Blue Ember VS AT2020 Condenser Microphone Comparison Review / Test (Battle of the $100 Mics!)

What’s up Audio Nerds?!?
Today we have a requested video... the new Blue Ember VS the Popular Audio Technica AT2020. Both of these mics run for the same price: $100. They are both cardioid condenser XLR microphones. They have similarities when it comes to specs and price but heck out the audio and see which one is right for you!!!
*AFFILIATE LINKES BELOW*
Want to Buy the Blue Ember?
link: amzn.to/2IQ458J
Want to Buy the AT2020
Link: amzn.to/2VtM1r6
Thanks for watching the Audio Hotline!

[@channel0YT]

6:01 the good part starts

[@boofstain1508]

wha

[@jasonmelo9379]

Hahahhaha

[@AdamEnriquez]

That blue ember sounds pretty damn good. Wow. Great review!

[@HomicidalPandaHD]

The ember sounds so damn good. Its really obscure how its not widely available in the UK as only a few of the major music websites stock it

[@Sk0die]

Same for me in New Zealand, I'm gonna have to go out of my way to find one but judging by this review it's definitely gonna be worth it

[@re_i_gn]

Blue Ember sounds better for me but I got the AT2020 at such a good deal! $67, just didn't come with a box but it works perfectly.

[@ee1yd]

I got the ember for around that as well recently

[@angeltensey]

Honestly, i dont like that dried out sound on cendenser mics, but Ember oooffff its fire. Its sounds like dynamic mic on steroids

[@1eV]

8:33 exactly what my ears felt. Totally agree with you. Sound from the blue amber was just more pleasant to hear.

[@thehalfblacksnack]

Bro the quality on this video is absolutely insane. I expected to see you half like half a million subscribers

[@chivolion12]

They both sound damn good. Blue is more warm and natural, AT2020 more processed and digital but crisp.

[@EzraInk]

This is exactly the comparison I was looking for! Yay. Thank you ❤

[@AudioHotline]

Talia V glad I could help! Thanks for watching!!!

[@sethmcconkey6786]

I just bought the Blue Ember, and I can say that recording saxophone sounds really nice with it if that helps anyone.

[@marike1100]

It helps me, I play the saxophone, and I'm thinking about trying the Blue Ember. Based on YT demos, the Blue sounds really good for a small diaphragm condenser. Have you ever recorded saxophone with the AT2020, AT2035 or any other mics for comparison? Thanks.

[@sethmcconkey6786]

@@marike1100 sorry for the late reply, but I've only recorded on the ember.

[@SinisterSkip]

The ember has a bit more low, yet still sounds clear in mid and high. Also, very low noise floor. Freaking great quality for 100 bucks. I think 99.x% of people will think the mic sounds near perfect, pure sound quality wise.

[@wcghavii7625]

20 has a nicer high frequency ur voice is much more noticeable and would be better for vocals

[@Matt-dx2mk]

Would the ember be better for higher voices instead of at2020, they both seem like great mics I just don’t know which one would benefit me more

[@ASMRMuzz]

The self-noise of the Blue Ember seemed drastically lower than the AT2020 to me, despite their specs saying they are 19dba and 20dba respectfully.

[@blakprophet9305]

I feel like the at2020 is better up close when recording vocals but overall both mics are great 👍🏾

[@Wes220]

This channel is so underrated.

[@AlexGower]

Hey I was thinking about getting the blue ember for podcasting. I enjoyed the noise floor test could you do a noise floor comparison for the blue ember vs podmic please?

[@arrhh6351]

for podcast a dynamic mic would be better than a condenser microphone

[@agambhasin]

They r two different kinds of microphones, on a dynamic microphone you would need to put the gain high up which would sound more noisy, on a condenser the preamps would need to be driven less harder due to PP, so your best bet would be to look up the self noise of them both

[@TheWeava]

This was very helpful, I was on the fence about which to get. As soon as the comparison started I decided to go with the ember just off the body of sound. Thank you.

[@AudioHotline]

The Weava glad it helped! Thanks for the comment!

[@TheMetaldudeX]

Both great. I lean to the ember a bit more. Less harsh of a high end.

[@zacjohnson452]

I think I’m gonna go for the ember. It just seems like a really great option. I think that if audio technica made an AT2020 in 2019, it could easily surpass the ember. But it’s basically already come out in the form of the at2035, even though it didn’t come out in recent years.

[@ajaesterling]

Gooooood test. Thank you! I was literally in the market to get an Amber and I have an At2020. I so neeeded this. Thank you!

[@Vexies]

Sell ur at2020 and get something better than them both

[@azmildman]

Frozen is great if your maturity level is about six years old. Voice sounds pretty much the same. Guitar sounds less noisy with the AT2020.

[@DragonsinGenesisPodcast]

The problem I’ve found with Blue microphones is the quality drastically changes over time. In the exact same environment with the same settings recording into the same computer with the same settings and it’s fine during the first year or so but then the sound gets wonky and it gets worse over time. Volume fluctuates, a weird echo creeps in, it randomly sounds muted.

[@AudioHotline]

That is very interesting. I have never had that issue with a Blue mic, but I kind of always stayed a way from Blue mics until recent years. No reason why, they were just never very appealing to me for some reason. Now that I have a few of their mics that is definitely something I'll look out for! Thanks for your comment!

[@itisriley]

I was comparing these two like a month or two ago and no one had compared the ember to anything so I looked at reviews for both and decided to go with the AT 2020 because I didn't see enough of a difference to warrant the waiting time for it to get to me at the time as well as the lack of accessories. I am still happy with my AT 2020

[@mikeexits]

I'm considering the same since the AT2020 can be had for $70, while I can't find an Ember for less than $100. You could always EQ your recordings to make them sound warmer like the Ember anyway.

[@Pokeheck]

Considering buying a ember for rapping/ singing vocals. What do you think?

[@samhziegler]

Great review man, thanks for taking the time to do this. Solid information and jokes 👌

[@giovcarrillo4222]

How does the ember compare to at2035?

[@olafkliemt1145]

the 2035 is way better. have them both. self noise is 12dB, and the 10dB pad and low cut are very cool, too.

[@mandii2409]

Olaf Kliemt what’s better? 2035 or the 2020

[@jamesmason1290]

@@mandii2409 2035

[@wipedfromexistence3693]

can't help but say that the at2020 100% had significantly better background noise cancellation than the blue ember in the example you provided which seems to contradict your opinion, could be down to something else but yeah.

[@AudioHotline]

WIPEDFROMEXISTENCE thats just one test. If there is going to be a lot of noise happening in a room, I wouldn’t recommend either of these mics. A dynamic would be the correct choice.

[@MichelleEstrada]

LOL I loved this video 🤣thanks for making it fun and making us laugh all throughout 💙 I agree 100% with trusting our ears too more than the specs!

[@francoisc4512]

Excellente vidéo. L’idée de passer d’un microphone à l’autre durant la vidéo. Amazing idée. Mon choix Blue Ember !!!

[@BeccaGuinn]

All I got out of this is that you didn't watch frozen Jk good review

[@stephenmumford494]

lol

[@KebaMusic]

this review is absolutely hilarious and informative but i had to play it back i was laughing so hard

[@kennethpanora3121]

Fantastic review. Very in depth & I appreciate your personal opinion at the end

[@gerardkirkpatricksanchez2121]

If you want a lush Podcast Sound, go for Ember. if you want a balance Vocal Sound for music Production that has a lot of roo, for mixing, go for AT2020. but for me, im drove into the sound of Ember. my preference. cheers for this review.

[@Cassandramygosh33]

How does the blue ember compare to the MXL 990 condenser?

[@neerajnarayan738]

can you do a comparison between Aston Origin and Rode NT1A?

[@sepehr57]

Damn son. What a review and comparison. Keep up the good work boy🌶👌

[@BlademanZX]

What do you think about the 2035, would you say it has the same issue of sounding thin or no?

[@zacjohnson452]

Thanks for making this video! It’ll really help me out with choosing which one to get!

[@AudioHotline]

Absolutely!!! Glad I can help out! Hope you enjoy it!

[@Linkwood]

Just found your channel off of a podcastage review or the blue ember and I have to say, I enjoy your channel! Some good stuff! I started with the AT 2020 as my first xlr mic, then moved to the Sterling Audio 55 and now am on the Rode NT-1, which I'd say is my best purchase, thus far. Keep up the good work!

[@AudioHotline]

Thank you! I appreciate it! Yes the RØDE NT1 is a fantastic microphone! It was my main mic in my music studio for like 3 years and I am still constantly using it!

[@Linkwood]

@@AudioHotline Always happy to support good channels! And yeah, the NT1 is a god send, haha! I couldn't be more proud of the purchase!

[@bynlxe]

you should compare the blue ember to at2035

[@ruhaan6216]

Great video as always! Could I request that you compare the Neewer NW-81 uni-directional (or something like that) microphone to a high-end shotgun mic such as the Rode NTG3 because I want a cheap mic. Also could you recommend a good USB or shotgun mic less than $100 which also doesn't pickup much backvround hiss? I would prefer something that sounds like the AT2020USB+ because it has nice bass and cancels out the background noise. Thanks.. keep up the great work!!

[@SinisterSkip]

What guitar tuning you using bro? Very 'avant garde'!

[@AudioHotline]

It's kind of like DADGAD, but I dropped it down a full step, but left the 6th string at D. So it would be DGCFGC. I do use CGCFGC as a Drop tuning alternative, but it just kind of depends on what I am playing!

[@SalParadise]

well thought out review..well done, great stuff mate

[@arupsircar6620]

Great review....u r absolutely right ! I am using d blue ember..the vcl sound quality feels better than Akg P420..thnx bro.

[@ButeraVids]

The Blue Ember sounds way better!! Its such a good mic for its price

[@christelting1359]

From all the reviews I have seen this isn't really a video streaming mic but an audio streaming and more of an all around mic. Better for quieter environments and singing in a studio environment or for recording instruments. You need a pop filter which WILL obscure your face to some extent. But you can readily adapt this mic with some compromise in post such that you CAN use it for a video podcast with good sound. There is no one size fits all. You need to think of having multiple microphones as an ensemble. This one leans towards a real studio. The real question is does this microphone complement your other preferred microphones for results and uses. As far as the AT2020 it's overall better.

[@jav_sneakers]

I was looking for a good review cus I wanted to get the 2020... and couldn’t find one. Then i find this video and I find out that I’m not getting the 2020. Lol thanks

[@DonieCrick]

Wich one u gonna get?

[@jav_sneakers]

@@DonieCrick I ordered the ember

[@DonieCrick]

@@jav_sneakers Nice

[@RexySmith]

I really love how the Ember sounds

[@wintersoldier4269]

Rexy Smith they sound identical

[@RexySmith]

@@wintersoldier4269 Interesting they sounded different on my speaker 🤔 Edit : now checking again on my phone and they totally sound different on my phone too.

[@Frodinir]

personally i prefer the sound profile of the at2020 but the ember is cleaner

[@ImTheReaper]

At-2020 I feel it have better EQ with Bass level

[@blakprophet9305]

I feel the same way to

[@ujjwalgond1520]

Please let me know Rank it please Which is the best for singing Akg p120 vs at2020 vs se x1a???

[@MOETtelevision]

Crown Royal bags are perfect for carrying anything lol

[@klarson6269]

Maybe an episode about blue spark or blue spark vs Rode nt1-a/nt-1

[@ClERCE]

Thx I love your energy

[@ThunderStudios007]

please help me; blue ember vs shure sm7b in sound quality, (I know shure is dimamic mic) I bought the sm7b but a friend sold me the blue ember to pay in several parts, it is new. I BUY ??????

[@azmildman]

There is only about a 21 dollar difference between them on Amazon.

[@AudioHotline]

Dang! It is on sale on guitar center for $79 also right now, dropped down from $99. Makes sense, blue comes out with the ember and more affordable small Yeti for $99, Rode is about to drop the podmic for $99, they want people to still be interested in the at2020. Good move on their part. Also! I wonder if they are getting ready to drop a new addition to their lineup! I hope so.

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

GTZ U 87 (150 bucks) is best budget condenser microphone for beginners.

[@AudioHotline]

I am hoping to get that soon!

[@Scott-dx7uc]

Could you do a U87 and TZ Stellar X2 comparison?

[@imAbyssal]

Wait what shockmount did you use for the at2020

[@AudioHotline]

AbyssalGames I have an AT2035 that came with that shockmount. The shockmount is called the at8458, but it is surprisingly spendy by itself... $79. It is nice though, not worth that price, but a good addition to the at2035.

[@sunwalker2438]

thanks, very helpful

[@Glyda]

What audio interface/mixer did you plug the Blue Ember in?

[@AudioHotline]

I talk about the specifics of it here: 1:44 I used the Zoom H5 to record both of them.

[@magnuskal]

what microphone arm are u using for the at2020

[@brainlessbaby7347]

What is a good microphone i can put above my monitor so that is doesnt say in from of my camera, but also so that it wont hear noises 5-6 meters(13-16feet) away from it???

[@preetgond998]

Please let me know Rank it please Which is the best for singing Akg p120 vs at2020 vs blue ember vs akg 220 vs se x1a???

[@AudioHotline]

My ranking would probably go something like: 1. SE X1a 2. AT2020 3. P120 Keep in mind though... audio is subjective and people have their own preferences, their own voice. Depending on who is speaking or singing into the mic, may completely alter my ranking of these. But generally speaking, this is how I would rank them. Thanks for watching!

[@elishashappinesscampaign1597]

CAN BLUE EMBER BE MOUNT ON SHOCK MOUNT LIKE THE AT2020

[@aiden11405shasha]

I ordered the Blue Ember before I watched this video. I feel like it looks better which is important to me. Also I am going to use it with a Uphoria UM2 AI. I don’t know how that’s gonna turn out I just kinda winged it. But anyways I always thought the AT2020 was a little overrated. So I went with the Blue Ember.

[@wayland951]

@MICHAEL WHITNEY I'm thinking of the same combo AT2020 and M audio air 4 for rapping

[@antoineinniss5586]

Well today, you had my dad laughing his ass off, with your ''singing'', if that's what it was lol...... so I guess that can only.mean, that you are feeling better 100%. I think the ember sounds better...it's warm

[@AudioHotline]

Yeah man! Finally not sick! Still have a little cough that I can’t quite shake but oh well! I am still waiting on some addresses to send giveaway awards away so I didn’t go to the PO this Friday, but I’ll message you what I looked up online.

[@antoineinniss5586]

@@AudioHotline yeah I saw it...I replied

[@cruzlol999]

what interface were you using

[@meonraapchik7582]

Can you use the phantom power supply in video .....

[@alessandrotorres3537]

What would you recommend? A blue ember or the neat king bee?

[@AudioHotline]

Neat King Bee 🐝

[@alessandrotorres3537]

Audio Hotline awesome! Thx

[@Alxotaku]

when did the blue ember come out im surprised i haven't heard of it

[@AudioHotline]

Porter it came out just a few weeks ago! It is pretty new! I have a solo review of it, if you want to check it out!

[@Alxotaku]

@@AudioHotline yeah ill be checking it out just weird to think blue didnt have a mic thats xlr in this price range

[@owkrikki]

For talking, I’d say the Blue Ember is better, but the At2020 is WAY better for singing and rapping tbh

[@FrumPilot]

I think your assessment and tests were very fair. Enjoyed the video!

[@saladaganealvincent7470]

at2020 just increased its price. saadddd

[@Nachopandaa]

I'm so glad my GF and I aren't the only ones like this with frozen haha

[@comocantaremingles]

Good video!!

[@GoreMelian]

Blue ember vs Rode NT1?

[@bronsonvanwagoner]

NT1 ALL DAY!

[@GoreMelian]

@@bronsonvanwagoner I agree ;-)

[@AudioHotline]

@@GoreMelian Haha I accidentally left the comment on my personal account. I am Bronson VanWagoner, I meant to say "NT1 ALL DAY!" on my Audio Hotline account! I am a big fan of the NT1! I have a sweet spot for it in my heart since it is the first nicer mic I ever got.

[@typh00n2]

what shock mount was used to hold the at2020? i will need one for myself.

[@AudioHotline]

That shock mount is actually the one that comes with the AT2035. I believe it is actually relatively expensive on its own, $79. It is called the AT8458 shock mount. But there are some good cheaper alternatives on amazon, like the koolertron universal 50mm shockmount for $16.

[@typh00n2]

Audio Hotline ok thank you for the help, great videos by the way. Very professional and informative.

[@AudioHotline]

Kadizzle thank you! I appreciate the kind words!

[@DjSicko95]

Which one would you guys say is better for recording hip hop vocals on it?

[@younglove.music2867]

that depends on your voice type so if you have a bassy voice do not go with the 2020

[@DjSicko95]

@@younglove.music2867 But that could be edited with EQ right? Cus I'm not the one tryna rap/sing. I wana get a mic to record other ppl. I'm a producer and I wana start engineering

[@younglove.music2867]

@@DjSicko95 again that depends on the voice if you put an artist or a voice over artist in a recording situation where the mic is too bassy or bright EQ wouldn't be all that helpful because the overall tone of the mic would be too overpowering

[@DjSicko95]

@@younglove.music2867 I see. Thanks a lot! I'll keep that in mind!

[@purplishwave9371]

Thank you

[@lachicadepuerto]

You got a video Talking about a VS between The Blue Yeti and the AT 2020 sooooooooooooooooooooo! Dont lie, you used the 2020 before!

[@AudioHotline]

Yasmin Benavente that was the AT2020USB+ vs Blue Yeti not the AT2020 (XLR version)

[@AudioHotline]

Yasmin Benavente and that’s not just me being a stickler haha they actually do have different frequency responses.

[@lachicadepuerto]

well, well, well. ok Thanks anyway for the video.

[@vietle6244]

At2020 gives a better mid and vocal clarity. Ember is better at lower range and warm tond

[@FinBoyXD]

WHAT??!?? YOU HAVENT WATCHED FROZEN? You have to watch frozen.

[@SupernovaSun77]

The 2020 has high noise it’s not that great

[@Neog2]

I feel like the AT2020 probably represents what your voice sounds like in real life more so than the Blue Ember (After watching several videos of yours.). But then again i dislike most microphones that add bass to peoples voices. All the dudes with higher end microphones all sound a like. It gets really goofy when you listen to the ladies reviewing microphones haha. But I think ill purchase both for my lady friend that is starting to get serious with you tube, and streaming and see which one sounds more like her in real life.

[@mikeexits]

What were the results? I'm thinking of going with the 2020 simply based on the fact that they do have very similar quality, I could EQ it to make it sound more like the Ember if I wanted to, and I can get it for $30 cheaper than the Ember.

[@Neog2]

@@mikeexits 2020 after trying several it was more true to her real voice

[@Swampfox10mm]

I am a teacher, and you may laugh, but I am a little afraid to put the Blue Ember up on the screen next to me, because.... well... Peter Piper Picked a......

[@martymcbean3733]

So I bought an at2020 with a behringer audio box and everything was plugged in. I was testing everything and noticed my sound lowered every time a voice was heard on anything, songs, videos, discord, voice recorder, just everything. So I went to my audio settings and selected the “do nothing” option which for some reason was on and it didn’t help. I unplugged everything plugged it back in and it still didn’t work. I went to discord and attenuation was at 0%. Note that with my blue yeti none of this was happening. I thought everything was bugged so I did a fresh install of windows and it didn’t help. Can anyone help me on what to do? Because it’s a really nice microphone and I’d love to not have to return it.

[@nickickz]

1:11 Tiger king. Same vibes

[@TukeShark]

LOL ur funny

[@mandii2409]

I’ve never seen frozen either🤘🏼

[@AudioHotline]

Welcome to the Frozen Boycott Family. Stay strong ✊

[@mandii2409]

Audio Hotline 😂👏🏼

[@gutpunchnews4000]

You still sing better than I do. Sad.

[@GabePickles3837]

Blue Ember has better audio quality.

[@kennedy3760]

3:45

[@Ptage]

frozen really isn't amazing

[@victorpersaud24]

What is that holster hes using on the AT2020?

[@AudioHotline]

It is the shockmount that comes with the AT2035. It is called the Audio-Technica AT8458. It is pretty expensive to buy by itself. There are universal shockmount that are less than half the price that will work well. Like this one: amzn.to/2NaQsBR

[@stefanvantchev1634]

I literally can hear NO DIFFERENCE

[@AudioHotline]

What are you listening on?

[@antoine1597]

You listen on studio headphones

[@CitizenTechTalk]

The blue ember just edges the Audio technica in quality sound and as a studio mic it's definitely the choice I've just made. Buying one right now! Bye!! 😊

[@funkeety]

Blue ember is better

[@therabbitdunn4590]

gurl bye ashy bye lmao

[@ivan66773]

At2020 is harsher

[@Sujimon1]

What ever...I love the tone of Blue since its picking Low as well as Highs.

[@AudioHotline]

I picked the Blue Ember over the AT2020... 10:26

[@Omgkhii]

Watch Frozen.

[@AudioHotline]

Absolutely not 😊

[@arthurmorgan2026]

Dude you're very funny 🕺

[@illestvillain1971]

Wow