Samson C01U USB microphone

The advent of computer technology, particularly the USB functions, has brought birth to new types of music equipment such as USB microphones. One brand which I encountered on its debut appearance and was able to test for a couple of weeks is the Samson C01U USB microphone.

Built out of aluminum structure, the Samson C01U USB microphone is durable, sturdy and compatible for use  for both PC and Mac computers.  When using a conventional mic, you need to have an audio interface first connected to the computer and you connect the mic to the interface. With a USB mic, the process is simpler; just plug it to a USB input and it's ready for use.

It is a fact that digital recording has taken over analog and more and more people are getting into it. By using computers and DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation) for music production, the processes involved has become more easy and faster. Although there are still a lot of hard-core analog users, for the majority of the population, digital is more practical particularly because it costs less. USB mics like the Samson C01U has become an integral part of this new system of recording.

The Samson C01U USB  mic has a large diaphragm and very user-friendly; just plug it in and use it. No interface, pre-amps, direct boxes or whatsoever. Takes out all the hassle from setting up conventional mics with mixers.

You must bear in mind that the Samson C01U USB microphone is uni-directional, which means it is not suited for capturing the acoustics or ambiance of a full room. Recording vocals and acoustic guitars went on great with this USB mic and I've used it as overhead for the ride cymbals and it worked fine as well. I've experienced no latency and the quality was similar to a conventional large diaphragm Audio Technica condenser mic which I used to have.

The Samson C01U USB microphone's price might be a bit tricky as it's being sold for a range of US$70 to US$240 depending on the dealer, a bit strange why the big differences in the price range, so it's up to you where to get it at a steal. For quick recordings like podcasts with very minimal set-up, this will do the job, but it could handle serious music production as well. In the end, it's not just about the gear but the user counts a lot as well.

Other technical info on the Samson C01U USB microphone:

Frequency response: 20 - 18,000 Hz
Polar pattern: Hyper-cardioid
Element type: Electret condenser type
Diaphragm thickness: 3 microns
SPL: 136 dB Max.
Dimensions: 7” x 2.125” x 2.125”
Weight: 1.06 lbs.

***A Gizmo Guerilla Music Gear Review