Samson Q1UCW Handheld USB Mic with Cakewalk Creator

by Samson

Product Features

• Dynamic handheld microphone with USB interface
• Plugs in directly to any computer with a USB input
• High-quality A/D converter with 16-bit, 48kHz sampling rate
• Super cardioid pickup pattern
• Compatible with any computer-based Digital Audio Workstation

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 3.6 inches ; 1.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000WNK88O
• Item model number: SAM Q1UCW RS
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,841 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Innovators in the USB studio condenser market, Samson is now offering their first professional dynamic USB mic. The Q1U features a smooth sounding neodymium element, capable of handling high SPL, cleverly interfaced to an on-board high quality microphone pre-amp, Analog-to-Digital converter and USB output. Just plug in the supplied USB cable, launch your DAW and start recording.

Plug in the supplied USB cable, launch your DAW and start recording. Click to enlarge.

View polar pattern/frequency response. Click to enlarge.

Bundled with Cakewalk's Music Creator 5 to get you making music right away.

Samson's downloadable SoftPre gives you extra software controls.

The extended frequency and fast transient response insures an accurate reproduction with linear characteristics from bottom to top. The Q1U faithfully reproduces a variety of sound sources including vocals, acoustic instruments and overhead cymbals, and can handle high SPL perfect for use on drums or in front of a loud guitar amp.

The Q1U is perfect for recording your music, Podcast or any acoustic audio source on your favorite computer based DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).

Samson SoftPre
The Samson C03U is designed to be fully functional without installing additional drivers. But for those who would like a little something extra, Samson offers its downloadable SoftPre software applet, which gives you an Input Level Meter, Volume control, High-pass filter and Phase Switch, for Mac or Windows.

Bundled With Cakewalk Music Creator 5
Make your creative dreams a reality and achieve polished, professional recordings from your home computer with Music Creator 5--no previous recording experience required! Music Creator 5 guides you through initial set-up, making it easy for you to plug in your instrument or microphone and immediately start recording. Get professional sounding results using Music Creator's powerful tools, instruments, and effects. Creating music on your PC has never been this easy, fun, or affordable--all from Cakewalk, makers of the #1 selling music software in the world.

• With a new user interface, assistant tools, and instrument tracks, it's easier than ever to record.
• Plug in your guitar, microphone, MIDI controller, or any other instrument and start recording.
• Access hundreds of instrument sounds and even create drum parts to fill out your songs.
• Powerful editing tools and a simple on screen mixer make it easy to edit and mix just like a pro.
• Record and mix with studio-quality effects like reverb, EQ, delay and the new IK Multimedia Amplitube X-GEAR guitar amp simulator.
• Easily burn your mixes to CD to share with family and friends. Create and customize streaming music players and playlists on your website

Q1U Specifications

• Type: Dynamic USB Microphone
• Frequency Response: 50 Hz - 16 kHz
• Polar Pattern: Super-Cardioid
• Impedance: 90 ohms
• Power Supply: USB 5V
• Current Consumption: < 30mA
• Connector: USB B-type
• Dimensions: Diameter 2.09 inches (53 mm)
• Total Length: 6.09 inches (180 mm)
• Weight: 12 oz. / 370 g

What's in the Box
Q1U Microphone, Mic Stand Mount, 10-Foot USB Cable

Product Description

The Samson Q1U USB Microphone features a smooth sounding neodymium element, capable of handling high SPL, cleverly interfaced to an onboard high quality mic pre, A/D converter and USB output. The Q1U is perfect for recording your music, podcast or any acoustic audio source on your favorite DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Just plug in the supplied USB cable, launch your DAW and start recording. For expanded control, download the Samson Softpre applet software from Samson's website and you¿ll have additional features like programmable GAIN, Low Cut Filter, Input Metering and Phase switch. The Q1U faithfully reproduces a variety of sound sources including vocals, acoustic instruments and overhead cymbals, to name a few and because the Q1U can handle high SPL, you can use it on drums or in front of a loud guitar amp. The extended frequency and fast transient response insures an accurate reproduction with linear characteristics from bottom to top.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Mic!, August 27, 2008

By 

Marie Bonomo (NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samson Q1UCW Handheld USB Mic with Cakewalk Creator (Electronics)

My daughter gave this microphone as a gift to one of her friends, and she loves it! It hooks up easily to a Macbook (or any Mac or PC) and records well in Garageband. It picks up vocals and acoustic instruments exceptionally well. My daughter wants one for herself!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Mic, July 14, 2008

By 

Chandler Bootchk "Zune Survivor" (Burbank, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Samson Q1UCW Handheld USB Mic with Cakewalk Creator (Electronics)

This is a good mic for a novice and for podcasting. Easy to use and works well. When using two or more for interview/discussion you either need to place them close together or do some serious post production as the pickup is not as directional as I'd like to see and you will get bleed from other speakers. For a novice like me, this means you will hear talker 2 on the mic 1 track. If mic 1 is too far away from talker 2 you will get an echo in your mix because the sound from talker 2 on the mic 1 track is out of phase with the sound of talker 2 on the mic 2 track. Again, this is a novice talking to other novices. For the experienced sound person, I am sure there are many ways to work around and I wouldn't consider it a defect of the product just something to understand if you are doing a podcast and planning to have more than one talker.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Samson Q1UCW USB Mic, January 17, 2008

By 

A. Hannon "floyd the grey" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samson Q1UCW Handheld USB Mic with Cakewalk Creator (Electronics)

The microphone is great and works well.
The Cakewalk software is a pain, however, and doesn't work right with my computer for some reason. I ended up using another DAW which works fine, so overall I was pleased with the microphone.