What else you need to use it
Worked out from Audio-Technica’s own specifications and box contents for this model. The setup builder checks the same parts against your computer and the rest of your gear.
You need
- An audio interface or mixer with an XLR microphone input. A computer has no XLR input. The interface’s preamp raises the microphone’s signal and sends it to the computer over USB. Compare audio interfaces
- An XLR cable. None comes in the box.
- 48 V phantom power from the interface. This is a condenser microphone that needs phantom power on the XLR route.
- A microphone stand or boom arm. No stand comes in the box; it mounts on a 5/8-inch or 3/8-inch thread.
When this model makes sense
- Record one voice through the XLR input of an interface you already have; get the placement right before adding effects.
- Listen through your interface’s headphone output, and play back a test recording before going live.
- Use it with an XLR cable and an interface that has enough gain.
The USB versus XLR guide weighs it against the other ways to fill the same role.
Connections and specs
- Full name
- Audio-Technica AT2020
- Still sold
- Yes, a current model
- Type
- Microphones
- Connection
- Connector shape
- 3-pin XLRA plug’s shape doesn’t tell you its speed →
- Audio outputs
- XLR
- Microphone type
- Condenser
- Pickup pattern
- Cardioid; side-address
- Needs 48 V phantom power
- Yes
- Power input
- 48 V phantom power, 2 mA typical
- Connects by
- XLR
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity
- -37 dB (14.1 mV) re 1 V at 1 Pa
- Max SPL
- 144 dB SPL (1% THD)
- Self-noise
- 20 dB SPL
- Signal-to-noise ratio
- 74 dB at 1 kHz, 1 Pa
- Size and mounting
- Mounts
- Stand mount for 5/8-27 threads; 5/8-27 to 3/8-16 adapter
- Dimensions
- 162 mm long, 52 mm diameter
- Weight
- 345 g
- In the box
- Included parts
- AT2020 microphone; Stand mount for 5/8-27 threaded stands; 5/8-27 to 3/8-16 threaded adapter; Soft protective pouch
- Not in the box
- XLR cable; Audio interface with 48 V phantom power; Microphone stand or boom arm
Check these conditions first
For a microphone, set your distance and input gain before adding any processing. Speak as loudly as you will on stream, listen back to a recording and leave some headroom. Judge a USB/XLR microphone in the mode you will use: its USB voice processing does not carry over to XLR.
What is included, and what may be missing
- AT2020 microphone
- Stand mount for 5/8-27 threaded stands
- 5/8-27 to 3/8-16 threaded adapter
- Soft protective pouch
Both cable ends and the data rating matter more than the plug shape: streaming cables and ports explains how to match them.
Place it in the complete setup
Every connection
- Webcam USB outUSB cable → A USB port on your computer
- Microphone USB outUSB cable → A USB port on your computer
- Microphone / interface headphone out3.5 mm or 6.3 mm headphone connection → Headphones (what you hear)
- Computer Ethernet portEthernet cable → router; your upload → Platform (check the stream preview)
- Wall socketThe maker’s power supply, or USB power → Computer and devices that need their own power
The diagram shows a simple USB setup. Find where the Audio-Technica AT2020 goes, then follow each input back to what feeds it and each output on to where it goes. HDMI and XLR gear needs a capture card or audio interface between it and your computer; it doesn’t plug straight in the way this USB example does.
The setup builder turns this into a connection list for your own computer and gear, and the pre-stream checklist covers the rehearsal once it is wired.
Compare it head to head
Each page sets the two models’ specs side by side and says what else each one needs.