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Samson C03 and C03U Condenser microphones £69.00 and £89.00
(Reviewed by John Verity)
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Samson Audio have been building a range of microphones for some time now, and the C03 is aimed squarely at the budget recording sector. Both models are true large diaphragm condensers with selectable polar patterns - cardioid, omni and figure of eight. Both microphones are of a similar design, with dual 19mm 3 micron capsules, 3-way switching of polar patterns, and a bass roll-off pad. The C03 is connected via a standard XLR which supplies both audio signal and the 'phantom power' needed to run the capsules, whilst the C03U is simply connected by a standard USB cable which connects both audio and power to the capsules. In addition the USB version comes with 'Sonar LE' software. The sturdy steel case is well finished in a slightly matt silver finish with the grille coloured a silky dark grey. All legends are in silver. Both microphones come with stand mounts plus a small desk stand, but for the purposes of this review I was supplied with a suspension mount as I wanted to audition the C03 in a studio situation. In use, the C03 displayed the typical characteristics to be expected from a well designed large diaphragm capacitor. Warm bottom-end and sparkling highs when used to record both acoustic guitar and vocals with cardioid pattern, and the nice addition of some room ambience when switched to figure of eight. When used to record electric guitar played through an amplifier driven hard, the mic handled high SPLs well - a sure sign of a good all-rounder. I would like to try a pair of these as drum overheads as I feel sure they would perform well in this situation - perhaps more of this later when we look at microphones for drum kits. I conducted the listening tests with the standard C03, then compared the USB version. There was no discernable difference between the two in normal use, but the C03 will probably find its home in the studio whilst the C03U comes into its own in the classroom/ MIDI suite where its all-in-one capabilities come in very handy. The C03U really is an all-in-one solution as it comes with Sonar LE, and simply plugs into an available USB port. There are other microphones with a similar specification and price around, but few with switchable polar patterns, and even fewer with the USB option. |
Recommended for all recording and composing units - excellent! 
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