I've never come across a reviewer like you!! Impressively thorough and comprehensive! I do love the sound of the AT2040. I think at the price, it holds its ground compared to high end mics. I hear it as more clear, deep, and louder + rich sounding over the Rode PodMic. Both have great looks but my ears enjoy the Audio Technica better. 😊 I hope it sounds great with my female alto voice for podcasting. Many comments have said one's individual voice can sound better or worse with a particular mic. Thanks for all your efforts.
I am happy with the xm8500 and umc22 that you did a review on but I still watch on because you make honest reviews actually comparing nearly all the mics and its always so thorough!
What stuck out to me was the sound in the untreated room. But I have no reference to compare it against. While we are at it: I think a mic comparison for untreated rooms would be really great. Best mic for untreated rooms - Sounds like it would catch some clicks @Bandrew 😉
@@seanwebb605 MOTU M2 is excelent and you can channel Hi-Res Lossless audio @ 24bit 192 kHz format to your headphones with studio headphones. But you are limited to 96 kHz due to USB 2 interface connection speed limits.
I know I am late on this, but... the 2040 appears to be a very solid choice for relative beginners in podcasting provided you have XLR inputs to work with. The off axis sound rejection will certainly keep an untreated room from dominating the sound. Considering some of the even more pricey competition, I think it did well overall. For voice it's right there and makes you sound really good, but you are correct, it's not as good with guitar and such. I think you might find it does a little better with some sweetening and perhaps some soft compression to keep the harshness out in that sort of situation. For $100, you can't miss on this one!
This is a fantastic review, thank you for your comprehensiveness. I have the AT2040 and you answered a bunch of outstanding questions I had...I appreciate your thoroughness.
The first time I listened to your review, it was without headphones and I thought the AT2040 sounded very good, for a $100.00 microphone. I just listened to your review with headphones on and I found the AT2040 to be harsh on the high end. You did a very nice and thorough review. Thanks!!!
Same same! I was watching half the video on my phone and then switched over to my PC. AT2040 sounded really present on my phone, but quite harsh in the headphones.
Man, I love this channel!!! It's fulfilling a need I didn't know I even had! First, I bought a very inexpensive HyperX Solocast (a truly punch above its weight mic, btw), which is far better than the most high-end headsets you can get today. Then, a few weeks ago I upgraded it to a Shure MV7, which I think is amazing too for the price like 200 USD, but the thing is I am not a broadcaster, have no plans to publish vids or stream anything or anything related to that. I am just an engineer doing work calls! but I cannot escape the delight of how I sound nowadays, and somehow I am becoming addicted to the compliments I receive every time someone is on the receiving end of my calls! Probably some time later I will splurge myself a Sony C100 or an entry level Neumann :D, but any of those will require an audio interface and more saving from my part. Now I am broke, so thanks for that! :P
For similar price comparison I liked the Podmic, sounded a little cleaner to me. Otherwise I’m partial to the RE-20 sound and the Neumann dynamic I could listen to all day. My big takeaway though, is that no matter what your budget is these days, there are tons of options and they all sound pretty darn good!
After watching / listening to Bandrew for the better part of the past 18 months, I finally made the leap and invested in an RE-20 in early June. While I've no intention (or need) to purchase another mic, I still watch all the mic reviews - if for nothing else but to make me feel extremely pleased with my RE20 decision after listening intently to the A/B comparisons. Aaaaahhhh, RE20, you are so very smooth.
I like the RE320 as well, sounds just as good as my RE20 but looks better! I worked at a radio station that had the RE27 and it was BRIGHT, but it could've been the processing.
Found this video after watching the M7X review and am a fan of the U87 and RE20's but I don't mind the AT2040 especially for the price. Thanks for posting great videos on your channel!
Those mics are way overpriced. Just because some famous people used them like decades ago. I’m sure technology has moved on, but no… let’s be nostalgic and blind, aham, deaf to other mics, forever… Not saying they aren’t swell. Not saying that a cheap 100 dollar mic even compares 1% to them. Yet, you have to acknowledge that the marketing gets us all eventually and we all phantasize bout the Ferraris, while driving the bus, to work. (Also overpriced:))
I have watched so many videos from this channel that I can predict what Bandrew is going to say next with over 90% success rate. (I even know what his reply is going to be for this comment) . . . . . It'd be - "I'm a robot!! "
You have an amazing channel. I love the consistency in your videos and your methods. It makes it easy to compare products. And your videos are legit helpful even 4-5 years later.
The Rode Procaster performs pretty close (i actually prefer it) to the RE20 for half of the price. I invite you to click between 7:50 (Procaster), 9:45 (RE20) ...and 9:00 (SM7b). The RE20 in start of that segment if you pay attention it plays a high frequency background sound that sounds a bit weird like metalic sound need to drive the voice in the background. Re20 is not as clear as the Procaster and the SM7b imo.
@HammerBann not all condensers naturally reproduce the human voice though. A lot of modern condensers have an artificially boosted top-end. For long format spoken word, there aren't many mics that compete with the 7B at it's price point in my opinion.
Bought a Rode Podmic after watching your review a while back, but still watching because you're so damn entertaining (and I want to see those boxes fly down the hall!!)
I legit bought this mic right as I was watching you do the comparisons. I currently have an SM58 and when you compared the AT2040 to the SM57, I was sold.
@@ee1yd the fact that it could (IMO) stand toe-to-toe with the SM57. I’ve been waiting for a ~$100 mic that looked great and sounded great. I was originally interested in the Rode PodMic. The PodMic looks great, but sounds like hot garbage when compared to the SM57/SM58. The AT2040 checked all the boxes for me.
I enjoy your extensive mic reviews. This AT 2040 sounds like a very competent podcast mic in comparison with the variety of others with which you compare it. Microphone technology has come a long way and the price of entry level pro quality mics has dropped amazingly. Like most reviews, we are comparing mics on a single voice which makes for valid comparisons, but historically speaking "different strokes for different folks" is a concept meaning that sound preference is individual to talent as well as to listener. A bass, baritone, alto, and soprano voice may sound very different on these same microphones.
I'm stuck considering between the Rode Podmic and the AT2040, the Podmic looks nicer but the AT2040 sounds better. The AT2040 is made in Taiwan ROC, which most of the other budget & expensive mics are made in China PRC. I'll keep on checking. Thanks for the great video.
The RE20 sounds the most beautiful here, but on an affordable budget I like the V7, then the SM57. I prefer them over the 2040, because in comparison this one sounds boring.
Recently got this and decided to exchange it for the Rode Procaster. The AT2040 is not a bad mic, specially for the price. I would still recommend it if you're just starting out and you need it for streaming (it is a nice looking mic). But I already had a SM57 and 58, and I think those mics are better than the AT2040. So decided to go for more of an upgrade and get the Rode.
In the range of affordable mics I liked the sm57 and the SE Electronics V7. I’m just listening on earbuds so I’ll give them all another listen on headphones. The 2040 sounded ok. Not my favorite but certainly good enough for voice on UA-cam.
They're all an EQ and compressor away from sounding the same. All of them would sound good going into a Rodecaster or affordable channel strip like a DBX 286s (or Symetrix 528e like I have.) I have the Zoom, the RE20, the HA50, and the SM7B, as well as a few other more expensive condenser mics. For SPOKEN word, it's difficult to tell the difference between the EV, Zoom, Rode Procaster and SM7B. You were inadvertantly speaking more closely into the SM7B so it was more bassy. The Rode Procaster was a little more bassy too, but the little Rode sounds cheap. Overall, it's a crowded field - surprisingly, since until a few years ago there were just 3-4 choices and they were all in the $400+ range. There are a lot of affordable choices for podacsters, and this is what I see this mic aimed at.
What a superb review method, really shows up the majority of others for the shill/garbage they are. Good to more affordable alternatives to the industry classics. Nearly all of these would be great with a little eq/compression. Personal choice is RE320 because it suits my voice with the least additional treatment needed but would do fine with the AT2040 or Rodes or any of the cheaper ones.
Long time viewer first time commenting.... Gotta say I'm watching this late in the night and your outro where you asked us if your videos are fun interesting and helpful while slapping the camera, it scared me and woke me up. But yes your videos are fun interesting and helpful keep it up!
Sorry to scare you and wake you up. Good thing you didn't see the one where I yelled "WAKE UP" right in the middle of the video. I can't recall which one it was though. Thank you for the kind words.
I own the rode pod mic and I love the way my voice sounds on it.. but this mic is a contender as you said it also looks good.. I mite need to add this to my collection though.. but thank you for this video I always enjoy watching them great job buddy
I´ve just stumbled over your video text. What I liked best best is the Neumann U87 Ai and Rode Podcaster. Regarding price/quality ratio, The Audio Technica 2040 has outperformed all competitiors. Thank you for this interesting video.
i like it a lot. for me, it is well balanced and the clarity and dynamic is well above it's price point. the sharper high end does not bother me so far, but i didn't listen to it with my akg k702 but with my living room stereo set that has some problems with presenting the top end frequencies. i think it delivers an insane high value for that price point.
I just got my mic today. I plan on trying it on brass, toms and maybe guitar. As you said all mics are different but hey why not experiment??? Thanks for your reviews they be helpful and funny too!!!!
Do one more vid comparing that re20 to anything and I'm getting it...i mean i love my sm7 but gosh that mic....the se v7,sm57 and pod mic gave better detail than the 2040 though...imo
I would take the AT2040 over most of those other mics, I will probably be buying a couple next week. My actual preference was the RE20, it's such an iconic sound all of it's own that's been around us for (in many cases) our entire lives that I have to remember that I'm listening with my ears, not my memory. I won't be affording a couple of those next week though, maybe next year.
Might be just me but that mic sounded a bit thin on the electric, and the acoustic sounded a bit thin too. Its got a very medium forward tone to it. I like the looks but overall its just not a fantastic mic, its a good starting point for broadcasters, starting youtubers, etc. Great Review Bandrew! Ok, so, you basically said what I said after I posted this comment haha.
You're not wrong, but like what I assume Bandrew said at the end (I haven't finished the vid as of this post), that's about what you'd expect for $100 USD.
Podmic better on low-mids, 2040 on sibilant and highs. If i should choice one 100$ dynamic mic, i still prefer SE V7. Overall sounds natural and same time smooth.
Thank you, man of earth for the thorough review. 2040 Sounds well rounded and fuller bodied; good value at $99. And no major pops when ordering pizza pronto!!
Yeah, I think if you added a decent budget interface to, even a Scarlet Solo, you'd have an option that sounded just as good as an SM7B for less than half the price of the SM7B mic itself which doesn't even include the interface.
After trying out about 5 different microphones and landing on the ZDM-1 I may have to at least give this one a try. The ZDM-1 works well with my voice and doesn't pick up a lot of room noise but I only use it for spoken word, not singing or instruments.
i think that AT2040 sounds better for voice than the other mics in that comparison. i would like to hear a comparison between the AT2020 and the AT2040.
That EV RE20 sounds super nice for a dynamic. The AT is comparable to everything else you compared it against except the RE20 (and I don’t count the U87 in a shootout like this 😂).
That was exactly my thought - it sounded so good in all comparisons until the RE20 moment. I guess I may want to consider adding this electrovoice tube to my workshop at some point...
The off-axis rejection is impressive, and you could save $$$$ on acoustic treatment that is unnecessary. It sounds decent enough for spoken word applications.
Another Procaster owner, I agree this AT2040 impressed. Actually, a bit warmer and clearer than the Podmic (in my opinion), which surprised me. Was equally impressed by the ZDM1. Between those two, it's a tough call.
Looks great, but I think it’s a little tiring to listen to. It’s the same trap a lot of these $100 broadcast mics fall into (like the Podmic). In this price range (in my opinion), the SM57 is really hard to beat. I think most people just don’t like the handheld style. Great review!
@@ALazyMemeI don't think the SM57 being an instrument microphone necessarily prohibits anyone from using it for vocals. The Whitehouse even uses a set of SM57's for presidential speeches. The fact its an instrument mic, like you said, is probably what deters a lot of people. Nevertheless, they sounds great for spoken word. The main downside from a performance perspective is plosive rejection, but it can be improved with a pop filter and/or windscreen. I've listened to a lot of microphones in the $75-$150 range and none captured that warm and smooth (SM7B-like) sound quite like an SM57 + thick windscreen (which is not all that surprising considering how similar they are). Granted, not everyone wants their mic to sound like an SM7B, but its certainly the current fad given how many streamers and content creators use one.
Hi Bandrew, have you ever reviewed an AT ATM 650given it is hypercardiod and should reject other noise in untreated surroundings? Just wondering how it stacks up against other dynamics especially the SM57, SE V7X etc.
been a subscriber for along time, and I have to say, I've always enjoyed watching your content, and i know more about audio and mics just from your videos! will you do a microphone that I've been using, which is the Fantech Leviosa? I really want to know what settings you'd use on that mic. It's below $50 USB condenser microphone with echo and gain knob at the front.
Everytime I watch videos to find a budget option instead of buying another Re20 it just make me love the re20 even more 😂 but I kinda liked the at2040, found it a bit too mid forward but still liked it! Ah and next time you review a broadcast mic, could you add the behringer xm8500 to the comparison? With a good pop filter I find this little mic to be be pretty good sounding! Would love to hear how it compares to all the big bois
That's why I include the samples. So that you can determine if you like it or not regardless of what I think. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts on it.
AT and Zoom sound identical. The V7 has a bit more low-end (proximity effect). The SM57 doesn't work as well with voice, but it's still quite usable in a pinch. The Presonus is rather thin-sounding. That Podmic needs WAAYYY too much gain to be useful with the type of equipment that budget Podcasters usually own. The the Procaster? Forgetaboutit. The BP40 sounds very very similar to the 2040, but not worth 3x the price. The SM57 and SM7b sound nearly identical, and they should (same capsule).
I wonder how the Podmic would fair with a Cloudlifter or FetHead, but then again, adding additional cost reduces the utility and then would place it higher up on the food chain to compare it to. Though to be fair, I think the Podmic sounds a lot better than the 2040, and with any Dynamic mic, I'm already including the price of a pre-amp like the aforementioned.
Thanks for such a thorough review! I have a client that needs to record screencasts (typing and talking) in a VERY echoic room. He has a good interface and the recordings will have post-production. Do you think this would be a good choice in the sub-$150 range? Or would the SEV7 that you like be much better? I'm looking for the most beginner-friendly solution (e.g. something that doesn't require impeccable mic technique), but again, room/echo rejection is critical. Cheers!
Depends on the voice? He has relatively high pitched voice so the nasally sound might have sounded more annoying than on some other voices. The mic sounded to have similar low end to SM7B but more clarity on top for legibility but there is nasally sound I didn't like. I think it can be reduced in the post processing though.
Hi-Bandrew. The voice quality on Amazon as 4.8 which is off the charts. Why do you think people like it's so much? Also The frequency seems relatively flat. It does drop about 3DB at 100 but it's hard to believe that that make such a huge difference.... just trying to understand why the Amazon buyers like the sound quality so much, when your trained ear does not. Voice quality Rated even better and the SM7b, on Amazon that is
Greeting Earthling! So... for UA-cam and Video/Audio Podcasting, including interview shows - Rode Podmic or the AT2040? Just curious of your personal opinion. :)
There is some shrill high frequency your voice is peaking up at the upper frequencies. For me it’s 2khz. Maybe the idea is not to EQ but to remove or reduce that shrill point would smooth these out a bit. I use Decibel X via Apple apps to analyze graphically my voice signature so I know where my voice peaks and sags and EQ appropriately. In fact it would be cool to see you demo one of these frequency apps to show folks how to self analyze there voice signature. Most of us don’t have the ears nor experience to self analyze especially live.
I want all of you to watch this and see how a product review should be done.
This is great, and thanks
I've never come across a reviewer like you!! Impressively thorough and comprehensive! I do love the sound of the AT2040. I think at the price, it holds its ground compared to high end mics. I hear it as more clear, deep, and louder + rich sounding over the Rode PodMic. Both have great looks but my ears enjoy the Audio Technica better. 😊
I hope it sounds great with my female alto voice for podcasting. Many comments have said one's individual voice can sound better or worse with a particular mic.
Thanks for all your efforts.
I am happy with the xm8500 and umc22 that you did a review on but I still watch on because you make honest reviews actually comparing nearly all the mics and its always so thorough!
same
Heck yeah! Another mic I don't need to buy, but whos stopping me?!
Edit: I guess myself, because I never bought one haha
Ur wallet? 🤨
😂😂
Me.
dont buy it, it sucks
im telling your mother you're spending money again
What stuck out to me was the sound in the untreated room. But I have no reference to compare it against.
While we are at it:
I think a mic comparison for untreated rooms would be really great.
Best mic for untreated rooms - Sounds like it would catch some clicks @Bandrew 😉
This might be one of the best microphone reviews I’ve ever seen, including the pop punk mic song in between haha loved it
As an owner of a RODE Procaster this AT2040 actually sounds pretty solid to me.
@@thias1 I use it without Cloud booster connected to MOTU M2 and it’s fine. I’m sure the booster it would be even better.
@@d7r_tv what does the cloud booster do? I have an a2020 and will be getting a motu m2 for it.
@@Max-wl5ll Cloud Booster get you extra gain into your dynamic mic (this is not for condensor mics) and it requires phantom power
@@d7r_tv I should have waited and bought a better interface.
@@seanwebb605 MOTU M2 is excelent and you can channel Hi-Res Lossless audio @ 24bit 192 kHz format to your headphones with studio headphones. But you are limited to 96 kHz due to USB 2 interface connection speed limits.
I know I am late on this, but... the 2040 appears to be a very solid choice for relative beginners in podcasting provided you have XLR inputs to work with. The off axis sound rejection will certainly keep an untreated room from dominating the sound. Considering some of the even more pricey competition, I think it did well overall. For voice it's right there and makes you sound really good, but you are correct, it's not as good with guitar and such. I think you might find it does a little better with some sweetening and perhaps some soft compression to keep the harshness out in that sort of situation. For $100, you can't miss on this one!
This is a fantastic review, thank you for your comprehensiveness. I have the AT2040 and you answered a bunch of outstanding questions I had...I appreciate your thoroughness.
The first time I listened to your review, it was without headphones and I thought the AT2040 sounded very good, for a $100.00 microphone. I just listened to your review with headphones on and I found the AT2040 to be harsh on the high end.
You did a very nice and thorough review. Thanks!!!
Same same! I was watching half the video on my phone and then switched over to my PC. AT2040 sounded really present on my phone, but quite harsh in the headphones.
Definitely holds it's own when it comes to spoken word.
Great broadcast sound, even compared to the much more expensive mics.
My brother talks a lot about mics but having a hard time to talk about his life. I hope you're doing great, man. We're here for u. rooting for you!
Man, I love this channel!!! It's fulfilling a need I didn't know I even had!
First, I bought a very inexpensive HyperX Solocast (a truly punch above its weight mic, btw), which is far better than the most high-end headsets you can get today.
Then, a few weeks ago I upgraded it to a Shure MV7, which I think is amazing too for the price like 200 USD, but the thing is I am not a broadcaster, have no plans to publish vids or stream anything or anything related to that. I am just an engineer doing work calls! but I cannot escape the delight of how I sound nowadays, and somehow I am becoming addicted to the compliments I receive every time someone is on the receiving end of my calls!
Probably some time later I will splurge myself a Sony C100 or an entry level Neumann :D, but any of those will require an audio interface and more saving from my part. Now I am broke, so thanks for that! :P
For similar price comparison I liked the Podmic, sounded a little cleaner to me. Otherwise I’m partial to the RE-20 sound and the Neumann dynamic I could listen to all day. My big takeaway though, is that no matter what your budget is these days, there are tons of options and they all sound pretty darn good!
After watching / listening to Bandrew for the better part of the past 18 months, I finally made the leap and invested in an RE-20 in early June. While I've no intention (or need) to purchase another mic, I still watch all the mic reviews - if for nothing else but to make me feel extremely pleased with my RE20 decision after listening intently to the A/B comparisons. Aaaaahhhh, RE20, you are so very smooth.
Every other dynamic mic review just shows how unbeatable the RE-20 is.
I'm in the "I love my RE-20" club as well. To me it sounds better than ever other broadcast dynamic.
I like the RE320 as well, sounds just as good as my RE20 but looks better! I worked at a radio station that had the RE27 and it was BRIGHT, but it could've been the processing.
@@mallorga1965 Yeah the re-20 good but this $100 mic isn't trying to compete with it.
It's hard not to say the RE20. I love the sound of it. This mic is fine, but I definitely think it sounds artificial and a bit bleached.
Always this comparison, haha.
While we’re at it, let’s compare cheap(ER) condensers vs. Neumann mics. . .
Never ending story.
Found this video after watching the M7X review and am a fan of the U87 and RE20's but I don't mind the AT2040 especially for the price. Thanks for posting great videos on your channel!
Those mics are way overpriced.
Just because some famous people used them like decades ago.
I’m sure technology has moved on, but no… let’s be nostalgic and blind, aham, deaf to other mics, forever…
Not saying they aren’t swell.
Not saying that a cheap 100 dollar mic even compares 1% to them.
Yet, you have to acknowledge that the marketing gets us all eventually and we all phantasize bout the Ferraris, while driving the bus, to work.
(Also overpriced:))
I have watched so many videos from this channel that I can predict what Bandrew is going to say next with over 90% success rate. (I even know what his reply is going to be for this comment)
.
.
.
.
.
It'd be - "I'm a robot!! "
As an alpha centraurian, this is quite offensive.
I always look forward to the song at the end. What a joy this channel is!
You have an amazing channel. I love the consistency in your videos and your methods. It makes it easy to compare products. And your videos are legit helpful even 4-5 years later.
The AT-2040 sounds incredible for the price.
In the higher priced mics the EV RE20 was incredible 🔥🔥🔥🔥
The Rode Procaster performs pretty close (i actually prefer it) to the RE20 for half of the price.
I invite you to click between 7:50 (Procaster), 9:45 (RE20) ...and 9:00 (SM7b).
The RE20 in start of that segment if you pay attention it plays a high frequency background sound that sounds a bit weird like metalic sound need to drive the voice in the background. Re20 is not as clear as the Procaster and the SM7b imo.
I understand if people would be drawn to it, but I just hate its lack of low end.
@@niko1even it just sounds muddy to me
@@d7r_tv on Bandrew‘s voice, the Procaster sounds good, but of you have a darker voice it sounds moody
i wish theyd make more condenser mics that are end address :/ im so over dynamic mics but i love end address mics.
Lauten Audio LS208.
Rode Broadcaster.
Neumann KM105.
Earthworks SR314 .
Earthworks ICON Pro.
Those come to mind
What is end address?
@@Podcastage oh shit thanks. i have the earthworks sv33 but it feels so overkill for just being a dumb gaming youtuber lmao. i'll check those out.
Are you high!? IF YOU HAVE THE SV33, USE IT! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING!?
@@mcnasty 2400$ mic? If that not good enough I’m afraid you’ve got some soul searching to do my friend
The Rode PodMic is substantially clearer to me, and definitely more worth paying for IMO.
sounded more 'bassy', the pd70 and v7 sounded better than both in my opinion
@@ee1yd the PodMic is clearly the least bassy.
@@ee1yd I'd definitely agree about the V7.
I specifically bought the Podmic for looks.. I mean to enhance the bass of my voice. It was also sealed new for $75 shipped
@@zoomzabba452 looks certainly wins any mic. But sound quality bellow average on 100$ mic
The Rode mics, particularly the Podmic sounded super nasely. The SM7B is honestly on another level, it is the perfect mic for your voice.
@HammerBann not all condensers naturally reproduce the human voice though. A lot of modern condensers have an artificially boosted top-end. For long format spoken word, there aren't many mics that compete with the 7B at it's price point in my opinion.
Bought a Rode Podmic after watching your review a while back, but still watching because you're so damn entertaining (and I want to see those boxes fly down the hall!!)
Same here. I love my Podmic but just enjoy his content. I might need to pick up a condensor mic anyway...
Outstanding review! Very comprehensive. And no, I can't tell the difference. Thanks brother for all you do!
I legit bought this mic right as I was watching you do the comparisons. I currently have an SM58 and when you compared the AT2040 to the SM57, I was sold.
what sold you on it?
@@ee1yd the fact that it could (IMO) stand toe-to-toe with the SM57. I’ve been waiting for a ~$100 mic that looked great and sounded great. I was originally interested in the Rode PodMic. The PodMic looks great, but sounds like hot garbage when compared to the SM57/SM58. The AT2040 checked all the boxes for me.
I agree with you here. Comparing this mic to much more expensive and vetted brands is impressive holding its ground.
Every mic I was thinking of - you have a review. Awesom. Thank you!
I enjoy your extensive mic reviews. This AT 2040 sounds like a very competent podcast mic in comparison with the variety of others with which you compare it. Microphone technology has come a long way and the price of entry level pro quality mics has dropped amazingly. Like most reviews, we are comparing mics on a single voice which makes for valid comparisons, but historically speaking "different strokes for different folks" is a concept meaning that sound preference is individual to talent as well as to listener. A bass, baritone, alto, and soprano voice may sound very different on these same microphones.
I thought the AT2040 sounded smoother than the Rode Podmic, but I kind of like the slightly rougher sound that the Podmic has. That's just my opinion.
I'm stuck considering between the Rode Podmic and the AT2040, the Podmic looks nicer but the AT2040 sounds better. The AT2040 is made in Taiwan ROC, which most of the other budget & expensive mics are made in China PRC. I'll keep on checking. Thanks for the great video.
The RE20 sounds the most beautiful here, but on an affordable budget I like the V7, then the SM57. I prefer them over the 2040, because in comparison this one sounds boring.
SM7 and RE20 - still feels like best options- each one with it's own character.. I own mv7 - so i'm pretty sure that i'm biased about shure.)
I really liked the rode procaster that sounded amazing
I really can't stand the sound of the SM7B or the RE20 they sound muffled.
Duuude! You do some amazing reviews! Thanks for your thoroughness!🤙🏼
You have a helluva collection there Bandrew. I quite like that AT2040. Looks like good value.
Great test, exactly what you need, the 2040 is a lot of mic but the sm57 and the re20 stood out to me 👍
Recently got this and decided to exchange it for the Rode Procaster. The AT2040 is not a bad mic, specially for the price. I would still recommend it if you're just starting out and you need it for streaming (it is a nice looking mic). But I already had a SM57 and 58, and I think those mics are better than the AT2040. So decided to go for more of an upgrade and get the Rode.
very good comparisons ! this is very helpful ! thanks
You're very welcome. Glad that the video was helpful. Happy recording.
In the range of affordable mics I liked the sm57 and the SE Electronics V7. I’m just listening on earbuds so I’ll give them all another listen on headphones.
The 2040 sounded ok. Not my favorite but certainly good enough for voice on UA-cam.
V7 on the corner of you mouth is good for taking but straight on for singing or equipment is great
not only AT2040 but all other mics' characteristics soooooo different thanks making cool video
I love SM7b
They're all an EQ and compressor away from sounding the same. All of them would sound good going into a Rodecaster or affordable channel strip like a DBX 286s (or Symetrix 528e like I have.) I have the Zoom, the RE20, the HA50, and the SM7B, as well as a few other more expensive condenser mics. For SPOKEN word, it's difficult to tell the difference between the EV, Zoom, Rode Procaster and SM7B. You were inadvertantly speaking more closely into the SM7B so it was more bassy. The Rode Procaster was a little more bassy too, but the little Rode sounds cheap. Overall, it's a crowded field - surprisingly, since until a few years ago there were just 3-4 choices and they were all in the $400+ range. There are a lot of affordable choices for podacsters, and this is what I see this mic aimed at.
What a superb review method, really shows up the majority of others for the shill/garbage they are. Good to more affordable alternatives to the industry classics. Nearly all of these would be great with a little eq/compression. Personal choice is RE320 because it suits my voice with the least additional treatment needed but would do fine with the AT2040 or Rodes or any of the cheaper ones.
was waiting for this review from you
Long time viewer first time commenting.... Gotta say I'm watching this late in the night and your outro where you asked us if your videos are fun interesting and helpful while slapping the camera, it scared me and woke me up. But yes your videos are fun interesting and helpful keep it up!
Sorry to scare you and wake you up. Good thing you didn't see the one where I yelled "WAKE UP" right in the middle of the video. I can't recall which one it was though. Thank you for the kind words.
Neumann BCM705 Hands down the smoothest sounding dynamic mic out of the bunch. 2040 is really good for the price.
I own the rode pod mic and I love the way my voice sounds on it.. but this mic is a contender as you said it also looks good.. I mite need to add this to my collection though.. but thank you for this video I always enjoy watching them great job buddy
I´ve just stumbled over your video text. What I liked best best is the Neumann U87 Ai and Rode Podcaster. Regarding price/quality ratio, The Audio Technica 2040 has outperformed all competitiors. Thank you for this interesting video.
i like it a lot. for me, it is well balanced and the clarity and dynamic is well above it's price point. the sharper high end does not bother me so far, but i didn't listen to it with my akg k702 but with my living room stereo set that has some problems with presenting the top end frequencies.
i think it delivers an insane high value for that price point.
I just got my mic today. I plan on trying it on brass, toms and maybe guitar. As you said all mics are different but hey why not experiment??? Thanks for your reviews they be helpful and funny too!!!!
You upgraded your Big Baby Taylor!! Beautiful grand pacifc man! Oh yeah, and this mic was pretty nice lol.
Yeah, after 20 years of service I figured it was time to upgrade, and after talking tot he Taylor folks landed on the 517e.
Definitely doing well for itself at the price it comes in
Do one more vid comparing that re20 to anything and I'm getting it...i mean i love my sm7 but gosh that mic....the se v7,sm57 and pod mic gave better detail than the 2040 though...imo
i use V7 and love the sound
Still SM57 (have1) and SM7B (will have) are my all time favourites.
SM57 King
More choices is never a bad thing, especially in this space. Any chance of an Avermedia Mic 330 review? Another streamer/UA-camr oriented dynamic.
I would take the AT2040 over most of those other mics, I will probably be buying a couple next week. My actual preference was the RE20, it's such an iconic sound all of it's own that's been around us for (in many cases) our entire lives that I have to remember that I'm listening with my ears, not my memory. I won't be affording a couple of those next week though, maybe next year.
Definitely like it. I wonder if modern broadcast mics are optimized somewhat for phone speaker & earbud playback 🤔
I just got the AT2040 my first XLR mic, just waiting for a mix amp to use it but I'm excited to try it out!!
That was quick. I feel weird that I ended up with a Neat Workerbee over any of these "broadcast dynamics" for our stream. Oh well?
i think 2040 did very well against it direct competitors.. for anyone with a deeper voice it would balance very naturally.
Might be just me but that mic sounded a bit thin on the electric, and the acoustic sounded a bit thin too. Its got a very medium forward tone to it. I like the looks but overall its just not a fantastic mic, its a good starting point for broadcasters, starting youtubers, etc. Great Review Bandrew!
Ok, so, you basically said what I said after I posted this comment haha.
You're not wrong, but like what I assume Bandrew said at the end (I haven't finished the vid as of this post), that's about what you'd expect for $100 USD.
@@TheZeroSbr that was what I was going to say
Podmic better on low-mids, 2040 on sibilant and highs. If i should choice one 100$ dynamic mic, i still prefer SE V7. Overall sounds natural and same time smooth.
Hi! Any plan of reviewing any of the Ear Trumpet Labs Mics. Thanks.
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Thank you, man of earth for the thorough review. 2040 Sounds well rounded and fuller bodied; good value at $99. And no major pops when ordering pizza pronto!!
Yeah, I think if you added a decent budget interface to, even a Scarlet Solo, you'd have an option that sounded just as good as an SM7B for less than half the price of the SM7B mic itself which doesn't even include the interface.
I personally really liked how this sounded! I own a PD-70 and RE20 already but this vid is swaying me to get another haha
The 2040 sounds really good!
Please make a review of Maono Pd400x
I think the re20 is the best mic for poscast type spoken words.
I wish he included the RE320. It's more affordable and - to me - sounds just as good.
This is a good channel and I am glad I am subscribed.
After trying out about 5 different microphones and landing on the ZDM-1 I may have to at least give this one a try. The ZDM-1 works well with my voice and doesn't pick up a lot of room noise but I only use it for spoken word, not singing or instruments.
I think the Zoom ZDM-1 is a pretty good dynamic mic especially for spoken word.
i think that AT2040 sounds better for voice than the other mics in that comparison. i would like to hear a comparison between the AT2020 and the AT2040.
That EV RE20 sounds super nice for a dynamic. The AT is comparable to everything else you compared it against except the RE20 (and I don’t count the U87 in a shootout like this 😂).
That was exactly my thought - it sounded so good in all comparisons until the RE20 moment. I guess I may want to consider adding this electrovoice tube to my workshop at some point...
Thank you. I think they're mic would work well for those with a bass or baritone voice.
Excellent reviewing method.
I love this little guy it sounds nice
The off-axis rejection is impressive, and you could save $$$$ on acoustic treatment that is unnecessary. It sounds decent enough for spoken word applications.
Great review. Just had a friend buy this one but I pointed her to this review while she waited for it to ship to solidify her purchase.
Thank you.
I'm not sure if it is stealing the market for the $100 mics, but it definitely stole my time.
Will be my next microphone
Another Procaster owner, I agree this AT2040 impressed. Actually, a bit warmer and clearer than the Podmic (in my opinion), which surprised me. Was equally impressed by the ZDM1. Between those two, it's a tough call.
Looks great, but I think it’s a little tiring to listen to. It’s the same trap a lot of these $100 broadcast mics fall into (like the Podmic).
In this price range (in my opinion), the SM57 is really hard to beat. I think most people just don’t like the handheld style.
Great review!
Sure, but the SM57 doesn't make much sense for vocals considering it's an instrument mic.
@@ALazyMemeI don't think the SM57 being an instrument microphone necessarily prohibits anyone from using it for vocals. The Whitehouse even uses a set of SM57's for presidential speeches.
The fact its an instrument mic, like you said, is probably what deters a lot of people. Nevertheless, they sounds great for spoken word. The main downside from a performance perspective is plosive rejection, but it can be improved with a pop filter and/or windscreen.
I've listened to a lot of microphones in the $75-$150 range and none captured that warm and smooth (SM7B-like) sound quite like an SM57 + thick windscreen (which is not all that surprising considering how similar they are).
Granted, not everyone wants their mic to sound like an SM7B, but its certainly the current fad given how many streamers and content creators use one.
Very nice video!!!
Hi Bandrew, have you ever reviewed an AT ATM 650given it is hypercardiod and should reject other noise in untreated surroundings? Just wondering how it stacks up against other dynamics especially the SM57, SE V7X etc.
procaster is my favourite with your voice
How is it for mouth sounds? currently use a condenser mic, but have heard Dynamics are better for helping to reduce picking up mouth sounds.
been a subscriber for along time, and I have to say, I've always enjoyed watching your content, and i know more about audio and mics just from your videos!
will you do a microphone that I've been using, which is the Fantech Leviosa? I really want to know what settings you'd use on that mic.
It's below $50 USB condenser microphone with echo and gain knob at the front.
I wish made a usb/xlr version. AT makes pretty good stuff for the dollar.
Everytime I watch videos to find a budget option instead of buying another Re20 it just make me love the re20 even more 😂 but I kinda liked the at2040, found it a bit too mid forward but still liked it! Ah and next time you review a broadcast mic, could you add the behringer xm8500 to the comparison? With a good pop filter I find this little mic to be be pretty good sounding! Would love to hear how it compares to all the big bois
If I ever find it I will. I keep intending to include it but seem to have misplaced it somewhere.
@@Podcastage hahaha
I liked its sound for the price.
That's why I include the samples. So that you can determine if you like it or not regardless of what I think. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts on it.
AT and Zoom sound identical. The V7 has a bit more low-end (proximity effect).
The SM57 doesn't work as well with voice, but it's still quite usable in a pinch. The Presonus is rather thin-sounding.
That Podmic needs WAAYYY too much gain to be useful with the type of equipment that budget Podcasters usually own. The the Procaster? Forgetaboutit. The BP40 sounds very very similar to the 2040, but not worth 3x the price. The SM57 and SM7b sound nearly identical, and they should (same capsule).
I wonder how the Podmic would fair with a Cloudlifter or FetHead, but then again, adding additional cost reduces the utility and then would place it higher up on the food chain to compare it to. Though to be fair, I think the Podmic sounds a lot better than the 2040, and with any Dynamic mic, I'm already including the price of a pre-amp like the aforementioned.
Thanks for such a thorough review! I have a client that needs to record screencasts (typing and talking) in a VERY echoic room. He has a good interface and the recordings will have post-production. Do you think this would be a good choice in the sub-$150 range? Or would the SEV7 that you like be much better? I'm looking for the most beginner-friendly solution (e.g. something that doesn't require impeccable mic technique), but again, room/echo rejection is critical. Cheers!
Depends on the voice? He has relatively high pitched voice so the nasally sound might have sounded more annoying than on some other voices. The mic sounded to have similar low end to SM7B but more clarity on top for legibility but there is nasally sound I didn't like. I think it can be reduced in the post processing though.
Electro Voice RE20 was the best. But the 2040 was better than Podmic, imo.
Hi-Bandrew. The voice quality on Amazon as 4.8 which is off the charts. Why do you think people like it's so much? Also The frequency seems relatively flat. It does drop about 3DB at 100 but it's hard to believe that that make such a huge difference.... just trying to understand why the Amazon buyers like the sound quality so much, when your trained ear does not. Voice quality Rated even better and the SM7b, on Amazon that is
Nice!! I was looking at it right now!!
Great job, can you recommend any dynamic lavalier mic?
I love the RodePod it picks up the deeper tones. It’s a personal choice but for the same price I’m not leaving it yet
Can a Scarlett Solo drive this? Amazing review as always.
Greeting Earthling! So... for UA-cam and Video/Audio Podcasting, including interview shows - Rode Podmic or the AT2040?
Just curious of your personal opinion. :)
Very helpful, thank you!
There is some shrill high frequency your voice is peaking up at the upper frequencies. For me it’s 2khz. Maybe the idea is not to EQ but to remove or reduce that shrill point would smooth these out a bit. I use Decibel X via Apple apps to analyze graphically my voice signature so I know where my voice peaks and sags and EQ appropriately. In fact it would be cool to see you demo one of these frequency apps to show folks how to self analyze there voice signature. Most of us don’t have the ears nor experience to self analyze especially live.
Hey, great videos. Could you please review the great Sontronics SOLO and maybe compare it with AT2040, thanks a lot.