Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB

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It is by no means simply the microphone that is a difficulty in podcasting, there’s additionally the surroundings you file in. Even that concern ranges from easy noisy backgrounds, via echoey surfaces, and sounds from the desk or chair.

So simply as one single instance, the Audio-Technica ATR2100X-USB changed a Blue Yeti microphone in my residence workplace.

Really, greater than that, it changed a whole meeting of the Blue Yeti mic mounted on a movable arm that I’d herald for podcasts, then push away afterward. Doubtlessly this Audio-Technica mic may very well be equally mounted, however I simply apply it to the desk, with its supplied little stand.

And I a lot favor the outcomes.

The microphone is a cardioid one which podcasters will use with the supplied USB-C cable. The mic additionally helps XLR, nevertheless, which musicians could favor as a result of it is how one can join the machine to amplifiers.

It comes with three cables:

• USB-C to USB-C
• USB-C to USB-A
• XLR

That is a USB-C port, an XLR one, and a headphone jack

There’s additionally a microphone grip and a conveyable stand. That stand screws onto the grip half and it is a bit too straightforward to overlook the thread and have the stand come off.

It is a curious factor as a result of this stand appears notably well-designed initially. The stand ships folded for transport, however then splits out into three brief legs to make a stubby tripod.

The legs differ fractionally in size, however general they’re round 11cm. That is clearly not going to go well with a singer standing up, however for a podcaster it means the mic might be set down on a desk with out shopping for a separate stand.

Once you depart the mic with its stand related, it is glorious. It is nonetheless a sufficiently small package deal to be handy, too.

However whenever you take off the stand with the intention to pack it away for journey, it’s tough to get it again on precisely proper. It might probably really feel as if a thread has given approach in your eagerness to tighten the screw, so after a time the stand can really feel insecure.

What’s extra doubtless is that you have managed to overlook the thread and the screw fixture is not fairly proper. After a number of goes of taking it on and off, abruptly it appeared effective once more, so it is received to be much less the stand, extra our clumsiness.

In case you are a singer then you may after all maintain the mic in your hand, however whenever you do, you’ll discover that it feels heavy. It is a dense heaviness that is not sufficient to be tiring, however undoubtedly sufficient to make the microphone really feel costly.

The stand is the most convenient however presumably not the strongest a part of the microphone

The ATR2100X-USB prices $79, making it a really value-oriented proposition.

You’ll be able to spend an enormous quantity greater than the $79 value of this microphone, and doubtlessly there are conditions the place that you must, the place the recording high quality of the ATR2100X is not ample.

But when your funds stretches to 1000’s of {dollars}, the chances are that your experience goes fairly far too, so you already know what you want.

If that is a strong, primary, and good-sounding microphone, get this one. It appears constructed to require the least fuss establishing, and to offer the sound high quality most podcasters want.

So it won’t go well with a recording studio the place it is wanted to seize the sound of an orchestra. But when your want is podcast audio, or sound on your movies, that is precisely the microphone you want.

• The audio high quality is great for podcasters and YouTubers
• It comes with a well-designed (if a bit weak) stand
• It additionally has connectors and cables for 3 frequent ports, as commonplace

• The included stand is not very robust