So I may be getting one of these, although I have a Blue Snowball, which I like a lot.

From Amazon:
Samson CO1U USB Condenser Microphone

The C01U USB Studio Condenser Mic is the first affordable studio condenser mic with a USB interface.

For the first time ever, musicians who record music on computers have a simple, affordable way to capture high-quality vocal and acoustic instrument performances.

Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio condenser microphone that can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable.

The C01U condenser microphone is based on our wildly successful C01. It features a 19mm internal shock mounted diaphragm with a cardioid pick up pattern ensuring pristine studio quality recordings.

The C01U works perfectly on any computer, Mac or PC, and with any DAW software program. It immediately solves a huge problem for users of many laptops, many of which have no other input method for audio devices.

It’s a must for any musician on the road or in the project studio, but the C01U is going to offer solutions to more than just musicians. The mic opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio—from Podcasters, journalists, students, and business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations.

Feature List

• Large Diaphragm, 19mm, Studio Condenser with USB Digital Output.
• Compatible with any computer based Digital Audio Workstation.
• The extremely detailed sound reproduction makes it ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments and just about any other sound source.
• High Quality AD converter with 16 Bit, 48K sampling rate.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Nice low cost mic
It took just a little playing to get the mic placement figured out, but now it produces nice sounding audio. What works well for my screencasts is to set it on the table right in front of me at about a 60 degree angle tilted away from me. So the green light on the front is pointed towards my mouth, but I talk over it. I look at the computer screen, so the main acoustic energy is flowing about 5 inches above the microphone rather than aimed straight at it. I also bought the windscreen for it to help smooth any acoustic bursts.

It works perfectly with Windows and Linux. Supposed to also work with Mac. For me, a big concern before buying a microphone was that it works with Linux. I didn’t have to do anything to get it to work with Linux. I just plugged it in and used the ALSA mixer to turn it on and used it with Audacity and RecordMyDesktop.

5 Stars Great mic at a great price
I was looking for a good high-quality condensor microphone. This is it. USB connected for digital no-noise signal. Standard size fit my stand and vibration mount. The sound is clean and perfect for voice applications. Highly recommended!

5 Stars Received right away and works great!
This was sent out fast and we were very happy with the promptness and condition of the product.

Buy/More Info

The C-1U is a digital home recording or podcasting enthusiast’s dream come true. This professional quality condenser microphone is identical to the acclaimed BEHRINGER C-1 mic with one awesome difference: it has a built-in USB interface so you can be ready to record faster than ever, and with minimal preparation and equipment. Just plug it into your computer and start recording!

Buy/More Info

Following on the success of the C01U, Samson is proud to introduce the C03U, multi-pattern USB studio condenser microphone. Based on the extremely popular C03 studio condenser, the C03U delivers the same pristine audio quality and enhanced capabilities along with a high quality A/D converter and USB output.

The C03U features dual 19mm internal shock mounted diaphragms with switchable omni, cardioid, and figure-8 pick-up patterns. Perfect for recording vocals or any acoustic instrument plus the selectable patterns make it ideal for a variety of specialized recording situations, like multiple vocalists, ambient room miking, and even a group of people around a conference table recording a Podcast.

The C03U works seamlessly on any computer running Mac OS X or Windows XP, and with most DAW software programs without having to install any extra software or drivers.

Plugs in directly to any computer with a USB interface
Switchable Cardioid, Omni, and Figure-8 Pickup Patterns
High Quality A/D Converter with 16-Bit, 48kHz Sampling Rate
Dual Large 19mm Diaphragm Elements
Switchable High-Pass Filter and 10 dB Pad
Smooth, Flat Frequency Response
USB cable and carry pouch included

Be sure to check the FAQs for the latest info on how to integrate the C03U with your recording software.

Buy/More Info

The C-1U is a digital home recording or podcasting enthusiast’s dream come true. This professional quality condenser microphone is identical to the acclaimed BEHRINGER C-1 mic with one awesome difference: it has a built-in USB interface so you can be ready to record faster than ever, and with minimal preparation and equipment. Just plug it into your computer and start recording!

Buy/More Info

USB Desktop Recording Kit

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars good value for the discounted price
I has better gain than I thought a usb mic would. Headphone jack on the front is misleading, it’s not a live monitor. (still handy for short headphone cords)

1 Star Disappointing
I’m disappointed. I’d read good editorial reviews about it on other sites, but neglected to read the user reviews here on Amazon — the latency issue with the headphone jack would have been a deal-breaker for me. The sound quality of the mic itself is nice for the price, but I found there was a background hiss possibly due to the inexpensive USB interface; I’ve noticed the same problem with other sub-$100 USB interfaces, and suspect they all use the same chip/circuitry. Acceptable for podcasting, interviews, etc. in the field where the built-in USB interface is less cumbersome, but not for serious voice work in a home studio. You will definitely want a shock mount if using a floor mic stand, as it’s very susceptible to picking up stand thumps.

1 Star Waste of my money and time!
I can’t return it because it’s not broken, it just sucks. On the other hand I found it unnecessary to buy anything for modulating the voice even though I did and it has not arrived yet. It’s expensive but the workmanship is cheap as hell. I wish I could take back that fateful click, oh well. That’s what I think at least. Others liked it for some abstruse reason and made believe it was worth the buy.

3 Stars Good but not great
If you’re looking for a good sounding microphone that is far superior to any standard PC microphone, this is a good choice. However, the most unique feature that set’s this microphone apart – the headphone jack – is a real disappointment. It is *NOT* a realtime feed from the mic. Rather, the headphone jack is the output of a USB sound card that is integrated into the Microphone. There is significant latency between the microphone input and the audio output, so much that it really is useless as a recording monitor. This feature doesn’t allow this microphone to be distinguished from any other USB condenser mic that lacks an audio output.

The headphone jack is possibly useful for setting levels, etc., when you’re working with a PC that lacks a sound card, or need to have the microphone a significant distance from your p.c. or laptop. If you have a long USB cable and need to roam, maybe the headphone jack is useful.

There are many good points about this mic – recording is warm and full sounding; you do get that ‘NPR’ sound. While the mount is light, it’s adequate. The 10′ USB cable is quite generous, and the hard plastic case has pre-cut foam and is a nice touch.

Overall, I am satisfied with the product, but I am disappointed that the promising feature – the headphone jack for real-time monitoring, is not what it is implied to be. It is a USB sound card and suffers all of the latency of your internal sound card.

3 Stars its good t sounds great
the mic is good for recording studio quality music only problem with mine was after i plugged it in and i used it. than tryed to plug it back in the computer wouldent find the device no matter what i tryed

Buy/More Info

The Samson C03U is a multi-pattern studio condenser microphone that records pristine audio and has enhanced capabilities along with a high quality A/D converter and USB output. Featuring dual 19mm internal shock mounted diaphragms with switchable omni, cardioid, and figure-8 pick-up patterns, it is perfect for recording vocals or any acoustic instrument. Plus the selectable patterns make it ideal for a variety of specialized recording situations, like multiple vocalists, ambient room miking, and even a group of people around a conference table recording a Podcast. The C03U works seamlessly on any computer running Mac OS X or Windows XP, and with most DAW software programs without having to install any extra software or drivers. Samson C03U USB Microphone Features Plugs in directly to any computer with a USB interface Bundled with Cakewalk’s Sonar LE software Switchable Cardioid, Omni, and Figure-8 Pickup Patterns High Quality A/D Converter with 16-Bit, 48kHz Sampling Rate Dual Large 19mm Diaphragm Elements Switchable High-Pass Filter and 10 dB Pad Smooth, Flat Frequency Response USB cable and carry pouch included Also avaible in a package which includes a desktop mic stand, mic clip, shockmount and USB cable in a durable, lightweight aluminum case.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Just what the doctor ordered
I needed a USB microphone for use with my speech recognition software (Dragon Naturally Speaking), when I got my new PC the sound card was incompatible with Dragon, and their tech support told me to either get a new sound card, or use a USB microphone. I tried an inexpensive USB microphone from Logitech, but it resulted in many more errors that I had to go back and correct. Most annoyingly, when I switched the microphone on and off, apparently there was a surge or something that the software would interpret as a word. So, many of my sentences started or ended with an extraneous “and” or “the” or “that,” all of which I had to go back and correct. I decided to upgrade the microphone rather than go the new sound card route, and ordered the Samson.

The Samson microphone has been great. Far fewer errors, works better than I hoped. The one thing I miss is that it has no on/off switch (couldn’t determine that from the available information), so I have to switch it on and off with the Dragon software, so I don’t get one of the main benefits I hoped for, but it works so well otherwise, I’m still happy.

Perhaps this seems like overkill for dictation software, but if you depend on that kind of software professionally, I think it’s well worth it.

3 Stars The wrong microphone was sent
I ordered two of the C03UCW microphones and I was sent two of the C01U’s – it is a different microphone. I wanted the one shown here.

The vendor offered to refund my money and said that it was a mistake made by Amazon. I needed the microphones for a project and did not have time to return them. They worked fine – but they were not the ones I ordered. I still want the other microphones.

Amazon – how can you make this one right?

5 Stars Podcasting Mic Mounted to Desk with Gooseneck
I primarily use this mic for podcasts and training screencasts for clients and colleagues in the Web design/development line of work. I’ve mounted it with a gooseneck and flange mount with shock absorbing pad which easily takes place of more expensive shockmounts available for this mic.

My main review for this mic is located on the other Samson C03U Microphone product page (see link below), but I want to add here that this seller had listings on the other product page, which is the item without the CakeWalk Sonar software.

However, buying the version without the software, from Ace Photo Digital… they threw in the software anyway!

It’s a superior product at an incredible value. It’s well worth the investment. See my full review here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EZKZMY?ie=UTF8&tag=a354-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EZKZMY

5 Stars Looks, sounds, feels good!
I don’t have too much experience on this type of microphone to make extensive/professional review. I just started playing with Garageband/pod cast and use Skype and wanted to improve the sound input.

Compare to the other mini microphones I’ve used, this is HUGE and heavy, solidly built. Connection is easy, just plug in the USB and the Mac recognizes it. To my not so experienced ears, it sounds better than iSight, built-in mics, and the Sony mic that requires an AA battery and a pre-amp.

Well-made, good sound, easy to use. 5-star for the prize/package/performance.

Buy/More Info