AT 2035 : Great value and lightweight small studio mic

The AT 2035 is a step up from the very popular low price AT 2020 from Audio Technica. I read quite a number of online reviews comparing both and was swayed towards the 2035 for its slightly warmer low end and cleaner top end. It also includes a low cut and pad switch which I don't think you get on the AT2020.

The mic is supplied in a cardboard box with a simple but effective padded zip carrying case, a plastic suspension mount and a mic stand adaptor. The mic itself is of excellent build quality and although a bit lightweight, the supplied suspended mount works well and provides a snug fit for the mic. One of the advantages of the AT2035 is its realtively small size and lighter weight which makes it great for positioning infront of a keyboard player as myself. Using a K&M mic stand I am able to extend the boom fully with the mic horizontal and it remains steady without falling.

Sound wise I connected the 2035 to a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP which also provides the 48V phantom powering. Immediately I noticed the extremely low level of background noise and warmth to the mic, despite it not having the common 1 inch diaphragm of similar studio type mics. The sound is clean and smooth, a step up from my previous tbone mic. I've also tried it with a few percussion instruments including a shaker (always a good test for splashiness) and it performed extremely well. The mic handles high volume levels and despite not using a pop filter screen with it, I didn't notice any plosive interference.

I would definitely recommend the AT2035 to anyone looking for a decent all purpose small studio mic and not wanting to break the bank. Its key feature I would say is its small form factor and low mass, making it very flexible for use on extended booms and lighter mic stands. The low cut filter and pad are useful extras to have on hand should you need them. I can also vouch for it working extremely well with the Saffire Pro 24 DSP interface.