So that does add to the cost.īut even in USB mode, the improvement over the Q1U is significant. But keep in mind, you would need to have an interface unit to use XLR mode - somewhere to plug in the 3-pin cable and provide pre-amplification and conversion. But my assessment is that the sound quality of the Q2U was on a par with that of the SM58. Did I mention yet that the SM58 is $99? That's quite a bit more than the $59 for the Q2U, if you're into math and stuff. The Shure SM58 had just about the same noise/hiss level as the Q2U in XLR mode. The Q2U (in XLR mode) had even less of the steady background hiss than when in USB mode. Clearly Samson made this a priority when designing this upgrade. The Q2U (in USB mode) had much MUCH less background hiss than the Q1U.
But that often affects the remaining audio somewhat, making it sound a bit muffled sometimes. You can filter this out with noise reduction, which I did. NoiseĪs I mentioned, the Q1U has quite a noticeable steady background hiss. The Shure SM58 was MUCH less sensitive to those. I did not use a pop filter or windscreen for the tests, because I wanted to find out how sensitive to p-pops these mics were without them.īoth the Q1U and the Q2U are extremely sensitive to p-pops. I compared the Q2U with both the Q1U AND the most common standard (XLR) dynamic mic in the world, the Shure SM58.
Samson q1u dynamic usb microphone review professional#
The mic I have been recommending as the lowest end still capable of professional sound has been the Samson Q1U mic for $49. You can get fantastic value for money that way. If your budget isn't quite there yet though, I usually recommend starting with a USB mic. The minimum investment there would be in the $175-$200 range. So if you can afford to jump on that train when starting out, I recommend that. The XLR mic/interface box combo is basically the same setup used in high-end commercial recording studios. For instance, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo is only about $100.
See our post What is An AD Converter? for more on that.įortunately, these days most "interface" units (such as the Focusrite Scarlett and at least a dozen similar products) contain both the preamp and converters in a single unit. But that captured sound needs to be converted to "computer language" before you can do anything with it. An analog-to-digital converter - microphones capture "regular audio" (sound waves in the air) and preamps make that louder louder.A premplifier - microphones need amplification to be made audible.But you need extra gear to get them to connect to your computer. One decent candidate for a standard mic is a large diaphragm condenser mic such as an Audio-Technica AT2035 (there are tons available at all price levels). Standard microphones are typically much higher quality than any direct-to-computer mics. You know, the kind with the little 1/8th inch pin that you stick into your computer's sound card? But what about "XLR?" The sound quality is leaps and bounds better than the traditional direct-to-computer mics that came before. You just plug the microphone's USB cable straight into the computer. You don't need an external interface to plug it into your computer. Most folks are familiar with what USB microphones are. But what in the world is a "USB/XLR" mic? See our post Condenser vs Dynamic Microphones for more on what it means to be a dynamic mic.