Audio-Technica - AT2020

A USB mic is best. I’ve had trouble with Yeti and Windows. I use an AudioTechnica 2020 mic.

I use Presonus Studio Seven and love it. I hav a few microphones That I like. My favorite studio mic is the AT 20/20. But even the Presonus Mic that came with my first bundle has its positives. A ShUre SM 58 is great for vocals as well.

Hey all, need some advice. I cut my demo on my Blue yeti USB mic. I know everyone says you shouldn't use USB mics, so i went out and bought an Audio Technica AT2020 XLR microphone and a Focusrite Solo audio interface to see the difference? Tested it out, and... the audio clips sound exactly the same to me...? Seriously, I dont hear a difference at all. I even hear a background hum in the XLR mic. (I soundproofed my studio the exact same way the last time.) Am I doing something wrong? Edit: Hey so in hindsight, maybe I should've been more clear. I never asked whether the Blue Yeti was better than the XLR. I KNOW an XLR mic is better, which is why I bought one. I was just confused because I got the right kind of equipment but wasn't seeing a difference. Thank you u/[Spriinkletoe](https://www.reddit.com/user/Spriinkletoe/) for the clarity!

AudioTechnica AT2020. Helluva budget studio mic, normal price $120, probably on sale right now for the holidays. It’s a really solid all around condenser mic, great for vox and instruments

I second the audio technica at2020, great microphone

Audio engineer here. You are not alone in your distaste for the SM7B. I've used the SM7B on podcasts, including my own, and while it does need a lot of work (gain and EQ), in the end it always delivers what I want. In fact Finneas also hates the SM7B, so you are in good company :) Despite the fact I've used it for many podcasts, I don't always recommend it depending on the podcast host. Most of the time it's up to the client though. What I don't think has been mentioned in the comments, although I might have missed it, is the fact the SM7B is a dynamic microphone, whereas the Scarlett CM25 MkIII is a cardioid condenser. I think that's why you prefer the more colorful sound with it, which I'm also a fan of. Another condenser mic you may or may not have considered is the Audio-Technica AT2020. I'm not sure if you are in the US or not but on Amazon it's $99. Honestly, it blows me away and I'm a huge fan of it, especially for singing and vocal work.

I had a lot of problems with my USB AT2020 + found the XLR version to have a tinny, hollow sound. Get a dynamic mic for the same price and learn to mix!

Also using the XLR AT2020, it's my current main mic for everything. Works fantastic

Right now? If you can stretch to $150 - $200, you can go with an AT2020 as an XLR mic for $99 new on Amazon ($60 used shipped at Guitar Center) & Focusrite Vocaster One for around $40. A lot of stuff is on sale. From there get a cheapish boom arm ($30-$40), Pop Filter ($10), Amazon Basics Cables ($10). From what I've read a lot of people view the AT2020 mic as good enough that you won't feel the need to upgrade from it until you've grown to the point where $500 microphones look cheap. At the $100 range, you're looking at USB mics like the Blue Yeti. If the AT2020 is good enough for a 13 year old Billie Eilish to record Ocean Eyes (#84 on top 100 in 2018) in an untreated bedroom, it's good enough for youtube. (You should do some treatment though. There's cheap materials if you're on a strict budget. LTT did a Scrapyard Wars recently where they literally cut up some $35 sound proofing foam from Home Depot, spray painted them & screwed them into the wall & ceiling)

Well a videogame mic isn't good for singing, and good singing mic home studio setup will be doable for gaming. So the PC+at2020 XLR mic +audio interface is a good combo