Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Microphone: Samson C01U Pro review

When it comes to audio recording, arguably the most important element is the microphone. Even with superb soundproofing and solid software, that doesn’t matter if the mic itself is poor quality. As a co-host of the Celluloid Fiends podcast (iTunes, Player FM, Libsyn, Spotify) I need a top-notch mic that can keep up with my demanding recording schedule. While I’ve been using the Blue Yeti, I’ve had the pleasure of testing out the Samson C01U Pro. Learn more about this sweet condenser microphone in my Samson C01U Pro review!

Samson C01U Pro specs

For starters, the Samson C01U is a well-specced condenser. Onboard, you’ll find a 19mm diaphragm for lush studio-quality audio. There’s a headphone output with latency-free monitoring. A frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz ensures a smooth audio. For its resolution, the Samson C01U sports a 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution.

• Large, 19mm diaphragm ensures pristine studio-quality audio
• Headphone output for zero-latency monitoring
• Supercardiod pickup pattern
• Smooth, flat frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz
• 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution

Samson C01U Pro USB Studio Condenser Mic: What’s in the box?

In the box, there’s a mix of accessories. Primarily, there’s the C01U Pro USB studio mic, a USB cable, and tripod. There’s also an adapter for use on compatible mounts.

• Samson C01U Pro
• USB cable
• Tripod

Samson C01U Pro review: How does the Samson C01U Pro sound?

Sure, specs are great, and accessories are cool But how does the Samson C01U Pro actually sound? Audio quality is silky smooth. I was impressed at the playback quality and its richness. Granted, as usual, listening to the sound of my own voice was uncomfortable as always. Still, the C01U Pro made it more bearable.

I appreciated the Samson C01U Pro’s built-in headphone jack. Additionally, the bundled tripod is surprisingly sturdy. Often, included stands are rubbish, but this one holds up (pun fully intended). Audio quality tops my Blue Yeti, which itself features excellent sound capture. While on the Yeti there’s occasionally a hum, that wasn’t present on the C01U Pro. Furthermore, the Yeti USB connection occasionally malfunctions but the Samson C01U is truly plug and play.

Since I co-host a podcast with fellow celluloid fiends, it’s important that we have the ability to share a mic. I’m thrilled to report that the Samson Pro C01U Pro successfully captured our vocals when sharing a mic.

Though I primarily used the Samson C01U Pro for podcast recording, I did test it for gaming and Skype. Similarly, the results were phenomenal, with rich, accurate audio capture.

However, unlike mics such as the Blue Yeti, there are no recording modes built into the mic. Similarly, there’s no volume knob or mute button. Therefore, the Samson C01U is software dependent. When setting up the Samson C01U Pro, you’ll need to tweak your sound settings a bit in your preferred audio editing program. That’s a minor issue, and standard fare particularly for podcasters.

Pros:

• Built-in headphone jack
• Excellent sound quality
• No interference
• Plug and play

Cons:

• No built-in audio control
• Lacks onboard mute button
• Audio capture slightly low

Samson C01U Pro review: Final thoughts

Ultimately, the Samson C01U Pro is a solid choice for a variety of activities including podcast recording, VoIP, gaming, and voiceover work. It’s probably not ideal for recording concerts or acoustic instruments though. Nevertheless, for a solo, or even shared mic, the Samson C01U Pro is a best pick. Now, the real question: Am I going to begin using the Samson C01U Pro as my primary podcast recording mic? I’m really pleased with this condenser mic, to the point that I’ll likely switch and test it out for a few more episodes. If I’m still as thrilled as I’ve been thus far, it will replace the Blue Yeti as my daily driver.

Your turn: What mics do you prefer for podcasting?