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Double Bass A nice new Recording Mic for $100

rickwolff

rickwolff

‘Leave the clams in, let ’em know we're human,'
Supporting Member
Dec 24, 2012
3,609
5,770
Hudson Wisconsin (15 miles from St. Paul/Mpls
#1
I've had my eye on the ATM 2020 for some time. Have watched a lot of reviews on Youtube and it looked like a really nice mic.

So, I ordered one and got it a couple days ago. It's a nice looking mic with a sturdy build. I plan on using it as another input for my Zoom recorders.

I just hooked it up tonight and ran it straight into my Zoom H6 (which provides the Phantom Power needed). I am really happy with the natural sound. It is very even across the range and is neither boomy in the lows or shrill on the hights.

I just ordered a shock mount to go with it.

For the mic I went to Alto music. They included a very nice swing-arm mic stand AND a 10 foot XLR cable. All for the same price everyone else wanted for the mic alone. AND, they didn't charge sales tax.

The shock mount I got from Sweetwater for $29. Everywhere else it's 90-100.

I'm just noodling here so no critique on the playing is required LOL.

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#3
Matt Ides said:
Rick. Would this mic fit between the belly and bridge? I have a generic condenser mic that I have really good luck with recording this way. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes, it would fit there. So far, I have been placing it on a low stand about 18 inches in front of my bass.
 
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#5
rickwolff said:
I've had my eye on the ATM 2020 for some time. Have watched a lot of reviews on Youtube and it looked like a really nice mic.

So, I ordered one and got it a couple days ago. It's a nice looking mic with a sturdy build. I plan on using it as another input for my Zoom recorders.

I just hooked it up tonight and ran it straight into my Zoom H6 (which provides the Phantom Power needed). I am really happy with the natural sound. It is very even across the range and is neither boomy in the lows or shrill on the hights.

I just ordered a shock mount to go with it.

For the mic I went to Alto music. They included a very nice swing-arm mic stand AND a 10 foot XLR cable. All for the same price everyone else wanted for the mic alone. AND, they didn't charge sales tax.

The shock mount I got from Sweetwater for $29. Everywhere else it's 90-100.

I'm just noodling here so no critique on the playing is required LOL.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
Wow sounds amazing!! And only 100 bucks? Talk about a sweet deal.....
 
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#9
Josh Willner said:
In your opinion if I had the AT2020 setup in front of the bridge would it pick up my voice ok? Not for vocals but just communication.

I’m taking Zoom lessons right now and would love to be able to use 1 mic for the room
Click to expand...

Unlikely.

1. The sound near the bridge should be many decibels louder than your normal speaking voice.
2. The AT2020 is a cardioid mic, which means it has a directional pickup pattern and will favor the sound source that is directly in front of it.
upload_2020-12-20_0-45-32.png


This chart shows that the sensitivity on axis is >10dB more than at 90 degree off axis.
 
#11
DoubleMIDI said:
Since it‘s a lesson, optimal sound might not be needed.
You can either set the orientation of the mic so that it points upward, put the mic a lot higher and let it look downwards or place it more distant to catch both.
A second mic might be the better choice.
Click to expand...


A little mixer and two mics would be my choice. Optimal sound is probably most important for verbal communication IMHO. So I would want a mic close to my mouth with the gain as low as possible so it's not picking up the room.

@Lupob6 , I suggest doing an experiment to make sure you have everything setup right before the lesson starts. Some sound cards allow you to set a level where a sample of the mic is fed through to your speakers. This is called sidetone and it is useful when you have a headset mic and earphones. But if you are using speakers, the sidetone can easily cause feedback, so you want it disabled or turned down.
 
#12
rickwolff said:
I've had my eye on the ATM 2020 for some time. Have watched a lot of reviews on Youtube and it looked like a really nice mic.

So, I ordered one and got it a couple days ago. It's a nice looking mic with a sturdy build. I plan on using it as another input for my Zoom recorders.

I just hooked it up tonight and ran it straight into my Zoom H6 (which provides the Phantom Power needed). I am really happy with the natural sound. It is very even across the range and is neither boomy in the lows or shrill on the hights.

I just ordered a shock mount to go with it.

For the mic I went to Alto music. They included a very nice swing-arm mic stand AND a 10 foot XLR cable. All for the same price everyone else wanted for the mic alone. AND, they didn't charge sales tax.

The shock mount I got from Sweetwater for $29. Everywhere else it's 90-100.

I'm just noodling here so no critique on the playing is required LOL.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing! I have a 2020 as well and have found it to be a great value. I’ve even used it live in church to put my double bass through the mains for louder services. I also put it on a stand in front of the bass.
 
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#18
rickwolff said:
I've had my eye on the ATM 2020 for some time. Have watched a lot of reviews on Youtube and it looked like a really nice mic.
...
So, I ordered one and got it a couple days ago.
...
Click to expand...

It is a great condenser mic for the price...and you got a great deal! I've had one for years and have used it in a studio recording environment with great results for vocals and acoustic guitar. I actually got it "free" from Sweetwater as a perc on a larger purchase. It was thrown in when I bought an 8-channel Presonus audio interface a few years ago. I was really surprised by the mic. The audio interface is long gone, but this mic will be with me forever.

Enjoy it!!
 
#19
This is a nice tip Rick, thank you. I’ve been seeing these in studios for years and they always sounded good.

I’ve been enjoying the results I’ve been getting with a ribbon mic I purchased a few months back, but after your post I typed the AT2020 into a search and found a refurbished one for $40. It will be a nice mic option to have in my collection.
 
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#20
Here is a comparison of the ATM 2020 with the Xlson Chuck Israels Mic and the Zoom Q8 onboard XY mics.

The video blends all the mics together. The individual mic tracks are in the Soundcloud files below.



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The Xlson Mic is designed to sit close to the top and the f hole. Notice how little bleed there is from the voice narration.
 
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