Great Starting Mic 
by Tyler Westen from Los Angeles, February 2008
Music Background:  Recording Engineer, Guitarist, Composer

Although I do really like the sound of this mic, I can't really justify giving it a good review. Mine really hiss's. I have been using my Rode NT5's for a while now and when i went back to my samson as a vocal mic for a classical pianist and singer i couldn't believe how noisy the samson was. Considering the C01 was my first condenser mic i was blown away at first but after getting the proper perspective I can't really justify recommending this to anyone interested in a long term investment. If your just starting out and your not sure how much recording your gonna be doing but want to get into it for cheap then great go for it. Otherwise i'd spend a little bit more money and get a mic that you can keep for more than a year.

  You can't go wrong with this mic. 
by Ty Curtis from Charleston SC, October 2007
Music Background:  Recording musician

I have been recording for more than 25 years and have used quite a few mics. I have been so pleased with the way this mic responds to my voice and my acoustic guitar. It's been nick-named the "Poor Man's Neumann" for good reason. In my home studio I am using it with an Avalon 737 Sp Vt and a MOTU 828 Mk II. This mic doesn't even cost the sales tax of the more high-end mics, and the sound is very, very nice. I have an AKG 414, and a Neumann ksm 105.

This mic doesn't back down. It works very well.
Samson would probably sell more if they raised the price a few hundred bucks : )

  This mic defines "Bang for the Buck" 
by grant from chicago, illinois, August 2007
Music Background:  40 years of music.

i bought a Samson C15CL for a vocal mic as a (cheap) test and loved it. i had been using the Shure standards forever (58's). i was then looking for a second mic for acoustic guitar and picked up the C01. what great deals, what great open sound. i record vocals and guitar into a Beringer 12 track mixer, into a M-Audio Jamlab, and then into a notebook PC using Adobe Audition. i swear it sounded like i had taken blankets off of my mics the sound was so clean.

  Not Bad...Not Bad At All! 
by Koncyse from Washington, D.C., July 2007
Music Background:  Music Producer, writer, performer

I own a studio inside of my apartment and this is the first mic that I bought almost a year ago and I must say that I have been using this mic for alot of my own singing and rapping needs and it has never failed me in quality and performance. I use this mic alot and I love the way I sound on it. I plan to upgrade to higher end mics but for now, this one will do.

This is, by far, not the best mic but if your funds are limited get one or two of these. Don't waste your money at radio shack thinking a $30 mic will cut it. This is an excellent first mic.

  Great "Small Diphragm Mic" 
by Matthew Biermann from MO, June 2007
Music Background:  Professional Audio Engineer

First of all, the specs are wrong. I took mine apart to do some mods and this mic's diaphragm is actually about the size of a small to medium size diaphragm (like you would find in a pencil condenser mic like the KM 184).

That said, this mic is an outstanding value. I work with high-end, expensive mics all the time and I have to say that this mic is one of the best budget mics that are available compared to those sonically and price wise. Unlike other budget lines like the MXL line (which I usually find harsh and spitty in the high end) this mic has a smooth, articulate high end (albeit a bit noisy). It is indeed great for drum overheads, piano and some vocals. It's a bit too boomy in the low mid-range for me for use on acoustic guitars. Overall, if you are in a budget studio or just starting a project studio, I would stock up on these mics as they are great in quality and price! Hope this helps!

  Great Mic 
by Wallace Barnett from San Antonio Tx, February 2007
Music Background:  Bassist, Drummer, Recording Engineer.

I have used this mic on two c'ds now for overheads and vocals and i have no regrets.

  buy this 
by anonymous , February 2007
Music Background:  hobbyist

you don't have to feel like yours settling for something in your budget with this mic. it does incredibly well on acoustic guitar and vocals. amazing.

  Great Mic 
by Deryn Taylor from Layou, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, August 2006
Music Background:  Pro Musician, Recording Engineer , Live Sound Engineer

I own a small recording studio in the Caribbean country, St.Vincent and got this mic to do my first set of recording projects. I've had it for over ten months and it never failed me it.

I also use it in live performances for Backvocals. As much as five persons surround the mic and still it brings out the vocal harmony A+.

  Exelent Mic! 
by Wilson Tuero from New York, July 2006
Music Background:  Recording engineer Adonai Christian Center, NY

Exelente microfono para grabacion de estudio, buena recpecion, especialmente para gravaciones de voces.
Una buena compra!!

C01 a Great buy. 
by Anonymous , October 2005

I've got two of these and first I want to clear something up. They are NOT "large diaphargm" condenser mics. They are Medium size diaphragm mics. The diaphragm diameter is only about 3/4". But what they seem to be is capsules similar to the Marshall 600 series etc. mics that are widely used and praised for drum overheads. The C01 case is larger, but on the plus side the case is very light but still looks good.

You might think that the smaller capsule migh not sound as good as true large diaphragm mics. Not so. These are killer sounding mics! They don't quite have that large diaphragm sound, but they don't have the characterless sound of tiny electrets either. Basically they are a good balance between the two mic types. They make really great overhead mics but also work well for many other applications. Make really nice stereo pairs.

My advice is do what I did. Wait for a sale price and stock up. Not the only mic you'll ever need but a great addition to your mic collection.

Value 
by Donald W. Mohr from Boston, MA USA, August 2005

I bought this microphone almost 3 years ago and have used it consistently since then. Because this is an exceptionally sensitive Microphone, the available shock mount is highly recommended. I have found this mic to be durable, clear and of high quality. The recordings produced with this mic are very responsive to any EQ I throw at it which doesn't always seem true with other mics of this price range.

Great Mic for the Price 
by Anonymous from Flagstaff AZ, August 2005

For the money you can't beat this mic! I've used it on several of my recordings and I have found that it shines on uses such as acoustic guitar or vocals. For use on amps and such you really have to crank the amp up to get this mic to shine but in the end it's worth it. I found that it captures the sound perfectly and it's great for any home studio

Cheaper can Be A Good Thing 
by Jon from Murfreesboro, August 2004

Samson's CO 1 is Great mike, The perfect all around microphone

Excellent Value 
by Van Vliet Productions from New York, USA, April 2004

I like this mic. Excellent value. Used it first time as drum overhead. Bright but not harsh.

Great Buy 
by JD Kinder , January 2004

The Samson CO1 is the best $80 condensor mic. I've used it in live performances and was very impressed. It can be used to mic choirs, pianos, dulcimers, and vocalists. Rock solid.

Write Your Own Review!
We all love gear, and we all love talking about gear with our friends and bandmates. Why not share your thoughts with the hundreds of thousands of customers who regularly visit Sweetwater.com? Write your own customer review on this product! To begin, just Click Here!