i think i have found the holy grial of pod casting mics

[diegoisdead]

samson c01u looks to be a pretty high quality usb condenser mic

http://tinyurl.com/4cdqm

[ElNacho]

just "looks" to be that way?
have u actually used it? 'why call it the holy grail? i see no dead wives of jesus.

[roadrageradio]

samson c01u looks to be a pretty high quality usb condenser mic

http://tinyurl.com/4cdqm

The word "affordable" in the advertising copy should be a tip-off. Nobody describes quality mics as "affordable".

The frequency response (30 - 18K) isn't great, and they don't say under what conditions they measured it. Can you get more details, and maybe a frequency-specific polar pattern chart?

That's not as good a test as hearing your voice recorded using it, though. If you order one, make sure there's a good return policy.

[AmericanCliche]

Actually, in my opinion, this is a pretty stellar mic. I used it for the last 8 months on my show. Originally, I bought it as a mobile solution to do my show on the road without having to carry along a mic and mixer. After using it for a few weeks on the road I found it really sounded great and started using that exclusively.

Recently I went back to using a standard mic (Shure SM7B) and an audio interface, but I still have the Samson for traveling.

Feel free to check out my show if you'd like to get some idea of how it sounds (any show between 25 and 45 has that mic on it). For $70, I think you'll be pretty surprised at how good it sounds.

-Scott

[diegoisdead]

okay thanks for the response in retrospect from everything i read after my intial omg this is cool impresion that its overall a mediocre mic

[X Pat Radio]

I think the Heil PR-40 is probably the best mic for podcasting in a non sound proof studio. That said, I use the Shure SM57

[AmericanCliche]

I think "best" is a relative term. I think it depends on your environment, like you mentioned, but also on the type of voice you have, the type of mixer, and processing etc. that you'll be using. I think a good starting point is to find some podcasts that sound really good to you, then ask them what they use. At least that way you can get a sense of what sound you like. I also find places like podcastrigs.com and podsqod.com are invaluable at giving advice on equipment. Mark and Paul certainly know their gear.

-Scott

[Patrick]

I've found the holy grail of morons, aka the thread starter.

[Steve Pinder]

If you want to try a great mic, then try this one.

Yamaha CM-500 headset mic
http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-CM500-i162909.music?source=froogle

I bought three of these to replace my Oktavia MK-319's and they are amazing.
they go for about 44.00, but when I bought 3, guiter center gave them to me for 30.00 each. They are amazing.

Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com

[mikethinks]

The USB Samson mic is a dang nice microphone for what it is. It gives many people a very nice sound quality. Many podcasters get by on some fairly basic equipment, and a move to any 'real' mic is a huge step up from the logitech mics I hear often. The real concern with this particular mic is precisely what many people find so appealing...its a USB mic.

That makes is wonderful as a plug and play out of the box, and very travel friendly device. Because its USB, you may find that you get an audio whine or humm that cannot be predicted, you will also be out of luck adding a secondary input device as the USB in typically takes over the entire sound system on the computer. It also severely limits what you can do in the long run. The more common professional style mics let you add mixing boards, compressors and the like easily, with usb your kinda in a corner.

As with everything that is reasonably priced...its got good and bad...jsut depends on what you want.

[sneakerfm]

I've used the Samson for some podcasts and some screencasts. Nice warm sound, very few plopping-p's and just the ease of it all, just plug it in, set your level and go. With my voice I needed few post production. I think it's just it's money well worth.
BTW: I use a Heil PR-40 in my shows now, but as a previous poster, I use the Samson on the road.

[homestudioguy]

There are many nice mics out there for PODcasting including the Heils, the RE20, the MD421 and others.
The following will piggy-back to a thread I placed here in November re: New products update and the new USB mic from sE:
"The USB2200a also has a proprietary chip and software set which deals with capsule noise when transforming the 5v power supplied via the USB cable to power the capsule, by first removing noise and spikes from the current. This noise would normally be amplified, which is why other USB mics are too noisy to use in a professional environment.
Based on the studio standard sE2200a, the USB2200a records via USB directly to your DAW and has several features unique from competitor USB mics including, zero latency headphone monitoring, mix control playback/record path, 10dB pad, bass cut and simultaneous analogue/USB feeds."
Link: http://www.seelectronics.com/USB2200a.html

[ajeric234]

I just bought a CO1U yesterday but I could one question. Is it normal that I couldn't hear myself speaking on my headset though the recorder is picking up something from my C01U? I am sure that my headset is properly working because I tried playing my recording and there's sound.

[X Pat Radio]

I just bought a CO1U yesterday but I could one question. Is it normal that I couldn't hear myself speaking on my headset though the recorder is picking up something from my C01U? I am sure that my headset is properly working because I tried playing my recording and there's sound.


Sorry to hear you bought that microphone. The only USB microphone that sounds any good is the Rode Podcaster. There maybe anoher option if you just want it for USB's sake. The Lightsnake XLR to USB cable.

http://www.soundtech.com/lightsnake/xlr10.asp

[Rasheed]

A good microphone does not necessarily make a good podcast, in my opinion. I'm a bit wary of people who claim to have found the ultimate this and that. They either are unexperienced or have some hidden agenda.

My 2 cents.

[MagnusApollo]

I have the USB Samson Mics as backup's for my backups in my travel bags. Not bad to have just in case, and it's a great starter mic. It's nice you can buy one now with the ringer mount and other goodies all in one bundle. But, that's about it.

I did really enjoy the Rode Mic, I had purchased one for a side by side comparison of all the USB mics available as of last year, though you could get 3 Samson's for the price of one Rode USB. I think in time the original poster will move beyond the samson to the higher quality mics. I sold my Rode to a muscian, and now regretting it.

To be honest a Mic I really like for the price range is the SnowBall Mic by Blue. Not only does it offer great condenser microphone action, it has a great look to it as well. I think they are on sale now for 99 bucks at most places. I use this as one of my main mics when doing podcast recordings and have no problems. Blue offers a firmware update on their site to help with the gain, after that, worked like a charm.

[nakhtar]

For start up Buytronic Microphone (http://www.buytronic.co.uk/genius-mic-01a-flexy-microphone-black-p-1795.html) is best.

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