 "GREAT for laptop recording solution" | 2009-10-29 |
| - Reviewed By wadrad |
This will be a nice semi-quick review with a little more technical perspective than a lot of the previous ones. I'm a big home recording nut, who's been on the road a lot the last year, mostly recording with my laptop, this mic, and a full version of Sonar.
First off, the audio quality:
Pretty decent. No noticeable glitches while using. Does sound a little tinny at times, but it's definitely on par with most of my other $100+ mikes (my most expensive one is a $200 Rode). Very usable for recording vocals (singing), but I haven't tried it with an acoustic guitar or other acoustic instruments. VERY-usable-plus for recording spoken words. Frequency range seems decent, but again, I haven't really ran the thing through a full range of applications.
Build quality:
Nice and solid. Almost too heavy though for easy lugging on small trips...but I keep it in the manufacturer's box and slide it in my suitcase, and so far it has made every trip just fine.
Ease of use:
Big plus here, despite a stable Windows OS possibly being as much responsible for the super simple use of the thing as the mic itself. Plug it in via USB, and you're ready to go. No special driver install or software required to get it working.
Extras:
- Line in and headphone out are constructed directly on the mic...this lets you use the mic as a line-in for recording an electronic keyboard or electric guitar directly into your recording software. And then you can use the microphone part of it to record vocals or any acoustic instruments. Nice double-feature to have in the same piece of hardware
- Comes with a very usable desk mic stand
- Comes with all the necessary cables to use right away
- Comes with some scaled-down Cakewalk recording software for your computer
I expected the sound quality would be usable and it is, but I admit the all-in-one extras and the acceptable price were what ultimately snagged me and prompted the one-click order.
Final thoughts:
If you're only doing podcasting (no music or instrument input required), you might consider a lower priced USB mic without the extras. BUT, if you're doing music with the thing, the line-in and line-out features and easy direct monitoring are way nice and worth the price.
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 "Good Quality... Bad Software" | 2009-10-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: AFLSJ9G0BVVUZ |
The microphone has great record sound quality. The line in feature is great for recording my Taylor and my friends Fender, picking up every sound and showing how awful we really are at playing. The mics profile is good, picking up all sounds in front of the mic and none to the side, something like a super cancoid profile. We were able to record both of us playing in space, even picking up the birds chirping.
The problem I have with the package is the included software. It comes with Sonar 6 LE. I could not get this software to work properly, even after installing the ASIO drivers that the forums suggested on my HP laptop. I did not go to the manufacturer to solve my problem but I did go to the forums. What resulted from that was several unhelpful posts and one user bragging about his tutorial over other Samson mics. So using those forums, nothing was solved. I did however find a program that worked out of box for the mic named Acuostica Mixcraft. The program is very similar to Garage Band. Its easy to use and did not require any fumbling around to get started. The interface is simple and not cluttered feeling, which is how Sonar 6 LE feels, even as a LE version. Mixcraft will set you back 65 dollars to purchase but I think it is well worth it.
All in all the Samson G-Track is a great buy for someone who does not want to mess with the complexities of buying a separate sound card and several microphones. I recommend it. |
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| "Awesome for me and my band" | 2009-09-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1BIKCA8UDUK5I |
| I got this for our band practice so we can review our parts. We play mostly rock & hard core so it can get pretty loud. The mic handled everything pretty well after setting the levels. Granted it wasn't crystal clear as in a recording studio, but for practices and hashing out sections, it's served us perfectly. I use Audacity to record. I think my next purchase would be the shockmount. |
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| "Great mic, but does NOT work with mac Garage Band" | 2009-09-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2LHD6FTE79JH |
This quality of this mic is terrific! I'm pleased with it in every way - but it DOES NOT work with Garage Band. The mic records at a higher quality than Garage Band does, so you end up with static and feedback sounds after about 1 minute of perfect recording. Unfortunately, no where that I've been able to find on the product description here or through Apple (they also sell this mic) is that mentioned. The good news is that the included software is great (albeit much less user friendly than Garage Band) - but it's only for Windows. So - if you want to use this mic with your mac, you'll have to fork out around $500 for Logic Pro...
All good things to say about the mic itself and the included software if you have a PC - but mac users may want something else. |
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| "Very good sounding mike - How do they do it?" | 2009-05-12 |
| - Reviewed By peteroswanson |
I've worked for for radio stations doing classical music recording & live 'casts. My expectations for any mike at this price are pretty modest.
Boy, was I surprised!!! I can only address voice recording, as that's all I've used it for so far, but WOW! It sounds good enough that I was wondering if I'd gotten a "freak?" Seeing the number of 5 star reviews, I think it's simply a great product for the price. Do consider getting the shock mount, for best results. For voice-overs, I use it on a floor stand and read standing up. Better diaphragmatic breath control - I need all the help I can get. Makes me sound like I'm using an AKG 414 (just not quite as good s/n). A real keeper! |
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| "HANDS DOWN BEST MIC I EVR OWNED!!!" | 2009-05-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3I5EONKU41MOD |
| let me start by saying two things..i have owned every mic out there , usb.. phantom powered..., etc...and i have been playing music for 18 years now...i record my own music, in my own studio...jazz ,punk, metal , rock , blues , etc....this is by far the best mic out there period...people who say other wise DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE IT!!! take some time , read the manual, adjust settings, move it around to find your sweet spot...vocal recording...check ...guitar recording(acoustic and electric) ...check ....drums/percussion ...check.... or record the whole damn band at once and burn it to a cd!!!the only downside to this package is the crappy free software they throw in , which is barely usable...us the free program AUDACITY , for near pro qualty studio results...i guess GARAGE BAND , will work also...this comes with just just about every audio plug in adapter known to man......nice product...need better software bundle though!!!!...bravo SAMSON...very cool indeed!!! |
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