How to Set Up the Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X for Rap and Vocals

The Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X is a condenser mic you plug straight into your computer with USB-C. It has a headphone jack and a mute button you only need to touch. Here's how to set it up for rap and vocals.

1. Which side is the front?

According to Audio-Technica, you rap toward the side with the Audio-Technica logo. Keep the mic close, so it picks up less sound from the room. Use a pop filter against hard P and B sounds.

2. Connect it

Connect the mic to your computer with the USB-C cable. If your computer only has USB-A, use the included adapter. Then choose the AT2020USB-X as input and output:

  • Windows: under Settings > System > Sound.
  • Mac: in your sound settings, under Input and Output.

Then choose it as the input in your DAW too.

3. Set your recording level

The AT2020USB-X has no gain knob on the mic itself. You set the level on your computer:

  • Windows: in the mic's properties, under the Levels tab.
  • Mac: with the input volume slider in your sound settings.

Rap your loudest part and watch the meter in your DAW. Make sure you don't hit the red.

4. Hear yourself without delay

Plug your headphones into the mic. You then have two knobs:

  • Mix: turn it toward the mic side and you hear more of your voice. Toward the computer side, you hear more of what your computer plays, like your beat.
  • Headphone volume: only the volume in your headphones. It doesn't change your recording level.

Already hearing your voice through the mic? Turn off monitoring in your DAW, or you'll hear yourself twice.

5. Watch out for the mute button

Touch the mute button and the mic mutes. The light turns red. Blue means it's on. So check the light before you hit record.

More recording guides: how to set up your mic for rap recording at home and how to fix latency when recording. Got the XLR version? Read how to set up the AT2020 for rap.

FAQ

Where do I set the gain?

On your computer. On Windows in the mic properties under Levels, on a Mac with the input volume in your sound settings.

Why is my recording silent?

Check the light. If it's red, the mic is muted. Touch the mute button to turn it back on.

What does the mix knob do?

It sets how much of your mic and how much of your computer you hear in your headphones. It doesn't change your recording.

Source: Audio-Technica's AT2020USB-X user manual and support pages.

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