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.
Optional
- A boom arm, if you want it closer. A desk stand is in the box. An arm lets you bring the microphone nearer your mouth without it sitting in the camera shot; check the arm fits its 3/8-inch or 5/8-inch thread.
- Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug. Its headphone socket lets you hear yourself straight from the microphone, before the computer adds delay. Headphone test
In the box
- A USB-A or USB-C port. An adapter in the box lets the cable fit either port. The port’s speed still applies.
When this model makes sense
- Record one voice straight over USB; get the placement right before adding effects.
- Use its headphone socket to hear yourself while you set distance and gain.
- Keep a simple one-voice setup without buying an XLR interface. Add one only when you need another input.
The USB versus XLR guide weighs it against the other ways to fill the same role.
Connections and specs
- Full name
- Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
- Still sold
- Yes, a current model
- Type
- Microphones
- Connection
- Connector shape
- USB-C; 3.5 mm headphoneA plug’s shape doesn’t tell you its speed →
- Data connection
- USB 2.0What this means for speed →
- Audio outputs
- USB
- Microphone type
- Condenser
- Pickup pattern
- Cardioid
- Direct monitoring
- YesWhat direct monitoring does →
- Power input
- USB power (5 V DC)
- Connects by
- USB
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Bit depth
- 16-bit; 24-bit
- Sample rate
- 44.1 kHz; 48 kHz; 88.2 kHz; 96 kHz
- Controls on the device
- Headphone level; Mix control; Mute
- Size and mounting
- Mounts
- AT8702 desk stand; 3/8-16 to 5/8-27 threaded adapter
- Dimensions
- 142 mm long, 52 mm diameter
- Weight
- About 373 g
- In the box
- Included parts
- AT2020USB-X microphone; AT8702 desk stand; 3/8-16 to 5/8-27 threaded adapter; 2 m USB-C to USB-A cable; USB-A to USB-C adapter
- Computer
- Operating systems
- Windows 8.1, 10 and 11; macOS Catalina, Big Sur and Monterey
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
- AT2020USB-X microphone
- AT8702 desk stand
- 3/8-16 to 5/8-27 threaded adapter
- 2 m USB-C to USB-A cable
- USB-A to USB-C adapter
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 AT2020USB-X 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.