Serious audiophiles will recognize the benefits a mic stand offers over something like a desktop stand, like reducing vibration for example. You can pick up a mic stand on the cheap, but there's the problem of finding a place to set it up, room to store it, and other logistical issues that might pop up.

Out of the box you just have to hold it, so it's not for someone who wants to take it out of the box and start a Twitch channel immediately. There's also the problem of lacking a mic stand. It's much more complicated than a USB mic, in case that wasn't clear. You'll need a mixing board at the very least, or a dedicated voice recorded that accepts XLR input. If that sounds intimidating, this is not the mic for you.

The AT2020 uses an XLR cable and requires 48v of phantom power. If you aren't familiar with the world of professional audio equipment, it's easy to find yourself in possession of the wrong cables, or an incompatible mixer. It also requires extra equipment to operate, which is where a few headaches arise.

That's a problem if you're looking to dive right into streaming and podcasting, but also part of the reason why this microphone is so affordable. There aren't any cables, a stand, or anything extra aside from the bare essentials. It comes with a small leather carrying pouch, similar to a pencil case, a microphone stand adapter, and that's it. There actually isn't much included with the AT2020. It requires an XLR cable, which isn't included with the unit. It's mostly for people who want to crystal clear audio for voiceover and podcasting and aren't afraid of a little tinkering.įirst off, this isn't a USB microphone. The price and quality are great, but casual hobbyists should be aware that there are more steps required to getting audio into your computer than a simple plug-and-play mic. The AT2020 microphone by Audio Technica is an excellent, professional quality condenser microphone with a single cardioid pattern and a great price (See it on Amazon) / (See it on Amazon UK). Note that if you click on one of these links to buy the product, IGN may get a share of the sale. Be sure to visit IGN Tech for all the latest comprehensive hands-on reviews and best-of roundups.

At2020 usb review