SAMSON Go Mic Clip On USB Microphone

Product Information

There’s very little in it between the Q2U, the ATR2100, and the Maono AU-HD300T. I go into more detail in the post I’ve linked to there. XLR/USB Combo Mics It also performs well with handling noise. It’s always preferable to mount your mics in a boom arm or stand, but it might be easier to walk around holding the mic if you’re doing some on-location interviews. The only mic I’ve come across that ‘handles’ better than the Q2U is the Shure SM58. Where Would You Use It? Like the Maono combo, the Audio-Technica AT2020 also comes with a bunch of accessories in the box. For starters, the mic ships with a boom arm along with a pair of over-the-ear headphones to monitor your audio. These are certainly nice inclusions if you’re starting off as a vocalist.

If you’re starting a podcast, don’t yet have a microphone, and have a limited budget, the Q2U is an excellent option. On the rear of the microphone are two small, clearly marked switches for adjusting the mic’s frequency response, a USB-C port for direct digital recording to a computer, an analog XLR output for interfacing with compatible audio equipment, and a headphone output for latency-free monitoring while in USB mode. In USB mode, the Samson Q9U acts as its own audio interface, offering 24-bit/96kHz analog-to-digital conversion and several front-end equalization options without the need for extra software or equipment. There are a lot of great podcast microphones out there, but these features help the Samson Q9U compete. Getting started with the Samson microphone The Q2U is a real Swiss army knife of podcasting, fitting just about any context you can throw at it. What Does It Come With? There are several USB condenser mics for singing with different features, audio patterns, etc. In fact, you can even find tiny, portable microphones with USB ports or get a full-fledged mic set with a boom stand and a pop filter. We’ve included options across varying budgets so you can get the best microphone for recording vocals based on your requirements. But before that – The Maono mic is advantageous for buyers on a budget as it includes several accessories, saving additional expenses. The included pop filter cuts out wind noise while the boom stand firmly attaches the mic to your table/desk. You can even adjust the mic at various different angles to face you when recording.

So what now?

Internally, the mic employs a fixed charged 10mm electric to deliver the audio signal. Samson claims the frequency range for the mic is 20hz to 18kHz, and that it can deliver audio in 16-bit, 48kHz format. These numbers aren't bad, but if you're looking for hi-res audio, you'll want a mic that delivers 24-bit audio, and possibly a higher sample rate than 48kHz.

The recorded sound of the Samson Q9U microphone changed very subtly when I used it as an XLR mic and connected it to my Universal Audio Apollo interface. This is likely due to the use of the external interface’s own analog-to-digital conversion rather than the converters inside the microphone, and the end results felt a touch bit more detailed on the high-frequency end. While this is mildly interesting to note in the context of a gear test and a good thing to keep in mind, this small difference between USB and XLR mode probably won’t make a noticeable difference in sound quality or viability in the long run. Here are a couple of sound samples I’ve recorded for you. They were initially recorded for our Best Budget Mics roundup, and feature segments of a reading from Beatrix Potter’s dark horror classic Peter Rabbit. Samson Q2U as USB

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So, in the absence of DSP, you'll need to be more diligent about mic placement and overall levels. It'll help you get better recordings in general if you learn how to angle the mic for various scenarios. And it's certainly possible to get a solid, clean recording from the Go Mic. Conclusions Its simplicity, versatility, and accessories make for incredible value. It’s the mic we recommend to people the most here at The Podcast Host, and we use it a lot, too.