Audio-Technica AT 2035

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.

It feels has the law of diminishing returns happens at around this price point, for large diaphragm condenser microphones. So you’ll get the best bang for the buck with the AT2035. This is mostly an opinionated observation, so it’s value may be up for debate. On paper, the AT2035 is better than the NT1, but there is a lot to consider for that to be of any relevance in actual use.

Use:
I use it to evaluate my vocals in an occasionally “noisy”, non treated room

Pros:
- The first time I monitored the microphone with active noise canceling headphones, I could hear dogs barking and birds chirping at a long distance.
- Clarity of vocals feels crazy good when using the proximity effect.
- 10 decibels padding switch in the mic
- Low cut filter directly in the mic

Cons:
- None so far

On a final note:
- It’s fine for my use case, but for actually tracking vocals, this is a large diaphragm condenser mic, and it should be used in an appropriate environment, if that's what you're doing. This thing will capture "everything". Of course you can always trim 10 decibels if you're not tracking vocals, and there is a padding switch for that, and a low cut too.

I bought this microphone two years ago.
I primarily use it to record my flamenco guitar, althought sometimes I use it to record friends (oud, mantolin, singers). It has prooved to be a very good microphone (for this price range) and a microphone that can be used in various musical/recording circuimstances!
I am really happy with it and consider it to be an important microphone in my home studio.
I would recommend it mostly to acoustic players and/or people that are looking for their first condenser microphone (for their home studio etc.)
Finally, its construction is very solid; all its pieces are well put together and in my case, after two years of almost everyday use, my microphone still looks like a new one!

I bought this microphone to record acoustic guitar and vocals at my home. To make it clear, my recording room is not acoustically treated. (yet)

But, with some well known tricks like proper room-mic positioning and blanket behind the singer-performer, my recordings turned out very good...Even without heavy post eq or compression. Make sure to position Audio Technica logo toward to sound source.

I use Roland Duo Capture EX audio interface to record.
And as for the mic itself, it seems very solid and has low self-noise. Soundwise, it's clear and well balanced. It handles close miking situations so far.

All in all, it's a very good microphone in it's price range...