Unidirectional Microphone

 Great quality for the sound (with good sound card)
At first I plugged it in and thought it was a piece of junk. When I checked the cound card settings I noticed that it was actually using the sound card to record the audio. I didn't think I would get sound this good for less than $20.

 I miss mine
I am an aspiring recording artist, who's budget simply does not allow the purchase of expensive equipment to record on (yet)... In lieu of that, I use equipment that has value...or more than one quality... The only examples that I have as of the present is my Harmon/Kardon CDR20 which, even though it put a [large] dent in my pocket, provided me some very good quality CD recordings. Actually, with the use of that and my teenage boombox, I proceeded to make my first demo. Another example is the Athlon XP 1700+ headed computer that I use to record on now that put an even bigger dent in my pocket... Its uses are of many, so again, I come out in a less sacrificial stance...
Now, as far as the first demo that I mentioned in the previous paragraph...it took me some time and creativity, but I did it...and it sounded good. Since I started the recording with a much less valuable Coby microphone, I was able to see the instant difference that the ATR20 provided. My voice sounded more balanced and alive, where as though the Coby microphone which costed about 50% less sounded like, well, a cheap microphone--over-exxagerated voice, with much less presence.
The Audio-Technica is a clear winner...and it didn't make me sound like I was performing at a concert or anything. Just like a studio, without the added quality (how much could I expect from my boombox'x mic mixing capabilities which were fully automated? )...
Over the year, I've been away from home, and although I have been able to record better sounding musical/vocal mixes via my recently purchased computer, the quality of the voice is apparently less realistic. I am almost as anxious to get back to that microphone as I am to my wife and children...:-)
I am here to tell you, that this microphone is worth it. Of course, the ATR30 has a wider frequency range and probably better sound...but for the Amateur, I'm going to advise going with the ATR20. And with the fact that I see it here for about twenty dollars, I am tempted to buy it again just to have it while I'm here...