Audio Technica 20 SERIES AT2005USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

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List Price: $149.00
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• Built-in headphone jack allows you to directly monitor from your microphone. Adjust headphone volume with easy-to-use controls on the bottom of the microphone.
• Smooth, extended frequency response ideally suited for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, voiceover, and on-stage use.Compatible with Windows and Mac. FREQUENCY RESPONSE 50-15,000 Hz.
• Low-mass diaphragm provides excellent frequency response. Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of unwanted sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source.
• Tripod desk stand with folding legs for secure and easily portable tabletop use. Threaded stand clamp attaches securely to the supplied tripod or to a conventional microphone stand. USB and XLR cables included.
• Durable metal construction for long-lasting performance. On/off switch functions for both USB and analog operation.

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I have been a professional syndicator for 20 years working out of Nashville, and purchased this mic to use with my iPad for field recordings. The mic sounds good with it's own built in pre-amps through the USB and frankly, was everything I had hoped for when doing work outside the studio. It even has a headphone jack for live monitoring with zero latency. Sweet.

On a lark, I decided to swap it out with my Electrovoice RE-20 on air studio mic. For this test I used the XLR connection instead of the USB, and ran it through the same audio chain as the RE-20. WOW...was I surprised! I think most listeners would not be able to guess which is the RE-20 and which is the AT2005. In fact it sounded so good, I just did a full show with it. It has a pleasantly warm low end and a clean high end that isn't tinny or irritating. Well balanced and perfectly to my liking.

Note, it will sound much better using the XLR connection with a good board and digital converter, than it does through it's own internal pre's with USB, but this mic is a tremendous value no matter how you size it up.

If you want to use it on the iPad, purchase the Apple camera connection kit and use the USB connector to simply plug it right in. This is an undocumented feature of the new iPad 3 (haven't tested the iPad 2) but it works like a champ. I use an app called AudioMemos that has some nice audio boosting features which you will find handy, as the audio levels can be a bit low when recording through the USB port. That said, this mic works with all the apps I've tried so far, even iMovie. So yes, you could shoot hi-def video interviews with this mic and an iPad 3. Just add a mic flag and you're all set. The only other thing you may want for video interviews is a Tri-pod mount. I use the Tournez2 carbon fiber mount by Joy Factory, available here on Amazon for under $70 bucks, but there are cheaper options too.

Lastly, the AT2005USB includes a long thin USB cable (which comes in handy when connected to the iPad for interviews), an XLR cable, a small folding stand and a zippered pouch. You will likely want to get a foam windscreen for it to cut down on "p-pops".

Nice job Audio-Technica. This is my new favorite mic!

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The AT2005USB mic is a great mic for recording on the PC.

The build quality is also top notch and looks pretty solid.

Sound quality is as expected from a Audio Technica Dynamic Mic.

The only issue I have with the Mic, is that it is very very soft in Windows 7, ever after I boost all settings to max. You can of cause use your own program to amp the gain up pre or post recording. But programs like skype, etc, that follow the Windows 7 volume settings, you need to talk loud to be heard.

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This mic is no Neumann KMS 104, but at seven times the price, you shouldn't expect it to be. What you get for less than $100 is a versatile handheld than can be used as an analog mic with an XLR connector or a USB mic connected directly to a digital recorder or computer. In my unprofessional opinion, the sound produced by either signal path is very similar, so you won't have to worry a lot about matching the sound if you mix different sessions.

The output in analog mode is good, comparable to an SM58. In USB mode it's a little weak, but you can make up the loss in the mix or in post-production with no degradation of sound quality.

It has a nice round sound, though it could be a bit boomy if you don't watch the proximity effect. Stay about 4-5 inches away from the thing and you're fine. I recommend a windscreen or pop filter if you're doing close mic'ing. It's sensitive to plosives. You can always record slightly off-axis, but go too far off and you lose some of the highs.

I highly recommend it as an entry level mic. I use it to record newscasts that air on a SiriusXM channel. They do some compression on the file to save bandwidth, so even a high-quality mic will sound crappy on satellite radio. It's perfect for what I do, and if it gets hammered while I'm traveling, I'm not out much. It's good value for the money!

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The AT 2005 is the exact same mic as the ATR 2100 except it looks better and has a higher quality on/off switch. I really love the sound quality both by USB and XLR! I have used a verity of microphone and this one is my favorite for podcasting and Skype. I do not think you will be disappointed in the purchase of this mic.

This is a great mic for a starting internet broadcaster for so many reasons, and not only a starter. First, this mic is both USB and XLR, which makes it a great mic to take on the road with you, so that you can still get out a podcast using the USB, but when you decide that you would like to move to a mixer, this mic moves with you.

The fact that it is a dynamic mic is great when your recording space is not some sound treated room because this mic rejects most noise except for what is directly in front of it. I have this mic and two of the Audio Technica ATR 2100 USB/XLR mics, which are identical inside. I use these for when I'm on the road or for guest mics. I'm still partial to my Shure SM7B, but these mics are fairly hard to distinguish from my Shure.

I read some reviews which made it sound as if these mics stop working easily, but with the ones I've had and everyone else I know that has the same; nobody has had any problems and everyone has nothing but praise for this mic. The final selling point on this mic is the excellent price. If you see the ATR-2100 for less, buy that; as I mentioned, they have identical components. They also come with a desktop stand and mic clip, plus both a USB and an XLR cable.