Can you tell me exactly everything I need to buy in order to set this microphone up and use it as soon as I buy it...(meaning cables and/or stand etc)

You will need a stand of some sort, They range from tiny ones for a desktop situation to huge ones with wheels and boom arms for reaching around and over things. Get one that has favorable reviews. Super cheap ones will break with very little use. This comes with a mic mount and it works but I would invest in a shock mount. You will need a balanced microphone cable with XLR female to plug in to the mic and whatever option you need on the other end. If you do not have a mixer, you will need a preamp because this thing requires phantom power. I would also invest or make a plosive filter as well. I hope that answers your question. Cheers!

Does this product come with a XLR cable? if so, how long is the included cable?

The product doesnt come with an XLR cable, but you can buy one on Amazon for cheap here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stagg-MC03XX-metre-microphone-cable/dp/B000OLVXAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=stagg+microphone+3+metre

the pictures confuse me! is this XLR or USB?

I received this Mic thinking it was USB but it was XLR, so I sent it back. I hope this helped.

Because it is an XLR microphone can i use a XLR to USB Adapter to wire it up to my computer?

Hi, simple answer here is no you can't. That's because these mics need 48v of phantom power, usually provided by a recording interface or mixing desk. The xlr to usb adapters don't support this phantom power so won't work with the AT2020. There is a usb version of this Mic by Audio Technica if you are wanting to use it directly to pc, otherwise you'll need to use a usb interface or a usb mixing desk both with a phantom power capability for the xlr version. Hope that helps?

ASIN	B0006H92QK
Audio sensitivity	37 Decibels
Batteries	1 Unknown batteries required.
Best Sellers Rank	328 in Musical Instruments & DJ ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments & DJ ) 10 in Condenser Microphones
Colour Screen	No
Date First Available	4 July 2007
Frequency response	20 Hz
Global Trade Identification Number	04961310081348
Hardware platform	PC
Impedance	200 Ohms
Item Weight	600 g
Item dimensions L x W x H	24.4 x 24.4 x 6.6 centimetres
Item model number	AT2020
Item weight	0.6 Kilograms
Manufacturer	audio-technica
Material	Electret
Material Type	Electret
Microphone form factor	Boundary
Number of batteries	1 Unknown batteries required.
Number of channels	1
Power source	Corded Electric
Product Dimensions	24.38 x 24.38 x 6.6 cm; 600 g
Proficiency Level	Beginner
Signal-to-noise ratio	74 dB
Size	Pack of 1
Voltage	240 Volts

AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone Black

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