Is the Rode NT1-a worth it over AT2020?

[DaaromMike]

Hi Guys!

My current Samson C03u is dying so I'm in the market for a new mic. I've already decided to go for an XLR mic this time around and after doing some research I'm torn between the Rode NT1-a and the AT2020.

The AT2020 is about 80 euro's cheaper here in the Netherlands but it doesn't come with a popfilter or shockmount like the Rode does so if I would buy the AT2020 I'd have to factor in those costs as well.

 

I'm going to be using the mic for Discord calls while gaming and for the occasional Twitch stream. The interface I'm planning on buying is the Rode AI-1 mostly because (if I understood the specs correctly at least) they should be able to power my 250 Ohm DT 770 Pro's without to much problems.

 

TL:DR: Is spending 80 euro's more on the NT1-a going to be worth it or should I just go for the cheaper option and get the AT2020?

[Tigerleon]

at2020 is well worth the less 80 euros. Not worth spendning 80 euros more if you are just going to stream or game with friends. There is almost no hearable difference either. Maybe if you record music with a specific instrument and listen back to both of them. But the at2020 will do just fine. I have the usb version of it.

Edit:

You probably have to spend 100s of euros to hear a difference.

[The Flying Sloth]

2 hours ago, Tigerleon said:

There is almost no hearable difference either. 

This is very wrong, don't listen to this.

 

OP, it very much depends on pricing and in Europe there are much better value for money options than an NT1-A even though it's a pretty good microphone. There are also much better value options than a 2020 which imo isn't anything special for the money. Personally I'd purchase a Behringer UMC202HD interface as it can power your headphones and it has a nice preamp design, from there you have a massive choice in microphones. Personally I use the Behringer C2 because it's highly directional so it cuts out most background noise while staying quite crisp sounding and I do own much more expensive microphones than it.

 

If you'd like to learn a little more about interfaces or mics and my personal recommendations take a look at the guide in my signature.

[DaaromMike]

12 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

This is very wrong, don't listen to this.

 

OP, it very much depends on pricing and in Europe there are much better value for money options than an NT1-A even though it's a pretty good microphone. There are also much better value options than a 2020 which imo isn't anything special for the money. Personally I'd purchase a Behringer UMC202HD interface as it can power your headphones and it has a nice preamp design, from there you have a massive choice in microphones. Personally I use the Behringer C2 because it's highly directional so it cuts out most background noise while staying quite crisp sounding and I do own much more expensive microphones than it.

 

If you'd like to learn a little more about interfaces or mics and my personal recommendations take a look at the guide in my signature.

Alright, thanks. Sadly getting audio equipment is kind of difficulty since most things are out of stock right now (I honestly don't know why, it usually isn't that bad) and I'd have to wait a couple of weeks for things to arrive. And while that wouldn't really be a problem usually, it is now since my current mic is dying and I don't know if it will keep working for a couple of weeks.. So I kind of want a new one sooner rather than later. But that does limits my options significantly, pretty much to the following things:

 

Microphones:

• AT 2020
• AT 2035
• Rode NT1-a
• Samson CL8a
• AKG Project P220

Interfaces:

• Rode AI-1
• Steinberg UR12 (The Steinberg UR22mkII is also available but about 50 euro's more expensive)
• Native Instruments KOMPLETE AUDIO 1
• Presonus Studio 2

Then of course I also have to consider my headphones but if it's not possible to get an audio interface with an amp powerful enough (in one that is affordable at least) I really wouldn't mind to get a separate amp (if one is in stock of course).

[The Flying Sloth]

2 minutes ago, DaaromMike said:

-snip-

You're in Europe, use Thomann to look for audio stuff, will be much more available than you think.

[DaaromMike]

34 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

You're in Europe, use Thomann to look for audio stuff, will be much more available than you think.

Alright thanks that opens up my options significantly. I'll have a look there. I honestly can't believe I've never heard of or seen that site before.

[e.xdn]

On 5/29/2020 at 7:54 AM, DaaromMike said:

Alright, thanks. Sadly getting audio equipment is kind of difficulty since most things are out of stock right now (I honestly don't know why, it usually isn't that bad) and I'd have to wait a couple of weeks for things to arrive. And while that wouldn't really be a problem usually, it is now since my current mic is dying and I don't know if it will keep working for a couple of weeks.. So I kind of want a new one sooner rather than later. But that does limits my options significantly, pretty much to the following things:

 

Microphones:

• AT 2020
• AT 2035
• Rode NT1-a
• Samson CL8a
• AKG Project P220

Interfaces:

• Rode AI-1
• Steinberg UR12 (The Steinberg UR22mkII is also available but about 50 euro's more expensive)
• Native Instruments KOMPLETE AUDIO 1
• Presonus Studio 2

Then of course I also have to consider my headphones but if it's not possible to get an audio interface with an amp powerful enough (in one that is affordable at least) I really wouldn't mind to get a separate amp (if one is in stock of course).

The Rode interface is also super expensive compared to the others, at least here in Canada. $500CAD for a 2i2o interface is going to yield you quality that discord won't even be able to use, as nice as it would sound. I personally really like the onboard preamps in Stienberg's stuff and the price-performance on that one is *chef kiss.* As for the Mic; I've used and abused AT 2020s in setting they should have absolutely no place working in, but they did anyway. It's one of the best, most versatile budget mics around.

[The Flying Sloth]

7 hours ago, e.xdn said:

. I personally really like the onboard preamps in Stienberg's stuff and the price-performance on that one is *chef kiss.* As for the Mic; I've used and abused AT 2020s in setting they should have absolutely no place working in, but they did anyway. It's one of the best, most versatile budget mics around.

I mean, price to performance on Steinberg might be good but compared to what's available from Behringer, it's no contest. But how cannot be a contest when the UMC202HD (and everything above it) are using Midas designed preamps and a dedicated headphone amp designed to power 250 ohm Beyers perfectly. At the price nothing can come close to that.

 

As for the 2020, it's not a terrible microphone but it's just not as good as everyone thinks, especially if OP wants to use it for voice chats in any sort of noisy environment. A large diaphragm condenser will pick up far more background noise than a dynamic or SDC. The 2020 also doesn't have any pad or low cut switching so it's nowhere near as versatile as some other offerings in a studio context, truly, I've seen many budget mics around professional studios but the 2020 is never one of them. Studios tend to be biased towards true condenser microphones and not electret stuff like the 2020.

 

Like I said before, if you want to take a look at some other options in a reasonable price bracket check the link in my signature.

[e.xdn]

1 hour ago, The Flying Sloth said:

I mean, price to performance on Steinberg might be good but compared to what's available from Behringer, it's no contest. But how cannot be a contest when the UMC202HD (and everything above it) are using Midas designed preamps and a dedicated headphone amp designed to power 250 ohm Beyers perfectly. At the price nothing can come close to that.

 

As for the 2020, it's not a terrible microphone but it's just not as good as everyone thinks, especially if OP wants to use it for voice chats in any sort of noisy environment. A large diaphragm condenser will pick up far more background noise than a dynamic or SDC. The 2020 also doesn't have any pad or low cut switching so it's nowhere near as versatile as some other offerings in a studio context, truly, I've seen many budget mics around professional studios but the 2020 is never one of them. Studios tend to be biased towards true condenser microphones and not electret stuff like the 2020.

 

Like I said before, if you want to take a look at some other options in a reasonable price bracket check the link in my signature.

100% my dude. My audio experience is based pretty exclusively around tracking in a sound deadened studio, and mostly vocals/amps. I always loved the way the AT2020 made my voice sound, so I've always been partial to it!

[The Flying Sloth]

2 minutes ago, e.xdn said:

100% my dude. My audio experience is based pretty exclusively around tracking in a sound deadened studio, and mostly vocals/amps. I always loved the way the AT2020 made my voice sound, so I've always been partial to it!

If the 2020 works for your voice that's great!
If you get the chance I'd strongly recommend having a test of the higher-end AT mics like the 40 series (4040 especially), the 4040 and old version of the Rode NT1 (non-A) sound quite similar and might add some depth to your voice you've not been able to find with the 2020. The Teal CM1 from 3U Audio or AKG 214 might also be a good fit for you if you're partial to that rolled back mid sound the AT mics have, I'm not telling you to go out and buy these, just try them out if you ever get the chance.

Personally I use Superlux CM-H8Cs as my 'workhorse' mics since they have a really nice natural tone and I picked them up for next to nothing, they have switchable polar patterns, HPF and a pad that makes them great as an allrounder. Still trying to find the perfect mic for recording brass but I think I'm going to have to delve into ribbon mics to figure that one out.

[e.xdn]

Just now, The Flying Sloth said:

If the 2020 works for your voice that's great!
If you get the chance I'd strongly recommend having a test of the higher-end AT mics like the 40 series (4040 especially), the 4040 and old version of the Rode NT1 (non-A) sound quite similar and might add some depth to your voice you've not been able to find with the 2020. The Teal CM1 from 3U Audio or AKG 214 might also be a good fit for you if you're partial to that rolled back mid sound the AT mics have, I'm not telling you to go out and buy these, just try them out if you ever get the chance.

Personally I use Superlux CM-H8Cs as my 'workhorse' mics since they have a really nice natural tone and I picked them up for next to nothing, they have switchable polar patterns, HPF and a pad that makes them great as an allrounder. Still trying to find the perfect mic for recording brass but I think I'm going to have to delve into ribbon mics to figure that one out.

Honestly - I've never even heard of superlux, looks like I have some homework to do! Thanks dude!

[The Flying Sloth]

Just now, e.xdn said:

Honestly - I've never even heard of superlux, looks like I have some homework to do! Thanks dude!

It was released in 2001, they're somewhat hard to find but I recently stumbled across a distributor with a pallet full of NOS examples selling for a fifth of what they do secondhand and I just had to pick up a few. Another mic with similar 'natural' characteristics is the iSK T3000 'Space Station' and honestly it's almost worth it just for the looks. Either option does wonders on acoustic instruments.

I don't think there's any competition for the value king though, at the moment it has to be 3U Audio, their Warbler series kicks ass and the CM1 is a damn nice vocal microphone at any price, it's just a bonus that they're only $100. Take a look at the gear recommendations in my signature if you want a little more info on some mics to take a look at if you get the chance.