The Samson C01U Pro USB Condenser Microphone is a fantastic mic for podcasting, music, and vocal recording. Based on Samson’s C01U, this is a unidirectional mic at a price point that makes it attractive to various consumers.
Table of Contents
SAMSON C01U PRO – BUILD
The Samson CO1U Pro USB Condenser Microphone ships with a mini tripod stand and swivel mount for optimal desktop placement. Like the Samson C01U, the build quality is excellent. It feels heavy and substantial in your hand. With a simple retro look, the Samson CO1U Pro USB microphone has a heavy gauge mesh grill that protects a large 19mm diaphragm with internal shock mounting.
SAMSON C01U PRO – SETUP
The beauty of a USB mic like the Samson C01U Pro is that you do not need converters, in/out boxes, preamps, or mixers – just a USB cable. All the essential equipment has been shrunken down and placed in the mic. The Samson C01U Pro addresses a huge need for home recording specialists like podcasters, journalists, musicians, and students. The microphone also has a built-in headphone amplifier so that the headphones can be directly plugged into the mic with a 3.5 mm jack.
The main difference between the Samson C01U Pro Condenser Microphone and its cousin C03U is that the C03U has 3 pickup patterns(including an omnidirectional pickup pattern). This is good if you are recording many instruments in a room. The C01U Pro is unidirectional, so make sure to position it properly.
If you want a cardioid microphone, we recommend the Samson C01U Pro rather than the Samson C03U, as it shows a clearer sound reproduction.
The Samson CO1U Pro is easy to set up in front of guitar amps or drums. If you buy the optional shock mount, put it in the special shock mount stand. You cannot use the stand with the mic for the shock mount.
SAMSON C01U PRO -DRIVERS & SOFTWARE
You can use the Samson CO1U Pro out of the box without downloading drivers off the internet or an installation CD. It works on Windows and Mac and is compatible with most computer-based digital audio workstations.
SAMSON C01U PRO – SOUND QUALITY
The Samson CO1U USB Condenser Microphone sound quality is excellent. It is well-balanced between bass, treble, and mid-tones. While some mics skew to either the low or the high, the CO1U Pro is very even. The vocals are clear, and the bass is not sludgy or muddy. The top end is detailed but is sensitive to gusts of winds and other background noise. For vocals and podcasting-type usage, ensure the gain is up, and the source is as close to the mic as possible.
SAMSON C01U PRO – INDUSTRY USE
The Samson C01U Pro USB Condenser Microphone is a great solution for a lot of industries needing great audio:
– Musicians – the C01U Pro is ideal for musicians on the go. If you are in your hotel room in Prague, setting up a studio rental to test some new musical ideas will be hard. Break the Samson C01U Pro USB condenser microphone out of your luggage, plug it into your laptop, and you have a recording studio in a box.
– Podcasters – Edison Research says podcasting is more popular than ever, with audiences growing yearly. Even better – the money earned by podcasters is higher than ever. Samson was one of the first manufacturers to meet the demands of podcasters with a medium-priced USB mic, the Samson CO1U Pro USB mic. Samson keeps pace as podcasting has evolved into offshoots like video blogging and webinars.
– Education – online learning is exploding. Speakers and authors are morphing into expert coaches offering webinars, audio and video training, and more. They need inexpensive, quality equipment like the Samson C01U Pro condenser microphone. Samson is meeting the needs of educators of all regions with this quality microphone.
– Business – businesses are learning that content is king. Off-line brick-and-mortar companies offer more content in web-based product brochures, reviews, tutorials, and videos. Very few businesses have a studio ready to fulfill these content needs. The ability to plug and go with the Samson CO1U Pro is priceless for businesses already understaffed from layoffs and the poor economy. Now any executive or staff person can provide training and audio content at the drop of a hat.
SAMSON C01U PRO – OUR CONCLUSION
Inspired by its brother, the very successful Samson C01U, the Samson CO1U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone is the core of the Samson USB microphone line-up. This USB microphone provides fantastic sound and great value with a quality build from a recognized industry leader.