Audio Technica for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Getting your first microphone is an exciting step — and Audio-Technica is one of the most sensible places to start. The brand's entry-level condensers are widely recommended precisely because they sound good, cost a fair amount, and do not require expensive supporting gear to work well. But choosing and setting up a microphone for the first time involves a few concepts that can feel confusing at first. This guide sorts them out.

Why Audio-Technica Is a Good Starting Point

Audio-Technica has been making microphones since 1962 and has earned a reputation for reliable build quality, predictable performance and competitive pricing. Their entry-level condensers — particularly the AT2020 and AT2035 — appear on recommended lists for home recording, podcasting, streaming and voice-over with extraordinary frequency, and that consistency is not accidental. They are genuinely good first microphones that will serve most beginners well for several years before any upgrade is worth considering.

Understanding the Core Concepts

Before buying, it helps to understand a few terms that appear on every product page.

• Condenser microphone — the type Audio-Technica is best known for in the studio category. Condensers are sensitive and detailed, capturing the nuance of a voice or an instrument accurately. They require phantom power — a 48V electrical supply from an audio interface or mixer — to operate.
• Dynamic microphone — less sensitive and more forgiving of background noise. Better for live performance and louder sources. Does not require phantom power. The ATM510 is Audio-Technica's most accessible dynamic for beginners.
• Cardioid polar pattern — describes the shape of the area from which a microphone picks up sound. Cardioid means it picks up sound primarily from the front and rejects sound from the rear. Most beginners' microphones are cardioid, which is the right pattern for recording a single source in a typical room.
• XLR vs USB — most Audio-Technica microphones use XLR connectors and require an audio interface to connect to a computer. The AT2020USB+ uses USB and plugs straight in without an interface — simpler for beginners who are not yet ready to manage extra hardware.

Which Audio-Technica Microphone for a Beginner?

For most beginners, the choice comes down to two scenarios:

• If you want simplicity above all — the AT2020USB+ is the easiest starting point. It connects via USB, needs no audio interface, and has a built-in headphone output so you can monitor your own voice while recording. Plug it in, select it as your audio device, and you are ready.
• If you want to grow a proper recording setup — buy the AT2020 (XLR) or AT2035 and pair it with an entry-level audio interface (a Focusrite Scarlett Solo or similar). The XLR version sounds at least as good, gives you more control over levels and gain, and the interface can be used with other microphones or instruments later.

The AT2035 over the AT2020 is worth the modest additional cost if you can stretch to it. The switchable pad (10 dB) and high-pass filter (80 Hz) give it useful additional flexibility, and its slightly lower self-noise makes it cleaner on quiet sources.

Setting Up Your Microphone for the First Time

1. Assemble the stand and mount. The AT2020 includes a standard clip mount; if you are using a boom arm or floor stand, attach the clip mount to it securely. The AT40 series includes a shockmount — attach the microphone to the shockmount before fitting it to the stand.
2. Connect via XLR cable or USB. If using XLR, run the cable to your audio interface and enable phantom power. If using the USB version, connect to your computer and select the microphone as your input device in your DAW or system settings.
3. Position the microphone correctly. For vocals, place the microphone 15–25 cm from your mouth, slightly above or below eye level (angled toward the mouth rather than pointing straight at it). This angle reduces plosive sounds. Add a pop filter between your mouth and the capsule.
4. Set the gain on your interface. Speak or sing at your normal recording level while slowly increasing the gain. Stop when the interface signal meter peaks around −12 to −6 dBFS — loud enough for a clean signal, quiet enough to leave headroom for louder moments.
5. Check your monitoring. If your interface has a direct monitoring option, enable it to hear yourself without latency. Adjust your monitoring volume separately from the recording gain.

Common Questions at the Beginning

A few issues crop up for almost every first-time microphone user.

• "It sounds too bassy or echoey" — you are picking up too much room sound. Move the microphone slightly closer to your source and position yourself away from hard reflective walls. A corner with some soft furnishings behind you is better than the centre of a bare room.
• "I hear a hum or buzz" — check the cable connection first. If you are using USB, try a different USB port. A persistent hum through XLR may indicate a ground loop; try a different mains socket for your interface.
• "The recording is too quiet even with the gain up" — check that phantom power is enabled on the interface if you are using a condenser. Also check that the correct input is selected in your recording software.

Once you are comfortable with the basics, the complete buyer's guide covers more advanced purchase decisions across the range. For an explanation of the full Audio-Technica catalogue, the overview article puts each product family in context. And our best Audio-Technicas for the money article can help when you are ready to consider the next step up.

A Reassuring Word

Microphone recording has a learning curve — mostly around acoustics, gain staging and positioning — but the fundamentals are not complicated once you have a little hands-on experience. The AT2020 and AT2035 are forgiving microphones to learn on. They will not make a mediocre recording great, but they will accurately capture a good one, which is exactly what you need at the start.

Frequently Asked Questions