Microphones! AT2020

[Theo993]

Hey, i'd really appreciate it if you helped me out with this, and sorry if this is not under the right forum section.

I have been wanting to get a good microphone, and i've read really good reviews about the AT2020.

The USB version of it is 150 pounds which seems waaayy too much so i saw the XLR version which is 79 pounds

With the XLR i know that i need to get a phantom power supply and ive my eyes on this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000FG795I/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Seems cheap and good.

But my question is, do i get an XLR to USB version to connect that to my pc or a XLR to 3.5 mm jack?

Like this one :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neewer-Male...0ANA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350231813&sr=8-1

And will the sound be good? Like no interference or anything like that?

I really apologize for the length of this but i could not make it shorter, thank you for your time.

 

[Ralm]

Hi there,

Ive used the AT2020 in live situations and about the mic is a great mic for the cost.

Is what I will get if my future youtube adventure turns out to work XD

I will assume that you dont want the AT2020 just for skype or VoIp, because if it is, is just a waste.

Now USB vs XLR. That is a good question and depends on what are your plans for the future. I will help you out with that choise and show you the big key diferences between both of them.

First thing that comes into play is your expretise with audio stuff.
If you know a lot about it and you like it, I would go with XLR because in the end its more advanced, when the USB one, you just connect it and forget it.

Although you think the USB version is very expensive, in reality it isnt. You need to realize that the USB version have a internal soundcard and pre-amplifier.
If you get the XLR version you pay about 80$ and you need to spend another 100$ to get a pre-amplifier. Something like an M-Audio Fast Track Pro.

Dont go just with power it and connect it, because unless you have a really good sound card, you are not gona take advantage of your mic with an Onboard soundcard at all.

Well, now would be easier for you to ask more questions. But my opinion is dont go with phanton power supplies or adapters, that makes no sence. Because neither of those is gona take advantage of your mic quality.

I would think about it this way: USB version or XLR + Preamp.

Any question ? xD

 

[Theo993]

Thanks for the reply!

No lol its not for voip or skype!

Well im probably never going to use the mic for anything else than my pc so for me the USB would be more convenient.

Yeah i saw the price difference which i didnt like lol. Though do im guessing my soundcard doesnt really come in effect if i connect it with USB instead of the 3.5mm jack? If yes i have pretty good sound card, ive a Asus Xonar DG 5.1 and my mb is a Asus Crosshair IV Formula which has above than average onboard audio.

Because i dont really feel like getting a pre amp and all that fancy stuff since i woult not really use it for what it was meant, so it would be a waste!

Though i saw the Blue Yeti which ive read good reviews about which is 89 pounds, but ive also read that, that mic picks up a lot more backround noise which i dont like

 

[Ralm]

Well the blue yeti is the same type of microphone as the AT2020 is so. But 1 advantage that the yeti have 4 polar patterns where you can choose. Basicaly you can choose where he picks the sound from. And you have more controls.

When the AT2020 is just Cardioid but honestly that is enough for what you want it.

So the AT2020 is Cardoid polar pattern when the yeti can do Stereo, Cardoid, Omi and Bi-directional. But the way the yeti does it is with 3 condenser capsules when the AT2020 only have 1. So you cant have everything, on my point of view or you have a tweaked single condenser capsule or 3 more a less ones.

Honestly both mics are very capable of doing what you want. Its all about your choice. I would go for the AT2020 because I like Audio Technica and I trust it xD But the yeti is a good mic as well.

On that part you are gonna have to decide by yourself xD

Edit:
" Though do im guessing my soundcard doesnt really come in effect if i connect it with USB instead of the 3.5mm jack" = No, the AT2020 or the yeti are detected as a new soundcard.

 

[Theo993]

Yeah ive read that about the Blue Yeti, i like all those features plus the mute and gain button but i think it picks up too much backround noise for my liking, yes very picky i know xd

Well id love to get the AT2020 but the Yeti costs 88 pounds and the AT2020 150pounds so thats a big difference!

But lets say i just get the phantom power and connect it with USB there wont be any interference or anything wierd like that? i mean theoretically it should work just fine like it would with USB?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Ralm]

Well, since you have a Xonar card, you wouldnt need the USB adapter.

In reality that USB adapter is a USB soundcard and looking at the price you would think that the quality isnt the best for sure. Well, you wouldnt get the best out of your mic.

You said before that since its a XLR connection you need the Phanton Power, well no, you need the Phantom Power supply in this case because its a Condenser mic.
If you have the Phantom Power supply you dont need anything else from there. You can connect the mic normally anywhere, even on your sound card and it will work as a normal mic. So a XLR to jack adapter would work, the only thing I would take a look at is impedance, to check if your sound card can drive that Mic, Im not sure. But if you can get some mic to try it first would be better I beleive.

So yeah, you can get the normal XLR version, get the phantom power supply, 1 XLR cable and 1 XLR to Jack cable.

It should work. Well, its the cheapest option.

 

[Theo993]

Well i just found on amazon.co.uk the AT2020 USB version for 137 pounds with no extra cost for shipping so im probably going to order that this week!

Thanks for your answers.

 

[Ralm]

Well, no problem =) Is my area of interest, I just love audio.

I would love to have one as well, maybe one day. But I will go with the XLR version to use with my M-Audio Fast Track pro, get a compressor in the insert port, etc. As you see, it gets pretty crazy. A lot of lights blinking and shit XD

Anything, let me know.