Samson C01 Studio Condenser Microphone Owner’s Manual
- October 31, 2023
- SAMSON
Table of Contents
Samson C01 Studio Condenser Microphone
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Samson C01 studio condenser. The C01 features a large, 19mm ultra thin diaphragm capsule which faithfully repro- duces a variety of sound sources including vocals, acoustic instruments and overhead cymbals to name a few. The extended frequency and fast transient response insures an accurate reproduction with linier characteristics from bot-tom to top. In these pages, you’ll find a detailed description of the features of the C01 Studio Condenser Microphone, as well as step-by-step instructions for its setup and use, and full specifications. You’ll also find a warranty card enclosed—please don’t forget to fill it out and mail it in so that you can receive online tech-nical support and so we can send you updated information about these and other Samson products in the future. With proper care and adequate air circulation, your C01 will operate trouble free for many years. We recommend you record your serial number in the space pro-vided below for future reference.
- Serial number:
- Date of purchase:
Should your unit ever require servicing, a Return Authorization number (RA) must be obtained before shipping your unit to Samson. Without this number, the unit will not be accepted. Please call Samson at 1-800-3SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) for a Return Authorization number prior to shipping your unit. Please retain the original packing materials and if possible, return the unit in the origi-nal carton and packing materials.
C01 Features
- Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser
- 19mm Capsule with 3-micron diaphragm
- Smooth and transparent sound reproduction
- Hyper Cardioid Pick-Up Pattern
- 36-52 Volt Phantom Power Operation with Blue LED
- Internal Shock-mount
- Extended frequency response
- Solid Die Cast Construction
- Swivel Stand Mount and Carry Case included
Operating the C01
Powering the C01
The C01 is a condenser microphone and therefore needs to be operated by connecting a phantom power supply. Phantom power is standard on most quali-ty mixers, outboard mic-pres and hard disk recorders. If necessary an external phantom supply can also be used. The C01 receives the phantom power directly from a mic cable when connected to a mixer or other microphone input that includes a phantom supply. The power is actually sent OUT of the microphone INPUT, riding silently along with the audio signal. (Fairly mysterious, eh?) Most mixers have a switch to engage the phantom power so be sure to check that the phantom power is on. The C01 features a blue LED, which will illuminate when phantom power is present.
Polar Pattern
The most important characteristic of any microphone is its directionality or “pick-up pattern”. There are three basic categories of pick up patterns; omni, bi and uni-directional. Omni mics pick up sound from all directions, bi- directional (fig-ure 8) mics pick up the sound directly in front and back of the microphone while rejecting the sound on the left and right sides, and uni- directional (cardioid) mics pick up the sound in front of the microphone.
While omni and bi-directional microphones are very useful for a variety of appli-cations, the majority of micing situations in recording and live sound require uni-directional or cardioid microphones. The uni-directional nature allows for better separation of instruments in the studio and more control over feedback in live sound reinforcement. The C01 condenser’s pick-up pattern is hyper-cardioid, which offers even more side-to-side rejection. When positioned correctly the hyper-cardioid pick-up pattern allows you to pick up more of the sound you want and less of the sound you don’t want.
Microphone Placement
In order to maximize the sound quality, you must pay careful attention to the placement of your C01 and how it is positioned for the instrument or vocalist that you are micing. All microphones, especially uni-directional or cardioid micro-phone exhibit a phenomenon known as proximity effect. Very simply put, prox-imity effect is a resulting change in the frequency response of a microphone based on the position of the mic capsule relative to the sound source. Specifically, when you point a cardioid mic directly at the sound source (on axis) you will get the best frequency response, however when you start pointing the microphone slightly away (off axis) you will notice the low frequency response dropping off and the microphone will start to sound thinner.
For most vocals application you’ll want to position the microphone directly in front of the talent. The same may be true for micing instruments, however, you can make some pretty amazing equalization adjustments by slightly changing the angle of the capsule to the sound source. This can be a very useful tech-nique in capturing the optimum sound of drum set, acoustic guitar, piano or other instruments in a live room or sound stage. Experimentation and experi-ence are the best teachers in getting good sounds, so plug in!
Setting Up the Signal Level
When connecting the C01 to a mixer or recorder input, be sure that the input is of microphone level. Also, be sure that the phantom power is engaged as explained the previous section “Powering the C01”. Most mixers and recorders of reasonable quality will offer a microphone input with mic trim (usual called Trim or Gain) control. The purpose of the mic trim control is to optimize the amount of good signal to any noise associated with the mixers electronics. A good mic pre with trim also will have a PEAK or CLIP LED. To set a good level on the mic, set the C01 up in front of the desired sound source and slowly raise the mic trim control until you see the PEAK LED light up. Then, turn the mix trim control down until the LED does not light any more. On most mixers the ideal setting is that the trim control is turned up as much as possible without lighting the PEAK LED.
P-Popping
P-Popping is that annoying pop that you can get when the microphone diaphragm gets a blast of air from a vocalist pronouncing words with the letter “P” included. There are a few ways to deal with the problem including using an external pop filter. Some famous engineers have relied on an old nylon stocking over a bent clothes hanger, which actually works very well. You can also try placing the microphone slightly off axis (on a slight angle) from the vocalist. This can often solve the problem without using an external pop filter.
Stand Mounting the C01
The C01 can be mounted to a standard microphone stand using the included swivel mount adapter. If you are using a US 5/8” mic stand, you will need to remove, by unscrewing, the Euro stand adapter. Simply screw on the swivel adapter on your mic stand or boom arm. Now, loosen the thumbscrew and adjust the microphone to the desired angle. Once set, tighten the thumbscrew to secure the microphone in place.
Using the Optional SP01 Shock-Mount
For additional isolation the C01 can be fit-ted on the optional SP01 “Spider” shock mount. Follow the steps below the to install the SP01.
- First, screw the SP01 shock mount onto your mic stand or boom arm. If you’re using a US 5/8” mic stand or boom, remove the Euro adapter.
- Remove the C01 swivel mount by rotating the threaded collar counter-clockwise as shown in figure 1.
- Install the C01 into the SP01 by fitting the microphone into the center of the web, positioning the C01 onto the bot-tom mounting plate.
- Secure the SP01 by reinstalling the threaded collar, rotating clockwise until tight. (Figure 2)
- Now, loosen the thumb screw to adjust the angle of the microphone and position the C01 to the desired location. Once set, tighten the thumb-screw to secure the microphone in place.
Note: Be careful not to cross thread or over tighten the threaded collar or thumb screw.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Samson C01 Studio Condenser Microphone?
The Samson C01 is a studio-grade condenser microphone designed for recording vocals and instruments.
What type of microphone is the Samson C01?
The Samson C01 is a condenser microphone, known for its sensitivity and high- quality sound capture.
Is the Samson C01 suitable for live performances?
While it's primarily designed for studio use, it can be used in live settings with appropriate equipment and setup.
What polar pattern does the Samson C01 microphone have?
The Samson C01 has a cardioid polar pattern, which reduces background noise and focuses on the sound source in front of the microphone.
What's included in the Samson C01 microphone package?
Typically, the package includes the microphone itself, a swivel stand mount, and a protective carry pouch.
Does the Samson C01 require phantom power?
Yes, the Samson C01 requires +48V phantom power to operate. You'll need a compatible audio interface or mixer that provides phantom power.
What is the frequency response range of the Samson C01?
The Samson C01 has a frequency response range of 40Hz to 18kHz, which is suitable for capturing a wide range of audio frequencies.
Can I use the Samson C01 with a USB interface?
Yes, you can use the Samson C01 with a USB audio interface that provides phantom power.
Is the Samson C01 microphone compatible with recording software?
Yes, it's compatible with popular recording software like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Audacity.
Can I use the Samson C01 for podcasting?
Yes, the Samson C01 is a good choice for podcasting due to its clear and detailed audio capture.
Does it come with a shock mount?
The Samson C01 typically includes a swivel stand mount, but a shock mount may need to be purchased separately for additional isolation.
What is the maximum sound pressure level (SPL) that the Samson C01 can handle?
The Samson C01 can handle sound pressure levels up to 136dB, making it suitable for recording loud sources like guitar amps and drums.
Is the Samson C01 microphone suitable for recording vocals?
Yes, the Samson C01 is often used for recording vocals, thanks to its sensitivity and clarity.
What is the self-noise level of the Samson C01?
The self-noise level is typically around 22dB, which is quite low and won't introduce noticeable noise to your recordings.
Can I use the Samson C01 with an XLR-to-USB adapter?
Yes, you can use an XLR-to-USB adapter if you have a USB-only input on your computer.
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