Samson Meteor Mic - Portable USB Studio Quality Condenser Microphone - High Performance, General Purpose/Podcast/Gaming/Music Recording Microphone, 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution, Silver Chrome

After doing some research and listening to the options online this microphone seemed like the best combination of price and sound quality. Another option was the Fifine K670 if you want to save some money (Also an excellent option but very subtly flatter sound). I thought an online sample of the Blue Snowball also sounded more electronic. Certainly for podcasting or videoconferencing the Meteor will do the job. The sound quality varies with how close it is to your mouth with the richest sound if you are within around 20cm, but perfectly decent sound at arm length. It is very sensitive so will pick up fan noise from a PC. I found when on the desk with my computer the fan noise was transmitted though the desk so it sounds better placed on a piece of foam or other insulation if you don't want to go for a mic boom arm. Also with the included USB lead there was a very slight whine audible on playback which was absent when using shorter, or better quality leads. Seems a bit of an oversight to supply a good quality microphone with suboptimal lead. Fortunately most people are likely to have other Mini USB leads around.The compact size is a bonus if you want to keep the microphone out of view and the quirky look is good. It feels solid and good quality. The legs can apparently be removed if you want to put it on another mount.

This product is exactly what I was aiming to get, a fair priced, high quality studio microphone which is well built and boy does that just describe this mic or what!. The build is fantastic, three sturdy, fully adjustable legs that move directly upwards to sit flush with microphone head to ensure a safe and compact journey if you were taking it on the go, which brings me to another key thing about this microphone, compact, this microphone is, when fully stood up is just higher than a normal sized coffee mug which makes it excellent for a portable microphone to use on the go. The microphone has a very nice look to it, the mesh is fantastic, really well made and cuts down the volume of the 'popping' when saying the letter p and so on. It comes with a microphone mute button which if in skype calls and someone walks in on your conversation, push of a button, the mic is muted and will be shown muted by a orange LED which is usually blue when the mic is on and not muted. Another LED is inside which is red, if you are recording vocals or a guitar, anything really, the mic will tell you if the sound is distorting by popping up a red led every time the sound is distorted. There is a headphone point in the back which enables you to listen to your voice etc. through obviously, your headphones, in which the turning button on the front comes in handy to turn up and down the volume of the sound into the headphones not the mic volume, the mic volume needs to be adjusted within your windows sound options if using a PC like myself. The microphone doesn't come with any software that you need to install, it really is just a plug and use microphone, once detected by e.g Windows, the microphone will be smartly listed as Samson Meteor Mic.I think overall this microphone is absolutely fantastic and deserves to be owned by anyone looking for a fair priced, high quality mic. I this review clears up a lot of questions people might have with the product.If you would like to know more about this product from a daily user, comment within this review and I shall get back to you.If you would like to hear how the microphone sounds from a daily user with no added effects, check [...] for a live show I might be doing or comment and I will sort out a way for us to hear the quality such as using Skype etc.Happy shopping!

Sturdy, metal design. Audio quality is very good, voice sound very good, picks up sound from 50cm very well but has a slight hiss noticeable when volume is above 70%. Can be removed in an audio editor by lowering the volumes on frequencies 1000, 2000, 3000 Hz. If you want to keep it on a desk you need to raise the volume to around 70-100% and you'll also notice the low volume hiss.

This is a great microphone for use in podcasting, internet radio broadcasting or to get rough-cut vocals down. The clarity is second-to-none in this price range and is perfect for limited quality requirements - that's not to say that quality isn't up-to-scratch because most people who have little experience of studio-quality microphones probably won't be able to notice any difference.As a USB mic it's as easy to set up as simply plugging it in and letting Windows sort out the installation (using Windows 7). I cannot comment on using this with any other operating system but for this (now older) version of Windows it's so simple to install and use.Build quality is top-notch the metal body is solid and there must already be some wind protection inside the capsule because I've not had to use a pop-shield yet. I have a higher-spec mic for recording vocals to music but for laying down basic ideas on the laptop this is great. I also use it for podcasts and my internet radio show and it performs as good as if not better than anything else in this price range.If you're serious about getting the best quality for studio recording while maintaining a budget then look at AKG Perception 220 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone which while more expensive offers even greater value and true studio-quality performance. It's an XLR unit and requires Phantom Power so you will need a soundcard that supports it in order to use with a PC. However the Samson Meteor ticks all the boxes as a portable, easy to use, quality piece of kit which is what I use it for.