Studio Projects B1 vs. AT2020?

The Marrvel · 16th February 2006

Ok...I have a SP VTB-1 Preamp and an SM57. I got rid of my NTK months ago because I wasn't recording anything and it was collecting dust.

I started recording rap vocals with a 57 and I think they suck. I'm going to try a cheap condenser. Can anyone compare the sound/quality of the SP B1 versus the AT2020?

ozraves · 16th February 2006

The AT2020 would be the most different of those two from the SM57. Assuming you'd want the most different sound from the SM57 you should try the AT2020.

Given your application then I'd probably say have a look at the MXL V69 since it seems to be the poor man's hip hop vocal mic.

davemc · 16th February 2006

The B1 is my fav cheap LDC. Its not greatly 2D sounding compared to my Neumanns but does not have the harsh top end of a lot of other chinese mics.
Can take some EQ a lot better then the rodes or C1/T3 I tried.
Although like everything. Truy a loaner yourself on your voice.

tgrokz · 1st May 2006

i dont know much about the b1, but i have owned a 2020 for a year now. i LOVE it. for $100 you just can't go wrong. it gives a strong vocal presence IMO, so i think it would be ideal for rap. i recorded a sort of rap months ago with it, and i was incredibly pleased with the result.

unsilpauly · 1st May 2006

i have both mics and i think they are both useful, but the b1 is much quieter. the 2020 is alittle noisy. i think overall the b1 is alittle smoother and fuller sounding. i like both mics alot though. i would buy both again.

treymonfauntre · 1st May 2006

i only have a b1. i got it on ebay for $40. isn't that crazy? i used to try to record demos using $10 dynamics from mars music, if i had just gotten 1 B1 my tracks wouldn't have sounded like there was a paper bag over the speakers.
anyway, i like AT mics a lot more than studio projects, but i haven't had a chance to hear the 20 series. so i'm of no help.

16th February 2006	#1
The Marrvel Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 607 Thread Starter	Studio Projects B1 vs. AT2020? Ok...I have a SP VTB-1 Preamp and an SM57. I got rid of my NTK months ago because I wasn't recording anything and it was collecting dust. I started recording rap vocals with a 57 and I think they suck. I'm going to try a cheap condenser. Can anyone compare the sound/quality of the SP B1 versus the AT2020?

16th February 2006	#3
davemc Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Melb, Australia Posts: 1,021	The B1 is my fav cheap LDC. Its not greatly 2D sounding compared to my Neumanns but does not have the harsh top end of a lot of other chinese mics. Can take some EQ a lot better then the rodes or C1/T3 I tried. Although like everything. Truy a loaner yourself on your voice. __________________ Bye Ya Dave INDENT

1st May 2006	#5
unsilpauly Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: northampton, ma Posts: 118	i have both mics and i think they are both useful, but the b1 is much quieter. the 2020 is alittle noisy. i think overall the b1 is alittle smoother and fuller sounding. i like both mics alot though. i would buy both again. __________________ Paul Maiolo Madhouse Recording Studio

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Studio Projects T3	DrewEpton	So much gear, so little time!	6	22nd April 2005 09:49 AM
Studio Projects B1 question Studio Projects B1 Studio Projects B1	loke	So much gear, so little time!	14	23rd January 2004 01:21 AM

16th February 2006	#2
ozraves Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,124	The AT2020 would be the most different of those two from the SM57. Assuming you'd want the most different sound from the SM57 you should try the AT2020. Given your application then I'd probably say have a look at the MXL V69 since it seems to be the poor man's hip hop vocal mic.

1st May 2006	#4
tgrokz Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 289	i dont know much about the b1, but i have owned a 2020 for a year now. i LOVE it. for $100 you just can't go wrong. it gives a strong vocal presence IMO, so i think it would be ideal for rap. i recorded a sort of rap months ago with it, and i was incredibly pleased with the result.

1st May 2006	#6
treymonfauntre Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 567	i only have a b1. i got it on ebay for $40. isn't that crazy? i used to try to record demos using $10 dynamics from mars music, if i had just gotten 1 B1 my tracks wouldn't have sounded like there was a paper bag over the speakers. anyway, i like AT mics a lot more than studio projects, but i haven't had a chance to hear the 20 series. so i'm of no help.