Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fine on XP, ok on Vista, a bit of a nightmare on Linux, 25 Sep 2008
I bought this mic to use with one of the new breed of ultra-portable ultra-cheap solid-state laptops, namely an Asus Eee 4G running Xandros Linux. Also to use with my Vista desktop.
The first thing you might need to know is this is _not_ a stereo microphone, it's mono only - as was the C01U USB. But the C03U USB Microphone has things the C01U USB doesn't, like two more settings for directional pickup of sound, and a switch for low-frequency cutouts on the microphone body itself. Such features on the C03U make it much more useful than the C01U.
Running it with Windows Vista was simple enough, after some basic and easy configuration. Don't install any of the software/drivers that come in the box, if you're using Vista. Just plug in the mic, and a green led on the mic will light up to show it's powered. Vista locates a generic driver, installs it, and the microphone works. You then need to go into the Vista Control panel, find Sound, and boost levels/settings according to Samson's online instruction-page for Vista users.
Sadly, Samson doesn't make a Vista version (durh!) of their pre-amp software. Perhaps because of this, I found my desktop PC couldn't cope with the very top-quality settings (on recordings I heard a high-pitched fast clicking while speaking and for a few seconds afterwards - presumably because my CPU / onboard-audio chip couldn't quite keep up), and so I opted for a lower "1 channel, 16-bit, 22050 Hz" AM radio quality setting. Whatever you set in the Control Panel / Sound dialogue will also be what you want to set as a default in your audio-recorder (such Audacity or Sound Forge) with the probable addition of a "mono" setting.
To run this mic on the Asus EEE 4G is _almost_ impossible. But not quite. Using the EEE's Xandros Linux native O/S with this mic is apparently possible _if_ you can compile the Audacity 1.3.5 beta from source code (groan!). Why? The new version of Audacity is apparently the only Linux GUI sound app that uses the new ALSA sound system, which is required for using USB mics. I tried compiling Audacity multiple times, creeping ahead a little each time before encountering yet another roadblock. Audacity has so many third-party "dependencies" it's completely ridiculous. After eight hours I just gave up on it.
I eventually found that the Eee's command-line Linux "arecorder" application is the _only_ app pre-installed on the EEE that will record from my new USB microphone, since it's part of the new ALSA sound system. Thankfully arecorder records very well (phew), and even records smoothly at 48hz (which Windows Vista choked on!). But can I live with typing commands into the console, rather than clicking a big red button marked "RECORD"? Hmmm... it's certainly not ideal, and I'm still thinking about deleting Xandros completely, and just installing Windows XP instead.
This mic can be made to be deliciously sensitive at long range - great for field recordings of ambience. And podcasters get a sensitive bass-rich sound that can make you sound/feel more impressive and more like a pro presenter. This is certainly worth buying for XP or Vista, but beware of thinking this is going to be "plug-&-play" with Linux.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top quality microphone for 1, 2 or more people. Excellent for Podcasting, 22 Aug 2008
Received this in a small cardboard box. Surprised it came with a software disc, sadly for me it was a Windows only app, think you would have included something a little more cross platform, lots of us mac users out there into sound recording but that is life. Also came with a nylon carry pouch and a neat little tripod, now that really is useful. Can see that tripod being excellent for group recordings around a table perhaps? Also included with a reasonably long USB lead, much longer than normal USB leads. Again Excellent. This mic can work in three modes. Basically Super Cardiod (Front for 1 person), Figure 8 (Front and Back, for 2 people) and All around for 3 or more. There is a 10dB pad function if your recording loud noised and you want to attenuate that a bit. Also a filter switch to get rid of table rumble or bass sounds if recording vocals or cymbals. This does a good job when recording vocals. The quality is astounding. You need nothing more than the mic itself and a free USB port. As this is sending the signal digitally Amazon do some great USB extenders USB Active Repeater Extension Cables so you could run this for many, many meters just keep plugging the powered extenders in. I cant fault this microphone, it takes out so many of the variables with mixers and cables and electrical noise in audio cables, etc, it just plugs in and works. Adjust the volume in your app to set levels and I found it works better than another well known bit of kit that cost more than three times the price. Definately recommended.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great with Final Cut Pro on an iMac., 10 Jan 2009
I'm a freelance TV editor and need to record broadcast and DVD audio straight on to my Final Cut time-line whilst video is playing.
This little beauty does it first time. I went to 'Voice Recording' and the CO3U was there first time. Truly plug&play!!
The low-pass is also great. Also because it's got a front cardioid pattern you don't have to worry about the sound of your mac which is probably behind the microphone.
ONE THING TO WATCH>>>>
The wee tripod that comes included is rubbish and my microphone tipped over twice before I realized I needed to put one of the feet forward/underneath (the CO3U is fairly heavy). I hope I haven't damaged anything!!! There's also no where to clip the Pop-screen which I've also bought. Now I'm thinking about getting a proper floor stand.
BUT the microphone itself is amazing.
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