Audio Technica AT2020 USB vs XLR

Hey guys, this is really becoming my go-to place for questions. I've got my eye on an Audio Technica AT2020, though I'm stuck between the USB and XLR versions. I know that I won't need an audio interface with the USB version, but the audio suffers a little bit. On the other hand, the XLR mic requires an interface and phantom power, but does that help the quality enough? Is there a considerable difference?

Could anyone elaborate more on these pro's and con's?

asked Sep 25 '12 at 13:27

VaidasB
141●16●19●22

One Answer:

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Depends on what you're using it for. I use two Samson C03 mics, one USB and one XLR. I use the USB one when just plugging into the computer for VOIP, chatting, recording demos, and light music recording. I use the XLR one with an external mixer and Behringer UCA202 when recording with more than one mic or multi-track recording where you may want to mix the recording mic's signal with playback. I'd say the main advantage of the USB mic is there are less bits to worry about. You may get just a little higher noise floor with the XLR one because of the mixer and external audio adapter, but not a noticeable difference.

answered Sep 25 '12 at 13:48

noahcoad
16●2

Mainly, stuff like Skype, podcasts, narration of my class notes (so i could play them back on my phone when needed). I don't really plan on moving the mic around that much, but I'd still like to save space, as I mainly use my laptop (because my PC's fans are LOUD, and that is unacceptable for this type of stuff).

(Sep 25 '12 at 14:20) VaidasB

If you're using it on you PC mainly then go for a USB version, I've got one for XLR and I had to buy a Fantom transformer to convert the XLR to USB which costs extra.

(Sep 25 '12 at 14:39) nitrocrime

Well, that's interesting. It's worth mentioning that the price difference is about 30$, I can get a blue icicle for about 50 (it has phantom power), plus it's small, so I guess it all goes down to performance. Any tips?

(Sep 26 '12 at 08:50) VaidasB

I'll add that I use the USB version far more often. If you want to save space, then heck yeah get the USB version. The advantage of the XLR is to be able to plug into a standard mixer with like other mics. If you're not doing that then USB. The mic quality is the same.

(Sep 26 '12 at 13:39) noahcoad

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