Samson Meteor Mic USB Studio Microphone (Cardioid)

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List Price: $149.99
Sale Price: $69.99
Today's Bonus: 53% Off

• Large (25mm) diaphragm condenser for rich audio recording
• Cardioid pickup pattern
• Smooth, flat frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz
• CD quality, 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution
• Fold-back leg design provides optimal mic positioning

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This is a great workhorse mic for multiple types of use.

I am a private voice instructor, and also give music lessons on multiple instruments. I mainly teach in my studio, but I do travel to student's houses as well, and always have this mic with me. It comes in a nice carrying case, but I carry it in the solid box it came in just as an extra precaution.

I record lessons as practice tools for my students, and also as a reference tool for myself, to see where I can improve my teaching methods.

The Meteor works great on the iPad for this function, (with the USB camera adaptor). It also shows up immediately on the MacBook Pro, whether opening Logic, Garageband, etc.

I read a review that said that there was trouble connecting to iChat. I had no trouble connecting with iChat or any other audio/visual based communication app. The Meteor comes with a headphone jack to monitor your voice while recording/talking, and you can manage the input/output settings in the apple menu preferences, and/or in the application preferences.

This is one of several smaller mics I have tried for the iPad, and is the only one that stands not only the test of time. It doesn't break down within weeks, (like the 3 iRig mics I have had in the last 6 months), but it is a vast improvement over the already excellent built in iPad mic. HIghly recommended.

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I got this mic to go along with my iPad and it sounds great! I use the pro version of FiRe to record the sounds with. I had originally planned to use my Blue Microphone Yeti with my iPad but to do you need an external powered USB source (like a hub). Well, that killed that portability idea. So after I read online reviews of this Samson Meteor mic, I gave it a try and am glad I did. My Yeti sits at home while my Meteor goes with me everywhere. If I did not have the Yeti already, I would only own this Meteor.

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Perhaps more than anything else, it was the introduction and subsequent success of the Zoom H2 personal digital recorder that led to an explosion of interest among home audiophiles, who suddenly found themselves equipped to make quasi-professional-level recordings with their computers plus a minimum of user-friendly equipment at reasonable prices. The price of the Samson Meteor USB mic, a fairly recent entry, has come down to the point of being fairly valued (initially, I was seeing it going for prices above the better-sounding Blue Yeti mic). It's an attractive (some would say "cute") little mic with its quaint "retro" design and deceptively fold-up, portable size. I say "deceptive" because, due to the non-adjustable mic stand, it can be more than a little challenging to find space for it on a desktop, next to a computer, and squarely in front of the narrator's mouth.

Bearing in mind the above reservation along with the actual quality of the recorded sound (it's good, but nowhere close to studio-quality), it would seem to make the most sense for those seeking "high fidelity" audio to spend the extra 20% for a Blue Yeti or an Audio Technica AT2020 USB (as tempting as the lower price of the non-USB version of the AT2020 is, be sure to try it out with a pre-amp supplying phantom power before going that route. I've known a couple of individuals who ordered the AT2020 condenser mic, only to discover that it was useless with a computer, even with the addition of a Snake Light cable).

If your primary considerations are convenience and portability, the Samson Go mic sounds almost as good as the Meteor and is unmatched in size, convenience and portability. (It scored higher than the Blue Mikey and Blue Snowflake in my auditions.) I'm tempted to say it's the perfect laptop mic, clipping to the top cover more securely than the Snowflake, whereas the Yeti is ideal for desktop use, producing rich-sounding recordings rivaling those of a professional studio's Shure SM7B mics.

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I have been using this mic along with the Meteor multi-track recorder app (I don't believe they are connected in any way). It works great. I am sure that it would work with any of the other multi-tracking apps, like Garage Band or Multitrack DAW. I can use the camera connection kit and connect directly to the iPad. It also has a stereo mini jack for real time monitoring which is great. It is a well built, well designed mic and I carry it with me to use when I am on the road.

This is by far one of the best condenser mics I have ever used, and I have used several! I love the fact that you can plug into this mic and monitor your recording first-hand. The USB connection makes for a very neat and tight desk (if that matters to you...I just like for my desk to look clean). I love this little mic, and it comes from me HIGHLY recommended to anyone looking for a good-quality mic for a blowout price! I would dare say that no one will find a better mic for the price ANYWHERE!!! The fold-up legs are ideal for seated recordings, especially if you have access to a table or some type of platform. Also, the ability to attach the meteor to a mic stand pretty much covers anything you could possibly need when it comes to mic placement. The sound is pristine, and it looks great, too. The chrome plating gives this mic a clean, modern look.

To those reading this who are new to recording/live sound and are confused about what mic to buy or just don't know where to start, I recommend this mic. It plugs directly into your computer's USB port, and there are no extra drivers to download or look up online; everything you need to start recording is in the box (other than recording software, etc..for this as a beginner, I recommend trying out MAGIX Music Maker or Samplitude Producer, both of which are available for download from Amazon also). This mic is simple to use; however, it is well-made and a wonderful product...so good that you could buy it as a beginner and use it throughout your recording career. I am no stranger to the world of recording, and I am VERY pleased with this microphone. I have tried it with vocals and instruments (acoustic and miked amplifiers) and it has shocked me every time I've used it!