Customer Ratings & Reviews

Pros: -Very solid build -Internal pop filter is actually adequate (although, the included windscreen doesn't hurt to either) -Very clear audio as long as I opt for the 'Mid' option on the back of this mic -Onboard sound settings available -XLR audio sounds excellent Cons: -There is no Samson software to EQ this mic should you go the USB route -Mic is rather bass heavy/muddy -No way to tighten or loosen the shock mount knobs on the sides of the mic -The audio quality via USB is not exactly great (at least for my voice) Overall: I think if you're really good at EQ-ing mics to cater to your voice, you could make almost any mic sound good. Same goes for this mic. I was NOT impressed with this mic's sound via USB. When you use this mic via USB, you're depending on the USB connection to supply the power. I use an audio interface with preamps via XLR and since this is a dynamic mic, I use a Fethead to get a bit more gain boost. The mic sounds beautiful for spoken word. Note: Out of the box, this mic did not sound like anything special (it sounded worse via USB). When I applied some EQ, compression, limiters, etc. to the mic via OBS, the mic sounded wonderful. Will it replace my SM7B? Nope. There is so much hype about how this mic would give the SM7B a run for its money. I disagree. I think its closest competitor would be the Shure MV7 or Rode Procaster. I'd say that this is a 'tweener' between the Procaster and MV7. Aside from that, great mic at this price point!

Sounds great! I love it because it can go directly to my Macbook with a usb-c cable. No need for an interface. you can plug it directly to an xlr too! There is a headphone jack with no latency. Good experience only for this mic. I use garage band to record my voice.

This microphone works get both via XLR/USB-C I haven’t had an issues with this mic like ever. Only thing is I would not pair this with the Blue Compass desktop microphone arm. The screws on the mount tends to get stuck with other things as if it was cold welded or something.

[Employee of bestbuy] I have had this microphone for a few weeks now and the sound of this mic is amazing being a dynamic mic you have to be close to your mouth to capture the best audio possible and is does a better job compare to condencer microphones on blocking unwanted noise from your room, it also has a XLR and usb ports which is perfect if you are on the go and need to connected directly to your phone or laptop to record your voice

Great mic. Gray price. USB and xlr. Comparable to Shure mv7x.

[Employee of bestbuy] Definitely the best mic i've had so far! got the mic for a great discount, and the functionality on it honestly impressed me!

The Samson Q9U is a beautifully designed studio microphone with plug-and-play operation, clean and clear audio capture, and flexible hookup options. It comes with both a USB-A to USB-C cable and USB-C to USB-C cable, and the mic natively supports USB-C as well as XLR output. However, an XLR cable is not included with the mic and you would need to supply that as well as an AI (audio interface) or mixer in order to use that connection type. The mic itself is hefty, at over 2 lbs, thanks to its all-metal zinc-alloy/steel design and integrated swivel yoke stand mount. It does not include a stand in and of itself, so be aware that if you purchase this mic you will need to provide your own boom or mic stand in order to use it. The mounting hole on the bottom of the mic is a standard 5/8”-27 thread, so stands using a 3/8” mount would require an adapter, which is also not included. While the metal grill on the mic and internal capsule shockmount already provide some noise attenuation, it also comes with an external foam wind screen as an additional buffer against pops and plosives for vocal performances. Inside its matte black metal housing, the mic uses a cardioid, or unidirectional, dynamic element with humbucking, which is a coil used to reduce the amount of electromagnetic interference and pickup from nearby radio frequency devices. The mic primarily captures sound directly in front of it while rejecting the sound coming in from the sides and back, allowing it to separate its source from other sounds in the room. However, this type of mic also produces the proximity effect, so when the mic is very close to its sound source you’re going to capture more bass tones than when you position the mic several inches to a foot away. You can also experiment with placing the mic on axis, pointing directly at the sound source, or slightly off axis to reduce the amount of highs and increase low frequency pick up. There are 3 physical controls on the mic, a press-in to activate mute button on the side, and low-cut and mid-boost switches on the bottom. Since I record mostly at home and don’t have a soundproof studio, the low-cut filter really helps to reduce low vibration noises such as the rumble of trucks and delivery vans as they pass on the street. When using the mic for spoken word with mid-boost, I noticed that my vocals were brighter with a clearer focus. I do wish that the mute button had an LED indicator when activated because it’s easy to forget that you’re on mute, especially if you’re not using monitoring headphones while live streaming. To that point, there are no lighted indicators whatsoever on the exterior of the mic, not for power nor EQ settings; though if you peer into the headphone jack when the mic is plugged in, you’ll see a faint green glow inside. Connecting the mic to a computer via USB-C is basically plug-and-play; since the drivers are all built-into the mic you don’t need to install any additional software or drivers. The mic has an internal pre-amp that can be adjusted using the volume slider in the device's properties on a Windows 10 machine. Both USB and XLR connection types provided clear and distortion-free sound at max gain, though for me, the USB connections produced slightly higher levels when speaking at a normal volume right up against the mic, around -10dB, than when using my AI (Scarlett Solo), around -15dB. There’s also a 1/8” headphone output jack for direct connection to headphones or speakers for latency-free monitoring of the mic feed which worked flawlessly. I found that when using an AI with XLR, the monitoring headphones/speakers have to be connected to monitor port on the AI instead of directly to the mic. I’ve also used the mic directly connected to my smartphone’s USB-C charging port. I didn’t need to use an externally powered USB hub to do so, and I was able to record decent levels from 0 - 6 inches away from the mic. The sound captured from this mic has a bit-depth of 24-bit and sample rate up to 96kHz, broadcast quality, regardless of which connection type you use. This hi-res format might be useful if you’re mixing the tracks or re-mastering the audio in post-production, though I personally didn’t hear the difference versus using the mic to record at 44.1kHz. Overall, I found that the mic produces warm and natural sounding recordings as well as clear and crisp audio with minimal background noise/hiss noise when live streaming. While I use it primarily for spoken word, I think it would also perform great for singing and instruments.

This is my first professional dynamic microphone and I am very impressed with it. I typically use a microphone for meetings as well as gaming but I feel there is much more you could do with this microphone than that. The microphone came packaged very well and protected. In the box you will receive the absolutely beautiful microphone and the USB type C cable as well as a foam wind screen. The microphone itself is quite hefty at around 2lbs. This is a reflection of the amazing quality build of this microphone. It crafted with an all-metal design and not only feels very high quality but looks amazing as well. Samson did a wonderful design on this microphone. To add to the design as well as functional benefit, they added an on microphone mute button to the underside of the microphone that works flawlessly. The USB C and zero latency headphone output, as well as the low cut and mid presence boost switches are conveniently located on the rear of the microphone. The sound quality is absolutely amazing. I have people asking me what I am using all the time and I rave about the quality of the sound. I have performed many test recordings as well as comparison recordings to gauge the difference and I must say the sound is wonderful. I do use the low-cut feature on the microphone as I have a deep voice but I can’t see myself using any other microphone since I’ve used this. I just don’t think anything would compare. The only con (not worth a star removal) is the microphone didn’t come with any sort of stand. Its ok because I was going to purchase a boom stand for my desk anyways but it’s just something, I think, people should be aware of going in to the purchase. I love my boom stand with this microphone as it provides a lot of versatility and flexibility especially if you are limited on space. This microphone combined with a boom stand also gives you perfect placement which results in perfect sound. This microphone is completely plug and play resulting in very simple and easy setup. It didn’t try to install anything on my machine I just plugged in the usb cable to the microphone and plugged it in to my PC and was up and running in minutes. I did have to go in to my audio settings to choose my mic and speaker output settings to reflect the microphone and speaker out I’m using but it was very simple. I also adjusted the volume while I was in the settings as well. If you are looking for a microphone whether it be for recording, vlogging etc or even gaming, this is the perfect choice!

INTRO: The Samson Q9U is a broadcast quality microphone great for streamers, podcasters or even musicians. It borrows some of the DNA of the Q2U (a successful entry level USB/XLR microphone) while also delivering new EQ features to deliver exceptional audio to any audience. UNBOXING: Inside the box, you’ll find the Q9U with the dual layer windscreen pre-installed, two USB cables (USB-C to USB-C as well as USB-C to USB-A), and some simple documentation. A very simple unboxing experience to help you get started quickly. If you want to mount to a desk, Samson does offer the MBA38 Microphone Boom Arm, or if you’d prefer a nice weighted desktop stand, they also offer the MD5. Both of which are separate purchases, as the Q9U does not come with a stand—only the mounting hardware. BUILD: Right away, I noticed how well-constructed the Q9U is. It has a solid die-cast construction which feels very rigid and very durable. I tried tapping on the metal to check for any hollow areas of the construction and was pleased to find none, as that could introduce unwanted resonance or ringing. The yoke is integrated with the Q9U, so you won’t need to install a separate one before mounting, and an internal pneumatic shock mount ensures that the capsule is isolated from any mechanical noise like an occasional bump to your microphone stand. USB & XLR: The Q9U has quite a few features that make it a notable standout for streamers and podcasters. Most importantly, it supports both USB-C and XLR outputs. This lends to great versatility in that you can use USB-C for portable needs such as mobile podcasting or streaming on the go, as well as XLR for more conventional needs like for live performances where you would connect to a mixing board. Or perhaps you just have an excellent interface that you’d prefer to use. Either way, both options are available to use. The included USB cables have an EMI/RFI Noise Filter to ensure that both electromagnetic and radio frequency interference are filtered out. I can confirm that using cables without this will likely result in unwanted interference in your audio. HEADPHONE OUTPUT: Additionally, there is a 3.5mm headphone output on the Q9U that you can use if you’re using the unit via USB-C. Just like the Q2U, this headphone output allows you to monitor your audio with zero latency. This headphone output is rated for 38mW @ 32Ω which means sensitive IEMs like the KZ ZSX (111dbB/24 Ω) will be dangerously loud and introduce a lot of noise during use. But when paired to any reasonable studio monitoring headphones like the NVX XPT100 or Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, I found that the audio was clear without any added noise. I also found that you can disable direct zero-latency monitoring via the Sound Control Panel in Windows 10 (this was not available in macOS). I find this feature useful if you plan on adding effects in your software and would rather monitor your processed audio from within your software. Unlike the Q2U, there is no headphone volume control directly on the Q9U for USB-C operations. Rather, you will have to manage this in your operating system of choice, as it behaves just like any other output device. MICROPHONE GAIN CONTROL: For gain control, you have 2 options. If you’re using USB-C, then you can control your microphone gain from within the Windows/macOS sound settings. Samson recommends that you run a test to ensure that the loudest your microphone reaches is about 50% when you’re speaking normally about 4-12 inches from the microphone. For Windows 10 users, you can consult the instruction manual for details about how to do this easily. But if you’re a macOS user, you might have to verify through the Sound settings that the Input Meter doesn’t peak past 50%. This is based on Samson’s recommendations, but you can always adjust to better suit your needs. Additionally, there is a Mute button directly on the microphone in case you need a quick way to cut the audio. The button does stay pressed in when muted, but upon pressing it again, the button rises up to indicate it’s live. While other microphones might use an LED to indicate the mute status, the Q9U likely forgoes it because most of the microphone body is not visible to the user during actual use. Perhaps Samson could try innovating on this user experience in the future. SOUND QUALITY & EQ: This is one area where the Q9U really stands to gain over some of the competition. Since the Q9U is a uni-directional microphone, that means it's a bit more susceptible to the proximity effect where bass response increases the closer the speaker is to the microphone. This might be desirable for some speakers who want that late night radio DJ sound, but it can also be undesirable for the bass-heavy consonant sounds from words that use ‘b’ and ‘p’, as they can cause frequently distracting fluctuations in speech. There are 4 different combinations you can use for EQ’ing the Q9U. If you’d like to hear some simple sample tests, you may consult my audio samples here: https://soundcloud.com/xephyroth/sets/samson-q9u-test-samples-macos/s-jWEIunXcsjt Default: This setting is the default configuration with no EQ options applied. It lends itself to the proximity effect well, and is warmer in the mid-range. A good choice for those who generally have brighter sounding speech rather than deeper, resonant speech. Bass Cut: Reduces the proximity effect and also reduces the bass-booming aspect of ‘b’ and ‘p’ consonants during speech. It does a great job at making speech sound clear and reduces unwanted bass response. This is a great option for people who prefer to speak closely to the microphone but want to prevent bass-booming. Mid Boost: Increases the mid-range treble response to increase clarity for human speech. It brightens up vocals and increases clarity—especially for male vocals that tend to be on the warmer side. When avoiding the proximity effect by allowing proper distance from the microphone, this is a great way to increase the clarity of your speech. Bass Cut + Mid Boost: The combination of the two lends to a very clear and consistent sound. This is likely a great setting for applications that prefer consistency like voice overs and audio books since the bass cut reduces unwanted boomy consonants and the mid boost increases speech clarity. DYNAMIC VS CONDENSER: These days, many people are streaming and starting podcasts and they’re probably reading about condenser microphones and dynamic microphones. So which should you get? Let me explain why it is that you may want to choose one over the other. Dynamic microphones are passive, so they are less sensitive compared to condenser microphones which are active (powered). This makes dynamic a great choice when you want to reduce background noise, prevent room hissing, and also be relatively loud without clipping the microphone. However, this also means that you have to speak closer to dynamic microphones in order for them to pick up sound. Alternatively, you could increase the gain so that it can pick up sounds from further away, but increasing too much could introduce unwanted noise and hissing, so it defeats the purpose of a dynamic microphone. Even when I have speakers playing 1-2ft behind the Q9U, it does a great job at blocking those noises. When it’s just ambient noise from 1-2ft away, the Q9U really doesn’t pick it up at all, but when it’s loud enough that I struggle to talk over it, the Q9U picks up some sound, but still does an incredible job at bringing my voice to the front. And if you add some noise-reduction processing on top, you’ll be sure that your audience won’t hear any of it. And while the dynamic aspect of the Q9U plays a big part in reducing unwanted noise, the fact that it’s also uni-directional helps ensure that it has exceptional off-axis rejection. Condenser microphones on the other hand must be powered. These days, many are USB-powered or Phantom 12V powered through an audio interface over XLR. This makes condenser microphones much more sensitive to sound, so they’re generally more capable of picking up a wider range of frequencies. This makes them great for detail retrieval for vocals and instruments, but because they’re so sensitive, they perform best in sound-treated rooms to yield optimal results. This means that even if a condenser microphone is uni-directional, they are still more likely to pick up ambient noise. That means if you have any sound going on in the background (conversations, pets, music, alarms, etc.) it’s likely going to be picked up by the microphone. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDED USE: For game streamers, a condenser microphone will pick up a ton of noise from your keyboard and mouse, which will likely be distracting for your audience, so the Q9U is a great option for you. If you’re a musician that plays an acoustic instrument, I’d likely recommend a condenser microphone, as it’ll capture all the nuances of your performance. While this will come at the expense of picking up any unwanted background noise, you’ll find that condenser microphones are better at picking up quieter sounds no matter how you position them, whereas a dynamic microphone relies more on its positioning relative to the instrument to capture nuances more reliably. If you’re a singer, either a condenser or dynamic microphone is a great choice. If you need to capture natural environment reverb, then a condenser microphone is likely the better choice. But if you’re going to perform with effects added on, the dynamic Q9U will give you better vocal isolation from ambient & background noise. And if you’re getting into podcasts or becoming a radio DJ, dynamic microphones are a great choice. For years, podcasters and radio DJs have been setting the standard for lowest background noise, and most of which have been sticking to dynamic microphones like the Q9U because they’re excellent for isolating vocals.

The mic works as described has many features to accommodate your voice type. This is straight on the mic. It looks well made. Has good weight. Comes with 2 USB cables. One is USB c to c and the other is USB a to c. All you will need is a stand . Also included is the foam cover. It has a mute button built in. I used it for singing and it did a good job once I configured it . Video conference was nice too and for gaming everyone was just in awe and how clear it sounded almost like I was right in front of them .

I will start my review with a shorter version in a list format, and then I will go more into specifics. I also want you all to know that my point of view comes from a streamer with some knowledge on how audio programs/equipment works. All my testing has been done through the applications Voicemeter, Audacity and OBS studio, and no audio interface or mixer was used. Pros -USB type C port -Comes with type C to male USB cable and type C to type C cable -Windscreen comes included -Even without XLR connectivity the microphone sounds better than others in the same price range. - Quality materials and finish on the shell and on the grill -Standard Mic Thread for easy mounting -24-bit/96kHZ with USB connection -Upgradable to a better quality if one day you decide to get an audio interface Cons -Not necessarily a con but if this is your first mic you will have to learn how to tune the mic to your needs that being a podcast, streaming, etc -No stand Let me start by saying that having a USB type C port is so much better than having a micro USB. I have another USB microphone that uses micro USB and it is a nightmare to get it to work since the plug is loose. Inside the box you get your paperwork and user manual, as well as a regular USB plug to type C Cable , a type C to type C, the windscreen, and the microphone. I really appreciate them having a Type C to Type C since it is easier to plug it in to a modern laptop or Macbooks without the need of any hubs. As mentioned i do not own any audio interface at the moment, since all my previous microphones have USB only, I have considered to upgrade but first i want to learn more on how to use the equipment. Anyways using the Q9U as a USB microphone is still better sounding than my other ones. The tuning from the factory is good, but can be tuned with the OBS settings if you are streaming or with Voicemeeter if you are looking to go more in depth. The microphone also has a premium quality shell made out of metal with a matte black finish. The grill that protects the capsule is also made out of metal but the foam windscreen adds another layer of protection. The microphone comes with a swivel style yoke mount also made out of metal that can be mounted to any stand or arm that has a standard mic thread. My only complaint would be that the mic does not come with any type of stand. I believe since it is a more professional microphone it is expected to have one ready, so i would recommend getting one if this will be your first microphone. If you are wanting to start doing streams/YouTube/podcast etc.., I would highly recommend this microphone since it is upgradable if you ever decide to upgrade your audio setup down the road.

A Great Mic for your Voice The Samson Q9U Dynamic Broadcast Microphone is geared toward the broadcaster in us; hence the product name. The reason being is its features set around placing the voice of a streamer, gamer or a zoom caller front-and-center; the mic is a dynamic capsule with a fixed cardioid pickup pattern. Oh, and it's built like a tank too. This mic allows for either standalone USB-C (yes, C!) or XLR connectivity to a pre-amp/mixer setup. I think it’s a plus to have the XLR if you already have existing audio equipment, but I think a lot of us will be rocking the USB connectivity to the PC. My Windows PC immediately recognized the Samson as an input recording device with no drivers required, and I was off to the races. If you’re going USB out of the box, just know that you have the option to go XLR in the future. For set up, you will need your own mic stand or boom arm with the ⅝” screw thread adapter to use the Q9U as it does not come with its own out of the box. I opted for a boom arm as it allows the mic to be floating off the table where it may pick up mechanical feedback. After which, you will need to use either the provided USB-C cables (USB-C to USB-C, or USB-C to USB-A) to connect to your PC. Connected directly to your PC, you’ll be able to use the 3.5mm direct monitoring port behind the mic. It does not come with an XLR cable if you intend to connect to a preamp. If using XLR, you won’t be able to use the direct monitoring port on the mic (at least from what I’ve tried); you're better off using your preamp for that. I’m probably going to use XLR moving forward due to the flexibility and quick tweaks. Also, you won’t find a knob for gain on the mic, so the preamp takes care of that, although Samson says having an external gain boosting device isn’t necessary. Besides, I'm pretty sure most will run it through DAW anyway. As far as sound quality goes, the Q9U shares the same characteristics of other dynamic mics, especially with the “broadcast” sound you hear on sports radio broadcasts. Get up-close to the mic and you’ll definitely get a good dose of “The Herd” with Colin. This is my first dynamic mic and it sounds pretty darn amazing in comparison to my condenser mic. Samson added a couple neat filter switches behind the mic to reduce the low frequencies as well as brighten the mids to place more emphasis in that range of frequencies (your voice). If you want the raw recording, just leave them off and run it through post. They’ve also added a built-in dual layer windscreen to minimize pop so you won’t need to have a pop filter (although they include a foam filter in the box). They’ve even built-in an internal air-pneumatic shock absorber so it's possible to omit an external shock mount. It has no LED indicators nor RGB lights, and it doesn’t have any bit of chrome either. A simple mic mute push-toggle button can be found on its side. After some use, I’m probably going to use the included foam filter to further reduce plosives. I keep the mic relatively close to my face and I did see a noticeable difference between the filter on and off. I’m not a big fan of the windscreen and so I’m glad Samson included the foam piece. Another thing that I noticed right off the bat was when using my boom arm mounted to my table, the mic was able to pick up the “hum” produced from my PC that is also sitting on the table due to the spinning fans. I could have probably added some rubber pads to the boom arm mount to dampen the sound, but I decided to mount the arm on the wall instead, completely off the table. Problem solved! So mayyyyybe you’ll probably want to purchase a shock mount after all if you encounter the same nuances. I thought the Q9U does a fantastic job at keeping out ambient noise for the most part. I run an air purifier 24/7, and there is even a mini fridge that occasionally fires up the compressor to keep the beverages cool and I can hear them through the mic, but it’s not terrible. Obviously all ambient noise depends on their location relative to the mic, the environment, etc etc... being that it’s a cardioid polar pattern mic; all I’m saying is...just be aware if you’re not directly monitoring.

There are two major types of microphones used in home studios - Dynamic and condenser. Condenser microphones are very sensitive and often require a very quiet room + treatment, but they sound more "natural". Dynamic microphones are typically less sensitive but they are great with ambient noise rejection and very forgiving to the room treatment, they also output more "broadcast" quality sound people are used to. This mic is a dynamic kind. No matter if you just starting and don't have any equipment yet or if you already been recording something - this mic got you covered. It's a dual interface device which means you can simply hook it up to USB port on your computer (6' USB-C to C and C to A cables are included) and start recording! For more advanced applications such as sound interface, mixer board or even a portable recorder - this microphone has a balanced XLR output (high quality connector, no cable wobble at all). Build quality is outstanding! It's a full metal body with internally shock mounted capsule with permanently attached swivel yoke mount designed for 5/8"-27 thread (I would recommend Samson MBA38 for a desk mount). Microphone body has a mechanical mute button, MID range boost switch (useful for voice recording), Low-cut filter switch to remove lower frequencies (3dB at 200Hz in case recording sounds "boomy" or "muddy") and real-time monitoring 3.5mm headphones port. There are no LED indicators, however if you look deep into headphone port - you'll see a green LED glow when USB-C power is connected. Microphone capsule is covered with a metal wind screen and optional foam screen (included in the box). Microphone frequency response is 50Hz to 20kHz at -57 dBV sensitivity (XLR), mic impedance is 250Ohm. This microphone is an amazing first choice if you just starting up with your podcast, YouTube video production or live streaming. The only additional thing you will need is a mic stand (and make sure to get a sturdy one, this microphone weighs 2.13lb).

The Samson Q9U is a well built dynamic microphone that makes it quick and easy to add that professional “broadcast” quality sound to any home or professional recording studio. It features XLR and USB-C output connections that are both essentially plug-and-play because the XLR connection doesn’t need phantom power to operate and the USB-C output is compatible with either Mac or Windows operating systems right out of the box. I love how easy this makes setting up when I’m traveling, because I can bring my own mic and keep a consistent sound without feeling like I’m being a hassle. Like most dynamic microphones, the Samson Q9U offers a broadcaster type of sound that’s clear with a strong presence in the mids, but cuts a little off on the highs. It’s ok for instruments if you’re playing in a live group, but it excels for vocal dialogue and commentary, such as Zoom meetings, Skype, podcasting, Twitch streaming, etc… It even comes with a built-in low frequency filter, and a mid range frequency boost switch, to help ensure your voice comes through full and clear. What really impressed me about the Q9U is how well it seems to reduce noise and only pick up my voice. I know dynamic mics are great at rejecting sound that isn’t spoken directly into it, but my open room recordings sounded so clean it was like I was in a studio. Speaking of unwanted sounds, it’s designed with a dual-layer windscreen, but also comes with a foam windscreen that does an excellent job of minimizing pops and plosives. Designwise, the Q9U is satin black all around with a classic capsule mic shape. The mic stand hinges are integrated with the capsule body and confidently keep it in position. Upon handling the microphone, the first thing you’ll notice is how well it’s made with a metal body and a surprising amount of heft. I don’t plan to drop it, but I imagine this thing was made to take abuse. There’s a mute button on the side of the body, with the XLR and USB-C connections on the bottom, as well as the headphone input and frequency cutoff/boost switches. Overall, the Samson Q9U is an excellent dynamic microphone that’s a breeze to setup and instantly adds a “broadcast” quality level of sound to your recordings. Highly recommended, especially for video conferences, Twitch streams, podcasts, group performances, and live performances.

When you have a silky smooth baritone voice like I do, it can be frustrating when you hear recordings of your voice and your rich resonant vocals sound anemic and flat. For years I relied on built-in mics or more recently a softball shaped competitor that in hindsight felt like a toy compared to the Samson Q9U. First things first: Packaging was excellent. I immediately noticed the impressive heft. This was going to be a good purchase. To my dismay, there was no basic mic stand included. Granted, anyone dropping this kind of money on a mic would like want to customize their set-up, but there was no way for me to use the mic without extra pieces. Fortunately, the mic I had been using had a table stand that fit and I was able to use that for now until I build out my rig. The only other complaint, if you could even call it that, was that the USB cables included seemed to be basic quality. The USB-C to USB-C cable certainly works but I feel like it could have been more substantial. Installation: I plugged it in. It worked. My Mac Book Pro immediately recognized the mic and I had zero issues. I did have to get used to the mic / mute button at the top. I kinda wish it had an LED so I knew when it was muted but I generally mute through my software anyway. Sound Quality: There's really only one purpose for a microphone. Capturing good sound. If you want a detailed analysis of the effects of the cardioid polar XLR whatevers, I'm sure that there are plenty of reviews that you can geek out over. I'm here to tell all the novices out there - this MIC IS AWESOME! Your cool factor immediately raises 115%, proven fact, and even the most average of voices will sound silky smooth. Ok, maybe a little hyperbole, but seriously. This. MIC. ROCKS. I couldn't be happier with the noticeable improvement to the quality of my recordings.

For the first time in a while a mic gave me issues setting it up. I first ventured to set it up on my PCs and neither of them would register it even with troubleshooting. However for gaming it was spot on a crisp with my PS5 and wireless headset! I’m glad and so thankful for the USB-C wire because it makes it more adaptable to multiple devices. Downsides are that it doesn’t come with a stand so you’ll need to invest in something to hold it up and be sure to have headphones and adapters ready to get this mic working. The device itself is a 5 star but the set up and the fact that it requires and auxiliary wire for headphones, no stand really made it difficult for me. It didn’t feel like it was a plug and play mic because so many come with stands and are one wire microphones. Otherwise a great choice for someone looking to get crisp sound and less static/background distractions!

My previous mic was one that set on the desk. Since getting a stand and this new mic I have noticed a couple of noticeable changes to my streams and production value. Placement and quality. I never noticed that on stream i was subconsciencly leaning over to talk into my mic. It looks bad on screen and it was something i didn't even realize i was doing. Now with a mic stand (not included) and a very clean and sleek looking mic, its forces me to sit straight and produce a better visual. Secondly, the sounds is better too. I have used directional mics in the past, and head sets too and this simply just produces a better cleaner product as designed. It has all of the plugins needed to capture sound at your best. All in all, i would recommend this mic and a great unit to capture crisp, high quality audio while forcing you to be the best on screen.

Works very good as a podcast mic. I tried with singing but it wasn’t very good at all. Sounded like the Vocals were to compressed. I am happy using it as mainly a podcast mic and may use it for video info voice overs. Not sure it would be all that great for voice acting. Very easy to use. Plugged in and worked right away on my dell laptop. Has some weight abd feels like quality.

The good. Super Heavy, built like a tank. Looks Great. Sound is very good. Not so good. The mute button is very flimsy and gives no indication if the mic is on or off.

Please read this entirely... When it works, it works very well! Having the ability to upgrade to an XLR setup in the future is a huge plus and was partly the reason for picking it up. Do not just get this microphone for discord though. Its marginally better than a decent 60$ mic for specifically that probably due to discord compression Everything else is crystal clear. Great clarity without having to spend $400 on a Rode mic. So why the 3 stars? First one broke under a year. Hissing noise and could barely hear my voice. Changed the usb-c cable, removed any possible object that could cause interference, reinstalled my audio drivers, used it on two other PCs and same issue. Thankfully I bought Geek Squad protection so I could get it replaced and reordered faster. There is a manufacturing warranty, but I did not want to wait so long to get in a replacement as I had meetings coming up. With that said, I still recommend this microphone as something in between the Rode line and the cheaper headset or desktop mics. While it also sounds great in games, it is overkill unless you stream, make videos, or do podcasts.