VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

ccpetersen · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject: C01U (samson) squeal

My fairly new Samson CO1U has started to put out a squeal, almost as if it has a loose connector or has some sort of interference with something in the chain.

So, we tried it on a couple of computers, got the same squeal, so we know it's not the computer chain. I use it a few times a week, it remains plugged in all the time. Has anybody else here ever had this problem with this mic? (It's a USB mic.)

I also tried a different USB mic on the same two computers, didn't get the squeal.

I've only owned the Samson since early January.

Here's a link to an mp3 of the squeal -- there's fan noise because I just recorded it out in the open to get a sample to send to Samson...

http://www.thespacewriter.com/misc/squeal_file.mp3
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bobsouer · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

CC,

Just a quick thought: is it possible to try a different USB cord? Or is the cord built in to the microphone?
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ccpetersen · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject:

We tried that, and actually on two different computers, too. It was independent of the cord.
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Yoda117 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

I don't want to sound like a downer, but I've heard of this happening with this particular microphone on several occasions.

In more than a few it turned out to be electrical interference.
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ccpetersen · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

Interference from within the mic or from outside? We tried to isolate it as best as we could, even tried on two different computers in two different areas of the house, so that tells me that it just be interior to the mic. Something may have fried.

On a related note, why don't they make these mics with on/off switches? They remain plugged in all the time...
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Yoda117 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

Interior interference in some, exterior (from common computer peripherials) in others.

Later models seemed to have less instances of this, but that there were enough complaints was enough for me to warrant not picking one up.
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TigerMitch · Guest

Never tried the USB model...I use (quite frequently to my own suprise, actually, as I turned out really liking it) the Samson Audio C01 Phantom-Powered Studio Condenser...have not had any issues with it (again, non-USB model).

Weird but, I'm using it a lot more than my signature Audio-Technica AT3060 believe it or not!

bobbinbeamo · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

If it's still under warranty, I'd check into an exchange/replacement.
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ccpetersen · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject:

It's still under warranty and they have offered to have me send it back for repair or take it to a local authorized dealer for a repair. I have yet to say which I'll do. I have another mic, so I won't be "down and out" but it's still annnoying that this could happen so soon after I bought it. I otherwise like the mic very much...
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Yoda117 · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 12:05 pm Post subject:

Sounds like it's time to send it back.

I'd rather send it back to the factory then some guy at guitarget, wouldn't you?
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bobbinbeamo · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

Perhaps you purchased a bad one. It can happen. I've had my CO1U for about a year and a half and it's working perfectly every time. I use it primarily when I travel and it travels very well and is consistently dependable. No squeals or problems. I also pack it safely away when not in use.
Good luck with your decision.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:56 am Post subject:

What's going on here is the mic's processor is over loading at that specific frequency. These processors are small and are designed to "just" function enough to get the mic to work. Even with the best USB mic out there the processors tend to be inadequate. Let's listen to BLUE's Snowball for example.
"Headphones on please"
http://www.coutant.org/snowball/snowball.mp3
Hear how the mic falls apart at "directional," it's another fine example of a processor falling apart. This is why the Big Boys drop "big coin" on sound cards, they are the weakest link in the digital sound chain. Even the placement of the cards in PCI slots can make a difference.

"RANT ALEART"
I've never been nor will I ever be a fan of USB mics, they are a gimmick of mic companies taking advantage of the recent blossoming of at home recording. Sure they are great for someone starting out that does not want to invest a lot in equipment to practice on. But if your going to be serious about this, nothing can beat a good mic and developing a rich delicious vibrant tone with analog equipment before injecting it into your computer. Remember your computer (for the most part) is simply replacing good old electromagnetic tape for a digital recording medium, even before digital recording all the real tone was developed outboard. Though some of the very powerful programs: Logic Protools, Adobe Audition offer some wonderful digital simulation in the audio chain, they are still simulations; if everything is developed correctly in the analog world there should be very little to do in the digital world. Awwwww that was refreshing!

My advice (if you're for-real about this profession) dump the USB mic and get yourself good quality condenser or dynamic mic, a decent mixer and build from there.

Sorry if I'm blunt about this but I hate seeing folks get screwed over on gimmicky gear.
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todd ellis · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:56 am Post subject:

Edo · Guest

I have been told that it is wise to keep the soundcard as far away from a graphics card as possible, but I'm no expert... I can tell you that when I was still on PC, using an external professional USB soundcard over an internal pci model was a huge improvement. No more artifacts like spikes and DC offset, and most of all... no more sound from the soundcard when moving the mouse for instance. There used to always be 'something' there...

ccpetersen · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

Mike,

I appreciate the direction of your rant and where it comes from, but I am not a newbie to audio recording and don't need a lecture. I don't consider all USB mics as "junk" -- at least not without trying them. The two I have are quite good, sound nice, and despite the squeal, they have been used for a variety of projects that have not suffered because the signal came through a USB port instead of a stereo mic input to a board that then turned the signal into a digital signal so we could edit with SoundForge or SawPro.

I chose this mic because it had a fine sound for the work I need to do, and short of this "squeal" problem, it's been quite serviceable. It took me a while to track down the source of the squeal because, as with most studios, there's a chain of equipment here that could also have been contributing to the problem. Once we isolated it, it was evident that the squeal was in the mic. It's still under warranty, the folks at Samson said to send it back and they'll fix it for me. That's all I needed to hear. I'd expect the same thing from Neumann or Sennheiser or whoever.

No mic is perfect, even the most expensive ones. Years back when we had a bigger studio (we have downsized to a smaller one now with the advent of digital everything), we had a chance to play with some of the best and some of the worst mics, both "analog" and USB. The worst were the worst, no question about it. At least one of the best was great. But, we also had some "bests" that were quirky occasionally.

Then, there's the great "middle" class of microphones that are perfectly serviceable for the most part and do what they're supposed to do in the situations where they are appropriate.

I don't want to revive the great microphone debate here; I just wanted some thoughts from people about the squeal. I learned a great deal and my mic is going back to Samson for repairs today.

CC
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