Audio-Technica - ATR2100x-USB

Two ATR2100x paired with a refurbished Focusrite Vocaster Two ($94) and two sets of over the ear headphones.

Atr-2100x. It is a good mic that has USB-C and XLR connections. Now I have an audio interface, the Audient ID 4 mk2 ( I have it since it came out actually), but, to be honest I don't see any difference in sound quality when using the USB-C connection as opposed through the audio interface.

Depends on your setup. For USB: Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica ATR2100x. For XLR: Shure SM58 or Rode PodMic. I us an ATR2100x with Podcastle AI for podcast editing - . Unless you're doing in-person interviews regularly, start with USB and upgrade later if needed .

For noisy environments skip the blue Yeti, get a dynamic mic like the Audio Technica ATR2100x USB or Samsung Q2U, both isolate your voice far better and stay under $100.

I have an ATR-2100X laying around somewhere but I'm not sure if I took it with me when I moved out of my parents. If I can find that then that'll definitely be the choice since I already have one lol

I guess you're right, but my issue is not being able to easily configure it for things outside of OBS. I'd have to use some other audio software and I remember just being overwhelmed at the time. Ghub is okay when it works. My least favorite part is how aggressively it wants me to enable auto-switching of profiles. Every few updates it re-enables it and the setting to fully disable it is buried in a very unintuitive location. I've had issues in the past with Ghub just crashing constantly as well but that was a while back. Either way I ended up finding an old ATH I had laying around so we're just going with that.

I started with a budget kit on Amazon too, and upgraded later as my show grew. A good starter setup: I'd say grab a simple USB mic like the Samson Q2U or ATR2100x and a set of closed back headphones. Add a cheap boom arm so you're not holding it. Or Mike stand, That's enough to get going without spending too much. I personally use my iMac as they are superb over windows IMO. If there are co-hosts (I think I saw that there are) you just double. the mics and headphones. It is a labor of love.

Get the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB. It's actually less expensive than the now over-recommended Samson Q2U, but it's better in nearly every detail. --- *(Moderator-required disclosure: I host* [The Audacity to Podcast*®, a podcast about podcasting*](https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/)*; run the* [*Podgagement® (formerly My Podcast Reviews) service*](https://podgagement.com/) *to help you engage your audience and grow your podcast; offer consulting and education services to podcasters; curate podcast data for* [*Podcast Industry Insights™*](https://podcastindustryinsights.com/)*; and I frequently talk about and recommend products and services with which I have affiliate relationships and am compensated for qualifying purchases only through my links, with my promo codes, or that indicate me as the referrer. But I recommend things I truly believe in, regardless of earnings. And I am not currently compensated for merely talking or writing about anything.)*

Hooray (mostly). I would say that I'm pretty sure the Scarlet 2i2 3rd gen doesn't have Loopback. 4th gen does apparently. Unless you're using very specific equipment that provides it, I think loopback functionality is pretty critical to a podcast (recording remote guests, playing intro music, SFX, stings etc from your computer.) I'd add the XM8500 to the list of useable inexpensive XLR mics, and would substitute the AT2100X for the Q2U in the USBs, with newer converters than the Samson.

I have no issues with mine, make sure you have the correct input device selected in both Windows and Discord

A condenser is not a good choice in that environment. Do what you can to improve your space and then get a dynamic microphone. A good budget choice is the Audio Technica ATR 2100x, although there are plenty of other great options out there.

If you are gaming, then get a dynamic mic as it is far better at not picking up typing noise or a washing machine. There is a reason basically all streamers and podcasters use a dynamic mic instead of a condenser one. Good budget ones are the audio technical ATR 2100x, Samsung Q2U, and Fifine K688 or AM8. I recommend listening to a youtube video to see what one you like the best.

Samson Q2U or Audio Technica 2100x are decent microphones. Both are USB and XLR, so you can just plug them into your computer if you don't have an audio interface now, and then plug them into an audio interface if you get one later. Both are dynamic, so they will reject background noise better than a condenser mic (though it is always best practice to treat a room for echo). Both sound decent, come with a stand (though both are pretty cheap stands), and the cables you need to hook them up.

ATR 2100 Lol at wanting a mic that looks podcasty... I get compliments all the time on how my ATR sounds, plus with a boom arm, pop filter, and shock mount, that all still looks super pro while also being practical and budget-friendly.

Listen to Dave!..SamsonQ2U sounds fantastic as does the ATR2100. RODE Pod Mics are excellent if you want to pay a little bit more($99) but you will have a good looking mics for Video/visuals. And if you are planning on no more than two or three guests, including yourself, as others on this thread have recommended, the Zoom Podtrak P4 is incredibly versatile and super affordable at under $200. It's also super portable and a huge advantage over a bigger podcasting board like the RODECaster Pro 2 [https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Rodecaster2--rode-rodecaster-pro-ii-podcast-production-console](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Rodecaster2--rode-rodecaster-pro-ii-podcast-production-console) Feel free to ask any other questions, as I am local to West Michigan. Best of all, good luck!

You want something as simple as possible, with as little settings as possible. And probably a lav or something off screen Normally, i'd suggest an audio technica ATR2100x, but if it needs to look a bit better, I'd go with a rode AI micro with a rode smartlav+ and some wired earbuds for monitoring. Should be about GBP 100 for the rode gear. It will also plug into a phone, which will probably already have a better camera than their laptop. The rode ai comes with an app that you may need to use to switch on monitoring, which is perhaps a minus as they might fumble the settings. If looks are not an issue, atr2100x. Whatever recording/streaming app is used will probably be more critical, so make sure they follow along when the broadcaster has a specific tool they use, like cleanfeed or whatever. Don't let them be afraid to venture outside of their comfortable teams or zoom app. Don't fret about tuning the sound, that's mostly the broadcaster's job, just make sure to record in a nice and quiet space with soft furnishings rather than flat reflective surfaces.

There is no world where a Maono mic is the best mic under $120. The FiFine K688 is an absurd deal for under $80. As a podcast editor, it's hands down the best usb/xlr mic I've heard under $100. I would also take the Samson Q2U and ATR2100x over Maono. I've not had good experiences with guests using Maono equipment. Similar to my experiences with people using FiFine's Yeti knockoffs. I'd also question recommending condenser mics to beginner podcasters like the FiFine K669 and Rode NT-USB. Condensers cause so much more work for any podcaster recording in typical podcaster environments. I'm curious why there's so much focus on sample rate and commentary that would lead someone new to podcasting to think that higher sample rate = better mic.

I used an ATR2100X for ages before my community got me a Wave DX. I sound really great now, but even with that via USB I sounded excellent. It's all about how you set the room up and how you implement various filters. Don't overspend.

Samson Q2U hands down! Great mic. I have the ATR-2100x too and I think the Q2U has a richer sound.

Another vote for NOT getting the Blue Yeti. If you want more than 1 mic you'll have major headaches with USB (except in very specific circumstances which are probably not for newbies). Plus in every mic shootout I've ever heard including a Blue Yeti, something else around the same price sounds better. And I see people sounding even worse than they could by talking into the wrong part of Blue Yetis all the time because of their silly design. I'd suggest AudioTechnica AT2100X, Behringer XM8500, Maono HD300t, Shure SM58 or my current personal fave SM57 with the real Shure lockable foam pop filter which makes it look way cooler (IMO). I would make sure whatever XLR interface you get has Loopback - which lets you easily route sounds from your computer such as a remote guest or music/SFX on a soundboard to your DAW. Without this you will experience many frustrations. While I'd love to recommend the inexpensive Behringer 202HD, it doesn't have a mix balance control which allows you to adjust the balance of sound coming from your DAW and your import source (voice); also I've been unable to confirm whether it has built in Loopback despite one Google hit saying it does. The 4 preamp version definitely does not.

I doubt it. But as a fellow 2100x owner, is your audio in Discord ass? My friends have recorded me and I sound worse then their headset mics. However my mic sounds amazing when testing it. I assume its just non-nitro Discord sucking ass for audio quality.

I'm guessing you didn't know the ATR2100x has been discontinued. This happened earlier this year.

The Q2U won't be as good as an SM58, but it'll probably be better than a Behringer XM8500 (or certainly at least as good)--so maybe roughly in the zone of a Shure SM48. All of those mic are roughly in the same ballpark in terms sound. So yes, I think you're analyzing it correctly. It should still work fine with an interface when you get one. It's also sometimes handy to have a USB Mic, even after getting an interface. I sometimes take my ATR2100 with me on trips (very similar to Q2U--same parent company), cuz it's portable, and if I want to record something quick on my laptop, it's better than using the internal mic, and I could also more easily do an overdub in a pinch. The longer it meets your needs, the longer you have to save for a better interface too (or perhaps find one used for a good price). So intead of getting a Scarlet Solo, maybe you're able to hold out longer and get a Scarlett 2i2 or a MOTU M2 or something like that, with two XLR inputs that is more useful long-term. I had a used 2i2 gen 1 I got and it worked well. Then I upgraded to a MOTU M4, which has a few more bells and whistles that I'm happy to have, but isn't that big of an upgrade on the used Scarlett, has simlar form factor, etc. There are certainly fancier ones I could get than what I have (MOTU Ultralite mk5; RME Babyface, Audient ID44), but for my needs, the M4 has been solid. Don't really feel like I need more right now.

Samson Q2U or Audio Technica ATR2100X both are under $100 are are XLR or USB (or both) Moderator Required full disclosure: I am the head of Podcasting at Podpage and the founder of the School of Podcasting.

Samson Q2U all day. We have a full studio with $1-$3k worth of equipment and the difference is negligible. I also have an ATR 2100X that we got on Black Friday for $35 on Amazon and it's literally just as good as the Samson Q2U. You want to always, always have two mics instead of one, and you'll want to plug into an audio interface (I recommend something like the Vocaster Two or similar) because it's nearly impossible to have two USB mics feed into a computer at one time. - *Disclosure: I'm the Podcast Producer at* r/buzzsprout

If it's for voice/comms, something like an audio technical atr2100usb or its newer equivalent works well. It's dynamic so it rejects a lot of background noise and it has both usb and xlr so it can grow with you. Not so great for singing. The Samson q2u sits a little below it, is kinda boomy but can be eq'd easily. The Samson has the same pros and cons of the audio technica. Both are inexpensive-ish and will last a long time.

better than my current Audio-Technica ATR2100x?

Do not buy a blue yeti! The audio technica ATR 2100 is much better, and cheaper. Use the money you saved from not having to buy two blue yetis and pick up a Zoom paodtrack P4 for recording. If you have a little more money the rode podmic is $100 and also a good choice.

Samson Q2U all day, every day! If you record in a room with lots of soft surfaces (like a walk-in closet), it is nearly indistinguishable from a $500-$800 setup. ATR 2100X is pretty much the same, and it goes on sale for like $35 every Black Friday on Amazon (at least in the past). So you might want to do some online shopping here in a couple weeks! *Disclosure: I'm the Podcast Producer at* r/buzzsprout

I have an audio technica usb mic with an on-board audio card. I think I've had it for at least 5 years and it was like $150. My qual was accepted. If you already have a stand-alone mic that sounds good you might as well try the qual. Maybe having a quiet place to record is more important.

I got the Audio Technical 2100x last month and it sounds magnificent for the price! Can't see me upgrading this for a good while.