Our Verdict
An ideal podcast and streaming mic with all of the controls you want built-in, plus real-time headphone monitoring and plug-and-play set-up, the Audio Technica AT2040USB is a perfect alternative for these trying to go professional.
Crisp, heat vocals
Glorious construct high quality
Silent soft-touch mute button
Wants a stand (not included)
Design bland for some
Some individuals merely love the sound of their very own voice – they’re those you may’t keep away from overhearing holding over-opinionated courtroom in espresso retailers throughout the nation. However the actuality is, when most folk have their very own dulcet tones performed again to them, they’ll’t stand what they hear. There are causes for this, however one factor specialists within the aural realm agree on is that poor-quality recordings don’t assist.
In case you’re into stay streaming and content material creation, it is sensible to put money into probably the greatest streaming microphones to ship enhanced audio free from all of the fuss and background noise. Audio Technica presents simply such a mic, within the pleasingly compact type of its all-new AT2040USB Hypercardioid Dynamic Podcast Microphone.
Constructing on all the most effective parts of the corporate’s much-loved AT2040 XLR microphone, the addition of USB connectivity makes this mic extra versatile and simpler to make use of than ever for streamers, podcasters and chatty players alike. In case you’re after a mic with high-quality audio, and also you simply need to plug it in and go, it might be the suitable alternative for you.
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Audio Technica AT2040USB Specs
These are the Audio Technica AT2040USB specs:
Pattern charge
44.1-96kHz
Frequency response
80-16,000Hz
Audio patterns
Hypercardioid
Connection
USB kind C, kind A
Measurement
5.7 x 2.0 inches (14.5 x 5.2cm)
Weight
0.6kg
Audio Technica AT2040USB design
Proper out of the field, on construct high quality alone, you may inform that this has been designed to impress. Constructed from stable metallic, the AT2040USB feels completely strong and has a reassuring heft to it that different, extra plasticky microphones on this value vary don’t possess. At 615g, it’s a lot heavier than the Joby Wavo Professional, for instance, and feels reassuringly well-made.
With so many streaming microphones available on the market, the newest Audio Technica AT2040USB must do one thing to face out. And talking of stands, this microphone is designed to be stand-mounted on a increase (extra on that under). It’s price noting this, although, as you received’t be capable to stand it up simply by itself.
Coming full with a mounting clamp connected, across the again is a built-in headphone jack with a high-output amplifier and quantity management, USB-C output, and a combination management that permits the mic sign to be blended with prerecorded audio. Around the enterprise finish, in the meantime, we’ve a multistage foam mesh windscreen that mixes a non-woven filter with foam mesh to guard in opposition to pop. Lastly, up prime sits a moderately neat soft-touch mute button, full with a purple and blue LED gentle indicator. And that’s it – virtually minimalist in its aesthetic simplicity, but that includes all you must function it.
Efficiency
All you must do to start out utilizing the Audio Technica AT2040USB is to plug it into a pc – an act of simplicity itself due to the bundled USB-A to USB-C cable. And as soon as that’s finished, the AT2040USB is prepared and raring to go, on any recording platform you personally favour, similar to that.
Created to focus like a mic possessed on vocal seize alone, the unerringly directional, hyper-cardioid pickup sample ignores all else round it with a singularly spectacular single-mindedness. Certainly, examined in my house research on a scorching day, not solely did I’ve a desk fan whirring away subsequent to me, post-school day children enjoying noisily outdoors my window, but in addition – so as to add further take a look at situations – a radio enjoying on low close by. The results of my recordings? My voice was crystal clear, and I picked up completely no different ambient audio.
With responsive combine controls and that surprisingly satisfying soft-touch prompt mute button proving its price throughout a number of situations of interruption by my very own children, general, I discovered the efficiency of the AT2040USB to be fairly rattling faultless.
Increase choices
Conserving issues easy but once more, the AT2040USB comes fitted with a pivoting stand mount that includes a typical 5/8″-27 to three/8″-16 threaded adapter. Because it doesn’t include a stand of its personal, this makes your increase choices wide-open, however for a desk resembling mine, I’d advocate conserving it within the household and pairing the mic up with an Audio Technica AT8700.
Costing $89 (£69) and coming with 4x USB cable clips, 4x XLR cable clips, and a desk clamp, the AT8700 provides full freedom of motion due to 360° rotation, suits the AT2040USB like an audio glove and delivers stability as stable as a recording rock.
Worth & availability
The swish AT20240USB and related equipment may be purchased instantly from Audio Technica for a really, very affordable $149 (£129). It’s additionally accessible from main retailers like Amazon.
Do you have to purchase it?
Sure: In case you’re searching for high quality in all quarters
Sure: It’s little one’s play to arrange
Sure: It’s well-priced for the efficiency it offers
Podcasters, streamers, and players collect round; if precision, professional-level vocal seize is what you search however the value is an element, the Audio Technica AT2040USB is your money-saving, broadcast-sound high quality savior.
Alternate options
If the Audio Technica AT2040USB isn’t for you
Learn our lists of the most effective gaming headsets and the most effective wi-fi gaming headsets for much more methods to reinforce your on-line communications.