Best PODCAST Mic?? AudioTechnica AT2040 Dynamic Microphone

[@randyrektor]

Birthday weekend, whats up! 🍰🍻

[@cjepino]

1:37 the sm7b has an internal shockmount

[@randyrektor]

Interesting! News to me. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheIslandExpat]

The AT2040 is hands down the best mic for the money, imo. I'm not saying there isn't better for north of $300, but why?

[@Unethical.FandubsGames]

It's an alright mic for the money but you can get better at even cheaper. Not that it's bad but you can do better. It's quite difficult to find a decent hypercardioid at this price, though. Doable but more difficult. It's still possible to find a hypercardioid SDC which would be better at a similar price. So while in no way the best mic for the money, as far as I'm concerned. It just may be what you need based on its character and pattern.

[@merjaymermanph]

Its so affordable! Good for budget podcast and beginners.

[@randyrektor]

It really is!

[@jasonbodden8816]

I like the sound of the Boya but not right up close. That proximity effect is super strong. When your mouth is practically on the Boya it sounds muddy as hell. When you back off a little, it sounds great. The thing is that the AT2020 sounds much better right out the box than the 2040 (not to mention the fact that it's a condenser mic). No contest.....at all. Might have to look into the Boya. Gonna check your review on that. The AT2040 might not be great for podcasting but its shrillness and lack of low end might be of use maybe to a Metal screamer vocalist or something (but there's the SM7B and SM7dB, both dynamics that sound great on Metal vocals). Idk, just pulling things outta my bum here lol. It would be interesting to find out if it sounds good for anything else.

[@randyrektor]

Na bro I think this is a solid take. I’m with you on the dullness of the 2040 making it not the best choice for podcasts. It’s a bit of an odd mic in general. Also totally agree with the Boya. I’ve tried a couple other mics since then that I think I like more. The Feelworld pm1 has a pretty nice podcasty sound and doesn’t suffer from the grounding issues I was experiencing with the Boya

[@jasonbodden8816]

@@randyrektor Will check that mic out. Thanks 👊🏻

[@christopherstorrier5560]

The AT2020 is 80hz to 16khz...the AT2040 is 20hz to 17khz...your reading the specs for the AT2020 not the AT2040...the AT2040 has far more bass...wrong box....the AT2040 is a good dynamic mic with a wide frequency range compared to the AT2020...depends on what you need them for & prefer the sound off...

[@davidofug]

Thank you for this review. It's super helpful

[@randyrektor]

It’s my pleasure! Thanks for watching :)

[@christopherstorrier5560]

Yeah, Google says 80hz - 16khz...mine measures 20hz to 17khz...strange...the 2040 frequency response has more bass than the 2020...the frequency response is shown on a video on KZbin...it does dip 2db 200hz - 800hz...i prefer the 2040 with a shock stand...i use a Rode PodMic but might buy the AT2040 as it sounds good to me.....

[@willbewonky5538]

Thanks for the professional review buddy! 😀

[@randyrektor]

It’s my pleasure! Thanks for the kind words.

[@aa-9623]

Is it just me, or does this BY-DM500 sound GREAT? Boya BY-DM500 sounds to me like how a lot of Shure SM58 owners eq their SM58s to avoid sounding too dark/veiled/cloudy/dull in the highs.

[@randyrektor]

That’s actually such a great assessment. And yes, I was totally blown away when I first plugged it in. I have a video review on my channel with that mic, and I think I captured my initial impressions. One small challenge is there was a small grounding issue in one of my tests. Whenever I held the metal bracket, I could hear the radio lol! I haven’t been able to reproduce it since. I am super impressed with the quality of the sound for the price!

[@aa-9623]

I didn't hear that grounding issue. Was that your first grounding issue with BY-DM500? What metal bracket, you mean the metal "yoke" (the one you were holding)?

[@randyrektor]

Yea the yoke that holds the mic up. As I mentioned, I couldn’t reproduce the noise. I think it might have been a crappy cable to be honest..

[@NishantUpadhyay-p6r]

My AT2040 is catching a lot of background noise and pops which I hadn't expected before buying(I had bought it for the purpose of not catching such background noises, as I don't have a Music studio, but I'm feeling disappointed for this aspect). What should be done?

[@randyrektor]

The absolute best thing you can do to eliminate background noise is getting closer to your microphone. If you're creating pops on the mic, a pop filter or putting the mic on an angle pointing to the side of your mouth may help. Short of that, there's no magic bullet out there. Either you need less noise in your space, closer proximity to your microphone, or acoustic treatment. Hope this helps!

[@Smittz]

doesnt the strap lock button on that acoustic kinda get in the way?

[@randyrektor]

Honestly it’s never been too bad. You don’t feel it unless you’re up past the 14th fret, but I’m hardly ever playing there so it’s never been a concern 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Smittz]

@randyrektor nice man, I'm looking into getting a new acoustic (currently have an ibanez talman but it has no sustain) looking for something with good sustain and a nice bright glassy sound. Any recommendations?

[@randyrektor]

@Smittz I’m a massive fan of my GPCPA4 from Martin. My wife has a Gibson Songwriter Deluxe and it feels a little clunky to me but definitely glassy. Martin is great playability

[@Smittz]

@randyrektor oof that sounds expensive haha. I have expensive guitars for metal but i play acoustic so little idk if I deserve a martin, lol. Just like playing some city and colour and John mayer stuff occasionally.

[@eduardot5664]

Wonderful video bro thank you

[@randyrektor]

My pleasure!

[@MeanwhileMeanwhileMeanwhile]

Better at2040 or rode podmic?

[@randyrektor]

I haven't used the podmic before, but I think they're both great options.

[@feyvre]

hello Randy, which mic do you think has the best keyboard noise rejection please ?

[@randyrektor]

Any cardioid mic will be great! Beyond the polar pattern (cardioid), the only other thing that affects rejection is physical distance. So cardioid condensers or dynamics will both work fine (despite people's conviction that dynamics reject better -they dont). Just make sure it's a cardioid pattern and you're getting it as far from your keyboard/close to your mouth as possible.

[@alexisfoltz534]

any boom arm recommendations on a budget i cant find any for the at2040

[@randyrektor]

I don’t have much experience with different options, but I’ve used the rode one and the Gatorworks one and both are awesome!

[@hsjawanda]

What's the model number of that Boya mic?

[@randyrektor]

It's the BY-DM500 :) looks like it's out of stock at the moment, but I've done a video on it if you're looking for more info!

[@aronn__]

what's up man! what would you recommend more? the Boya BY-DM500 or this Audio Technica AT2040? thanks.

[@randyrektor]

Oh that’s an interesting one for sure. For build quality, the AT hands down. That said, the Boya is also really hefty and well-built. I think I prefer the sound of the Boya a little. My wife did as well during our testing (for what it’s worth). I know Boya isn’t a long-time reputable name, but the product is quite decent. One small concern is I had a tiny bit of RF interference or grounding issues with the Boya. It only happened one time when I was testing all 3 mics and I couldn’t reproduce it. Touching the mic seemed to eliminate the noise. Again, only happened one time, could have been a bad cable or something.

[@randyrektor]

also I love the articulating arm on the Boya. Feels easier to position where you want it :)

[@aronn__]

@@randyrektor alright! Boya it is! hope it will last long.

[@randyrektor]

I can’t speak to the longevity. I’ve only had mine for a couple of months, but I think you’ll be impressed with the weight of it! It’s a hefty boy! Feels nicely machined

[@CloroxBleach-gz6cb]

Yeah it does have that honky hollow boxy sound.. I don't even care about streamer looks... I think I'll go for se v7

[@randyrektor]

Omg your name and picture gave me a good laugh. I’ve actually never used an SE mic! I’d love to get my hands on some to test out

[@joelsanchez2224]

Bro , great video AND nice Review. New sub 🤭 I just bought this mic for my home studio one month ago because i Don't have acoustic treatment in my room. But i realize that my voice sound boxed in. I Don't have so much Money to Buy another mic , do you think that this one Is a good one for vocals recording or should i Buy another mic? 🥺

[@randyrektor]

Thanks for the comment! I think you'll be good with that mic. If you're sounding boxy, it could be the mic placement in the space. I would recommend getting some soft surfaces up (like blankets and pillows) while you record. That will help eliminate early reflections which can cause that boxyness sound.

[@silvesterstronach2756]

𝐩яⓞ𝓂𝓞Ş𝐦 😔

[@poporobright]

I had to subscribe, I'm sorry.

[@randyrektor]

Love to hear it :)