Customer Reviews

Samson Multi-pattern Condenser Mic

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had to do a bit of research to figure out which would be best (not having much experience in this area) and was very happy I did! This mic comes pretty highly rated on all pod casting sites for the price and (after using it with Dragon Naturally Speaking 9), I can see why. I use it to do term papers and it is great! It is an excellent mic with very solid construction. Only negative thing (although very minor) I wish I had know that I could have gotten a standard mic stand for it instead of the "fancy" "spider" or "cage" design advertised with it (you really don't need that). Lastly, no worries with the usb/windows set up. Literally took it out of the package, plug in and go! Again a great item!

Like others, I purchased this microphone for Podcasting. And I am extremely happy with the Samson C03U. The audio quality is outstanding, the microphone is constructed like a tank (it weighs a pound, and has the same solid feel as a pro-quality camera like Nikon's D2X and D200), and it provides the simplicity of a direct digital connection.

I originally considered Samson's similar C01U, but decided to spring for the C03U. The latter provides three selectable pickup patterns (whereas the C01U has a single fixed pattern), a selectable high-pass filter, and finally, a selectable 10 dB pad. The C01U provides neither of the latter, either.

Bottom line, the Samson C03U provides outstanding audio quality, and is suitable for Podcasting and other recording uses. Buy it, you will not be disappointed!

p.s. Samson's SP01 Shockmount is highly recommended as well, and provides isolation from vibrations and the like. Bear in mind that the SP01 fits both the C03U and the C01U (i.e. there is no SP03).

This microphone is fantastic. I do online tutorials and have struggled with the audio portion of my videos for a long time. I've used desktop mics, headsets, lapel mics, nothing come close... Problem solved, period. The sound quality is wonderful.

A quality audio recording system is essential in laying down professional-grade tracks rather than the normal, mediocre, amateurish audio which is so prevalent amongst basement/indie recording artists, unfortunately. As someone who has worked in the music industry for many years, and now in the film and television industry, I've personally used or been exposed to some of the best (and worst) audio recording equipment available, and I've learned that the cost of the equipment is not necessarily the top consideration when selecting quality audio recording components, among which the microphone should be the first and most important component evaluated and selected of the entire mix.

So many amateurs who wish to set up their own home audio recording studios max out their credit lines to buy the top, name-brand, latest craze in mixers, stands, isolation accesories, speakers, computer equipment, etc., etc., but they often neglect to buy the best quality microphone, or the correct type of microphone, first and foremost. Strange, considering the first piece of equipment touched by the talent's voice or musical instrument's soundwaves is the microphone, right?

More often than not, these home-brew artists do not understand which microphone type to select for what their specific recording needs will be, or they figure they can skimp on the cost of the microphone itself, selecting whatever store-bought microphone they come across instead, hoping that they can "fix" the audio in post-production. Wrong! As they say, crap in, crap out. Sometimes, by the time these self-titled, home studio "experts" get to selecting the microphone to use in their studio, they are nearly broke (which is very easy to do).

Can you imagine Hollywood's top blockbusters being recorded with crappy, tinny-sounding microphones, full of pops and static and unwanted ambient noises such as airplanes and street cars, spectators, shuffling feet, mechanical sounds, reflections/reverberations, etc.? The crappy audio would be so incredibly distracting that you could not possibly enjoy the film.

If, when you view a high-dollar film, you notice the bad lighting, the poor staging and props, the bad acting or scriptwriting, or the terrible choice in colors and costumes, then the message of the film gets lost, in my opinion. So, too, if you notice the really bad audio tracks. The bottom line in Hollywood is don't skimp on quality, but don't blow your budget either. If you need to save, skip the free doughnuts and sandwiches in the back of the room.

I didn't know what to expect when I first purchased the Samson C-03 microphone, even after countless hours of research on several budget microphones, but I have to say that I am definitely not disappointed in this microphone's sound...and you won't be either, if you decide to purchase it. I returned the other microphones I evaluated and kept this one because I really liked the selectable recording patterns (hypercardioid, omnidirectional and bidirectional patterns), the dual 19mm diaphragm design of this studio condenser mic, the professional-grade durability of the all-metal die-cast chassis, the quality built-in analog/digital converter and, of course, the absolutely, crisp, clear and wonderful sound that it produces. Samson even offers this same microphone with a USB connection (instead of the standard XLR) for added flexibility and ease of connection/usability for the home recording enthusiast.

Would I recommend this Samson C-03 multi-pattern studio condenser microphone for the quality-conscious, yet budget-minded, podcaster, CD/DVD trainer/recorder or music recording artist? That would be a resounding YES!! No disappointments here. Buy it today. Don't simply rack up your credit cards on the latest name-brand, top magazine choice microphone when this microphone will do the same job as many of the higher-end mics out there, while also not emptying your wallet. I also do podcasting, record How-To audios and videos, and am a professional voice-over actor, and I cannot say enough positive about this microphone.

I bought this for recording music from an antique phonograph onto my MacBook Pro running OS X 10.4. I had previously tried using an unpowered microphone plugged into the audio input jack, but that setup produced buzzing and poor sensitivity.

This new USB microphone worked great. I didn't have to install any software, just plugged it in and selected it in the sound preferences. The sound quality is very clear and sensitive.

OK, this microphone really is a great quality for the price, i play the tenor saxophone, and this actually picks it up wonderfully! my only caution would be that if you are recording voice, keep it a good six inches away from your mouth. This microphone makes a very good re-creation of the music being played. Most of the reviews on here are about using it for spoken word, so I'm focusing on the acoustic music side of the mic. This microphone really has great sound quality, and it will pick up things very well, inflections, slightly different tones, etc. All in all a good purchase

Multi-pattern Condenser Mic Excellent microphone. Recently purchased and tested and am very pleased with the sound quality and pick-up pattern. I bought this primarily to do voice recording. Was recording within minutes of unboxing. Very simple plug-and-play operation with no drivers or software to install on my Mac. Works great with OS 10.5.2 Leopard without any difficulties that I've encountered so far. Was able to record directly into GarageBand without a hitch and am very pleased with the results. This microphone has a nice rich sound with very good bass response and pick-up for voice-over recordings. Would definitely recommend a stand and a pop filter though. I picked up a desktop stand for $14 and found plenty of sites online that can show you how to build your own pop filter very easily.

I was looking for a microphone to satisfy me for voice recording for my music and wow i got to admit this is best. you can here every crisp of your voice and there is no need for a pop-filter that's what i call the best 99$ i have spent for while. use it to every kind of record.you just plug and your ready to go. plus don't pay for a stand it comes with a desktop stand. anyways when i was playing cod on my ps3 i thought "ohh wait.. what if i plug it in my ps3" and what do you know it works! and you have the right to call your self, the player with the best clear voice online then anyone that has a headset. And I know what your thinking : " but it's wired it can't pick up my voice if I'm
meters away" wrong again it's sooooo sensitive it picks up your voice even when you whisper! :] so i truly recommend the microphone CO3U, amazon delivered it to Denmark in 7 days, way the go !!!

cons: i had to pay: 184 dollars but that's becuase i live in Europe: Denmark (Scandinavia)

Unbelievable quality for the price. I use the mic for creating audio products, and it sounds like I could have paid twice as much for it.

AWESOME.

Hi everyone, I was looking for a studio quality microphone for my home office to do audio and webcam recordings. I had a great USB Plantronics headset which delivers great audio and sound quality for SKYPE and is also good if you wanted to just do Audio but with the webcam it makes you look like a dork and was unprofessional looking.

I was using the native audio on my Logitech 9000 webcam which was good but wanted a little better quality sound and the Samson Mic was perfect for what I needed.

I also do a lot of class room training and the Multi-Pattern recording is great. If you use a Lapel Mic they can hear you but not questions from the class so you have to repeat them and then edit out the dead spots. With the Samson you just set the pattern and it picks you up as the speaker as well as questions from the class.. A little auto noise removal and sound balancing is all that is required to have a great recording of your presentation and the interactions with the class.

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A Good Product and a Fantastic price. Highly recommended.