AudioTechnica AT2020USB Microphone Duplicates Audio in Stream

Understanding the AT2020USB Duplicate Audio Problem

The AudioTechnica AT2020USB is a popular choice for home‑office setups, podcasting, and streaming because it delivers studio‑quality sound through a simple USB connection. Users report a frustrating issue, however: during a live stream the microphone seems to play back twice, creating an echo or “duplicate” sound that overwhelms the intended audio track. This article dives into why this happens, how to identify the root cause, and a comprehensive step‑by‑step guide to resolve the problem so your streams sound clean and professional.

Why Duplicate Audio Occurs

Duplicate audio can stem from several layers of the audio pipeline. Understanding these layers—hardware, operating‑system, and software—helps isolate the problem.

1. Hardware Layer
   The AT2020USB is a single‑channel condenser mic that streams audio directly to the computer via USB. The mic itself does not have a headphone jack, so any audio that returns to the mic’s input must be routed through software or the computer’s sound system.

2. Operating‑System Layer
   Both Windows and macOS maintain lists of audio devices, each with “input” and “output” roles. If the AT2020USB is set as both an input and an output, or if the system’s internal microphone is still active, the OS can duplicate the stream.

3. Software Layer
   Streaming software (OBS Studio, Streamlabs, XSplit, etc.) manages audio sources and mixes them before sending the final signal to the streaming platform. A misconfiguration—such as adding the mic twice, using a virtual audio cable, or enabling audio monitoring on multiple tracks—can cause duplication.

Common Symptoms

• Echo or “Ghost Voice”: A faint version of the microphone audio lags slightly behind the main signal.
• Double Volume: The same phrase or word plays twice, often at a lower volume.
• Chatter or Feedback: When headphones are not used, the mic picks up its own output, causing a loop.
• Clipping or Distortion: Because two signals are combined, the level can exceed 0 dBFS.

Recognizing these patterns early helps avoid unnecessary troubleshooting.

Quick Test to Verify Duplication

Before diving into the deeper fixes, run a short test:

1. Open a recording app (e.g., Audacity, Voice Memos).
2. Record a simple sentence while speaking normally.
3. Listen to the playback.
4. If you hear the same sentence twice or an echo, duplication is confirmed.

If the test playback is clean, the issue likely lies in the streaming software or OS configuration.

Step‑by‑Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Clean Up the Operating‑System Audio Devices

Windows

1. Open Sound Settings: Right‑click the speaker icon → Open Sound settings.
2. Select Input Device: Under “Input,” set the AT2020USB as the default.
3. Disable Other Inputs: If the built‑in microphone is listed, set it to “Disabled” or make sure its icon shows a muted microphone.
4. Check Output Devices: Under “Output,” confirm that the default speaker is your headphones or monitor, not the AT2020USB (which has no output).
5. Apply and Test: Record again in a test app.

macOS

1. System Preferences → Sound.
2. Input Tab: Choose the AT2020USB and uncheck “Use this device for sound output” if it appears.
3. Output Tab: Ensure headphones or external speakers are selected.
4. Close Preferences and test recording.

2. Inspect Streaming Software Settings

OBS Studio

1. Open Audio Mixer: Verify only one “Mic/Aux” source is present.
2. Source Settings: Click the gear icon → Properties → Device. Make sure it points to the AT2020USB.
3. Duplicate Removal: In the Mixer, click the “gear” icon → Advanced Audio Properties.
   • Ensure that the “Audio Monitoring” column is set to “Monitor Off” for the microphone unless you intentionally want to hear yourself.
   • Remove any “Desktop Audio” source that is also capturing mic audio via a virtual cable.
4. Check Filters: Some users add noise suppression or compression filters twice by accident. Open the source, go to Filters, and delete duplicate filters.
5. Scene Collections: If you have multiple scenes, confirm that none of them duplicate the mic source.
6. Restart OBS after changes to reload the audio pipeline.

Streamlabs

1. Sources Panel: Only one “Mic” source should exist.
2. Mixer: Check the “Monitor” column.
3. Audio Settings: Under the gear icon → Advanced Settings → Audio, ensure “Audio Monitoring Device” is set correctly.

XSplit

1. Audio Mixer: Look for duplicate channels.
2. Properties: Confirm that each channel uses the AT2020USB once.
3. Audio Monitoring: Disable monitoring on the mic channel if you are using headphones.

3. Verify No Virtual Audio Cables Are in Play

Virtual audio cables (VB‑Cable, VoiceMeeter, etc.) are useful for routing audio but can double‑route the mic if misconfigured.

1. Open the Virtual Cable Manager (e.g., VoiceMeeter).
2. Disconnect any virtual cable that routes from the AT2020USB to itself.
3. Set the AT2020USB as the only input to the streaming software.
4. Reboot if necessary to clear residual routing.

4. Update or Re‑install Drivers

Windows

1. Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers → AudioTechnica AT2020USB.
2. Right‑click → Update driver → Search automatically.
3. If no update, Uninstall device → Restart → Windows will reinstall.

macOS

1. The AT2020USB uses generic USB audio drivers.
2. Update macOS to the latest version to ensure driver compatibility.
3. If issues persist, unplug the mic, wait 10 seconds, then re‑plug.

5. Test with an Alternate Recording App

If duplication disappears in OBS but remains in a test recorder, the problem is definitely with the streaming software. If duplication remains across all applications, the mic may be faulty or the USB port is misbehaving.

• Try a different USB port (preferably a direct port on the computer, not a hub).
• Test on another computer.
• If duplication persists on a new machine, consider contacting AudioTechnica support or replacing the cable.

Best Practices for a Clean Streaming Audio Pipeline

1. Use Headphones
   Listening through headphones eliminates the possibility of the mic picking up speaker audio.

2. Set a Single Default Microphone
   Only the AT2020USB should be the default input; disable all others.

3. Keep the Mixer Simple
   Avoid multiple audio sources that feed the same mic signal.

4. Use “Monitor Off” unless actively troubleshooting.
   This prevents the mic audio from being sent back to the stream and heard by viewers.

5. Regularly Update Your Streaming Software
   New releases often fix audio routing bugs.

6. Label Your Sources Clearly
   In OBS or XSplit, name sources “Mic – AT2020USB” to avoid confusion.

7. Check for Background Processes
   Some background apps (Skype, Zoom) may inject audio into the system. Pause or close them during streams.

Quick Reference Checklist

• [ ] Only AT2020USB is set as the default input.
• [ ] No other microphones are active.
• [ ] No virtual audio cable duplicates the mic.
• [ ] Streaming software has a single mic source with monitoring disabled.
• [ ] Drivers are up‑to‑date.
• [ ] Headphones are used for monitoring.
• [ ] Test recording shows clean audio.

When All Else Fails

If after following every step the duplicate audio still appears, consider these advanced options:

• Use an Audio Interface: Connect the AT2020USB via a USB audio interface that offers dedicated input and output channels.
• Re‑map the Device: In Windows, create a new audio device profile that forces the mic to route only to the designated channel.
• Professional Support: Reach out to AudioTechnica or the streaming platform’s support team; they may have firmware or configuration tips specific to the AT2020USB.

Bottom Line

Duplicate audio in a stream is rarely a hardware fault with the AT2020USB. It almost always originates from the way the operating system or streaming software routes audio. By systematically cleaning up device lists, ensuring the mic is the sole input, disabling unnecessary monitoring, and eliminating virtual cables, most users can restore a pristine audio feed. Armed with these steps, you’ll eliminate the echo, protect your viewers’ experience, and keep your streaming quality at its best.