Audio-Technica AT2020 Professional Microphone

AUDIO TECHNICA  AT2020  LARGE  DIAPHRAGM  MICROPHONE
 
            If you are looking to buy a reasonably good entry level condenser microphone, that is able to handle most home studio recording chores, and that sells for a very reasonable price, then the Audio-Technica AT2020 is definitely a microphone that you should be considering. The Audio-Technica AT2020 Professional Microphone has a retail price of $169.95, but it can be had from most large musical instrument chain stores and reputable Internet dealers for a discounted price of as little as $99.95.  I recently saw this microphone on a special sale for $59.00, and so I would caution the reader to shop carefully before making a purchase.  Read on and see if the Audio-Technica AT2020 Professional Microphone is something that you would be interested in auditioning the next time you are visiting your local music store.

            The Audio-Technica AT2020 Professional Microphone is a large diaphragm condenser microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern. Since the Audio-Technica AT2020 Professional Microphone is an entry level condenser microphone, perhaps a few words of explanation of exactly what these terms mean will make it easier for the potential buyer who is reading this review.

            Firstly, just because some one refers to a microphone as a "professional microphone" does not mean that it is something that professionals would tend to use.  I have seen the term "professional microphone" attached to microphones selling for under $20.00.  Because someone uses the term "professional microphone" does not mean that it is a professional grade product.  Please keep this in mind, as the term "professional microphone" is used very loosely at times by different advertisers to describe a microphone, especially if it is a condenser microphone.
 
          The Audio-Technica AT2020 is described as being a condenser microphone with a "large diaphragm."  Personally, I consider this to be misleading.  The diaphragm on the Audio-Technica AT2020 is 16mm.  There are roughly 24mm to an inch.  This makes the diaphragm in the AT2020 to be about 0.666 inches.  In my opinion, this makes the Audio-Technica AT2020 a microphone with a "medium diaphragm."  However, the Audio-Technica AT2020 has a "low-mass diaphragm," and in certain respects, the way it is tuned, does make this microphone have many of the sonic characteristics of a microphone with a large diaphragm.
 
          Different microphones have different size diaphragms, and these differences in diaphragm size have a bearing on the type of recording applications that a microphone could be potentially used for, as microphones with different size diaphragms will in general result in differences in the sound and quality of the subject matter being recorded. In general, a microphone with a large diaphragm will give a warmer sound to what is being recorded.  Of course, there are exceptions to this rule.  But, in general, a large diaphragm microphone is the choice for situations where one wants to capture a recording with a rich warm sound, such as might be the case with vocals. Do not take this to mean that a large diaphragm microphone is better for recording low end frequencies than a microphone with a small diaphragm, as this is not the case, as in general a good microphone with a small diaphragm records almost all frequencies in its range with a flat and even sound. However, all things being equal, in general, a microphone with a large diaphragm will capture a warmer sound than a microphone with a small diaphragm.

            The Audio-Technica AT2020 is also a condenser microphone with a permanently polarized fixed charge back plate, which means that it is an "electret condenser," as compared to a "true condenser" which continuously requires an external charge.  Both types of condenser microphone actually work quite well, and about 95 percent of the condenser microphones made today are in fact electret condensers.  In general, a condenser microphone will usually have a wider frequency response than dynamic microphone, and they are much more sensitive. Therefore a sensitive condenser microphone is usually not the best choice for close micing of instruments with loud sound pressure levels.  However, as with any rule, there are always exceptions, and that is the case with the Audio-Technica AT2020, as it has a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) rating of 144 db.  This makes the AT2020 capable of confidently treading into the territory of a dynamic microphone, which in general is better at handling high SPL's.  Condenser microphones also require a power supply to operate properly, which is usually supplied by plugging it into a mixing board or an external preamp. This external power supply is referred to as "phantom power," and it is typically 48 volts.  The AT2020 is no exception to this phantom power requirement.

            The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a microphone with a "cardioid" pickup pattern. That means that it is a microphone that is more sensitive to picking up sounds that are coming straight at the microphone, and it is less sensitive to picking up sounds that emanate from the back or sides of the microphone. This makes a cardioid microphone less sensitive to picking up external noises and unwanted sounds, and it also makes it less sensitive to feedback.  Thus, the AT2020 would be a good choice for either a home studio or for a live setting, as it will be less likely to pick up unwanted sounds.  Often home studios do not have the best acoustics, and placing the AT2020 close to the sound source will reduce the likelihood of ambient sound from the room coloring the recording that is being made.  I should also mention, that the AT2020 is a "side address" microphone, which means that it pickups up sound from the side, as compared to the top of the microphone like a typical dynamic microphone does.

         As I mentioned above, the Audio-Technica AT2020 is a condenser microphone, and usually most condenser microphones are very delicate and fragile pieces of recording equipment. However, this is not completely the case with the Audio-Technica AT2020 Microphone. The Audio-Technica AT2020 is sturdy enough to be used for live gigs, and it is built to last.  The inner workings and electronics are protected by a sturdy metal body.  Because it weighs only 12.1 ounces, it is also light enough to move around from place to place with ease.
 
          The Audio-Technica AT2020 has what is known as a "full frequency range," which means that it is able to pickup sounds within the full range of hearing for a healthy young adult, which is between 20 Hz. to 20,000 Hz.  In recording applications, it is able to capture the full sound of just about any instrument that one can think of, as well as offering excellent quality recording of vocals.  Because it is a condenser microphone with a "relatively" large diaphragm (16mm or 0.666 inches), the AT2020 is very well suited to recording vocals.  In general, a large diaphragm microphone adds warmth to the sound of whatever it is recording, and it renders a warm, transparent, rich sound, that is sensitive to every nuance of a singer's style. As I stated earlier, because the diaphragm of the AT2020 is only 0.666 inches, I would label it as having a medium diaphragm.  There are however, people who consider anything that has a diaphragm bigger than 0.5 inches to have a large diaphragm.  Personally, I think of a large diaphragm as being 1 inch or more.  Obviously, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. 
 
            Because of its extended frequency range and high sound pressure level handling capability, the Audio-Technica AT2020 is an excellent choice for recording all types of musical instruments.  I find that it does a very good job on both nylon and metal stringed acoustic guitars, as well as other stringed instruments.  It really brings out the richness of musical instruments that have a low frequency range, such as an upright bass, or the low end notes of a piano. This microphone is also quite good for use as a room microphone when recording drums.  As I mentioned earlier, it has a surprisingly high maximum sound pressure level or SPL of 144 dB, which means it can even handle sound pressures that might overload other condenser microphones and cause them to distort.  Do not however assume that it is as capable of doing so as well as a top notch dynamic microphone.

            The Audio-Technica AT2020 also comes with a pivoting stand mount and a soft protective carrying pouch.  It is a good entry level condenser microphone for a home studio, and it can handle some professional applications as well.  Obviously, at under a hundred dollars, this is an entry level microphone.  Do not expect it to perform as well as a more expensive condenser microphone.  On the other hand, it will sound better than just about any dynamic microphone in the same price range, and it can handle many of the high sound pressure levels that usually are reserved for dynamic microphones.  In sum, if you are interested in an entry level condenser microphone that can handle just about any recording chore in a home studio situation, the Audio-Technica AT2020 is certainly worthy of consideration.
 
            Well I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my review. But now if you will excuse me, I must get back to my practicing.