A trick for dealing with tape adhesives. Put isopropyl alcohol (about 1cm high) in a cup. The higher the percentage, the better (I use 99%). After disassembling the lower half, dip the top of the mic into the cup and let it sit for less than a minute. KEEP the mic upside down! Then pull on the circuit board and the adhesive should give-way. Wait for the components to dry before reassembly, and be careful not to drip or splash fluid on the sensory components. If you touch it, you will notice the tape feels slimy and slippery. As-long as you don't mess with it, the tape will regain its stickiness once it fully drys. I used to work at a cellphone repair shop, and we used this kind of method to remove adhesives without destroying them or heating up the device's components. After watching this video, I tried it on my AT2020, and it worked like a charm. Thanks for the video; I needed to know what I was disassembling before I tried myself.
Yea i am finally getting my channel back up to speed. Thanks for coming by and checking things out. going to try and put a new video up every 3 or 4 day from now on.. hoping to monetize one day.. but i am sure that is but a pipe dream....
My at2020 had the same issue, but not so off/on, instead there was an intermittent noise and apparently the same contact was loose. Thanks for your guide I was able to teardown the mic and repair it; I was afraid of using brute force to separate the main component, but after seeing you, I took the rist and was able to do it.
WoW! How can one ask for a better compliment! Could not be happier to hear of the successful outcome!! Comments like these are what keeps this channel going!!
At2020 это электретный микрофон, и хоть в его схеме присутствуют конденсаторы, но работает он совсем по другому. Популярный Bm800, например, тоже использует электретный капсюль
Just a warning to anyone trying this - DO NOT TOUCH THE FOAM ON THE CONDENSER, it turns to dust the moment you breathe on it. I left a massive dent in mine without even noticing. If the mic had been salvageable, that damage still would've been done. As it turns out I think my mic is just toast, but thanks to this comment section I think I may be able to build a new condenser and use the AT2020 shell.
@@furttech It's just a matter of spending as much on the kit as I did for the original mic. I know I'd be getting a higher quality mic in the end though, so it'll be worth it.
Can you explain why the foam will degrade ? Is it because its too old or does this happen to the mic brand new? Could always replace the foam .. Pls share the reason behind this.
@@MrEagleeye58 I'm afraid I don't know the reason, I don't even know how old the internals were because mine was second hand. They just had some sort of foam on one face of the condenser that disintegrated without me even feeling the touch, it was that fragile. I don't know how much it would affect the sound because I've now replaced the internals with the kit. Sorry I don't have any more info than that.
@@furttech Installed the mic kit, it sounds great, although I probably don't have the knowledge to discern how much better it is, it is good to have a kit that I know I can service myself for very cheap.
This is the type of comment which gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. It makes me extremely happy to learn my videos are helping people fix devices once thought to be non repairable! Thanks for the feedback! Let me know of any content you wish to see and a video will be made!!
I have an AT2035 that stopped picking up anything, do you think something internally detached as well, like yours? Not sure how similar it is inside to a 2020.
The AT 2035 is also susceptible to this type of failure. If you look at the shell on the 2035 you can see how similar the design is to the AT 2020. It should be close tho.
Hello, I have a fifine A6v microphone and i want to disable the rgb led light but there is no software or anything. So I want to open it and put a black tape over the led but I cant seem to find any screw or a way to open the mic. Any help would be appreciated!
It's possible the mic has a sticker or cover that can be removed. Some mics are glued together without screws because the case is made of plastic instead of metals. I looked for some breakdown diagrams but did not find anything. I will try and find some additional info.
Helloi bought a secondhand microphone rode nt usb and the sound too quite I opened to see inside i didn't find any loose wires or something everything seemed in place where could be the problem?
Input devices, including USB microphones, normally have a driver/software suite that enables advanced features on the mic. Many times the device will connect via USB enabling function but lacking control of gain, noise suppression and so on without the driver. I am not familiar with that mic style but my suggestion is as follows. - Check for drivers - Check the cable is not damaged - Plug into USB 3.0 port on motherboard - Lastly Adjust Mic Gain in Windows Sound Settings or Mic Settings App Good luck hope this helps. It is possible the mic is damaged due to error from the factory or issue from shipping. Not all repairs are simple visual repairs like a broken wire or burnt cable. It can be very difficult to diagnose USB mics because they are actually HOST USB devices which are both DAC ( Digital Audio Converters) and Mic built into one. The cable is connected, the computer detects a DAC is plugged in, device drivers are installed/configured and boom the mic is live. Often these DACs can be damaged or faulty due to poor Quality Control or Bad Craftsmanship. At that point it would be an advanced electronics repair which would be outside the scope of DIY repair.
@@redafaghloumi3754 unfortunately it may be done for. If it was a higher quality mic then i would normally suggest repair. However. It may not be worth the effort with cost of mics today.
Broken Condenser Mic (AT2020) My AT2020 stopped working on my after 4 years of use...it's seen it's odd hits and knocks over that time and being a cheaper mic has just been left out in the studio and never put away. All that to say that it doesn't work anymore! What happens is when I plug it in to my interface and get the phantom power to it, it works fine for a few seconds then quickly dies away...if I unplug it and let it sit for a bit, the same thing happens over and over. Can't find much on repairing condenser mics out there. Out of curiosity, anyone ever have this problem? What could it be, and is it worth fixing? Thanks!
This sounds like the transformer or primary capacitor has a fault. The Condenser is most likely not damaged as the mic would not work at all in those situations. I would suggest testing the circuit components on the mounting plate pcb
One of the many reasons I buy premium gear, it never breaks. The AT2020 is a decent mic for the money if you need versatility for $100.00 or less. The build quality is decent but nothing mind blowing. The noise floor on the other hand is bad. I still have mine but don't use it anymore since I have premium gear now and a bigger budget than I used to. I will probably take it out today though just for giggles. It is good for mic comparisons though since everyone has heard it.
You can buy barely same akg p120, or takstar sm-8b even cheaper. I am pretty sure they are from one factory, similar design, same stickers inside the body, same 5/8 holder.
@@DuceVita The same factory doesn't always mean the same product. I already switched to premium gear years ago for my music business. Premium equipment is superior, especially if you really know how to use it. The AT2020 was a decent mix when I started out. Good value, just not like my premium gear.
@badmiddens I never said it was a bad microphone but once you get better stuff and have something to compare it too there is definitely a big difference.
@@fixedfocusmediaofficial i know. and it's not a particularly good mic, honestly. it's an ok starter. Just ok. old design, tiny electret capsule. much better options today, even at the same price point. people are just really used to this one. did you do Neumann stuff or something else?
Ebay or 3rd party sound supply sites. I got my kits off ebay tho. Years ago tho. Not sure who still sells it but a quick google for at2020 mod kit shows a number of resellers.
Thanks for checking out the video! Yes the at2020 is a Capacitive Cardioid Condenser mic. You can very clearly see the transformer and line feed circuitry on the bottom plate of the mic. It may not be the most fanciful mic on the market but for the price I can recommend it!
whew thanks for the video of how to disassemble the mic i had gotten some paint on the cage and wanted to clean it so i was very appreciative of the ability to take everything apart to clean it! now i have to figure how to soder cause i accidentally pulled the cables out of the PCB T-T
Holy crap I totally get what you're saying about the Neumans. Sure they're a good product but way overpriced at this point, especially as tech gets better and better. I guess if someone wanted to invest in one, at least they hold their value pretty well. Other than that I think it's pretty much buying a microphone for your ego. Sorry if my first teasing reply came off as dicky!
In all it comes down to cost, purchase what you can afford, do not worry about trying to buy a fancy mic getting started. Eventually, one can always invest in an upgrade. The trick is always limiting want and focusing on need. Shiny new mics are nice tho...
It really is tho. Hence why they are so popular to sell. You can build a decent mic for next to nothing. Up selling cashes out nicely. 2-5$ of components 10$ in materials A tad for pcb manufacturing A bit on manufacturing Poof a 150$ mic 🎤😄 For 15$.... Still have to say.. i think its worth the money..
@@4Da_Tech I swear, like the microphone body and grill probably cost more than the PCB and capsule lol. Jokes aside, they do sound good even tho the inside feel like cheap toys.
@@4Da_Tech I looked into this and it turns out there are kits on sale, and it is super easy to to do. I might try this since my AT2020 is definitely dead - I opened it up and there was nothing loose. It still does nothing. I could probably cram the parts into the AT2020 shell. Hell of a lot cheaper than buying a new one, more fun, and once you know how to build something you "own" it in a much more profound way than buying one.
This is what happens when an engineer gets locked inside a room for months at a time! Things just get disassembled!! Will the get re-assembled? Only time will tell muwahahah!
In all honesty I find it to be more likely a simple bad quality control issue. The technician most likely failed to properly crimp the wire termination. 😒
A trick for dealing with tape adhesives.
Put isopropyl alcohol (about 1cm high) in a cup. The higher the percentage, the better (I use 99%).
After disassembling the lower half, dip the top of the mic into the cup and let it sit for less than a minute. KEEP the mic upside down!
Then pull on the circuit board and the adhesive should give-way.
Wait for the components to dry before reassembly, and be careful not to drip or splash fluid on the sensory components.
If you touch it, you will notice the tape feels slimy and slippery. As-long as you don't mess with it, the tape will regain its stickiness once it fully drys.
I used to work at a cellphone repair shop, and we used this kind of method to remove adhesives without destroying them or heating up the device's components.
After watching this video, I tried it on my AT2020, and it worked like a charm.
Thanks for the video; I needed to know what I was disassembling before I tried myself.
That is an excellent tip! I just tried this on one of my other at 2020's that needed a cleaning. Tape dried and sticky returned!! Thanks!! *100/100*
Watching you try to figure out how to remove that damn circuit board until you finally got it off was really satisfying 😂
I wont lie, even after removing a few of these it still makes my butthole pucker lol!
I just swapped the capsule on the AT2020 USB to an SE X1 Capsule conversion successful a few cuts and reattachments sounds spectacular
I have seen a few of these kits floating around. Might have to pick one up and mod my old at2020
This same method should work for all mics I feel like the capsule is the most important part I'm thinking about buying a Neumann capsule
Well gosh damn... It's been a while since I've seen Furt content. Good to see again!
Yea i am finally getting my channel back up to speed. Thanks for coming by and checking things out. going to try and put a new video up every 3 or 4 day from now on.. hoping to monetize one day.. but i am sure that is but a pipe dream....
Just repaired mine!!! Thanks for the video!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Late reply: so happy this video helped! How is it a year later? Still good?
My at2020 had the same issue, but not so off/on, instead there was an intermittent noise and apparently the same contact was loose.
Thanks for your guide I was able to teardown the mic and repair it; I was afraid of using brute force to separate the main component, but after seeing you, I took the rist and was able to do it.
WoW! How can one ask for a better compliment! Could not be happier to hear of the successful outcome!! Comments like these are what keeps this channel going!!
At2020 это электретный микрофон, и хоть в его схеме присутствуют конденсаторы, но работает он совсем по другому. Популярный Bm800, например, тоже использует электретный капсюль
Just a warning to anyone trying this - DO NOT TOUCH THE FOAM ON THE CONDENSER, it turns to dust the moment you breathe on it. I left a massive dent in mine without even noticing. If the mic had been salvageable, that damage still would've been done. As it turns out I think my mic is just toast, but thanks to this comment section I think I may be able to build a new condenser and use the AT2020 shell.
Yes, i know you can purchase a mod kit for this shell. I have not tried it yet but i checked into it and saw good reviews...
@@furttech It's just a matter of spending as much on the kit as I did for the original mic. I know I'd be getting a higher quality mic in the end though, so it'll be worth it.
Can you explain why the foam will degrade ? Is it because its too old or does this happen to the mic brand new? Could always replace the foam .. Pls share the reason behind this.
@@MrEagleeye58 I'm afraid I don't know the reason, I don't even know how old the internals were because mine was second hand. They just had some sort of foam on one face of the condenser that disintegrated without me even feeling the touch, it was that fragile. I don't know how much it would affect the sound because I've now replaced the internals with the kit. Sorry I don't have any more info than that.
@@furttech Installed the mic kit, it sounds great, although I probably don't have the knowledge to discern how much better it is, it is good to have a kit that I know I can service myself for very cheap.
Thanks a lot, fixed my AT2020 (one wire got detached)
Glad i could help!! Please Subscribe if you would like to support my channel!
@@furttech Subscribed!
Thanks Man My At2020 gave me real intolerable Hum noise with a distorted vocal sound so I got a sm58 and now I Realise I can fix it lol Thanks
This is the type of comment which gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. It makes me extremely happy to learn my videos are helping people fix devices once thought to be non repairable! Thanks for the feedback! Let me know of any content you wish to see and a video will be made!!
Can you provide the PCB schematic picture?
If the manufacturer does not have one available then I may be able to track one down or create one. I will look around and see what I can find!
@@furttech I will be grateful
I have an AT2035 that stopped picking up anything, do you think something internally detached as well, like yours? Not sure how similar it is inside to a 2020.
They are close to identical twins. Some slight differences but much the same process for disassembling.
The AT 2035 is also susceptible to this type of failure. If you look at the shell on the 2035 you can see how similar the design is to the AT 2020. It should be close tho.
Hello, I have a fifine A6v microphone and i want to disable the rgb led light but there is no software or anything. So I want to open it and put a black tape over the led but I cant seem to find any screw or a way to open the mic. Any help would be appreciated!
It's possible the mic has a sticker or cover that can be removed. Some mics are glued together without screws because the case is made of plastic instead of metals. I looked for some breakdown diagrams but did not find anything. I will try and find some additional info.
@@furttechthanks dude but ive sold that mic and bought another one without rgb!
Helloi bought a secondhand microphone rode nt usb and the sound too quite
I opened to see inside i didn't find any loose wires or something everything seemed in place where could be the problem?
Input devices, including USB microphones, normally have a driver/software suite that enables advanced features on the mic. Many times the device will connect via USB enabling function but lacking control of gain, noise suppression and so on without the driver.
I am not familiar with that mic style but my suggestion is as follows.
- Check for drivers
- Check the cable is not damaged
- Plug into USB 3.0 port on motherboard
- Lastly Adjust Mic Gain in Windows Sound Settings or Mic Settings App
Good luck hope this helps. It is possible the mic is damaged due to error from the factory or issue from shipping. Not all repairs are simple visual repairs like a broken wire or burnt cable. It can be very difficult to diagnose USB mics because they are actually HOST USB devices which are both DAC ( Digital Audio Converters) and Mic built into one. The cable is connected, the computer detects a DAC is plugged in, device drivers are installed/configured and boom the mic is live. Often these DACs can be damaged or faulty due to poor Quality Control or Bad Craftsmanship. At that point it would be an advanced electronics repair which would be outside the scope of DIY repair.
@@furttech alright bro i tried evything you mentioned above and its not working thank you
@@redafaghloumi3754 unfortunately it may be done for. If it was a higher quality mic then i would normally suggest repair. However. It may not be worth the effort with cost of mics today.
omg... im so dumb. You said it just pops off... so I popped it off and ripped the cables out of it!!! 🤣😭
Opps! Did you pull them out of the PCB board or the XLR connection? Do not beat yourself up tho! Half of learning is breaking stuff!!!
Broken Condenser Mic (AT2020)
My AT2020 stopped working on my after 4 years of use...it's seen it's odd hits and knocks over that time and being a cheaper mic has just been left out in the studio and never put away.
All that to say that it doesn't work anymore! What happens is when I plug it in to my interface and get the phantom power to it, it works fine for a few seconds then quickly dies away...if I unplug it and let it sit for a bit, the same thing happens over and over.
Can't find much on repairing condenser mics out there. Out of curiosity, anyone ever have this problem? What could it be, and is it worth fixing?
Thanks!
This sounds like the transformer or primary capacitor has a fault. The Condenser is most likely not damaged as the mic would not work at all in those situations. I would suggest testing the circuit components on the mounting plate pcb
Which part is the transformer? The yellow piece?
Ues the small black and yellow box looking component on the circuit board.
One of the many reasons I buy premium gear, it never breaks. The AT2020 is a decent mic for the money if you need versatility for $100.00 or less. The build quality is decent but nothing mind blowing. The noise floor on the other hand is bad. I still have mine but don't use it anymore since I have premium gear now and a bigger budget than I used to. I will probably take it out today though just for giggles. It is good for mic comparisons though since everyone has heard it.
You can buy barely same akg p120, or takstar sm-8b even cheaper. I am pretty sure they are from one factory, similar design, same stickers inside the body, same 5/8 holder.
@@DuceVita The same factory doesn't always mean the same product. I already switched to premium gear years ago for my music business. Premium equipment is superior, especially if you really know how to use it. The AT2020 was a decent mix when I started out. Good value, just not like my premium gear.
i hear you have premium gear. premium.
@badmiddens I never said it was a bad microphone but once you get better stuff and have something to compare it too there is definitely a big difference.
@@fixedfocusmediaofficial i know. and it's not a particularly good mic, honestly. it's an ok starter. Just ok. old design, tiny electret capsule. much better options today, even at the same price point. people are just really used to this one. did you do Neumann stuff or something else?
where do you buy replacement parts?
Ebay or 3rd party sound supply sites. I got my kits off ebay tho. Years ago tho. Not sure who still sells it but a quick google for at2020 mod kit shows a number of resellers.
So at2020 is electret condenser ... Right ?? Wow I didn't know that
Thanks for checking out the video! Yes the at2020 is a Capacitive Cardioid Condenser mic. You can very clearly see the transformer and line feed circuitry on the bottom plate of the mic.
It may not be the most fanciful mic on the market but for the price I can recommend it!
@@furttech yeah great mic i once had it, not deep sound but nice for instruments ...
my mic trust sir,how to pix my moc at2020,
Did you fix it?
Yes, after fixing the loose connection the mic has been working perfectly for a few years now.
whew thanks for the video of how to disassemble the mic
i had gotten some paint on the cage and wanted to clean it so i was very appreciative of the ability to take everything apart to clean it!
now i have to figure how to soder cause i accidentally pulled the cables out of the PCB T-T
Glad you enjoyed this. Thank you.
13:50
Broken on shipping ? I do not believe
Honestly, it may have been bad quality control from the manufacturer... but either way the mic arrived doa and broken. It happens..
Holy crap I totally get what you're saying about the Neumans. Sure they're a good product but way overpriced at this point, especially as tech gets better and better. I guess if someone wanted to invest in one, at least they hold their value pretty well. Other than that I think it's pretty much buying a microphone for your ego. Sorry if my first teasing reply came off as dicky!
In all it comes down to cost, purchase what you can afford, do not worry about trying to buy a fancy mic getting started. Eventually, one can always invest in an upgrade. The trick is always limiting want and focusing on need. Shiny new mics are nice tho...
Ill gladly take your mic LOL
There's nothing impress me inside the mic. The electronic circuit looks so simple.
It really is tho. Hence why they are so popular to sell. You can build a decent mic for next to nothing. Up selling cashes out nicely.
2-5$ of components
10$ in materials
A tad for pcb manufacturing
A bit on manufacturing
Poof a 150$ mic 🎤😄
For 15$....
Still have to say.. i think its worth the money..
@@4Da_Tech I swear, like the microphone body and grill probably cost more than the PCB and capsule lol.
Jokes aside, they do sound good even tho the inside feel like cheap toys.
@@4Da_Tech I looked into this and it turns out there are kits on sale, and it is super easy to to do. I might try this since my AT2020 is definitely dead - I opened it up and there was nothing loose. It still does nothing. I could probably cram the parts into the AT2020 shell. Hell of a lot cheaper than buying a new one, more fun, and once you know how to build something you "own" it in a much more profound way than buying one.
oh damn
I know right.. i could not believe it arrived DOA.. But no worries Furt to the rescue!!
shotout gg
no u cant do that are u that bored in quarantine dude thats expensive
This guy is crazy nutz huh? Like some kind of super technical genius or sumthin. Fuggin crazy intelligence!! 👨💻💩
This is what happens when an engineer gets locked inside a room for months at a time! Things just get disassembled!! Will the get re-assembled? Only time will tell muwahahah!
That is an ungodly shitty shipping service if they managed to break that. legit they'd need to be throwing it on the ground over and over and over.
In all honesty I find it to be more likely a simple bad quality control issue. The technician most likely failed to properly crimp the wire termination. 😒