What’s The Best Bridge/Interface For The AT-2020 USB Plus?

Hey there, hero!

I’ve gotten this question enough, both online and at VO events, that I thought it needed an answer.

It’s almost too good to be true, but the correct answer is…

Hope this helps!

David

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  1. Hi David! One question: Following your advice, I’ve been trying to use Audacity now as my default recording software. I’m still getting used to it (I’ve been using ProTools for more than 15 years), but sometimes I still go back to ProTools for certain projects. I was under the impression that ProTools could only be used with an interface (I own a very old version of ProTools) and thus I needed to have the AT2020 mic to connect it to my M-Box Mini. But watching this video I wonder: does this mean I could have the AT2020 USB+ and use it for both ProTools and Audacity without an interface? Thank you as usual for your valuable help and advice.

  2. David, David, David!!! O M G, you have made my day!!! First, let me thank you for being kind enough to share your knowledge w/ the world again and again. Second, thank you ever soooo much for answering this question about the interface and the almighty AT2020. I felt like an idiot for asking, but as you can see, I’m working on that. It feels GREAT to know that other people had this question as well :-). Turns out that I bought the wrong AT2020! I didn’t know that there were two versions, one w/ the USB and one w/out the USB. I will get that resolved today. You are a Godsend, David H. Lawrence the 17th.
    Is that the glare shining from your halo? Yep, it sure is! Thanks again :-).
    Daurie

  3. Great explanation, David! I have an AT2020 usb, but it doesn’t work since I upgraded my Mac to Mojave. No blue light and my computer doesn’t recognize it. It’s a usb paperweight. How can I work around this—or do I suck it up and buy a new mic?

  4. Hi David, Years ago when I purchased my mic, I must have purchased the incorrect version, the AT2020 USB mic, NOT the + version. I have been using my mic with my in-home recordings with no bridge, recording on Audacity, with my Windows PC and have been able to clean up any background noise fairly well. If I got the Scarlet interface as you suggested, would my sound quality be better?
    That being said, I thought USB cannot be plugged into the interface and I don’t see a USB port on the Scarlett from the photos on Amazon, just a USB 2.0. Am I just completely out of my mind confused?
    Thanks so much!!!

    1. Whether it’s the USB or the USB Plus, it’s still a USB mic. No USB mic can be plugged into the Scarlett. At all. The USB port on the Scarlett is the output of the device, sending audio turned into data to your computer, not an input accepting sound from from a mic. You can’t use the Scarlett, or any other interface, at all with any USB mic. And even if you could, there would be no reduction in your noise level.

  5. I did NOT know any of this! Another fantastically helpful video, thanks, David! I am curious about something a bit different. I have the AT2020 USB+ but I also lost my mind one day and got the AT2035 (which, as you know, does use an interface; mine is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2). Is there any appreciable difference between the two mics?

  6. DH17. I’m not gobsmacked at all, and in fact bigly appreciate this video. First of all you break down the issue into its basic elements first (that’s only one you’re a better teacher than me), and then use those basics to explain the conclusion. Nice. The AT 2020 (i.e. Audio Technica) is the first mic I purchased solely for voice recording. It was the studio version (XLR connector) and at 120.00 – at the time, anyway – was a lot of mic for the money. I have since switched to the Rode NT1A (XLR) mainly ’cause I like the way it sounds for both voiceover and singing, though I still have my USB ‘back-up’ mics just in case: my Blue ‘Yeti’ (not pretty, but sounds great) and my Apogee ‘iMic’.

    And coincidentally, I also use a Focusrite ‘Scarlett’ interface. I’m more comfortable with actual “control knobs”. It’s all good.