- Greetings friend and Welcome aboard!
Before we get into the Samson Go Mic compact USB microphone review, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
- Ratings/Price
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Sound clips from Stu
- Who this mic benefits?
- What you will need?
- Thoughts From Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!
Samson Go Mic
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!
Samson Go Mic USB Microphone for Mac and PC Computers (Silver)
USB Cable
Cable Clip
Desk Stand
Carrying Pouch
Limited 2-Year Warranty
Specifications
- Microphone Type: Condenser. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic
- Pattern: Cardioid, Omni
- Diaphragm Size: 0.39″ (10mm)
- Frequency Response: 80Hz-18kHz (Cardioid), 20Hz-20kHz (Omni)
- Max SPL: 121 dB. What is SPL?
- Color: Silver & Black
- Connector: USB. The difference between a USB Microphone and an XLR microphone.
- Weight: 0.23 lbs.
- Included Accessories: USB Cable, Cable Clip, Mic Stand Adapter, Carry Pouch
- Manufacturer Part Number: SAGOMIC
Summary
I really like the Go Mic for its convenience and surprisingly crisp sound.
When I first got my hands on it I couldn’t believe just how tiny it was.
*Ahem*
Not only that, but it really does feel incredibly durable for such a small piece of equipment.
What I like most is how nifty it is. It conveniently tucks away into a heavy-duty mic clip, which can either lay flat on your desk or attach to your laptop.
If I had to choose a USB mic for convenience and portability, the Go Mic wins hands down.
I do wish there was an included mini windscreen or something.
Having to use my own pop filter is a bit of a hassle.
Pros
- Durable. The mic does not feel like a toy at all. It’s definitely got some weight to it.
- Crisp sound. The mic may be cheap, but the sound coming out of it is anything but!
- Versatile. The omnidirectional, cardioid, and -10dB pad make it really valuable in many situations.
- Good carrying pouch and case.
- Practical and portable. Loving the ease of use.
Cons
- The mic clip doesn’t open far enough for attachment to a desktop computer but should do just fine with notebooks.
- The plastic hinge of the holder may break off after prolonged use.
- The mic may suddenly stop working after some time (usually a few months).
- Customer support is shoddy.
- Doesn’t work with Windows 8.1.
- The mic may short out, have static issues, or fail to be recognized by your computer.
- The mic may sound garbled, or unclear, and not articulate. Static, etc.
Video Review
Click to see the Go Mic!
Sound clips from Stu
-10dB:
Cardioid:
Omni-directional:
Who this mic benefits?
Good for:
- Narration
- Vocals
- Guitars
- Class lecture recordings
- Skype calls
What you will need?
Nothin’ homie! It’s a plug-and-play USB.
Thoughts From Stu’s notepad
Recognized by your PC
One thing to note is the time it takes for the Go Mic to be recognized by your computer.
On mine, it actually failed to recognize it the first time.
Only after a hard reboot did it work, and it took between 1-2 minutes.
This has been common with some of the cheaper Samson offerings (Go Mic, Meteor, Meteorite). Something to keep in mind.
Pop Filter
This mic does need some sort of pop filter.
It doesn’t really sound that great without one, but that’s the case with most mics.
The mic is very sensitive and picks up a lot of ambient noise.
Can be used with headphones for no latency direct monitoring. What is latency?
A potential solution for the mic burnout is to make it so your settings don’t use the Go Mic as the output speakers.
This will cause the circuitry to burn out.
Instead, for Windows, click the speaker icon (at the bottom right near your clock) > mixer > system sounds > then click the tab “playback” and check that the speakers aren’t assigned to the Go mic by default.
If they are, simply assign different speakers as your default audio playback device.
Consensus/Conclusion
A versatile, portable, good-sounding mic that also happens to be remarkably convenient.
If you get a mic that craps out, it’s probably just a lemon and not indicative of its overall quality.
Final Word
I would recommend this mic if you need something portable and cheap. It really works well on the go and has a surprisingly rich sound for such a small piece.
If you can splurge a little, I would recommend the Yeti above all else in terms of fantastic USB mics.
It ranks at the top of a lot of shortlists and is power-packed with features and convenience that cannot be ignored.
Need the solution to all of your voice-over needs? The Yeti is your boy.
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Samson Go Mic Compact USB microphone review.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please contact me!!
What do you think about the Go Mic? Interested in the Yeti? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!
Samson Go Mic
Pros
- Versatile
- Crisp Sound
- Portable
- Durable
- Features
Cons
- Minor connection issues/delays at times
- Mic may suddenly stop working after a time
