Rode NT1 5th Gen vs Audio-Technica AT2020: Which Condenser?
The NT1 5th generation has an exceptionally low self noise figure, a dual XLR and USB output, and a digital output path that cannot clip. The AT2020 is a straightforward XLR condenser at half the price that has been a first studio microphone for two decades. Either will capture your room in detail, which is the thing to be careful about: a condenser in an untreated room sounds worse than a dynamic.
At a glance
| Rode NT1 5th Gen condenser microphone | Audio-Technica AT2020 cardioid condenser | |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | XLR and USB-C | XLR only |
| Self noise | Extremely low | Low |
| Included accessories | Shock mount and pop filter | Stand mount only |
| Phantom power | Required over XLR | Required |
| Digital output | 32 bit float over USB | None |
| Room sensitivity | High, like all condensers | High, like all condensers |
Choose the Rode NT1 5th Gen condenser microphone if…
Choose the NT1 if you record quiet sources such as fingerstyle guitar or soft vocals, where the microphone's own noise floor becomes audible, or if you want the option of connecting over USB without an interface. The included shock mount and pop filter are worth roughly forty dollars on their own, which narrows the price gap more than the headline numbers suggest.
Check Rode NT1 5th Gen condenser microphone on Amazon
Choose the Audio-Technica AT2020 cardioid condenser if…
Choose the AT2020 if the budget is better spent on the room. It is a genuinely good microphone and it has been the first condenser in thousands of home studios for good reason. The money saved buys two broadband absorbers for your first reflection points, and that will improve your recordings more than the difference between these two microphones ever could.
Check Audio-Technica AT2020 cardioid condenser on Amazon
Related
- Condenser vs dynamic microphone
- How to record vocals at home
- Gain staging calculator
- Rode NT1 5th Gen review: XLR and USB in one body, and a very low noise floor
- Audio-Technica AT2035 review: the high pass filter that matters more than the capsule
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Should a beginner buy a condenser at all?
Only if the room is treated or the source is quiet and close. A condenser hears the room in detail, so in a bare rectangular bedroom it captures every reflection and the recording sounds hollow and distant. A dynamic microphone in that same room sounds far better because it hears less of it. Treat the room first, or use a dynamic until you have.
What is 32 bit float and does it matter?
It is a recording format with enough range that a signal cannot clip in the usual sense, so a sudden loud moment can be recovered afterwards. Over the NT1's USB output that is a genuine safety net for unrepeatable recordings such as an interview. Over XLR into an ordinary interface it does not apply, and careful gain staging does the same job.
Do condensers need phantom power?
Yes, 48 volts supplied by the interface or preamp, which every interface in this class provides at the flick of a switch. Switch it on after connecting the microphone and off before disconnecting, as a habit rather than because damage is likely. Dynamic microphones on the same interface are unaffected by it.
How close should you sit to a condenser?
Closer than feels natural, usually somewhere around 15 to 20 cm for voice, with a pop filter between you and it. Proximity is what lets your voice dominate the room, and it also raises the low frequencies, which is why an announcer voice sounds the way it does. Experiment with distance before spending anything on treatment or on a different microphone.
Working out your own room and signal chain? The Home Studio Build Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.