SAMSON Go Mic Clip On USB Microphone

Product Information

Just starting out with recording your own music and don’t have a lofty budget? Then, this recording set from Maono is for you. The combo consists of the Maono USB condenser mic, a table stand, a pop filter, and some cable ties to tidy up your desk. 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. It's very easy to distort the mic, so you might favor the -10dB pad setting, but the main source of issues is likely to be plosives. The Go Mic is so small, using it with a pop filter will be a challenge, unless you affix the mic to a stand and attach the filter to that. If you have no pop filter, pivoting and angling the mic on its stand is essential—you want to be close enough to the speaker to get a direct, close sound, but aiming the mic at the speaker's nose will eliminate the direct line to the capsule that otherwise would result in pops on plosives.

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? If you’re starting a podcast, don’t yet have a microphone, and have a limited budget, the Q2U is an excellent option. The XLR version was recorded into a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB audio interface. I’ve applied no post-processing, normalisation, noise-reduction, etc, to the files. Samson Q2U AlternativesInternally, 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 front face of the mic has a silver grille and a small status LED—watch this light for peak indicators. There's no gain knob, but you can use the switch on the left side to "pad" the mic -10dB—useful if your recording subject is loud, or seems to be peaking out at times. You can adjust the gain in your recording software in a more fine-tuned manner, but there's unfortunately no gain knob on the mic itself.

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 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 – Includes mic clip, tripod stand, tripod stand extension, foam windscreen, USB cable (2.25m) and XLR cable (3m)

Was this article helpful?

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? 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.

The Go Mic doesn't appear to utilize any DSP (digital signal processing). For purists, that's good news, but if you're a recording novice, it might take a little more effort to get ideal signal levels. In the absence of DSP, what you get is a pure signal, and you can always enhance the recording with EQ or compression in your recording software later, rather than having very little control over dynamics with DSP that is baked into the signal chain. Performance 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. 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.Having both a USB and XLR connection means you can even record through both simultaneously. If you’re doing an important interview on location and are scared of something breaking, this is a comforting safety net to have in place. You can also use this dual functionality to assist you when doing a mix-minus remote interview. Regardless of what microphone you’re using, it’s always good to record your podcasts in a quiet, sound-dampened room– unless you’re going for a field-recorded “in the moment” effect. Nevertheless, the Samson Q2U is pretty forgiving of less-than-ideal recording conditions.

The Shure MV7 is a truly professional mic. Not only does it offer clear audio recording, but it also has the ability to connect via USB and XLR. You will need a dedicated audio interface if you choose to take the latter route. No matter how you connect it, users say they are extremely pleased with the recorded audio. If you intend on using an interface to podcast, and something breaks, you can switch to USB and record directly into your computer.Likewise, if you are on the road and have your microphone with you, there’s more chance of finding a setup to accommodate it if you want to do some recording on the fly. Shure is one of the most popular names when it comes to microphones for vocals. The MV7 is a part of Shure’s premium portfolio of mics that has a special voice isolation technology. If you want impeccable recording quality, the Shure MV7 is the way to go.

What should you get instead of the Go Mic?

Audio-Technica is a renowned brand in the audio space. And the AT2020 is a top recommendation if you’re looking for a mic from the brand. The microphone is specifically meant for vocalists, so it emphasizes clear tones. The Samson Q9U microphone is for plug-and-play operation, whether you’re using its XLR or USB output. Using the included USB-C cable, I first plugged the Q9U into my laptop and then plugged a pair of headphones into the rear of the microphone, through which I was immediately able to hear my voice. I then opened Logic Pro, set the Samson Q9U as my input and output device, and just like that, I was ready to record. 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