Samson C01U USB Studio Condenser Microphone with Cakewalk Sonar LE

by Samson

Product Features

• Item Package Contents: The CO1U Microphone; Cakewalk Sonar LE software; A Mic Clip; USB Cable; A Carry Pouch; A Small desktop tripod Mic Stand

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8 x 5.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000WNMCME
• Item model number: SAM C01UCW
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #41 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The C01U USB Studio Condenser Mic is an affordable studio condenser mic with a USB interface, granting musicians who record music on computers a simple, affordable way to capture high-quality vocal and acoustic instrument performances. The mic also opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio, from Podcasters, journalists and students to business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations.

An affordable studio condenser mic with a USB interface. Click to enlarge.

Cakewalk Sonar LE gives you the power and versatility to digitally record audio in any situation.

Samson's downloadable SoftPre gives you extra software controls.

Based on the C01
The C01U condenser microphone is based on our Samson's C01, and features a 19mm internal shockmounted diaphragm with a cardioid pickup pattern, ensuring pristine, studio-quality recordings.

A high-quality A/D converter and USB output provide the direct PC connection, and the microphone itself is built to last, with solid die-cast construction.

Plug-and-Play
Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio condenser microphone that can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, and no drivers to install--just a USB cable.

The C01U works perfectly on any computer, Mac or PC, and with any DAW software program. It immediately solves a huge problem for users of many laptops, many of which have no other input method for audio devices.

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.

Cakewalk Sonar LE
The C01UCW package comes bundled with Cakewalk Sonar LE, the vastly popular digital audio workstation software, giving users additional power and versatility to digitally record audio in any situation.

SONAR LE has been designed to provide a simple yet complete solution for creating music. With support for up to 64 tracks and 24 track effects, 8 physical in/outs at 24bit/192kHz, SONAR LE is an ideal match for the CO1U. The package also includes 2 instruments, 6 MIDI effects, and 14 audio effects.

Accessories
In addition to the C01U microphone and Cakewalk software, the package comes with a desktop mic stand, mic clip, and USB cable.

CO1U Specifications

• Frequency Response: 20 - 18000 HZ
• Polar pattern: Hypercardioid
• Element type: Electret condenser type
• Diaphragm thickness: 3 microns
• SPL: 136 dB Max.
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 7 x 2.125 x 2.125 inches (180 x 54 x 54 mm)
• Weight: 1.06 lbs. (.48 kg)

What's in the Box
C01U Microphone, Cakewalk Sonar LE Software, Desktop Mic Stand, Mic Clip, USB Cable, Owner's Manual

Product Description

The Samson C01U lets you record studio quality audio directly into your computer¿s USB input and digital recording software! Some very clever Samson engineers managed to build the entire USB audio interface into the barrel of their best selling C01 Studio Condenser mic so high-quality vocals and acoustic instruments can be recorded directly into ANY USB equipped computer with just a USB cable (and Samson even supplies a 10ft USB cable with the mic). Mac driver software is a free download at Samson's website. PCs recognize the mic with no additional driver necessary. The C01U USB Studio Condenser Mic is the first affordable studio condenser mic with a direct USB output. For the first time ever, musicians who record music on computers have a simple, affordable way to capture high-quality vocal and acoustic instrument performances. Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio condenser microphone that can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable. The C01U condenser microphone is based on our wildly successful C01. It features a 19mm internal shock mounted diaphragm with a cardioid pick up pattern ensuring pristine studio quality recordings. The C01U works perfectly on any computer, Mac or PC, and with any DAW software program. It immediately solves a huge problem for users of many laptops, many of which have no other input method for audio devices. Its price is also well within the price range of DAW hobbyists and beginners. It¿s a must for any musician on the road or in the project studio, but the C01U is going to offer solutions to more than just musicians. The mic opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio¿from Podcasters, journalists, students, and business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid microphone, no real complaints., May 23, 2010

By 

M.D.C. "The Franchise" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Samson C01U USB Studio Condenser Microphone with Cakewalk Sonar LE (Electronics)

Length:: 2:26 Mins

Small video to demonstrate the audio quality. The video was shot in iMovie and I didn't really care about the quality of the video (since it didn't matter). I was about two feet away from the microphone the entire time, talking at normal volume.

If you use GarageBand or Logic (Mac OS), the audio options for vocal enhancement will make the mic sound even louder when recording podcasts or music. Audacity also has such options, but if you're a Mac user stick with GarageBand/Logic. There is very little white noise or static when recording with the mic. A really good use for the mic is podcasting, as your voice is projected quite clearly to the audience. Since it's USB powered you can use it anywhere, for anything, but I don't find it to be all that portable (i.e. for remote webcam); for me not a big deal. But if you're at home and want a better audio alternative for voice chat or Skype, this mic is excellent.

Overall I'm quite satisfied. Well worth the money.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Solid Performance at a resonable price, December 27, 2007

By 

Danny L. Beard (Brandon, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Samson C01U USB Studio Condenser Microphone with Cakewalk Sonar LE (Electronics)

I am just starting to provide voice overs for tutorials and needed a convenient way to record audio on my PC. At first, I tried the classic headset/mic combo using my on board PC audio. This was unbearable to listen to.

I then purchased a Sony F-V220 Uni-Directional Vocal Microphone with Extended Frequency Response microphone. This was a distinct step up with vast improvements in sound quality. The remaining issue was hum introduced by the PC motherboard audio. I considered competing products for about 2 weeks until I settled upon the C01UCW.

The C01UCW promised great results with the ease of a single USB plug. I purchased one and would highly recommend it to others in my situation. The voice quality is great and the hiss/hum is virtually eliminated. The program I am using has an automatic filter to zero the levels between the actual speaking parts so when in actual use, the very little hiss that can be heard with windows sound recorder is completely lost when speaking normally.

The real test has been the positive responses from the people listening to the final results.

In summary, super simple USB installation (no drivers needed in WXP), very low noise, and great sound quality for a reasonable price.

The only niggles that I have with the C01UCW are:

The power light on the mic I received does not come on even though the mic works flawlessly. I am using a USB1.0 port while the device is USB2.0. The manual does not indicate that this should be normal.

The cardioid pattern was supposed to reject sounds from off-direction sources. It might be better than a unidirectional mic but with the sensitivity of this mic, any noise that has direct line of sight to the front of the mic is likely to be picked up. I can tell that those sounds from behind the mic are distinctly reduced.

I did not use the Cakewalk software. The stand works but only accepts the heavy mic in very limited stances. The heavy mic puts the center of gravity very high and the short stand legs have a difficult time compensating. I also purchased the isolation shockmount further raising the CG exacerbating the problem. To be sure, the stand works and I use the stand. I just use the stand in one position with the weight supported over one leg of the stand as the only viable option. It is definitely better to have the stand than not. It saved quite a bit of hassle and money to get the stand as a bundle.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good mic, May 5, 2008

By 

Chuck Stalworth "twippy" (where?) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samson C01U USB Studio Condenser Microphone with Cakewalk Sonar LE (Electronics)

i use this mic for recording music with garageband on my mac. i don't have much of a recording studio setup, so i always end up with fuzz, but this mic made a significant improvement on that, as well as just working a whole lot better than the built in mic on the computetr. I feel it was well worth the money and would recommend the mic for a beginner musician like me, it may or may not be professional quality, i just don't know. but it works well for both guitar and singing.