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Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my video review of the AT2020 USB microphone from Audio-Technica. USB Microphones are made to be plugged in directly to a laptop or desktop. I connected this to a Vista 64 laptop during filming and did the voice over on a Macbook Pro.
Text review:
I give this product a 5 star rating. It is easy to use, high quality and very competitively priced. This is a great desktop mic to use for making podcasts or recording music.
I am not a musician so I am not able to speak to that aspect of the microphones ability. I did use it to make several voice over videos and it performed perfectly. Never a hick-up or any spurious noises heard at all.
I did not include specs into my video review because it would add to the file size and be too small to read here on Amazon's video player.

Regular readers of my reviews know I try to supply specs when necessary.
Here are the specs:
Element:Fixed-charge back plate permanently polarized condenser
Polar pattern:Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20Hz-16,000Hz
Power Requirements: USB power (+5VDC)
Bit depth: 16
Sample Rate:44,000 kHz
Weight: 374g (13.2 oz)
Dimensions: 162.0 mm (6.38") long
52.0mm max body diameter (2.05")
Output connector: USB type
Accessories:Pivoting stand for 5/8"-27 threaded stands, 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter, soft protective pouch, tripod desk stand; 3.1m 10' USB cable
System Reqs: Mac OSX, USB 1.0 or 2.0 64MB RAM minimum. Windows XP Home or professional USB 1.0 or 2.0 64MB RAM minimum.
So for a great USB microphone I recommend this highly!
About the video: After uploading I noticed that Amazon's codec (video compressor) has made the video quality sub-par. I will try to reupload it again with a different codec.
Thank you for watching!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser USB Microphone

The new AT2020 USB offers studio-quality articulation and intelligibility with modern convenience. It plugs right into your computer's USB port, and functions seamlessly with your favorite recording software. Equipped with a USB digital output, the AT2020 USB is perfect for home studio recording, field recording, podcasting, and voiceover use.

Based on the Renowned AT2020 The AT2020 USB is a side-address studio condenser based on the design of Audio-Technica's critically acclaimed AT2020 cardioid condenser microphone, which can be found in studios worldwide. Like the AT2020, it features a low-mass diaphragm, custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. The Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source.
Digital-Ready With low self-noise, the AT2020 USB is perfectly suited for sophisticated digital recording equipment. Audio-Technica's state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques ensure that the microphone complies with the company's renowned consistency and reliability standards.
This means you'll get crystal-clear, natural sound for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use.
AT2020 USB Specs
Element: Fixed-charge back plate permanently polarized condenser
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 -16,000 Hz
Bit Depth: 16 bit
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
Power Requirements: USB power (5V DC)
Weight (less accessories) 13.2 oz (374 g)
Dimensions: 6.38" (162.0 mm) long, 2.05" (52.0 mm) maximum body diameter
Output Connector: USB-type connector

Audio-Technica 20 Series--Affordable Pro Audio Microphone Solutions Audio-Technica's stringent consistency, reliability and quality standards bring professional performance to this extremely affordable line of home/project studio microphones.
What's in the Box AT2020 USB microphone, tripod desk stand, pivoting stand mount, USB cable & storage pouch

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Blue Microphones Snowball Plug-and-Play USB Microphone in Brushed Aluminum with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm very happy with the product and it's functionality. I'm glad I didn't just get the microphone itself...the POp Filter has proven to be a crucial addition for better quality vocals.

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Samson SAC01UPAK USB Microphone and Podcast Package Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great product. I create online training videos and this is ideal. The audio is crystal clear and is easy to use. This is not a light-weight cheapy throw away item if it doesn't work. I am very impressed with the quality.
Caution - Your PC is fully capable of using this as a plug-n-play device. Don't waste your time on the SoftPre software described in the literature as you don't need it. I contacted the manufacturer and they confirmed by suspecion that it doesn't work and isn't required.
They do include some great recording software that is not SoftPre, so don't get those confused!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samson SAC01UPAK USB Microphone and Podcast Package

The C01U USB Studio Condenser Mic is an affordable studio condenser mic with a USB interface, offering musicians who record music on computers a simple, affordable way to capture high-quality vocal and acoustic instrument performances.

The C01U condenser microphone is based on Samson's wildly successful C01. It features a 19mm internal shockmounted diaphragm with a cardioid pickup pattern ensuring pristine, studio-quality recordings.
The C01U works perfectly on any computer, Mac or PC, and with any DAW software program. It immediately solves a huge problem for users of many laptops, many of which have no other input method for audio devices. Record straight away, without the need for in/out boxes, expensive preamps--just a USB cable.
The C01U is ideal for most anyone who records audio--from podcasters, journalists and students to business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations.
Samson SoftPre The Samson C03U is designed to be fully functional without installing additional drivers. But for those who would like a little something extra, Samson offers its downloadable SoftPre software applet, which gives you an Input Level Meter, Volume control, High-pass filter and Phase Switch, for Mac or Windows.
C01 Specifications
Frequency response: 20 - 18,000 HZ
Polar pattern: Hyper-cardioid
Element type: Electret condenser
Diaphragm thickness: 3 microns
SPL: 136 dB
Weight: 1.06 lbs. (.48 kg)
Dimensions: 7 x 2.125 x 2.125 inches (180 x 54 x 54 mm)

What's in the Box C01 Microphone, Swivel Stand Mount, 10-Foot USB Cable

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Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Review

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(More customer reviews)Recently a friend and I have been building a game from scratch. While we're in the later stages of this production, We've come to the point where we're in need of voice recording. While trying very hard to avoid building a full blown studio, it became painfully clear that our Dinky little headphone/microphone combo sets where just not going to cut it (which is an issue I brought up many times before with my partner) for our voice recording needs. W cant afford hours and hours of actual studio time getting all our friends and family into a recording booth, and well frankly, I have always wanted to build my self a small scale home recording studio for a good long time now.
So from my own pocket I've undertook the task of putting together at the very least a small pod-casting sort of home studio.
I wanted to avoid as much carpentry as possible (Something I couldn't avoid to build and isolation enclosure for my Loud Desktop PC to reduce sound from it while still keeping it cool and from over heating.) Another thing I wanted was the ability to have my microphone right where and when I needed it.
Here is where the PSA1 comes in. It's stable, Easy to use, Very professional, and above all looks awesome. I mounted the PSA1 to one side of my desk with the included hardware at the back end. Installation couldn't be much easier then a few screws and a little minimal effort. Once mounted, It was there to stay.
When not in use, I have it out of the way so that I can do what I need at my computer. when One of my voice actors come over, or I'm feeling in the mood to add more lines to our game, it's swings over and in place really easy. Once there it just wont move.
I have a MXL Studio 1 in my shock mount and a pop shield to boot. It is all doing exactly what I need it to do, and with my little AdHoc Home Studio, I'm getting just the quality I need for our project.
I am going to have to say, I am 100% satisfied with my investment, and plan on using it further after this project is finished.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom

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Shure X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this specifically to see if I could use this with Dragon Naturally Speaking and hopefully improve my recognition accuracy by some tiny amount. I can't say if it succeeds at that or not; Dragon is one contrary beast of a program. Nonetheless, when I use this for other purposes, such as simple voice recording, I've noticed nothing but clean sound and plenty of gain.
There are a number of presumably comparable devices out there made by the likes of OSP, Marshall, Alesis, Lightsnake, and others. I started by purchasing Marshall's XLR-USB adapter and found it had a really weak signal that usually needed to be normalized at a MUCH higher volume. I sold that at a small loss on eBay so I could try something else and this was it. (To be fair, it appears that Marshall has re-designed their USB adapter and I think the second version may have addressed this concern.)
The reviews I've read on the OSP and Lightsnake adapters seem to indicate they are not really balanced input, and that inside the box the 2nd and 3rd pins (hope I recall that correctly) are soldered together just like in a simple bal-unbalanced adapter. I don't believe that's the case here.
So far I totally disagree with other reviewers here claiming it's noisy. I've observed no noise.
Sturdy, solid construction. Has some heft to it; in fact, a bit heavy for its size. You really don't want to attach it to a mic directly if you intend on holding it very long, especially if you're a young aspiring starlet. :-)
My only minor detractor is I wish the phantom power button were designed so it's difficult to press by accident. This is the single most overlooked design flaw in mic preamps in general. You can press the phantom power button by mistake and according to some authorities, destroy a very expensive mic by accident. I can't afford many quality mics and so this isn't much of a risk for me. :-)
I have tried and presently own a handful of mic preamps and USB adapters, including the ART USB Dual Pre and an Edirol UA-25EX, and have tried a variety of higher-end USB soundcard devices. This compares pretty favorably with any of them, given its simple purpose. I think as far as usb-powered mono xlr-usb adapters go, you're not likely to do much better presently. You can certainly get a cheaper one, but this is clearly built to Shure's solid design standards and will outlast any of them.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Shure X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter

Shure X2u XLR To USB Microphone Adapter; Give your favorite mic a USB Connection. The X2u Signal Adapter gives you the opportunity to go direct from mic to computer without the need of a hefty audio interface. Record live from anywhere you can bring your computer using any mic you choose. Now you can use your most trusted microphones for all your digital recordings. The X2u features built-in headphone monitoring with zero latency making it the perfect choice for multi-track recording. It's Easy to use you can balance microphone and playback audio from the controls on the face of the adapter. Plug-and-Play this genius device and you can get a sound quality that rivals CDs. Shure X2u Features USB Plug and Play connectivity for convenient digital recording Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control Zero Latency Monitoring for real-time tracking and playback Headphone jack for monitoring with 1/8 inch connectivity Monitor Mix Control for blending microphone and playback audio 16 bit, up to 48 kHz sample rate for better-than-CD quality audio Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X (10.1 or later) Includes Padded, zippered pouch and USB cable Any Mic - Any Time - Anywhere Slim, portable and simple to connect, the X2u adapter makes it easy to record whenever you want, anywhere you take your computer -from the home studio, to the garage, to the road. AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of Shure products.

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Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the Blue Icicle because I had to quickly record some trumpet lines and I didn't have an interface. Well, actually, I did pick up an open box unit that didn't work because they couldn't provide me with the external power supply, so I took it back and got the Icicle as a quick fix that would get me where I needed to go in a timely manner.
Hardware: iMac, dual core 2.0 GHz processor and 4 GB or RAM. OS 10.5.8.
Software: Garage Band.
Mic: Shure SM57.
Pros. For recording trumpet with an SM57 it was perfect. Clear sound, low noise, LOTS of signal. With the gain a little over half way on the Icicle and about 58% in Garage Band I got hot horn lines with gain to spare. Any hotter and they would have started clipping, so it definitely gave enough signal to get the job done.
Cons. The gain knob has no dial or indicators for how far you have turned it - it has to be done by feel making it almost impossible to duplicate your settings exactly. This could be improved with a knob with an arrow and a marked dial so you can see where it's set. It also feels a bit cheap - it's lightweight and feels almost fragile. Treated with care it's fine, but I doubt it would take much abuse before it would break and I have been ultra careful with it because it feels so lightweight and cheap. I also used it as recommended in the accompanying literature and didn't plug it directly into the back of the mic - I used it with a mic cable.
For what I needed it was perfect - simple plug and play that got good sound into my computer, and it worked well in a pinch. I just wish it was a little higher quality in terms of construction. A bit heavier and a better dial for the analog gain, and I would have rated it a full 5 stars but as it is, I can at best give it 4.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp

The Icicle is Blue's new stylish USB converter and mic preamp combo that allows you to connect any XLR microphone directly into your computer via USB. The Icicle features a studio quality microphone preamp, 48V phantom power, fully balanced low noise front end, analog gain control, and driverless operation.

Make Any Mic a USB Mic The Icicle works with both dynamic and condenser microphones, providing high quality and hassle-free connectivity with Mac or PC. Whether you're using a microphone for digital recording, podcasting, voice messaging, or voice recognition applications, the Icicle is the quick and easy way to get connected.
Plug and Record Simply plug in the USB cable and your mic will be live--no special driver installation is required.
Quality and Simplicity The Icicle features a built-in, studio-quality mic preamp, along with a fully balanced, low-noise analog front end to send a clear signal via USB.
It also supplies 48V Phantom Power for condenser mics.
On the control front, the Icicle keeps it simple, with a single analog volume level control.
What's in the Box Blue Icicle, 6-foot USB Cable

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Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)NOTE: I used the Blue Yeti Microphone to record this Video Review
Blue Yeti Review Summary
The Blue Yeti is an excellent plug and record USB microphone that has dramatically increased the quality of my voice recordings. It has a solid & sleek build, is easy to use, and most importantly clearly records my voice.
Introduction - Who I am and how do I use this product
My name is Antonio and I own and operate ATailoredSuit.com; I have been using the Blue Yeti since February to speak with clients on Skype and to record podcasts and videos about men's style and custom clothing. Prior to owning the Blue Yeti I used the Blue Snowflake for one year; before that I used the built in microphone on my computer and headsets. For the last 6 months I have been looking at purchasing the Blue Snowball; when this microphone came out I decided to make this purchase instead.
Pros - Things I Love
1.Sound Recording Quality - The most important quality in a microphone; from my limited 30 day use and when compared to the past types of microphones I am used to (Blue Snowflake, Logitech Webcam 9000 Microphone, Various Headset microphones, Built in Computer Microphones) this Microphone beat them all.
2.Plug and Play - I have seamlessly used this microphone on 3 separate computers, one running XP, the other Vista, and on a Windows 7 machine. In each case it was immediately recognized and clearly marked as the Blue Yeti
3.Simple Knobs and Design - Mute, Mode, Headphone Volume and MIC Gain Control. Stand can be tightened and microphone removed.
4.Solid Build - Overall, Solid (One small complaint below). The 10 foot USB cord was a nice touch.
5.Playful Approach - Blue has decided to present the Yeti in a playful manner. They appeal to the creative and make the manual much more approachable for those of us not technically inclined.
Cons - Things I am not happy with
1.Size - It weight 3.5 pounds and stands 1 foot high - I am used to this now, but be prepared for a big footprint!
2.Looseness of Volume & Gain Controls - A small complaint, but for an overall solid device these feel like they will be the first things to break.
Final Recommendation
The Blue Yeti is an amazing microphone that was well worth the investment. It has already dramatically increased the quality of my voice recordings and I recommend it to any podcaster. I give this product 9 out of 10 stars (5 out of 5 for Amazon!), my only knock that the price maybe too high for some.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone

Combining three capsules and four different pattern settings, the Yeti is the ultimate tool for creating amazing recordings, directly to your computer. THX Certified for exceptional sound and performance, the Yeti can capture anything with a clarity & ease unheard of in a USB microphone.

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Blue Microphones Snowflake USB Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are looking for an inexpensive but high quality, small & portable, USB microphone, the Blue Snowflake is a great choice. Blue Microphones Snowflake USB Microphone

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Snowflake USB Microphone

Whether you're recording your newest podcast, talking business on the web, or just narrating your latest great family movie, the Blue Snowflake Microphone can capture it with amazing clarity and depth that's head and shoulders above any comparable portable USB on the market!The Blue Snowflake Microphone works on both Mac and PC with no complicated drivers to install: just connect it to your computer's USB port, follow the prompts and you'll have high-fidelity sound in no time. It's perfect for podcasting, voice recognition software, iChat, and VoIP software such as Skype and Vonage. Or use it for dictation, field recording, lecture recording, and narration for slideshows and PowerPoint presentations. The sky's the limit. It's even great for recording music via GarageBand and other multitrack recording software.

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Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)Always hold it close to your mouth to eliminate echo and get that deep, rich satin voice you're looking for!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone (White)

Includes: tripod stand.Blue Microphones Snowball - Round and white, the Snowball lives up to it's name, and features a retro style that harkens back to the early days of audio. But on the inside, the Snowball represents only the most modern in microphone technology. Bringing you professional quality audio recording on the PC or Macintosh via USB. It's perfect for everything from soft vocals to a loud garage band. It's also ideal for professional sounding podcasts. PC Requirements - XP Home or Professional Edition, USB 1.0 or 2.0 port, and a minimum of 64MB of RAM Mac Requirements - Mac OSX, USB 1.0 or 2.0 port, and a minimum of 64MB of RAM

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