Question: What are the features of the AT2020USB-XP and how do I set it up?
Answer: The AT2020USB-XP is specially designed to meet the needs of podcasters, streamers, and other creators, offering the critically acclaimed, award-winning sound of the original AT2020 with the convenience of plug-and-play USB-C operation. The AT2020USB-XP is a professional upgrade of the AT2020USB-X, retaining many features from that mic while adding an improved high-resolution A/D converter and onboard digital signal processing.
The microphone’s directional pickup (cardioid) keeps the focus on your voice or other chosen sound source, while its high-resolution A/D converter (up to 24-bit/192 kHz sampling rate) ensures extremely clear, natural sound reproduction. Three levels of noise reduction can be selected to suppress unwanted background noise, and automatic gain control can be activated to maintain a more consistent output level. Both of these defeatable features are designed to give you more control over the output to accommodate use in a variety of environments and applications. A sleek pop filter is also included to help manage plosives.
The AT2020USB-XP features a built-in headphone jack with volume control to let you directly monitor the microphone signal with no delay.* It also offers a mix control to let you blend the microphone’s audio with audio from the computer, and has a silent touch-sensitive mute button to quickly and easily mute audio at the microphone. A two-state LED indicator ring lights blue to indicate when the microphone is receiving USB power and lights red when audio is muted at the microphone.
The microphone comes with a custom desk stand, 3/8"-16 to 5/8"-27 threaded adapter, and 6.8' (2 m) USB-C to USB-A cable with a USB-A to USB-C adapter.
*Note: The headphone amp provides a pre-DSP monitor, meaning that sound heard through the headphones will not include noise reduction or AGC.
Basic Setup
Windows:
- Verify that you have all of the components.
- Connect the microphone to the provided desk stand.
- Connect the cable’s USB-C connector into the microphone.
- If your computer has a USB-A input, connect the other end of the cable directly into the computer.
If your computer has a USB-C input, use the provided USB-A to USB-C adapter to connect the other end of the cable to the computer.
Note that the blue light should illuminate on the microphone.
5. Open the sound settings in your Control panel.
6. Set the Output to “Headphones (AT2020USB-XP)” and the Input to “Microphone (AT2020USB-XP).”
Please note that if using the speakers on (or connected to) your computer, select that option in the Output pull-down menu.
Mac
- Verify that you have all of the components.
- Connect the microphone to the provided desk stand.
- Connect the cable’s USB-C connector into the microphone.
- If your computer has a USB-A input, connect the other end of the cable directly into the computer.
If your computer has a USB-C input, use the provided USB-A to USB-C adapter to connect the other end of the cable to the computer.
Note that the blue light should illuminate on the microphone.
5. Open the sound settings in System Preferences.
6. Set the Output to “Headphones (AT2020USB-XP)” and the Input to “Microphone (AT2020USB-XP).”
Please note that if using the speakers on (or connected to) your computer, select that option in the Output menu.
Microphone Controls
- Microphone
- Mute indicator lamp
- Mix control dial – see the QOTW for “What is the Mix Control on my USB Microphone?”
- Touch sensor for mute
- Automatic gain control indicator lamp
- Automatic gain control button
- Headphone level control dial
- Noise-reduction indicator lamp
- Noise-reduction button
- USB Type-C terminal
- 3/8" stand mount hole
- Headphone jack (3.5 mm stereo mini-jack)
The indicator that illuminates blue when the mic is connected to your computer also indicates when the mic is muted. When blue, the microphone is not muted. Touch the sensor (#4 in the illustration) once and the indicator turns red, signaling that the microphone is muted. Touch it again and the indicator turns blue, signaling that the mic is on.
Turn on automatic gain control by pressing the automatic gain control button (#6 in the illustration). The automatic gain control indicator lamp (#5 in the illustration) will illuminate. Press again to turn off automatic gain control.
Turn on noise reduction by pressing the noise-reduction button (#9 in the illustration). The first noise-reduction indicator lamp (#8 in the illustration) will illuminate. Please note that there are 3 levels of noise reduction. Each time you press the noise-reduction button the level will increase and be indicated by the illumination of an additional light. To turn off, keep pressing the noise-reduction button until none of the lights are illuminated.
If you have any questions regarding the AT2020USB-XP please contact the Audio Solutions Team for further information.