Samson C01U Pro Microphone Review - The Best USB Vocal Mic? (Unboxing & Test)

In this video, I'll be unboxing and testing the Samson C01U Pro USB studio condenser microphone, which I've been using for all the videos on my YouTube channel. This is a fantastic device, with a super-cardioid pickup pattern, flat full range frequency response of 20Hz - 18kHz, and, most importantly, phenomenal audio quality.

It also works with any software, including Adobe Audition and Audacity.

In this review, I'll take you through the specs, included accessories, and setup process. I'll then do a comparison between audio from the C01U Pro and the sound from my Dell Inspiron 14 7447 laptop mic. You'll certainly be able to hear the difference.

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So firstly, why would you want a dedicated mic when virtually every electronic device that you own (laptop, smartphone, tablet etc) has one built-in? Well, in all honesty, comparing an integrated mic with a standalone one is a bit like comparing a DSLR with a phone camera. The phone camera will work, but the DSLR just gives you a far more professional result.

In a similar way, a good mic, like the Samson C01U Pro, improves everything you do with audio, whether that be recording vocals or close miking a musical instrument (like an acoustic guitar). In fact, the C01U is perfect for both of those tasks because it has a super cardioid pickup pattern, which means that its frequency response is most linear at the front. In an ideal world, this would mean that background hiss / noise and ambient room noise are eliminated.

So the C01U Pro is a USB microphone, and it's surprisingly easy to set up. Just plug one end of the included Type B cable into the mic, and the other end into your PC. And you can instantly start recording, no drivers required! Of course, the C01U works on both Windows and Mac OS X.

While you're recording, you'll have access to some pretty amazing features. One of these is the headphone port, which has zero latency monitoring. This means you can listen to what the microphone is picking up in real time. Also, there's a clipping indicator, so you can avoid those nasty digital overs.

So what's included in the box? Well you do get a tripod stand, but I found that it was a bit hit-and-miss. On the one hand, it's nice to not have to buy a separate mount. But the plasticky tripod doesn't have a shock mount, so any vibration on the desk is transferred directly to the microphone. Also, it seems to be a bit prone to tipping over.

But if you don't like the tripod, then no problems! The C01U Pro comes with a standard 5/8" thread (US standard), and an adapter in the box can help you convert that to 3/8" (EU standard).

SPECS:
16-bit / 44.1kHz ADC
20Hz - 18kHz frequency range (flat at 0 degrees, midrange boost at 180 degrees)

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Samson C01U Pro Microphone Review - The Best USB Vocal Mic?