Which of these two mics sounds better for voice?

[Astralogic]

Hi, I'm looking for a good mic for doing Let's Play's and streaming. I would like to know what difference (if any) in voice quality would be experienced with the two mics listted below:

 

1 Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone (non usb) with a pre amp

 

and 2 The Blue Yeti (USB)

 

Would there be any difference in quality?

 

Please let me know your thoughts and opinions.

[r_w]

It's not quite that simple... most studios have multiple mics and choose the one that best matches the voice being recorded. Not sure of your budget but I would recommend going to a music shop and trying a few if you can.

 

... and this might help: 31 of the best microphones for recording vocals | MusicRadar

[master]

Long time Blue user, absolutely no issues and accuracy is spot on.

[esldude]

The USB mic will have a higher noise floor. Maybe not enough to be a problem for most purposes.

[blownsi]

Obviously you know that which preamp you use will impact the sound quality but with that said, the 2020 will yield better results.

[zackthedog]

Hands down the AT2020. This from a professional voice guy with 35 years experience. An exceptional bargain. Smooth and natural. I wouldn't hesitate to use it if I had to stick to a budget. The USB version is just as good, if you need to forego a preamp.

[Gonzbull]

I'd say At2020 but there's a plethora of mics out there in that price range. As mentioned mics are a very personal thing so trying out a few would be ideal. You'll get bigger variances between mics than you would preamps. Any decent Pre would do the job but same can't be said for mics.

[Astralogic]

I have listened to mic tests on youtube and honestly can not hear any difference. I will go on your recommendations with the AT2020 with a preamp.

 

After looking around on Aamazon I found these:

 

[h=1]Behringer U-PHORIA UM2[/h]

[h=1]ART Tube MP Tube[/h]

[h=1]Focusrite Scarlett 2i2[/h]

[h=1]DBX 286S[/h]

I suspect that last one may be overkill for simple let's plays that I use the mic for. Are they all suitable for an AT2020? Should I just go with the cheapest?

[zackthedog]

I have listened to mic tests on youtube and honestly can not hear any difference. I will go on your recommendations with the AT2020 with a preamp.

 

After looking around on Aamazon I found these:

 

Behringer U-PHORIA UM2

 

 

ART Tube MP Tube

 

 

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

 

 

DBX 286S

 

 

I suspect that last one may be overkill for simple let's plays that I use the mic for. Are they all suitable for an AT2020? Should I just go with the cheapest?

 

I would recommend the Focusrite Scarlett. Very smooth and pleasant sound, and a popular choice with audiobook and voiceover folks. It also makes a darn nice little music DAC with some adapter plugs.

[gmgraves]

Hi, I'm looking for a good mic for doing Let's Play's and streaming. I would like to know what difference (if any) in voice quality would be experienced with the two mics listted below:

 

1 Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone (non usb) with a pre amp

 

and 2 The Blue Yeti (USB)

 

Would there be any difference in quality?

 

Please let me know your thoughts and opinions.

 

It depends. If you are recording a vocalist who tends to "eat" the mike and who's idea of singing is to scream into the mike like Mick Jagger, then I would use a robust, simple dynamic mike like an ElecrtoVoice PL-80A. You don't want to use a condenser (or god forbid, a ribbon mike) for such a performer. On the other hand, if your vocalist is merely speaking, or singing normally, then it doesn't matter so much but I'd still use a mike shield for vocals to avoid the vocalist "popping" his/her "P's" and I'd still avoid a ribbon. They are just too fragile for vocal work (unless you are using an RCA 44-BX or the modern AEA version). I still say that an ElectroVoice PL-80A or equivalent is the ideal vocal mike irrespective of what (or who) it is being used on.

[Gonzbull]

I'd say the Scarlett would be the one to pick. I've got dozens of outboard preamps and mics and the Focusrite range is more than capable. Other mics you might consider are the EV-RE20 and the Shure SM7. The SM7 needs more than average gain so keep that in mind.

[Astralogic]

Hi again, I will get a AT2020 (or maybe even the 2035) with a shock mount but I really dislike swing arms. I'm having a hard time finding a mic stand that will sit on my desk that will fit the AT mics. I found this one but I don't know if it will fit. Any ideas? Do any mic stands fit this?

[zackthedog]

Hi again, I will get a AT2020 (or maybe even the 2035) with a shock mount but I really dislike swing arms. I'm having a hard time finding a mic stand that will sit on my desk that will fit the AT mics. I found this one but I don't know if it will fit. Any ideas? Do any mic stands fit this?

 

I use a bass drum mic stand, it works great.

ProLine MS112 Desk Boom Mic Stand | Guitar Center

[Astralogic]

I use a bass drum mic stand, it works great.

ProLine MS112 Desk Boom Mic Stand | Guitar Center

 

Thanks! And that will fit both the 2020 and the 2035 with a shock mount? I haven't decided which to get yet. I just need to be absolutely clear about what I'm getting since it's quite a bit of money.

[zackthedog]

Thanks! And that will fit both the 2020 and the 2035 with a shock mount? I haven't decided which to get yet. I just need to be absolutely clear about what I'm getting since it's quite a bit of money.

 

All mic stands and shock mounts are compatible, it's a pretty universal standard.

[Astralogic]

So I have borrowed my brothers AT2020 to test it out, and it is a great mic but I have a lot of background noise around me when I'm recording and was wondering if a Audio-Technica ATR-6550 ATR Series Condenser Shotgun Microphone would be better. I hear shotgun mics don't pick up background noise.

[zackthedog]

So I have borrowed my brothers AT2020 to test it out, and it is a great mic but I have a lot of background noise around me when I'm recording and was wondering if a Audio-Technica ATR-6550 ATR Series Condenser Shotgun Microphone would be better. I hear shotgun mics don't pick up background noise.

 

I'm not familiar with it but from reviews I've read it sounds like it would cut down on ambient noise to some extent. For the money it looks like it will do what you want.

[audiophilegeek]

Audio-Technica AT2020 definitely perform better than those of other condenser ones that have no pre-amp. As per my experience, they sound too natural, even with pop filters sometimes. In that regard, I would suggest you jump for Audio-Technica AT4040. Remember that condenser mics are not to be used in noisy untreated spaces.

 

But dynamic mics, are suitable for both untreated and treated spaces. If you ae in a too noisy space, consider shotguns (like Rode NTG4 PLUS) as their pickup pattern is very narrow.

 

If you are willing to carry the mic with you, without pre-amp for portability Blue Yeti is the best. But the downside is that they are bit bulky. The polar patterns in these mics are customizable, suitable to take two sided interviews in podcasting etc. It's the best known customizable mic with loads of features for newbies.

 

Refer this guide by Will https://vloggerpro.com/best-microphones-for-youtube-vlogging/

 

This post is also quite informative if you are looking for mics for podcasting and voice-overs.Top 10 Best Microphones for Voice Over and Podcast Recording

[gamer12]

Hi, I just found this thread on google after doing similar research.

 

I've been reading some helpful guides and reviews on the different microphones: Best Microphone for Youtube - Buying Guide - VloggingPro

 

But I'm curious about your experience. Did you end up using the AT2020 or decided on going with a shotgun microphone?

[Astralogic]

Hi gamer12, I ended going with the AT2020. I had to buy some quieter fans for my PC since it is a very sensitive mic. It does still pic up some sound but a noise gate sorts that out (not that it's very noticeable though).

 

I am very happy with it.

[Mila]

Yeti from Blue is batter for it. But you can read a review about best microphones to fix it. I am currently using Yeti pro.

[gmgraves]

On 7/21/2016 at 5:19 AM, Astralogic said:

So I have borrowed my brothers AT2020 to test it out, and it is a great mic but I have a lot of background noise around me when I'm recording and was wondering if a Audio-Technica ATR-6550 ATR Series Condenser Shotgun Microphone would be better. I hear shotgun mics don't pick up background noise.

 

Most cardioid pattern mikes attenuate off-axis noise, what you are talking about, a "shotgun" mike is actually a hypercardioid, they are mostly for picking up voices from a distance (like picking up, from the broadcast booth, the referee on the field at a football game as he announces the type of penalty he's imposed). Look at it this way (to use a photography analogy): an omnidirectional microphone is like a spherical fish-eye lens and receives light from all directions. A cardioid mike is like a portrait lens (~90mm in 35mm film jargon) and a shotgun mike is like a long telephoto lens (200 -1000mm depending on what kind of a shotgun microphone you buy).

[mansr]

Is there a double-barrel shotgun mike?

[gmgraves]

23 hours ago, mansr said:

Is there a double-barrel shotgun mike?

 

Yes, but only in 12 gauge. Not available in 20 gauge or 410.