AT2022 Review - Reviews - Music Tech Magazine

AT’s new condenser is designed specifically for stereo location recording. Huw Price takes two.

Price: £249.00
Manufacturer: Audio-Technica
Website: http://www.audio-technica.com

The AT2022 features a pivot with two indents that accurately set the angle of the shockmounted capsules to 90° (narrow) or 120° (wide) for coincident stereo operation. The capsules can also be folded flat for storage/transportation and the overall build quality of the capsule mount is solid and precise.

This mic is obviously designed for location recording, connecting directly to the mic input of a computer soundcard or a portable recorder. So rather than operating on phantom power, the AT2022 feeds off a 1.5v AA battery that slots into a compartment in the body of the mic. Simply unscrew the outer shell and pull back for access.

Audio-Technica warns that you should not attempt to use the AT2022 when phantom power is present and that damage to the mic may result. However, the presence of a bias voltage from a portable recording device is acceptable and will not harm it.

Cable ties
The AT2022 ships with a 50cm cable that has an XLR connector at one end and a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)TRS jack at the other. The left/right signals are therefore unbalanced and at mic rather than line level. Mac users should take note as their computer soundcards may not be able to deal with a stereo mic-level signal. Fortunately, Audio-Technica’s tech dept provided us with a dual male XLR-to-TRS mini-jack cable plus an inline adaptor to connect the two mini-jacks of the stock cable and the splitter cable. This enabled us to plug-in to two regular mic amps.

A switch on the main section of the body activates the microphone in flat frequency or bass roll-off mode with a 150Hz filter (don’t leave the AT2022 switched on or you may inadvertently drain the battery). The package includes an AT8405a stand clamp that mounts on any microphone stand with 5/8-inch thread and a fuzzy outdoor windscreen that looks somewhat like a Mohawk scalp or scrap of road-kill… There’s also a battery and a soft protective pouch.

Only way is up
For correct left-right stereo orientation, position the AT2022 so the word ‘UP’ is facing the ceiling. Audio-Technica also advises that locating the microphone ‘nearer the sound source enhances the apparent width of the stereo image while decreasing room ambience. Moving away from the sound source will result in a narrower stereo image and more room sound’.

Quoted frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz; SPL handling is up to 122dB; the dynamic range is 103dB and output impedance is rated at 200 ohms. Dimensions are kept compact, with a length of 192mm and a maximum head diameter of 65mm. In the hand, the AT2022 weighs in at only 270g.

We tried the AT2022 on several sources and overall it produced an impressively realistic and natural set of recordings. Generally speaking, we’re fans of the crispness and pinpoint stereo imaging of coincident stereo recording and are happy to report that the AT2022 didn’t disappoint.

The tonal signature is fairly neutral, although there is a subtle lift in the top end. By comparison to some other small-capsule true condensers there’s slightly less fidelity and, although not bass-light, the AT2022’s low end didn’t sound quite as full.

Given the unbalanced audio outputs we can understand why Audio-Technica wanted to keep the cable length as short as possible. The stock cable could have been a tad longer, but at least you can extend it with a regular mic cable. All things considered, this is a very practical and easy-to-use microphone that should provide a noticeable increase in quality over the type of built-in mics found in many mini recorders and hand-held cameras. It’s also well-made and very affordable. MTM

Verdict
WHY BUY
Clean sound
Impressive build quality
Ease of use
Competitively priced

WALK ON BY
Slightly lean bass
Very short cable

As a stereo microphone for location recording the AT2022 is a niche product, but it’s well-made, affordable and does a decent job

Score: 8

This review first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 104
Filed under Home, Audio-Technica Microphone Reviews, Hardware, Microphones, Reviews

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Audio-Technica AT2022 Review

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