If you just use the mic as it comes, the computer's own system gain control actually governs the mic's internal gain cell (in the Audio MIDI Setup controls, in the case of Mac OS). This would be most undesirable, so Samson's engineers have added a two-stage variable analogue gain cell inside the microphone prior to the converter. Singing at an average level, a couple of inches from the C01U, resulted in a peak level of around -20dB, which with a fixed gain structure would knock at least three 'bits' off the available 16-bit resolution.
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The main limitation of most basic 'digital' microphones of this type is that the internal preamp has a fixed gain prior to the analogue-to-digital conversion stage, so you only get full resolution when the microphone is hearing the maximum signal level it can accept without clipping, but Samson have been quite clever in their design. The direct USB output also allows the microphone to be used without a separate mic preamplifier or the source of phantom power that condenser mics normally require, as everything is powered from the USB port.Judging by the specifications and the price, Samson have targetted this microphone at the entry-level home-studio user and multimedia market, as more demanding applications would probably require 24-bit output resolution, although Samson have gone to great lengths to make the best of the 16 bits available. The convenience aspect of a USB microphone is undeniable for those working entirely on computers as it enables recordings to be made without buying any additional soundcard or audio interface, although the computer does need an audio output of some kind in order for you to be able to hear your recordings. It outputs at 16-bit resolution and supports sample rates of 8, 11.025, 22.05, 44.1 and 48kHz.
The 'digital' tag refers to the fact that it has a built-in analogue-to-digital converter and interface, enabling it to connect to a computer workstation via USB rather than the more usual analogue, balanced XLR cable. There’s also a headphone output so you can really zone into the audio that you’re recording.īy Paul WhitePhoto: Mark EwingIf 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.Samson's C01U USB condenser microphone is a 'digital' version of their entry-level C01 back-electret, medium-diaphragm studio microphone. As the title suggests, this is a USB microphone, meaning it will be universally compatible with the majority of your hardware and existing recording and broadcasting systems.At the top of the mic, you’ll find a large, 19mm diaphragm with enough range to capture your vocals in a studio-quality format.
The FeaturesTo kickstart this review, we’re going to want to take a look under the hood to see what this microphone can really offer.
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The Samson C01U Pro USB is one that you might have discovered during your search, but, as any musician and vocalist would, you’ll want to make sure that it’s the right one for what you’re looking for.With this in mind, today we’re going to explore the ins and outs of this piece of kit, reviewing it in detail so you can ensure that it’s the right USB microphone for you. When it comes to the vocals of your music production process, a microphone is an essential piece of equipment that you need to be thinking about.