Samson CO1U - USB Studio Condenser Microphone

Product Information

The best thing about it is the signal-to-noise ratio! I have the original version of the Samson C01U, and the hiss from the mic is quite loud. It CAN be removed with noise reduction fairly easily, since it was a steady consistent noise. But it would be much better to prevent it in the first place. And with the C01U Pro, Samson has almost completely gotten rid of that hiss!

If you want the simplest possible computer recording setup, it doesn't come much more straightforward than this: a mic that plugs straight into your Mac or PC's USB ports. The C01U Pro features a headphone output for real-time monitoring and a status LED indicator shows you when there are peaks in your audio recordings. It features a 19mm diaphragm for recording low, middle and high tones. Audio is recorded in 16-bit 44.1/48 kHz resolution. The C01U offers the reliability that you need. No hassle Based on a large-diaphragm Chinese-built capsule, the mic is very nicely styled and cleanly engineered, with a choice of supercardioid, omni or figure-of-eight polar patterns. Supercardioid is a bit of an odd choice for studio work, but looking at the supplied polar plots indicates that it isn't too tight — very narrow cardioid patterns can be problematic if you're working with a singer who moves around a lot. Although unashamedly entry-level, the C01U is quiet and clean enough to record vocals and instruments to a very acceptable standard, provided that they are close-miked, and its performance is well above that of any multimedia mics I've tested. As far as I can tell, the subjective performance of this mic is essentially the same as that of its wired counterpart, and that model has sold well for Samson. The digital noise issue will be a concern if you have a G5 tower-based studio system, but it could be argued that anyone with such a deluxe computer should be looking for a more sophisticated mic anyway!

The Samson C03 is a smart-looking mic with multi-pattern performance at a budget price. Its technical spec is more than adequate in all the areas that are important, and what really matters is that it makes a fine job of just about anything you care to point it at. First, I wanted to compare the noise levels between the original C01U and the new Pro. So below are samples of JUST noise. Listen in headphones to get the full effect. Just noise from Original C01U Just noise from C01U Pro

Nevertheless, subjective testing suggests that the tonality does stay nominally similar, provided that you remain close to the mic's axis, regardless of which pattern is selected. The high end of the omni pattern will inevitably change as you move off axis, especially with a large-diaphragm capsule such as this one. Smart Performer So how does it sound? Very good, actually. The CO1U is similar to its standard cousin, but because it connects over USB it requires onboard AD conversion. It would be a huge let down if things weren't up to scratch in this department, but happily they are.The Samson C01U Pro is the successor to the world’s first USB Studio Condenser Microphone, the C01U. Building on the groundbreaking foundation of the original, the C01U Pro adds a headphone output for zero-latency monitoring. Its improved signal-to-noise ratio goes even further than the original to reproducing the natural qualities of the human voice. Now available from Merchant City Music, online and in our Glasgow store, we ship fast to the UK and Europe. Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone I feel the low-cut filter is best not used for vocal recording, as it noticeably affects the bottom end of the vocal range. It could be useful when using the mic as a drum overhead, though, as it often helps to roll off the bass when mixing the sound in with the predominantly middly and bassy close mics. Photo: Mark EwingThe quoted input noise is a reasonable, but by no means exceptional, 23dBA EIN, and in normal project-studio applications is certainly low enough to be considered negligible. At 10mV/Pa, the sensitivity is roughly comparable with many other studio capacitor mics, possibly just a decibel or two less, and the frequency curve is nominally flat for all patterns, with the exception of a gentle presence peak centred at around 7kHz. With the pad switched in, the mic can put up with SPLs of up to 142dB without flinching, and the specified frequency response is from 40Hz to 18kHz at the -3dB points. This classic USB microphone bridges the gap between mid-range USB audio adapters and professional products that require additional drivers, special software and/or excessive cabling. The C01U is USB compatible with any Mac or PC, as well as most DAW software programs. Its superior ability to produce pristine audio recordings with ease and mobility, along with the included desktop mic stand, mic clip, USB cable and carrying case, make the C01U a valuable addition to any studio. A new mic from Samson offers true capacitor design and multi-pattern operation at an extremely affordable price.