Samson C01U Pro Review
USB Studio Condenser Microphone
- Compatible with Most DAW Software
- 3.5mm Headphone Out, Direct Monitoring
- For Use with Mac, Windows & iOS Devices
- Includes Desktop Stand, Swivel Mount
- Solid Die-Cast Metal Construction
- Driverless Operation, Powered by Device
- Supercardioid Pattern Reduces Room Tone
- Broadcast-Quality 48 kHz / 16-Bit Audio
- Includes USB Cable
- For VoIP, Content Creation & Vocals
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 28,799 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Samson C01U Pro. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Samson C01U Pro. For example, 89% of 10,792 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Samson C01U Pro have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 104 Reviews
Excellent microphone and awesome package deal
Samson C01U Pro USB Mic and Tabletop Stand Kit
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I have a YouTube channel so I needed a good mic for voiceovers. I did a TON of research before purchasing a mic. Despite there being other popular options out there (Blue Yeti, Rode NT USB, etc.) I chose the C01U Pro because of the price and feedback from other reviews. I figured, at such a low price, if it sucks, then it's not too much out of my pocket and I can just return it anyway. I've been very satisfied with the quality of the mic. Here are a few notes on the sound: It's a very natural-sounding mic. It doesn't change your voice at all. What you sound like is what this mic will capture. Some mics will change your voice by bringing out certain aspects of it. Some people want that. If you do, don't get this mic. For me, since I do voiceovers, I want something that is true to life. The sound is crisp, very crisp, and clear. Again, it's not bringing out the warmth or depth of your voice. It's just a clear, crisp, natural pickup. Both of these things make the mic perfect for voiceovers, podcasting, and recording instruments - uses where you want the true to life sound to be recorded. It is a supercardioid mic. Supercardioids differ from standard cardioids in 2 ways: 1) It will pick a little bit of sound from the back of the mic; however, this is not enough to use it as a two way mic 2) The field of pickup is more narrow. You really need to be directly in front of the mic. Even just 2 inches to the side or rotating your head will decrease the quality. Keep this in mind for your use. This mic is best for podcasting and voiceovers. If your use requires the mic to be more than a foot away from your mouth, get another mic. The stand is excellent quality. Very solid and sturdy. I was surprised by that. The shock mount is also great and the pop filter is as well. The pop filter is actually made of metal mesh which is better than your standard fabric pop filter. As a note, the mic actually has a built-in shock mount and pop filter and when I tested it without the two that came in this kit, I didn't notice much of a difference. If you don't want to pay the extra money for this kit, I'm sure you'd be fine with the mic by itself. One downside is that there is no gain knob on the mic. This means that you'll have to change the recording level from your computer. Not a big deal to me, but I admit that it would be easier to be able to do that from the mic itself. All in all, I'm satisfied with the mic and would suggest buying it. There's no point in spending $100 more for a mic that's going to deliver the same quality. Unless your budget jumps up to $400+, stick with the C01U Pro. Oh, one more thing. Another reviewer said the stand and shock mount screws didn't fit. They do, you just need to remove the inside adapter part to show the larger fitting. ... More
Easy to Use and Solid Audio Quality
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Setup was very easy for this microphone. It is a simple plug & play use. I tested it with garageband on a mac computer and audacity on a windows computer. Both worked seamlessly. The audio recording quality was better than I expected for paying this price on a microphone. Vocal recording is very nice (singing/podcast type applications). Acoustic guitar recording sounded great. Acoustic guitar was about 8 feet away from the mic when testing it out. I imagine fine tuning my recording process will only make it sound better. I used the mic to record a band practice session. I just placed the mic in the center of the room and played around it. The mic worked surprisingly well to pick up the instruments (recorded in garageband). Obviously this technique is not going to sound amazing but it is better than I have recorded other times with a TASCAM device or other microphone into a computer. The overload led light is nice to visually show you when the microphone input volume is set too high. I have been typically running at 20-30% when testing up-close vocals. So it shows there is an input range to work with. The microphone base stand is a nice simplistic setup. It does limit the positioning of the microphone on there but I believe this is what is intended. The stand will not allow for a horizontal positioning of the mic. Since I do not need the feature and do not think the stand was intended to do that, I did not take away from the rating. I recommend this microphone for anyone looking to have a usb microphone as a step above the bottom line microphones but do not want to spend money in the $100-$150 range. I imagine it would compete with those in terms of audio quality. If you wanted anything better than this, I would say to think about spending over $150. ... More
Excellent sound quality with any frills
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by Dream Reporter on B&H Photo Video
I'm using this Samson USB mic for recording voice-overs for training videos. Setup was a breeze - plugged it in, and I was recording with it through Audacity in under a minute. It's a natural sounding mic, is pretty sensitive (without being too sensitive, like picking up fleas breathing in the next room!) and feels to be solidly built. I first purchased a Blue Snowball USB mic, thinking it would do the job, but you can't compare the two. There is so much more natural gain in the Samson. The Blue needed a lot of post-processing to get the recordings to sound good, so I returned it in favor of the Samson. My voice is recorded with a full, clear sound, without any boominess. I quickly recorded my acoustic guitar, and that sounded pretty decent without any tweaking. Overall, very happy with this purchase. ... More
Excellent Value, Superb Recording
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by R Pohl on B&H Photo Video
We love these mics in the Northshore School District. Manyteachers feel comfortable using them to record classroompodcasts, grades K-12. They are easy to use, plug and playwith our Mac computers, and stand the test of heavy use byeager students. Expertise: Instructional Technology Coordinator Problems Encountered: None to date and we've purchased 15+ district wide. Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Logitech Desktop USB Mic
IMPRESSIVE SET UP
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by Hunter on B&H Photo Video
I do a lot of video editing using Final Cut. At times I like to do some narration or even a commentary track. The Samson CO1U Pro USB Studio Microphone looked like it might be just what I needed. It was easy to set up and connect to Final Cut and the narrative quality was very impressive. In the past Ive used a headset with a mike but this gave far better results. And I had no problems with popping. I would say that this set up gives professional results at a fair price. And I loved the cleaver way the items were packaged. ... More
Ads
Very Good Microphone.
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by Retouch.ca on B&H Photo Video
I purchased this mic for my Mac desktop computer. Installation was a breeze and the mic works very well. Well made and feels good. I use it to put together YouTube tutorials. Clean and clear recordings. I purchased their 'Sound Deck' software for a couple dollars and it helps to make noise free recordings. I only have a couple small issues, the included mic stand is great, but it is a little low. I ended up buying a mic stand so that I can raise it higher. Having said that, it seems the range is short. If I am more than a few inches away from the mic the recordings are not loud enough so I have to be within an inch or two of the mic. This is with all the settings all the way up. The other reason I gave this mic four stars instead of five stars is that I read this on the Samson website. Not sure if this is cause for concern. I'll keep the mic, but this might of concern to some people. Why would a company use a material like this in anything? WARNING: This product contains DEHP, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm. ... More
The C01U is an EXCELLENT choice!
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by Phat Fingerz on B&H Photo Video
I have a $2,100 Neumann TLM 67 mic, at my Recording Studio, but I needed a decent studio condenser mic that would allow me to produced all my projects, (with Vocals), at my home studio, with no extra pre-amps or XLR cabling. This mic blew me away! The C01U is an EXCELLENT purchase.
Richer, Deeper Sound
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by TasiaCaster on B&H Photo Video
There are USB mics that have lots of features, like access to the preamp controls and mics that focus on rich sound reproduction. The C01UCW USB is of the latter type. I was able to plug and play quickly and produce outstanding-sounding audio for screencasts. There is little to be done pre-production because there are no controls to adjust. This is easily overcome in post-production using Audacity or any audio editor that permits manipulating the sound after-the-fact. This mic is perfect for what it does -- produce rich sound that features few artifacts and gives you a full range of frequencies to adjust in post-production. If you are looking for pre- and production controls, look elsewhere for a mic that gives you access to the pre-amp. ... More
USB Microphone, C01U
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by Will on B&H Photo Video
This is a really nice piece of equipment. I have used earlier model USB Microphones on my PC and was thoroughly disappointed to say the least. The truly professional USB Mic s were way out of my price range until recently. I chose the C01U recording Pak with Sonar LE software and a very nice case I converted to carry two pistols to and from the range in. THis case must cost almost as much as the Microphone, yet they threw it in for free! I recorder my child reading, directly to my MAC and then to my Wife's PC. Great sound capture and easily saved to mp3 format and sent to the in-laws. This Microphone makes us feel as though we were sitting in a recording studio. Way more that what we imagined and now we believe we have to become more sophisticated in our recordings to justify owning such a nice piece of recording equipment! I think we'll do as Woody Allen did with What's up Tiger Lilly and re-dub a movie or two just for kicks. ... More
Great Mic for the price
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by A Wild Abra on B&H Photo Video
I am a livestreamer. With my content I try and give the best quality. For a while I was using a Blue Yeti, which works better as an omnidirectional microphone. If you are recording just yourself, the C01UCW is your best bet as a mid-range mic. It has great noise reduction and has a nice crisp sound. Instillation is simple and it works with most booms. My one issue, is the mic does poor in stereo input with the default windows drivers. Keep the mic on mono if you are going to use them.
I sound like a pro!
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by LT1985 on B&H Photo Video
I do amateur voice acting, singing, and music production. So, after my old microphone bit the dust, I wanted to upgrade to something much better. After researching for months, I decided on the C01U. I love the USB. My PC recognized quickly and it was up and running in less than five minutes. It is a little heavy, so that is why i bought a stand to go along with it. It can use the included stand, I just wanted something more sturdy/ I sound great on it! It makes me sound completely professional!
GREAT mic for the price
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by andrewnius on B&H Photo Video
I would recommend this mic to anyone who wants a decent sounding mic at a great price. The usb plug in is a plus as well and will save you from having to buy an interface to plug into your computer. I found that there is not a lot of background sound in recording and I use the cheapest recording program: Audacity. If you are just looking for a great mic to add to a low cost recording studio- this is perfect!
Pretty amazing
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
It's astonishing to me that at this price, it buys such an impressive little system. Syncs perfectly with Final Cut Pro and Garage Band (though with GB, it seems you have to set up the mic as Audio Input in the System Preferences.)Quality is superb for the price. Comparing recorded voiceover with my studio AKG C-414, sound quality is amazingly comparable, though the noise floor of the C01U is understandably quite a bit higher. The mic seems to be preset with some amount of high-pass filtering, which for general voiceover use is perfectly workable.The package includes a durable aluminum flight case that houses everything including the mic, stand, shock mount and cables. What more could you ask, except maybe for a windscreen which is extra. Pretty impossible to complain, though! ... More
Definitely worth the purchase
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by Chibvox on B&H Photo Video
After receiving the CO1U Microphone I hooked it up to the computer the next day and tried it out. I recorded a few audio clips and the Microphone quality sounded great. It's honestly worth the price I paid for it. The fact that it comes with a mic stand and shock mount is absolutely awesome. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to do Fan-Dubbing or getting in to Podcasting. It does have some weight to it but I don't find that to be a bad thing especially if you want it to stay in one place and not have to worry about it being knocked over like the cheap @ desktop mics you buy. All in all this was the best purchase I've made on a piece of computer equipment. ... More
Nice sounding mic w/ essential bundle
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by JWPC on B&H Photo Video
I use this product to create podcasts and vodcasts to teach various college level courses. The mic is an excellent piece of equipment and the accessories that are bundled with this kit make it easier to use and better sounding. I use Audition to capture the input signal which I can then output through camtasia or just as an independnt sound file-- all easily and immediately. If it's specs and output were not impressive enough, the mic also feels durable-- it has some heft to it.
Great Buy
Samson C01U Pro USB Mic and Tabletop Stand Kit
Reviewed by Karen on B&H Photo Video
The mic is excellent. It captures sound precisely, meaning that it does not alter the base or treble tones. Plus, the super cardioid pattern minimizes unwanted noise. The reason for a rating of only 4 stars (I'd give it 4 1/2 if I could) is because of the kit. While the shockmount, stand, and pop filter function well, the connectors could be improved. More importantly, the weight of the everything combined on one side of the mic stand causes it to tip at the slightest touch. I found that wrapping the end of the pop filter around the base rebalanced it enough to remain stable. Overall though, it's a great setup for the price; you can't go wrong. ... More
The stand and shock mount have different sized screwheads
Samson C01U Pro USB Mic and Tabletop Stand Kit
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Although I think this package is pretty good value for money, the stand and the shock mount have different sized screw heads, and no adapter is included, which was frustrating when I tried to set everything up and realized I couldn't.
Great bang for the buck
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by bois on B&H Photo Video
I do a lot of video podcasting where I need to record sound-overs. I'm producing HD quality video, so I want audio to match and got tired of dealing with cheap unreliable microphones. This mic was very easy to set up, it's high quality construction,and gives me nice warm voice quality in my recordings. Since the mic-in port to a computer tends to generate lots of noise, the USB input is perfect for those recording to computers.
Awesome microphone - reasonable price!
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The audio quality of this microphone is incredible. I have used many microphones and this one by far has superb quality. Any problem is with the software. The mic came with Sonar LE (cakewalk) which is a great product but not simple enough for beginners. I ordered the entire microphone package (case, stand, cords, etc) The price with all the extras was still $75 less than anyone else for just the microphone!! ...The sound is clean and perfect for podcasting. We are not for profit and had no problem submitting the tax exempt form. Would definitely do business here again.
Great Microphone Bundle.
Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone (Silver)
Reviewed by Cory on B&H Photo Video
This bundle comes with almost everything you need for an awesome setup. It has a suspension mount, a small desk stand, all the wires and software with a great USB microphone. And it all comes in a tough metal case. Only thing missing is a pop filter to complete your setup. Easy installation and usability, and all at a great price. Was looking at getting just the microphone, but B&H had the kit at such a great price I had to get it. Really glad I spent the time to come look at B&H's website.
