Horizon_AC_

Commendable
Apr 25, 2016
2
0
1,510
Hello all,
I hope you will excuse any mistakes I make; this is my first post.

As part of a videography and YouTube project, I'm looking into purchasing an Audio Technica AT2020 XLR mic. I'm aware that the best way to run this into a pc is through an XLR Audio Interface, however I'm trying to shrink my kit into as few pieces as I can.

In a hypothetical world, as I do not posses this kit yet:


I have an Asus Xonar U7 hooked up to a Logitech Z906 sound system and a headset with a crap mic. The U7 is there to provide surround to the sound system and headset, as my motherboard doesn't support surround sound natively and has no internal slots left.

I want to know if it would be possible to run the AT2020 through the mic port on the U7 - my understanding of the system as I would like it to be, is as follows :
-AT2020 > Phantom Power unit > Xonar U7 (using XLR to Mini Jack cable) > PC via USB.

Theoretically, this system should work perfectly for my needs - I don't have the space or need for a dedicated audio interface for only the mic (that's why I'd like input and output to be handled by the u7.)
I do know, however, that the AT2020 produces a balanced signal, and obviously a mini Jack is unbalanced. Would I run into issues with this? As far as a can tell, the output would just be handled as if it were unbalanced, without any issues, but I'd like to know from an expert before I blow a couple of hundred pounds in premium kit if it all goes belly up.

I apologise again for mistakes, inconsistencies and general waffle or repeating - please excuse that. Plus I'm typing on my phone which means autocorrect has probably made me say something I didn't intend. :p

Thanks in advance! Horizon/Louis
 
Solution
yes you can use the 2020 without an interface if you use a 48v phantom power adapter then xlr adapter cables as you proposed.

dedicated interfaces do not take up too much room and are not that much more expensive than a decent phantom power unit. something like the scarlett solo for example. your choice if you wanted to avoid this or not but generally interfaces are suggested unless running headphones with virtual surround sound from a soundcard.

you really wouldnt want to use the mic paired with speakers. speakers will be quite easily picked up by the sensitive 2020 and your audio quality will suffer because of it. use headphones. yes, you can use headphones with your soundcard and use a phantom power adapter instead of an interface...
yes you can use the 2020 without an interface if you use a 48v phantom power adapter then xlr adapter cables as you proposed.

dedicated interfaces do not take up too much room and are not that much more expensive than a decent phantom power unit. something like the scarlett solo for example. your choice if you wanted to avoid this or not but generally interfaces are suggested unless running headphones with virtual surround sound from a soundcard.

you really wouldnt want to use the mic paired with speakers. speakers will be quite easily picked up by the sensitive 2020 and your audio quality will suffer because of it. use headphones. yes, you can use headphones with your soundcard and use a phantom power adapter instead of an interface - that will work as well.

use a boom arm or stand, shock mount, pop filter, proper mic positioning and headphones if you want to hear audio while recording.

if you dont care about hearing your voice as you record, the at2020usb version is conveniently usb based. a bit less quality output (output quality is still above what people can really tell the difference on - it only matters with editing really) but still good. rode nt usb is also a nice warm usb mic
 
Solution

Horizon_AC_

Commendable
Apr 25, 2016
2
0
1,510
Thank you very much. I don't really need the extra features of an audio interface not can I really afford a decent one on top of the rest of the gear. As you say, I don't intend to use the mic with the speakers, I would use my headset when using the mic. The great thing about the U7 is you can switch from Speakers to Headphones with a single button press, which was what made me think it was ideal. Again, thanks for your help!