If you are setting up your home recording studio and need an affordable condenser microphone, look no further than the Audio-Technica ATR2500. This microphone is ideal for a variety of uses such as podcasting, vocal and instrumental recordings.
What makes it special is that it can be plugged in straight to your computer via a USB cable. This way, the recording will go straight to your recording software, so you can edit the vocals or sound right away. You can use this microphone with either Mac or Windows computers.
This Audio-Tecnica ATR2500 condenser microphone is a large-diaphragm kind that also features a cardioid polar pattern.
It reproduces very detailed sound while also rejecting the unwanted noise coming from the rear and sides. Other than these features, you will also find the built-in jack and the controls on the microphone very useful while recording.
Table of Contents
Audio-Technica ATR2500-USB Cardioid Microphone
Features:
- Condenser microphone with USB output for fast conversion of analog to digital recording with a 16 bit, 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate
- Large diaphragm with cardioid polar pattern
- Ideal for a variety of recording purposes such as microphones for voiceovers, songs, podcasting, instruments and other applications
- Works with your favorite recording software on either Mac or Windows computers
- Built-in headphone jack for direct monitoring
- Controls for easy volume adjustment of headphones
- Great frequency response from 30-15,000 Hz because of its low-mass diaphragm
- Produces very detailed and clear sound
- Does not capture background noise
- Requires USB Power (5V DC)
- Comes complete with pivoting stand mount, tripod desk stand and a mini USB cable
Verdict:
Overall, this condenser microphone is a great pick. It is indeed budget-friendly and good enough for a variety of recordings. Whether you are a singer, musician, or a voice talent, the Audio-Technica ATR2500 will make your recording sessions easier and faster.
The Audio-Technica ATR2500 is a newer kind of condenser microphone with USB output. A lot of people find this feature useful and convenient as it will surely help you finish your recording projects fast without sacrificing the quality of your recordings.
You can expect this condenser microphone to be easy to use right from the get-go. There are also some great accessories included in the package, so if you are just starting out with your home recording studio, this microphone will be a bargain. For starters, you will get a microphone clip, tripod desk stand and a mini USB cable, all of which are so easy to set up if you know a little bit of screwing and mounting.
After that, you are ready to plug the microphone into your computer’s USB port. You can use either a Mac or a Windows computer for recording. It will work with most popular recording software and will even work with other applications like Audacity, Adobe Audition, Skype and Google Hangouts.
What’s more, you don’t need to install any drivers to use this microphone. But of course, you might have to change the input microphone when using the said applications.
The volume buttons on the microphone are for the headphone volume. That is because there is a built-in jack for headphones so you can clearly hear your recordings. This is useful when you have to record your voice over a song.
In terms of the quality of sound, this microphone can indeed produce clear, clean and accurate sounds. It is even ideal for those with a soft voice. Lastly, its low self-noise makes it possible to record quiet voice recordings without picking up noise coming from the rear and sides.
Since the microphone stand is just an included accessory, you should not expect it to be sturdy. The same goes with the microphone clip. If you are going to record every day, it might be better to invest in a more heavy-duty table microphone.
Another thing that you should know is that this microphone isn’t very good at recording guitars clearly. It won’t be as impressive as the other professional microphones. But if you have compressors and equalizers, you will be able to achieve the result that you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ATR2500 good?
Yes, the ATR2500 is a very good value for money mic. It is a large-diaphragm condenser mic at a reasonable price. It has a cardioid pattern, a solid frequency response, and a good analog to digital converter.
Are Audio Technica mics good?
Audio-Technica mics come with a solid reputation for good engineering and value for money. They do have a lot of competition nowadays, but they have been in the industry for a long time, and clearly, a long-running reputation helps.
How do I mute my atr2500x Audio Technica?
Muting any mic on a Windows computer has the same process. Go to the bottom right of the screen and click on the speaker icon> recording devices. Find the ATR2500X (or whichever mic you are using) and disable the device.
When did the Audio Technica AT2020 come out?
The Audio Technica AT2020 came out on 13th July 2014.
Is Audio Technica AT2020 good for singing?
Yes, the AT2020 is an excellent vocals mic. It can keep out unwanted background noise and is easy to use. You can set it up in an instant and then record and mix your songs as well. Podcasters are particularly fond of this mic.
Why does my AT2020 sound bad?
The first thing to check if your AT2020 sound is not correctly coming out is the settings on your computer.
Check if the volume of the mic is set up too high or too low. Too high would allow a lot of background noise, whereas too low would make you inaudible.
To do this, go to the bottom right-hand side of the windows screen>speaker> right click and go to recording devices. Go to the At2020 and set the levels correctly.
Which is better, AT2020 or AT2035?
Both mics share many common features. The AT2035 has better storage and more versatility than controls, whereas the AT2020 is better value for money.
Where can I talk in AT2020?
It has a cardioid pickup, so ideally, you should be sitting right in front of the mic for it to pick up the optimal sound. The more you move away, the weaker your sound will get, and more background noise will start to enter your audio.
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Best Studio Mics was started by a husband and wife team who love the sound and the technicals behind recording it. Both are professional theatre artists, one with a stage management background and one more on stage. One also has experience in film and television work and the different audio requirements of that arena.