interface needed, making home recording easy. Both microphones incorporate engineering directly derived from Audio-Technica’s professional models, including sensitive, precision mic elements that offer smooth frequency response with exceptional resolution and the ability to handle high sound pressure levels. The ATR2100-USB is a handheld mic with rugged metal construction for dependable performance. Ideal for recording instruments and vocals, it has both USB and XLR connections, enabling its use either with a computer or with a PA system or audio mixer. The mic’s on/off switch functions for both USB and analog operation and it features and a convenient headphone output with volume control that allows the user to monitor the audio signal right from the microphone. The ATR2100-USB comes with USB and XLR-to-XLR cables, a tripod desk stand and a mic clamp. The ATR2500-USB side-address mic has a cylindrical shape that is designed to stand on a desk or table, and it comes with a compact tripod mic stand. Perfect for podcasts, the ATR2500-USB features a headphone output with the volume control at the front of the mic. It is supplied with a USB cable and a swivel microphone mount. Like the ATR2100-USB, the ATR2500-USB has a response pattern that reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and the rear, for improved isolation of the person or instrument being miked. The Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB handheld microphone carries a suggested retail price of $79.95, and the ATR2500-USB side-address microphone has a suggested retail price of $99.95. Both models have a limited lifetime warranty, and will be available March 2011. Celebrating 49 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is renowned worldwide for a broad range of consumer and professional audio products, including high-performance headphones, microphones, wireless systems, turntables and phono cartridges. Winner of numerous industry awards, Audio-Technica designs and manufactures products that set quality, durability and price/performance standards for major concert tours, broadcast and recording studios, corporate and government facilities, theaters, house-of-worship venues, and consumer applications. Learn more at www.audio-technica.com. — For more information on the complete range of Audio-Technica products, contact Karen Emerson, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, OH 44224. Tel: (330) 686-2600. — For further information regarding product availability and pricing in the United Kingdom, please contact Harvey Roberts (hroberts@audio-technica.co.uk); in Germany, please contact Anja Groth (a.groth@audio-technica.de); in the rest of Europe, please contact Evangéline Pirot (epirot@audio-technica-europe.com). Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Audio-Technica is exhibiting at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall Lower Level, Booth #20955 during CES 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.