Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB USB microphone: features and spec-based rating

Audio-Technica’s ATR2100x-USB is a cardioid dynamic USB microphone that also has an XLR output.

A USB microphone is a microphone you can plug straight into a computer by USB. You can start streaming or recording without an audio interface.

In this article we rate it on 4 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 11 USB microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 11 USB microphones, ATR2100x-USB is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.3.

Strengths

• Recording detail (24-bit/192 kHz, 5 points): It records finely, at a high sampling rate.
• Controls at hand (3 of 5, 4 points): You can control mute and volume at the microphone.

Things to keep in mind

• Switchable pickup patterns (1 pattern, 1 point): It has one pickup pattern.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record in fine detail at a high sampling rate; people who want to control mute and volume at the microphone.

Main features of ATR2100x-USB

Connects by both USB and XLR

The body has both a USB-C and an XLR jack. By USB you can connect straight to a computer for streaming and recording; by XLR you can connect to a mixer or audio interface for vocals and live use. Over USB it can record at up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

A headphone jack and a talk switch

There is a 3.5 mm headphone jack at the bottom of the body, so you can hear your own voice and the other person’s without delay. You can also adjust the headphone volume on the body (when connected by USB). A slide switch turns the voice on and off.

Works in the hand or on a desk

It is a handheld dynamic microphone with a tough die-cast body (metal poured into a mold) that can also be used live. A microphone holder, a desk stand, two USB cables (C to C and C to A) and a 3 m XLR cable are included.

Where it is useful

• Getting your voice across clearly and easily in streaming or web meetings
• Using it by USB at first and later connecting it to an audio interface or mixer
• Singing or speaking with the microphone in your hand

Rating by criterion

Recording detail: 5 / 5

How finely it can record the sound (the sampling rate).

ATR2100x-USB: 24-bit/192 kHz. That is a high rating among the products we compared. It records finely, at a high sampling rate.

Switchable pickup patterns: 1 / 5

How many pickup patterns (directions it listens in) you can choose from.

ATR2100x-USB: 1 pattern. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It has one pickup pattern.

Controls at hand: 4 / 5

How many controls you can operate at hand, such as mute, a gain knob and a headphone jack.

ATR2100x-USB: 3 of 5. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You can control mute and volume at the microphone.

Range of connections: 3 / 5

How widely it connects: an XLR output, and whether it can be used with a smartphone.

ATR2100x-USB: 1 of 2. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 11 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (USB microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Recording detail	Highest supported sampling rate	192 kHz	96 kHz	48 kHz	44.1 kHz	Lower
Switchable pickup patterns	Number of selectable pickup patterns	4 or more	3	2	—	1 (no switching)
Controls at hand	Mute, gain knob, headphone jack, headphone volume, mix control	4 to 5	3	2	1	None
Range of connections	XLR output and smartphone (iOS / Android) support	2	—	1	—	None

Scored only on the specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. USB microphones often do not publish the sensitivity or self-noise that ordinary microphones do, so they are compared on the things that make a difference when you plug straight into a computer: recording detail, switchable pickup patterns, controls at hand and range of connections. Smartphone support counts only where the manufacturer states iOS or Android compatibility. Weight is shown in the table for reference.

ATR2100x-USB connection and getting started

Connection	Both USB-C (to a computer) and an XLR jack (to a mixer or audio interface)
Power	USB power (5 V). When used over XLR, no power is needed (it is a dynamic microphone)
In the box	Microphone holder, desk stand, two USB cables (about 2 m, C to C and C to A) and an XLR cable (3 m)
Other	Supported operating systems are Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Mac OS X or later (see the compatibility table on the official page). The headphone jack and volume control work only when connected by USB

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other USB microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It connects straight to a computer by USB. It also connects by XLR. You can start recording without an audio interface. Later you can switch to an audio interface over XLR.
• It records at up to 24-bit/192 kHz. For ordinary streaming and singing, 48 kHz is enough. A bigger number records in finer detail, but the files are larger.
• Controls at hand: mute, headphone jack, headphone volume. Anything not on that list (gain, for example) is adjusted in software on the computer.

Read next

• Blue Yeti: features and rating (rank B)
• MV7+: features and rating (rank B)
• MV7: features and rating (rank A)
• NT-USB Mini: features and rating (rank C)