AT2020 uses/mods

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So I have some hardware on order, and the company threw in a free AT2020, and now I'm trying to decide what to do with it---mod it, use it as-is, sell it on eBay, blunt object, nail insertion, etc. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how that mic would complement my current collection?

My current mic cabinet includes:

Nady RSM-2 (ribbon)
Studio Projects B3 (LDC)
Oktava MK012 (SDC, the Russian version)
Shure VP-88 (stereo condenser)
A pair of Nady CM-90 mics (SDC, drum overheads)
Five AKG D2300S mics (dyn, tom/snare mics)
AKG D112 (dyn, kick)

And the mic closet includes

One more AKG D2300S
Shure 565SD
Shure PG58
A cheap piezo mic
A cheap Radio Shack stereo electret condenser

Some folks have said in previous threads on the subject that it works well for some instruments, but the bass roll-off is problematic for others. Anybody know any mods that would improve that?
 
Oh, yeah, another thought I had was to replace the capsule with a homemade ribbon element just for grins, but I'm having a hard time finding a good source for magnets. I was considering using a heavier foil and making the ribbon bigger and more folded to make up some of the high frequency response... say a 2" x 4" ribbon... just to see what happens.

Thoughts?
 
i find it to work GREAT on close micing acoustic. worked well as drum overheads too. works on airy voices.... if you dont want it, send it my way...
 
I would probably use it. The AT mic I have is all small surface mount stuff, not the greatest for mods. I don't think I would gut it to use as a ribbon mic body. If you wanna mod a ribbon, try a tranny upgrade for your Nady. If you want to build a ribbon, try to find somebody with a broken mic & buy it for parts.
 
You've got a couple mic models that are better than the AT2020 in my opinion. And, you've got more than a few that are either the same level or worse. Your mic collection is arguably getting a little better by its addition or holding steady. If you don't like it when it arrives then sell it.
 
from the look of that list i would say the 2020 would sit close if not on to the top of all the other budget minded micros.
 
Honestly, keep it...use it.

I've got two. And I've used several of the other mics you listed in your cabinet. I would keep it and use it, try it on an acoustic guitar. Or on a voice that isn't very bass heavy. It really does shine when you find it's sweet spot.

I know the AT 2020 is cheap, but frankly it's got a great sound to it. It works really well for close micing my acoustic, and I can place another mic further back in the room and double mic for more effect.

A lot of people see the price tag and think cheap. Which is true, it's not made of the same parts as the higher priced mics out there. But, cheap doesn't necessarily mean "bad". Most typically it just means "specific".

Personally I think the difference between "cheap specific use" and "expensive specific use" is that the cheap microphones are good for specific things by accident and the expensive ones are good at specific things because they were designed that way.

The AT 2020 is only really good for a few things, but if you use it for those things then you'll be impressed.
 
foreverain4 said:
i find it to work GREAT on close micing acoustic. worked well as drum overheads too. works on airy voices.... if you dont want it, send it my way...
Click to expand...

+1, one of my 2 goto mics for acoustic these days (used in a pair with something else traditionally such as a LDC or even a ribbon).

stock at2020s are great, I don't know if you CAN mod them, not to mention why you would. you can't increase bass in them particularly afaik.
 
yea, I think you'll like it better than:

Shure VP-88 (stereo condenser)
A pair of Nady CM-90 mics (SDC, drum overheads)
Five AKG D2300S mics (dyn, tom/snare mics)
AKG D112 (dyn, kick)
Shure 565SD
Shure PG58
A cheap piezo mic
A cheap Radio Shack stereo electret condenser

and it'll be different from the LDC (b2, good mic for vocals and versatile on other things), ribbon (rsm-2, good mic on many things), sdc (oktava, some are good, some are bad, is it stock? if so than maybe the 2020 will be better at similar things such as guitars, shakers, instruments in general).
 
dkelley said:
yea, I think you'll like it better than:

Shure VP-88 (stereo condenser)
Click to expand...

A $75 toy better than a $1,000 Shure M-S condenser? Not likely. Okay, so they're down below $700 now. Either way.... ;)
 
Ooh. Since I opened this thread (four years ago), I can close it so it won't keep popping up. Sweet!
 
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