Samson C01

^# 54

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$40.00 to $79.99 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (52)

1 Critic Review

12 Reviews

Find out who is using Samson C01

1 community setup

2 wishlisted

92 saved

Page last updated Jun 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated June 6, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (52)

$79.99

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4.6 (1715)

$51.88

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4.0 (9)

$40.00 20 available New

$15.00 22 available Used

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4.0 (16)

$79.99

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4.2 (14)

$79.99

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Average Price: $58

Budget/Beginner

$100

$401+

Price Tier

In the Condenser Microphones category, Samson C01 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Samson C01". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

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Introducing the Samson C01, a sturdy large-diaphragm condenser microphone that offers impressive value for money. Designed for the studio, this versatile mic captures vocals and instruments with precision, offering a smooth, flat frequency response for accurate, detailed sound. It's also an excellent choice for overhead drum recording, delivering warm bass and extended top end that bring your percussion to life.

Beyond its audio performance, the Samson C01 boasts a heavy gauge mesh grill for protection, a gold-plated XLR connector for high-quality signal transmission, and a helpful LED indicator for 48V phantom power. This microphone is about giving you the best recording experience, combining practical features with top-notch audio capture.

Key Features:

Cardioid Pickup Pattern: Ideal for capturing sounds directly in front of the microphone while minimizing off-axis noise.
Large 19mm Diaphragm: For a detailed, clear sound.
Heavy Gauge Mesh Grill: Protects the microphone and ensures longevity.
Gold Plated XLR Connector: Ensures high-quality signal transmission.
Smooth, Flat Frequency Response: For accurate, detailed, and smooth sound with warm bass and extended top end.
LED Indicates +48V Phantom Power: Convenient visual indicator to ensure your microphone is powered and ready to go.
Requires +48V phantom power for operation.

Owner's manual

Samson C01 User Manual

Videos

Add video

recordingrevolution

The $300 Studio Challenge: Recording Vocals - TheRecordingRevolution

recordingrevolution

Samson C01 Condenser Microphone Review / Test

Podcastage

Behringer C1u vs Samson C01u Pro Comparison (Versus Series)

Podcastage

Samson C01 Studio Condenser Microphone Review

Joe | JLDJUK

🔫Mic Shootout: Samson C01 vs. AT2020 vs. Blue Yeti | WHO WINS?

Home Studio Basics

Samson C01 Condenser Microphone Review / Test (Should you save up or buy this under $100 mic?)

Audio Hotline

Rode NT1 vs Samson C01 (acoustic guitar) (pt.1)

Crash Course Recording

Samson C01 - One Thing That Makes This Mic Unusable (vs. Rode NT1) Budget Microphone Review

AudioHaze

SAMSON C01 AUDIO TEST/ REVIEW/ AUDIO QUALITY

Mhaico Ismael

Samson C01 Review and Unboxing 2022 | Best Mic Under $100?

Tobias Holenstein

Reviews

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PROS

Excellent for male voice range, providing a warm, clear tone
Versatile across vocals & room percussion, with crisp highs and solid lows
Provides great value for its price, particularly for those new to recording
Durable build with a quality padded case for protection
Minimal background noise pickup, ideal for narration and book recording
Flat frequency response, making it competitive with more expensive models
LED feature adds convenience and visual appeal
Works well as an overhead drum mic, for guitar amps, and voice recording
Heavy gauge mesh grill and gold-plated XLR connector ensure durability

CONS

Lacks the dynamic range and sensitivity of higher-end models
Higher noise level than preferred, though manageable in mix
Some users report a slightly "hummy" sound, manageable with noise gate
Not the best choice for those seeking a professional-level recording upgrade
Sub-bass frequencies are not emphasized, which may affect certain recordings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Samson C01.

Comparisons

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The sE V7 is praised for its supercardioid pattern, making it more suitable for bedroom recording compared to the cardioid Shure SM57/58.
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The Sennheiser e835 is suggested as a better choice for female vocals over the Shure SM57/58, emphasizing its tonal suitability.
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For room mics, the Samson C01 is compared to using dual Shure SM57s or SM58s, with the C01 potentially offering a more detailed cymbal capture due to its condenser nature.
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Value and pricing

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The Neat Worker Bee (version 1) is recommended as a budget-friendly condenser option at $79, noted for outperforming its price range.
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A used Shure SM57 is recommended within a $50-80 budget, emphasizing its availability and reliability as a dynamic microphone upgrade.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners report that switching USB ports can enable the Samson Sound Deck's noise reduction feature, resolving persistent white noise issues.
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Adding a pop filter is advised to reduce plosive sounds, with the recommendation to record at a lower volume to prevent clipping.
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Features and functionality

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The Samson C01U is noted for its flat recording profile, which some users find lacks low-end frequencies but helps to avoid clipping and pops.
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Software and compatibility

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The Samson Sound Deck software is recommended for noise reduction, particularly for users experiencing background noise at high sensitivity settings.
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User experience

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Users mention that the C01U can require adjustment to its realistic voice capture, initially causing dissatisfaction with voice recordings.
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Owners report successfully using the Samson C01 as a lone room mic, noting it provides a good sound even with limited input channels.
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Use cases and applications

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The Samson C01 is favored as a single room mic to capture a "Bonham sound," emphasizing raw drumset boom in blues rock recordings.
Source

Critic Reviews

Samson C01

soundonsound.com

The Samson C01 offers a stylish, budget-friendly option for project studios with its nice sound and solid build. However, it falls short with higher self-noise levels compared to competitors, making it less ideal for quieter applications. While it's a great value for the price, sensitive recordings might require a quieter alternative.

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Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 12 Reviews and 52 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

jacobhoekwater

485

over 10 years ago

Not Bad For The Price!

I've Heard People Say It's A Bit Hummy. But If You Know How To Work A Noise Gate THat Should Be No Problem! Raw Mic Sound DOES Matter, But Nowadays There Is A Lot Of Adjusting Of EQ And Adjusting Of Mic Placement You Can Do To Make It Sound Really Good. If You Need To See How It Sounds On Vocals And Guitar See Check This Song Out (https://soundcloud.com/jacob-hoekwater/one-through-twelve-full-mix-drums)! I Used It For Vocals And Guitars, The Bass Is Through Garageband's Amp/Pedalboard Simulator. If You're Looking For An Upgrade From Your Interface Package Mic, Don't Look To This. If You're Looking For A Good Condenser Mic For Getting Into Production, Then Get This. Incredible Value For The Money!

vladyslave

258

almost 5 years ago

simple high quality and good no frills microphone

I use it to this day, no problems, as well as a flat frequency response compared to analogs is cheaper

Roles:

Singer Bassist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

hellviz

222

over 9 years ago

Low price, great versatility

This microphone works great. It's so useful that you can switch the diaphragm pattern because you can use it for many types of recordings. I used it for drums and it worked very well. I also use it for vocals and it sounds very clear. Maybe the sub-bass frequencies are not really "pumped" but you don't need them very much on vocals.

harrington

over 9 years ago

Great for starting out Home Studios

The quality of the C01 is more than enough for any first home studio, but definitely wont stand up to the likes of the Rode range of Studio Condensers. for the low price you pay for the mic, you get a whole heap of bank for your buck, and all in a very strong case that you wouldn't be too scared to drop.

itsmoyadigg

almost 11 years ago

Quality Microphone

Great for recording vocals, acoustic instruments and use as an overhead drum mic, the Samson C01 large diaphragm condenser microphone is accurate, detailed and smooth with warm bass and extended top end. This sturdy microphone has a large 19mm diaphragm that produces a smooth, flat frequency response. It features a heavy gauge mesh grill screen, gold plated XLR connecter and LED indicating 48V phantom power.

planetdamage

almost 8 years ago

Yes!

I recorded my first EP "Snapshots..." with this! This was actually my first mike, gotten two recommendations for it from bands I adore. Surprisingly good on its price level.

skydatadnb

205

almost 8 years ago

Excellent choice.

A great, affordable choice for a starter.....maybe even for a top tier user. Occasionally picks up background sounds that I barely even could distinguish until playback. Quality.

From Gear Setup

bommel

574

over 7 years ago

shockingly good mic for the price ...

i used it as overheads, for my guitar amp and for voice and it always did a good job ...

fudeel

almost 10 years ago

Good

Nothing special, just good. I really like it, I always use this and I want only this. But if you need professional high-level recording, this is not for you. If you need professional recording but with limits, this is good.

antiverse

231

almost 11 years ago

Cheap, yet so clean.

Out of all the cheapest condenser microphones i've had, this one is really good for any beginner.

It's clarity is perfect for its price, rich detail all over.

(Although, i use it for skype conversations)

Artist usage

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Dave Lombardo

Drummer

Slayer

Verified via Samson Technologies

According to Samsons Artist page for Dave he uses the "8Kit" Microphone kit, which includes this mic.

Filthy Frank / Pink Guy

Singer, Keyboardist

Verified via YouTube

Please correct item to Behringer C1u He was doing a rap with Tweets where we could get a shot of him and his microphone at the same time. Good angle at 1:26