Samson Go Mic Compact USB Microphone Plug n Play

Samson Go Mic Compact USB Microphone is a versatile computer-based miking and recording solution. Due to its custom compact design, the Go Mic is able to clip directly onto your laptop or sit unobtrusively on your desk. Plug and play operation also means its completely compatible with a Mac or PC, with no drivers required. The Go Mic is perfect for recording music, podcasts or field recording, but its range of functionality extends beyond typical USB microphones. The Go Mic is also ideal for voice recognition software, iChat, web casting and even Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Samson Go Mic Features Portable USB condenser microphone Plug and Play Mac and PC compatible, no drivers required Custom compact design that clips to a laptop or sits on a desk Perfect for recording music, podcasting and field recording Ideal for voice recognition software, iChat, VoIP and web casting Transducer Type: condenser, pressure gradient with USB digital output Frequency Response: 20Hz-18kHz Cardioid or omni Polar Patterns Resolution: 44.1kHz/16-bit 1/8-inch headphone output High-quality components and meticulous engineering ensure the Go Mic will offer clear, professional audio reproduction in any number of applications. Thanks to its switchable cardioid and omni polar patterns, you can pick whichever pattern is more appropriate for your specific situation. Plus, with a frequency response of 20Hz-18kHz and a resolution of 44.1kHz/16-bit, you can be sure youre getting professional audio specs in a compact, multi-purpose design.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great mic
I purchsed the Go-Mic to record songs and it does a great job. Besides the quality I like the small size and sturdy composition. The carrying case is perfect…fits so well in my laptop case. Go-Mic is well named.

4 Stars Strong competitor to Blue’s Snowflake
Having misplaced my Blue Snowflake USB mic, I decided to give this recently introduced, competitively priced USB mic from Samson a try. (Samson is maker of the highly popular and effective Zoom personal digital recorders–the H2 and the H4n.) It’s an attractive, fully outfitted piece of equipment, with handsome packaging (a small black box and zippered carrying case with aesthetics apparently inspired by iPod). It’s smaller and lighter than the Snowflake–more diminutive than the picture would suggest. Yet the audio quality strikes me as being somewhat warmer and richer, favoring the bass frequencies of spoken narration more than the Snowflake, which has slightly cleaner and clearer definition at the treble end.

The Samson Go was seen instantly by my iMac, and recording was as advertised: “Plug n’ Play.” The mic is somewhat more sophisticated than the Snowflake in terms of “latency” settings (it permits direct monitoring via headphones connected to the mic to insure no delay, or lag time, between transmission and reception), and there’s a three-way switch for directional patterns (the manual could be clearer, however, about the difference between “cardioid” and “cardioid 10 pad.”) No matter. The mic performed virtually flawlessly right out of the box, with no tampering with the switch.

It’s extremely sensitive, slightly more so than the Snowflake. Yet I was unable to avoid the “P” popping sounds, regardless of how close I got to the mic and muted my consonants. So be prepared for the addition of some sort of “pop filter” device (either one sold on Amazon or a self-designed one, using a nylon stocking).

The mic can be clipped to the top of a computer screen or mounted on a mic stand (using a supplied adapter or ordering a properly sized one from Samson). Yet with its heavy base plus the flexible, tilting mic, it can be placed on a flat surface–much like the Snowflake, but with greater stability and without any intrusive cable. (The Snowflake tends to “flop around,” requiring some balancing of the device by the user.)

My biggest disappointment thus far is that the clip, as alluded to by another reviewer, does not open far enough for attachment to a desk-top computer (it should be an ideal fit with most notebook machines). Although the Snowflake doesn’t use a spring clip, it suffers from the same limitation. If you’re especially concerned about durability, the Snowflake appears to be the heavier, more rugged mic, with thick metal and no tiny switches or spring clips to wear out. The Samson is the more delicate and refined of the two. But don’t kid yourself. Either mic will exceed the capabilities of your computer’s built-in mic and perhaps the owner’s expectations. On the other hand, neither is a match for the Shure SM7B that I’m accustomed to using at a local broadcasting studio. Still, Samson would appear to have a winner with this little wonder, whether it’s used in conjunction with a computer to record full-frequencied music or “realistic”-sounding narration.

4 Stars Small, cute, pretty good
I just received the Samson Go Mic today. First impressions:

1. beautiful packaging (very Apple-like)

2. Awfully cute, small condenser mic

3. Sound quality is remarkably good

I tested the mic and was surprised at how clean it sounded. Lacks some bass unless you’re right up on it, but is perfect for on-the-road podcasting, on-line meetings or webinasrs.

Con:

Only one, the clip is really meant for a thin laptop screen and not a regular monitor. So that limits the usefulness to remote uses.

For the price, it’s one of these gotta have toys that’s actually a real mic. Good job Samson!

5 Stars Exactly what I was looking for.
This little mic is great! The sound that comes out of it is unbelievable, crystal clear at all times. It does not record my rather noisy computer fan or anything else in the room. I wanted something that could be used for music, and was initially a little worried about getting this due to its size. Well, that does not matter in the slightest. You’d think you were singing into something much more expensive. Go Mic really does get the job done, I must say, very powerful.

I found that the omni-directional setting works best when recording a song, (for those that are thinking of purchasing it for musical purposes) as it captures both guitar and vocals, and one does not overpower the other. It clips onto my laptop a little awkwardly though and I’m always afraid it’ll fall, but it does stay on, it just leans forward just a bit. It is heavy enough to perch it on your desk without any problems. Either way it records beautifully, and for the price, you really can’t go wrong.

If you’ve only just started recording music, (and don’t know too much about mics) this one is a wonderful way to get started and get you motivated.

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