Samson C01U Pro Large Diaphragm USB Studio Condenser Microphone
The C01U Pro is Samson's updated take on the C01U, the first USB studio condenser microphone, and it is still aimed at the same job: getting a clean, honest recording of a voice straight into a computer with no audio interface and no microphone preamp in between.
- Large diaphragm condenser: a smooth, flat frequency response and a transparent tone that keeps the subtle nuances of a voice intact.
- USB plug and play: connects directly to a Mac or PC, which makes recording quick and easy without a separate interface.
- Mobile ready: compatible with iPads and iPhones (4S and later) using Apple's Lightning USB Camera Adapter, so a tablet can stand in for a laptop on location.
- Die-cast metal body: the solid construction minimises unwanted noise and vibrations reaching the capsule.
- Aimed at voice work: Samson positions the C01U Pro for home audio, working from home, content creation and recording.
For podcasts, voiceovers, tutorials and scratch vocals recorded at a desk, this is about the shortest route there is from microphone to file. Put it on a boom arm or a desk stand so the capsule sits at mouth height and stays off the desk surface, and the recording will need very little work afterwards.
The Samson C01U Pro is a large diaphragm USB studio condenser microphone. It is the updated version of the C01U, the world's first USB studio condenser microphone, a design that went on to become an industry standard among music and broadcast professionals. The appeal has not changed in the years since: one cable, one capsule, and a signal chain short enough that there is very little left to go wrong.
What the large diaphragm gives you
The C01U Pro has a smooth, flat frequency response and a transparent tone, and it captures the subtle nuances of a voice rather than colouring them. That matters most when the recording is going to be edited, compressed and levelled later. A flat starting point is far easier to work with than a microphone that has already made those decisions for you.
Plug in and record
Plug and play operation makes recording to a Mac, PC or iOS device quick and easy, and that counts for most when you are working away from a fixed studio. The microphone is compatible with iPads and iPhones (4S and later) using Apple's Lightning USB Camera Adapter, so mobile recordings can be made without carrying a laptop and an interface to the location.
Built to stay quiet
The solid die-cast metal construction is not only about looking the part. A dense body minimises unwanted noise and vibrations, which is often the difference between a usable desk recording and one full of keyboard thumps and floor rumble. Mount it on a boom arm or a desk stand and keep the body isolated from the surface you are typing on.
Where it fits
Samson points the C01U Pro at home audio, work from home setups, content creation and recording. Those applications all share one requirement: a single voice, captured clearly, with as little equipment as possible standing between the talker and the file.