Looking for the best streaming settings for your GoXLR and Audio Technica AT2020? In this article, we’ll walk you through the best settings to use for live streaming and recording in a variety of environments.
Quick Answer: Use a low threshold noise gate and a standard vocal EQ pattern if your live stream has background audio. Leave both of these off for talking head videos with no other audio sources. We recommend moderate compression and de-esser settings in either case.
- TC Helicon GoXLR: https://currentprice.io/goxlr
- Audio Technica AT2020: https://currentprice.io/at2020
Connect the Audio Technica AT2020 to the GoXLR
We recommend using the XLR input on the GoXLR as it has a much better preamp than the headset input. The preamp on the headset jack will not give you sufficient gain and will not sound anywhere near as good as using a XLR cable with the XLR input.
GoXLR & Audio Technica AT2020 Mic Gain Set Up
- Open the mic setup window in the GoXLR software
- Select the “Condenser” mic type
This tells the interface to send 48 V phantom power to the AT2020, which it needs to function. - Set the gain slider
Raise the gain slider as you talk into the AT2020 until the meter is peaking in the “good” range. We found 38 dB worked for us, but this will vary depending on the natural volume of your voice.
GoXLR & Audio Technica AT2020 Noise Gate Set Up
The noise gate’s job is to remove background noise from the recording. It’s an automated way to mute and unmute your microphone, with the mic only going live when it picks up sound above a certain volume threshold.
This is commonly used to mic a drum kit, where you only want each mic to activate when the intended drum is struck.
The clicking in and out of the noise gate is noticeable, so we feel it’s best reserved for streams with game noise that will mask these distracting noises.
Here are our recommended noise gate settings:
- Threshold: -40 dB to -45 dB
Higher than this can sound aggressive and choppy. - Attenuation: 50% to 75%
Controls how much the microphone is muted when the gate is closed. 50% means the volume is cut by half instead of fully muting the mic. - Attack: 10 ms (default)
- Release: 200 ms (default)
GoXLR & Audio Technica AT2020 EQ Settings
People often buy a microphone based on the way it sounds. If you’re recording a talking head video with no other audio sources, leave the EQ setting alone and let the microphone do its job.
However, if you’re mixing multiple audio sources, you want to give everything its own EQ space in the mix. The following EQ settings will help give your voice clarity and keep it from competing with other audio sources in your mix.
- 31.5 Hz: -9
- 63 Hz: -3
- 125 Hz: 0
- 250 Hz: 0
- 500 Hz: -2
- 1 kHz: 0
- 2 kHz: 2
- 4 kHz: 2
- 8 kHz: 0
- 16 kHz: -9
GoXLR & Audio Technica AT2020 Compressor Settings
The compressor’s job is to make the loudest sounds quieter, and the quietest sounds louder. This narrows the dynamic range of your voice and helps to deliver more predictable audio to your listeners. In very simple terms, it’s like an auto mixer for your microphone.
Our recommended compressor settings for the GoXLR and AT2020 are:
- Threshold: -15 dB
Compression will be applied when your microphone exceeds this level. - Ratio: 3.2:1
Maintains some of the dynamics and emotion in your voice. - Attack: 2 ms (default)
- Release: 100 ms (default)
- Make-up gain: 5 dB to 7 dB
Brings up the quieter moments in your audio to narrow the dynamic range.
GoXLR & Audio Technica AT2020 De-Esser Set up
The de-esser does exactly what the name suggests; it manages the S sounds, pops, clicks, and other mouth noises heard in your voice. By rounding off these sibilant frequencies, your voice is easier to listen to for extended periods on a live stream.
We recommend a de-esser setting between 40% and 60% and find that 50% works best for us.
GoXLR & Audio Technica AT2020 Pricing & Specs
- TC Helicon GoXLR: https://currentprice.io/goxlr
- Audio Technica AT2020: https://currentprice.io/at2020
- Foam Windscreen For AT2020: https://geni.us/XKG3n5t
- Shockmount for AT2020: https://geni.us/zS69yd
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro: https://currentprice.io/beyer_dt_990
- XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable
- TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/trs_cable
- Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand
- Rode PSA1 Boom Arm: https://currentprice.io/boom_arm
