The Audio Technica ATR2500x USB Microphone is a great choice for beginners who are looking to get started with recording their music.
It has everything you need in one package, including the microphone itself, cables and software to make your recordings sound better. The most important thing about this microphone is that it’s easy to use. You can plug it into any computer and start recording right away without having to worry about settings or configurations. This article will go in-depth on all of the features of this product so you know what you’re getting yourself into!
Overview of Audio Technica ATR2500x USB
The Audio Technica ATR2500x USB is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that uses a USB connection. It has some pretty impressive specifications for the price you’re paying, including its frequency response range and maximum SPL. You can use it with your computer or mobile device to record vocals, voiceovers and acoustic instruments just like any other USB microphone on the market today.
Specifications
- Large Diaphragm Condenser
- Polar Pattern – Cardioid
- Frequency Response – 30 – 15,000 Hz
- Bit Depth – up to 24 bit
- Sample Rate – 44.1 kHz/48 kHz/96 kHz/192 kHz
- USB Powered (5V)
Features of the Audio Technica ATR2500x USB
The Audio Technica ATR2500x USB Microphone has a few features that really make it stand out from the rest of its competition.
High-Quality Recording.
The first feature is high-quality recording at 24 bit up to 192 kHz, which makes this microphone great for those who want to record their music in studio-quality sound without spending hundreds more on professional equipment. It also means that this microphone can record anything from vocals to acoustic guitars or even at band practice.
Zero Latency Monitoring
The Audio Technica ATR2500x USB Microphone has a built-in headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring, which means that you can hear yourself as you sing or talk through the microphone. This way there is no latency between the mic and the computer because you are direct monitoring. This is especially helpful when recording along with other tracks. You can change the volume of the headphones using the plus and minus buttons on the front of the mic.
USB Connection.
Another feature of this microphone is that it has a USB connection, which means you can connect the Audio Technica ATR2500x USB to your computer without an additional power adapter or interface box for improved convenience and a simple setup. You also don’t need any special drivers with this microphone, so in most cases, all you have to do is plug it into your computer’s USB port to start using it right away! It even comes with 2 USB cables that are 2m long (USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A).
Desktop Microphone Stand.
Another nice feature of the ATR2500x microphone is that it comes with a free desktop microphone stand, so you don’t need to buy one separately. The stand is foldable for easy transport and is sturdy and robust. A big upgrade from the previous model. if you prefer to use a standard mic stand or another desktop stand, the Audio Technica ATR2500x USB is compatible with all standard mic stands as well.
Setup
The setup of this microphone is very straightforward and easy. All you need to do is plug it into your computer’s USB port, turn the mic on (by pressing one button) and then start recording or streaming with any software that uses a desktop microphone input.
There is no searching around for drivers to install, which is nice. The only thing you will need to do when recording into a DAW is to select the audio input.
Setting up the mic to the stand is as simple as twisting the mic onto the stand attachment. Once you have it connected you can adjust the angle.
Recording and Monitoring
Once you are all set up, recording with the Audio Technica ATR2500x USB should be easy. The headphone jack on this microphone has volume control buttons, which you can use to monitor your input levels while recording. This is direct monitoring from the microphone so you will not experience any latency in the recording.
There is no actual gain or trim knobs for adjusting these settings as there would be with other microphones that are more expensive. The gain of the mic can be set in your audio settings for your computer. This is not ideal but will not be a hindrance to getting a good sound.
Sound Quality
The Audio Technica ATR2500x USB Condenser Microphone is a budget microphone but that doesn’t mean that it sounds bad. It has quite a good sound when it comes to recording vocals, whether singing or speaking. If you are using this to record vocals it will give you a crisp sound.
When recording acoustic guitar it shows that it is lacking in the bass frequencies. This is common in budget mics. A workaround for this is to record a lot closer to the mic. This will boost the low end and give you that warm sound you’re looking for.
The ATR2500x is very sensitive so any tapping or moving of the mic will result in unwanted sounds. When it is on the desktop stand it will pick up your mouse clicks and keyboard clicks as well.
For recording, I would suggest a different mic stand and putting the mic in a shock mount.
PROS
- Easy to use and effortless setup
- Clean recordings without added noise
- Direct monitoring for zero latency
- Recording quality at 24bits up to 192kHz
- Price
CONS
- No input gain control on the mic
- Lacking in the low-end frequencies
- Not ideal for recording instruments
Alternatives
If you are a podcaster or voiceover artist you may want to look at the Shure MV7 USB microphone. This is a dynamic microphone modelled after the famous Shure SM7B. The Shure MV7 is a little more expensive but gives you a quality sound that is very warm and retro-sounding. The MV7 also has a pop filter in the package.
If you are looking for something with an even more diverse set of features consider the Samson G-Track Pro Professional USB microphone. This is not just for music or voiceover, it’s also great when recording instruments like guitar amps and drums. It uses two condenser capsules to make sure your recordings sound crisp.
Another alternative to the Audio Technica ATR2500x USB is the Blue Yeti Pro USB. This is a condenser microphone with three different polar patterns to choose from. This mic has the same recording quality as the ATR2500x at 24bits up to 192 kHz but comes with an added accessory pack including USB cable, tripod stand and pop shield. The Yeti Pro isn’t quite as good sounding on vocals as the Audio Technica which can factor into your decision.
Bottom Line
The Audio Technica ATR2500x USB Condenser Microphone is definitely worth buying! It’s great for beginners who are just starting out making their own videos on YouTube, streaming live online gaming sessions on Twitch, etc., but also has many advanced features which make it ideal for professional voice-over artists as well. Overall, this mic offers amazing quality at an affordable price.
If you would like to know more about microphones, check out our article on the best microphones for home studio.