The Best First Mic For Creatives: Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Dynamic Mic Review
When starting any kind of creative endeavor that will end on the internet, you want to look and sound your best. Doing this requires the right gear, and if you are just starting out and don’t have a Hollywood-level budget, you’ll likely be looking for pieces of equipment that are inexpensive and quality. Today, I will be reviewing a piece of tech that provides exactly this. The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone is a great piece of gear for entry-level podcasters, streamers, and voiceover artists alike. This microphone is a massive step up from any built-in microphone options you might find on your phone or computer, and it offers incredible versatility. As a creative who likes to dabble in music, voice-over, and videos, I personally have this mic, and I really like it, and here is why:
Features
The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone is a newer product from Audio Technica, replacing the ATR2100 just a couple of years ago. The microphone has a traditional microphone body shape, providing it with a timeless look and making it easy to fit into traditional mic stands. This also means that you can easily use it in a music studio, put it on a boom arm for video, or comfortably use it as a handheld mic. The mic is also made of quality materials and metals, and it feels heady and durable when held. This ATR2100x-USB mic also has both USB-c and XLR outputs which can run simultaneously out to two different devices. This also means that you don’t need an audio interface; you can just plug the USB adaptor directly into your laptop or computer and record with ease. The mic also comes with a limited lifetime warranty! Considering the quality, features, design, and warranty on this mic, the price is surprisingly low.
Price
I’ve seen this mic sell for $80 to $90, but right now, it is on sale on Amazon for only $59. Compared to similar entry-level mics, such as the ultra-popular Blue Yeti mic, which usually retails for around $130, this ATR2100x-USB mic is a steal!
Sound
… And since we are already comparing to the Blue Yeti microphone on price, we might as well compare sound too. The ATR2100x-USB stands out compared to the Blue Yeti with its directional cardioid pickup pattern. This feature effectively reduces unwanted background noise, providing clear and more focused recordings. Additionally, the ATR2100x-USB’s dynamic microphone element provides less sensitivity to sound pressure levels, making it the go-to choice for recording in noisy environments or for recording loud sources like drums or guitar amplifiers.
On the flip side, the ATR2100x-USB’s low sensitivity will likely require the user to speak louder or stand closer to the microphone to achieve the desired sound quality (as someone who owns this mic, I can attest that this is not too distracting, but certainly something to be aware of). If you are someone who moves around while singing or talking, be aware that your audio levels will be impacted by this, as the microphone’s quality is impacted greatly by proximity. Also, the microphone’s dynamic element and directional pickup pattern may not be the best choice for more complex musical recordings, but for single instrument/ voice recordings, this mic does great!
Impact
So far, we have addressed the physical features of what is, but I want to also discuss for a moment what this microphone could lead to. As mentioned, this ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone is a second-generation version of the ATR2100 USB Microphone — as such, Audio-Technica has already started to iterate and improve on one of its most entry-level products to make it more quality and more accessible and inexpensive. I see this trend continuing into the future with more advancements in audio tech that will help to further democratize the creative community. And this is not farfetched. As a brand, Audio-Technica has already started doing this. They tend to offer quality sound gear at a price that is lower than most pro sound equipment companies, which allows start-up performers and creatives a way to pay less money for sound equipment and not end up with junk (which is a real risk when talking about sound equipment). Not to sound overly sentimental or cheesy here, but the ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone has done exactly this for me; it allowed me to get started creatively with projects that required a quality microphone when I didn’t have a tone of extra cash on hand.
Conclusion
Not only do I recommend the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone to aspiring creatives with a limited budget, but I also think that it is a sign that the creative industry is starting to make a big shift towards providing independent creators the means to produce quality recordings. As we get more quality creativity out into the world, I believe it will inspire others to think and act more creatively, and what could be better than that? Other companies are joining in, but so far, I have not seen any achieve the price, functionality, and quality that match the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone.