The Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ condenser microphone is a remarkable choice for those seeking an exceptional recording experience. With a focus on simplicity and quality, this microphone is tailored for singers, podcasters, and creators looking to elevate their audio game without a steep learning curve.
At the core of its features is the condenser microphone itself, renowned for its studio-grade performance. The AT2020USB+ connects to your device effortlessly via USB, eliminating the need for complex setups or additional audio interfaces. It’s a true plug-and-play solution that streamlines the recording process.
One of its standout features is the cardioid polar pattern, ensuring that your recordings capture the intended sound source while effectively reducing background noise. This makes it ideal for vocals, single instrument recordings, and podcasting. The cardioid pattern is especially useful when you need to isolate your voice from ambient sounds.
To add convenience to your recording experience, the AT2020USB+ comes equipped with a built-in headphone jack. Real-time monitoring allows you to hear your recordings as they happen, enabling you to make necessary adjustments on the fly. This feature is especially valuable when recording vocals or podcasts, as it helps you achieve the best results with minimal hassle.
The microphone itself is built to last, with excellent shock mounting and a reliable pivoting stand mount. This durability ensures that your investment in the AT2020USB+ will serve you well for years to come. It’s a testament to Audio-Technica’s commitment to delivering quality audio equipment.
In the realm of pros, the AT2020USB+ boasts exceptional sound quality. The microphone captures audio with remarkable clarity and warmth, making it a fantastic choice for vocals and podcasting. Its budget-friendly price tag further adds to its appeal, offering impressive value for its cost. Moreover, the microphone’s ease of use and real-time monitoring capabilities are noteworthy advantages for both beginners and experienced users.
As for the cons, the microphone’s cardioid pattern, while excellent for isolating sound sources, may not be the most versatile choice for users looking to record multiple voices or instruments simultaneously. Additionally, it’s important to note that the AT2020USB+ exclusively offers USB connectivity, which may not suit advanced setups requiring XLR connections.
In conclusion, the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ condenser microphone is a reliable and cost-effective option for those who prioritize sound quality and user-friendly features. If you’re a singer, podcaster, or content creator in search of a microphone that offers exceptional performance without the complexities of high-end equipment, the AT2020USB+ is an excellent choice that won’t disappoint.
Prem T. –
For work from home , having this very functional desk accessory on a work desk is just so nice. It’s not cheap but for the performance, build and finish and it’s iconic Shure heritage, I think it’s great.
Summary
Its not the cheapest or best value USB microphone for everyone, but considering all the factors its great for my mostly semi work from home professional usage. I have another professional microphone like an SM58, that I can use with an audio interface but for a cleaner, tidier, practical workspace convenience this is my current favourite setup.
1) Beautiful yet functional.
It definitely feels that it is built to last. I can imagine it being in use for many years or more.
Some usb microphones can be overly bulky or look plasticky. The heavy MV51 build quality just looks serious, distinctly classy on a desk. More than looks, the MV51 uses a large diaphragm condenser. This microphone is larger than the one used in my only other 8 year old microphone the venerable Zoom H4n digital recorder.
Slim, compact, discreet and stores away neatly with the stand folded away in a desk drawer. The matte metal aesthetic matches the MacBook very well.
2) Daily usage
I hope to continue using this for content voice overs and work from home zoom calls 2-3 hours a week. It is set always to the Speech preset. Results in a more focused vocal pickup, with less background noise (hums or hiss). I like it. I think it uses a well tuned high pass and compression filter, to get good dynamics with less effort to get great out of the box sound. Professionals may want the flatter quieter signature they can work with.
I think Speech is the do it all dsp preset that suits me best for most of my scenarios without extra tuning on the computer. Ready for conference calls, vocal narration, and even broadcast gaming/YouTube streams (if you needed that).
3) Web meeting performance – Noise and sensitivity.
I had drilling on in nearby upper floor apartment and heavy pounding construction in nearby apartment blocks during work hours post covid lockdown. Unavoidable. Surprisingly web meeting participants said they don’t hear it or is certainly there but very soft if called to attention. Zoom noise suppression was on. Mic cardiod pickup pattern is very suitable for my use case.
4) Critical recording performance.
The Mv51 (2020 model) is balanced and clean.
I’ve looked and processed recordings on Reaper, Audition and Audacity.
It’s not a dynamic mic like an SM58, where sensitivity is much lower and certain frequencies are more attenuated, with removable hiss, but I am glad it was very usable even in an imperfect room for meetings where I do let our web conference noise suppression take out most background noises anyway.
The levels on the mic for my calls averages usually at about 75%. So unlike the blue yeti where most owners have to set the gain to about 5-10% to avoid overly sensitive noise pickup problems, the optimum gain for the MV51 at 75% on the mV51 makes me think that the microphone and the onboard circuitry is quite well tuned.
5) long term review
After six months of use, even for me, Use for zoom calls is a nice plus not necessary for most people – MV5 a cheaper smaller model does that equally well. Unfortunately, for my work environment, my Mac is 15-17 inches away in a corner of the desk, a bit too far for good pickup by the onboard microphone. So an external microphone positioned nearer to me is always going to be better. I do feel for web meetings, the onboard MacBook Pro microphone (which are actually adequate for web conference/status meetings), at a normal usage distance 6 inches or less is still better than the microphones on any wireless headphone/headset/airpod.
If you are using wireless headphones/earbuds with the onboard wireless mics (AirPods,Jabra etc) and still want to present your very best to your customers, and colleagues, a wired microphone (XLR or USB) alternative setup for speech will always make the most difference and bring your natural warm vocal timbre through.
Do not discount the onboard MacBook Pro microphones though (web calls). If you have nothing but wireless earbuds, consider using the wireless earbuds for listening and the onboard MacBook Pro microphone for your voice input (talk closer to the computer, over the keyboard). Its not the same as an MV51, but I find it works quite well for my colleagues which sound great to me for calls.
Arasulè ASMR –
Excelente
nathan –
I work from home and take a lot of phone calls and web meetings using Skype, GoToMeeting, WebEx and Zoom. I also do a lot of web presentations through powerpoint and software. I’m probably not the average consumer for this mic, since I wanted a really great setup to handle conference calls. My bluetooth and usb headsets were irritating me in regards to voice quality. Maybe I’m similar to a streamer?
I tested it by connecting to my 2018 MacBook Pro and using QuickTime and Zoom to record simple audio clips.
Like all the other reviewers say, this mic is built like a tank. Weighs 1lb in an all metal casing, really nice input and output jacks, touch panel is responsive and everything just feels like it was built with care and pride.
Voice quality. I have this about 5-6″ away from my mouth, with 50% gain, in neutral mode and my voice sounds really clear. Finally a setup that I can comfortably say it does exactly what I was looking for, which is crystal clear audio. And by crystal clear, I mean crystal clear to a fault.
Since this is a condenser mic, it will literally pick up everything that remotely resembles a sound wave. My toddler banging toys around the hallway or whining? Yep. Someone washing their hands? Yep. Talking in the other room? Yep. Birds chirping outside while my window is closed? Yep. BUT my voice is still super clear! Yay!
So how to remove the unwanted background noise from a condenser mic when using it in real-time? Remember, I can’t do post processing because I’m on a live conference call, not making a recording. Some reviewers will say lower the gain and get intimate with your mic, like really intimate. Um, no thanks. I’m on conference calls 4-5 hours a day. Others will say ditch the condenser mic and get a dynamic mic with XLR connection, run it through a USB audio interface into your computer, and problem solved. Um, no thanks. I don’t have the Taj Mahal of desks to add more boxes on it.
Solution for noise cancellation? Add a noise gate app, which is a bit of software on your computer that takes your audio, runs it through its algorithm to eliminate unwanted background noise, and outputs a cleaner version. I found one called Krisp AI, and as of May 2019 it is only available in Macs, but there are other noise gate apps available in Windows as well. Basically, under my mac’s input and output I have Krisp available as a selection, so in the Krisp app I choose the Shure MV51 as both the output and input but in my web conference app I choose Krisp. And I kid you not, this app worked miracles. And by miracles I mean I was doing a test run and my 2.5 year old started crying in the bathroom next door because he fell in the toilet (still potty training) and my recording picked up zero crying. Zero. And oh yeah it doesn’t pick up my keyboard or mouse clicks that are 3″ from the mic. Safe to say, a noise gate was the way to go for me.
Conclusion? Love this mic. Lots of great USB mics available out there, specially in the $150-200 range. I mainly chose this one because I like the look of it, had good reviews, and there was a touch sensitive mute button. Mostly because there was a touch sensitive mute button. Seriously. But I’m glad I went with this one anyway.
JenniferLiu –
Sound is good and the quality of voice is awesome, compared with my old iPhone earbuds. But I saw some people showed they get the metal stand. I didn’t get that. Probably need to buy one. Would be nice if can give the Stand together.
JenniferLiu –
Sounds good, Headphones passthrough is great, but connectivity options are very less only via USB you can connect it, also provided cables are very cheap quality. If it is connected to PC during boot, PC gets stuck as it does not resolve properly with USB as boot device priority.
DeShaun –
I was looking for a mic to use while streaming, and Shure is already a name I trust, so I figured I’d give this mic a shot.
I use this mic about 2 feet from me and my audience hears me clearly. I use it on my desk with the stand, but you can put it on a dedicated mount by removing the rubber screw-in foot on the leg in the back. It comes with an adapter to fit a smaller post, but I found it incredibly difficult to remove once screwed in. I had considered putting it on a tripod but that adapter was so hard to remove that I just decided to use it on my desk for now.
Using the touch buttons makes things pretty easy, since you don’t need to interface with software if you don’t want to.
I only have one gripe, and that’s the abnormally short 3 foot cable length. This might be fine if you are using this with a mobile device that is right next to the mic, or with a laptop that is also very close. It couldn’t make the distance from the back of my desktop tower to where I have it resting on my desk without being almost completely taut. It comes with multiple cables, but they are all this unreasonably short length. Contrary to what I have read in another review, the cable is standard. I am using a 10+ year old USB-A to Micro USB cable from a Blackberry and it is working perfectly. If you don’t have a similar cable around, then I’d strongly suggest getting a longer cable if you plan on using this for any normal distance.
Aside from that, I have no complaints. The build quality is solid, heavy metal and it’s been working wonders for me in the couple of months that I have been using it.
:u-Cipher –
So as a fairly new live streamer I was pushed by friend in the Gaming Content creation towards a specific company, and I picked said mic as my ” Starting mic”, everyone I know was like once our comfy you should stick with them and step up to the next level lets call it the ” Sweati ” lol, anyway I was not content going that direction instead I recalled working as an intern at a Radio station in high school and being exposed to good quality audio equipment.
Which brought me to Shure I always loved the Super 55 but as I don’t want to have to play with XLR and a mixer and the possible need for a cloud lighter etc, I started looking at the USB mics looking for something that gave me the same vibe as the Super 55 , then I saw it the MV51 the fact that it looked so much like the old school shure model 51 sonodyne dynamic microphone sold me almost immediately.
So fast forward to the unboxing I love how well packed it was and once you get it in your hand the metal construction feels like I should have paid so much more for this mic, hooking it up and integrating it in to OBS was a breeze, my first live stream my viewers loved the sound quality the built in DSP settings really helped to bring my voice to where I had wanted it all along, I not only get comments on the sound but everyone LOVES the look of this mic, its different its not the ” Meta ” and I adore that about this mic.
My only complaint and its not worth giving it any less then 5 stars in the length of the cable, thankfully I had a rather long cable that worked perfectly fine. I can not say enough wonderful things about this mic , thank you Shure for helping me take my live stream to the next level!
sam –
Stile stupendo facile da usare suono pulito. Io lo uso soprattutto per la voce Whispering o soft Spoken ottima riuscita anche se lo tengo non vicinissimo. Arriva già con tre cavi per poterlo collegare ovunque, c’è il cavo per collegarlo direttamente all’iPhone, in tre secondi si scaricano le applicazioni che servono per fare video o registrare l’audio.sono davvero contenta di questo nuovo acquisto
Arasulè ASMR –
All I can say, is that this microphone is outstanding. It is well thought out and not based on “Marketing” rather than performance and function. I am an audiofile and enjoy some high end home audio equipment. When the pandemic hit like many I was having “zoom” meetings and found so often people were asking “what did you say” or “sorry can you repeat that” so like many I went online looking for a better “COMPUTER MICROPHONE” I must have spent like 1-week looking at different funky brands… some spent more time talking about the LED’s and ability to changer colours then they did about the performance and operation of the microphone itself.
One day I woke up and was listening to some high quality Media (CD’s) and one just sounded so good. I thought boy I wonder how this disc was recorded… I opened the little booklet and as I was reading in the details of the recording, there is was SHURE brand microphones… I almost wacked myself in the head and said… hey I forgot about SHURE! so I went online and looked them up and although they are not the typical branded computer microphone… I found this one and I ordered it.
Not a word of a lie…. the first zoom meeting in the first conversation, one of my colleagues asks…. what did you do to your computer? I am like “What do you mean” he says… “I can hear you like you are sitting beside me in the room at my computer.” For the rest of the meeting everyone let me talk and say my thoughts and frankly I realized that I had more attention and authority in this meeting than I had in any previous ZOOM meeting. I realized that this came from the fact I sounded so “REAL” and clear. I know such a silly thing… but these zoom meetings lose that personal touch, that “in your face” type conversation but one with subtlety and inflection. The nuance in the way you deliver a word that changes its grammatical meaning.
All these calls and meetings and I waisted so much time and effort talking and not being heard (Figuratively speaking). This Shure microphone gave me an immediate presence and advantage and honestly has become my closest business friend. I am constantly being called and asked about what I use for a webcam, and when I ask what it is about their inquiry caused their call… they always say THE AUDIO! I then explain that although I have a good quality webcam (1080P) the audio is my microphone and when they learn what I am using most say, “hey I remember Shure is that the same brand that makes microphones for the stage and concerts?” and I say yes, then they usually say…wow why dont more of the computer systems come with shure branded microphones… I say I have no idea… and in the few situations where my colleagues have purchased the shure microphone… I always get a call back with a thank you for recommending such a good well built excellent performing microphone! I highly recommend buying this unit and can seriously say… it is SOOOO MUCH better than most of the “computer brand marketed” units… with fancy blue LED lights! Shure does what it has always done on stage or in studios… makes you sound really really good! Andy Garbas