If you want to sound good on video calls or podcasts, you need a good mic like the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone with shock mount in today’s MacBook Pro setup. And the user can move it around easily enough because he places it on a low-profile Elgato microphone arm.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Well-mounted Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone boosts MacBook Pro setup

Redditor dartiss (“Dart”) showcased the prim-but-well-equipped setup in a post entitled, “My small home office set-up.” On a sit/stand motorized desk, he’s got a 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro in a Twelve South BookArc vertical laptop stand. “There [are] just two cables coming in — USB-C connector that plugs into my monitor, and the MagSafe power cable,” Dart said.

The monitor is a 32-inch LG UltraFine UN880-B 4K display with a BenQ ScreenBar Halo light on top. A desktop remote controls the light. Also atop the screen sits a Logitech StreamCam, plugged into the back of the monitor.

“There’s no stand, but a multi-direction arm that clamps to the edge of the desk, freeing up space,” he said of the display. “It has a 2-port USB-C hub and speakers.”

Back in January we offered a big overview of the great setup’s gear. Today we’ll look a little more closely at the AV department, including the nice mounting job on that Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ USB microphone, which is also mounted on an arm clamped to the desk, on the side.

Audio gear includes USB mic with shock mount and low-profile Elgato arm

Attached to the underside of the monitor on the right sits a 4-port USB 3.0 hub, which Dart uses as a quick way to plug in USB-A devices to his MacBook. And he also uses a 7-port USB-C hub hidden in a cable tray under the desk.

And he’s got reason for the hubs for use with various devices, among the many rounding out his full-service setup. Here’s how he describes his audio-visual gear:

Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Microphone, shock mount and pop filter.
Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP. “LP stands for ‘low profile,’ so the arm sites more horizontal than the usual ‘up and over’ of most microphone arms. This is great. I just push it to the side when I don’t need it. It’s also incredibly well built too, with magnetic cable covers.”
Creative Pebble V3 USB-C speakers. “I connect with Bluetooth and use the USB-C for powering it. I use these speakers for video calls and general laptop output.”
OG HomePod. “This has a great sound and I mainly use it for listening to music, connected directly to the Apple Music app on my laptop. All other sound is directed through the monitor speakers.”
[Elgato] Stream Deck+. “Intended for streamers, it’s also got a life outside of that too. Everything from simple shortcuts to video editor controls, the tactile buttons and touch screen of this version makes it a worthy upgrade.”
ShuttleXpress video jog/shuttle. “I like video editing but this can actually be configured to control any app, so it’s great for simple shortcut keys, etc.”

And if you like the wallpaper showing on the display, you can find it in macOS Sonoma.

Shop these items now:
USB microphone and mount:
Other audio:
Computer, stand and hubs:
Display, mount, light and webcam:
Input devices:
Accessories:
Furniture and lighting:

If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to info+setups.com. Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.