C03U Recording/ Podcasting Pak

by Samson

Product Details

• Item Weight: 9.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 12 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000H4HS72
• Item model number: SAC03UPK
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 13, 2004

Product Description

Samson changed the way the world records audio with the C01U and C03U USB Studio Condenser microphones - the first studio quality condenser microphones equipped with a USB interface. The C03U Recording / Podcasting Pak includes everything needed to record digital audio on a PC or Mac with an eye on maximum portability.The C03U Recording / Podcasting Pak comes bundled with Cakewalk Sonar LE, their vastly popular digital audio workstation software, giving users additional power and versatility to digitally record audio in any situation.The C03U features dual 19mm internal shockmounted diaphragms with switchable omni, supercardioid and figure-8 pickup patterns ideal for a variety of specialized recording situations. The package is equally at home with those wishing to enter the expanding world of podcasting, one the hottest trends in the digital audio revolution.In addition to the C03U microphone and Cakewalk software, the package comes with a desktop mic stand, mic clip, shockmount and USB cable in a durable, lightweight aluminum case. The paks are aimed at a variety of uses, from corporate events and presentations to music applications to portable podcast recording applications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DJ MW, May 9, 2008

By 

Matt Werner (Berkeley, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C03U Recording/ Podcasting Pak (Electronics)

This USB microphone kit has worked well for me. I've recorded some hip hop and spoken-word tracks and the sound quality it produces when plugged into my laptop sounds like near-studio quality. Of course for the $150 or $200 you're spending, you'll not get the same quality you'll get with a $4,000 mic, but this is the best reasonably-priced mic I found after researching all the mics out there that go directly into a computer for easy digital recording. It took me a little while to get the input volume level right on my computer, but once I did, I've been recording mainly with Audacity because the program that comes in the pack is just too confusing.

I'd recommend getting the whole pack, because you'll end up spending more money if you buy each of the items that come with the pack individually. Plus, you get a nice carrying case, although the case is about the size of a small suitcase and does not fit into my backpack. So when I'm traveling on bike to record at a friend's house, I can only fit the mic and USB cable with my laptop in my backpack, and not the mic stand and mic stabilizer and case. I'd also recommend buying a cheap pop filter if you're recording vocals with this mic.

But overall, this C03U mic, made out of solid cast metal and feels like a quality product, does indeed produce a quality sound for recording vocals that I did not get with the Olympus mics I used earlier for digital recordings. I'd recommend it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, October 21, 2008

By 

M. D. Roach (Dublin, oh United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: C03U Recording/ Podcasting Pak (Electronics)

My job requires recordings to be placed to the public from time to time. These recordings must be professionaly recorded but sometimes we do not have time to contract our studio and artist so we use this mic in a pinch. Recordings are staged down to a telecom level of quality but the difference in this mic to a little condensor stick mic is amazing. Quality and tone are good, soft preamp is a nice touch. Overall very good mic for voice over, voice messages, podcasts etc... the software that it comes with (cakewalk sonar le) is not very good, very few output formats. I have had better luck with simply using audacity and sometimes goldwave if I need a mulaw or ulaw format.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Samson CO3UPAK Microphone, May 12, 2007

By 

David Phillips (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: C03U Recording/ Podcasting Pak (Electronics)

Very high quality mic. I have been using it for voice recording, and this mic has exceeded expectations.