Audio-Technica AT2035 vs Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB
A side-by-side look at Audio-Technica AT2035 and Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Audio-Technica AT2035
A step up from the AT2020 with a pad, filter, and extra headroom
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Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB
24-bit dual-output dynamic with condenser-grade resolution at a budget price
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| Audio-Technica AT2035 | Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Podcasters stepping up from the AT2020 who want more control and headroom in one package | Budget-conscious podcasters who want 24-bit USB audio and a clean upgrade path to XLR |
Key features
Audio-Technica AT2035
- Frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Cardioid condenser XLR, requires 48V phantom power
- Switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter for rumble reduction
- Switchable -10 dB pad for high-SPL sources
- Custom shockmount included
- Self-noise 12 dB SPL
Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB
- Dynamic cardioid, USB-C and XLR simultaneous output
- 24-bit / 192kHz USB analog-to-digital conversion
- 3.5mm headphone output for zero-latency monitoring
- Includes USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A, and XLR cables
- Includes tripod desk stand
- Cardioid polar pattern for front-address recording
Pros and cons
Audio-Technica AT2035
Pros
- Built-in pad and high-pass filter add real-world flexibility
- Lower self-noise than AT2020 at 12 dB SPL
- Shockmount included - saves accessory cost
- Handles louder sources and varying room conditions better
Cons
- Requires a treated room - condenser sensitivity picks up ambient noise
- Requires 48V phantom power
- Sound character is similar to AT2020 - not a dramatic upgrade
Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB
Pros
- 24-bit/192kHz USB - best-in-class resolution for a budget dynamic
- Both USB-C and XLR outputs simultaneously available
- Ships with all necessary cables
- Genuine dynamic rejection of room noise
Cons
- Handheld body design sits awkwardly in a studio boom arm
- Tonally leaner than premium dynamics - less low-end warmth
- Headphone output lacks volume control
The verdict
Choose Audio-Technica AT2035 if
Podcasters stepping up from the AT2020 who want more control and headroom in one package.
The AT2035 is the AT2020 with the two features the AT2020 most needs - a high-pass filter and a pad. Those additions meaningfully expand the mic's utility for recorded music, interviews with varying source levels, and rooms where low-frequency rumble…
Choose Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB if
Budget-conscious podcasters who want 24-bit USB audio and a clean upgrade path to XLR.
The 24-bit/192kHz converter is what sets the ATR2100x-USB apart from the Samson Q2U at a similar price - you can hear it, especially if you're listening back on good headphones. The cardioid dynamic capsule does the expected work of rejecting…