Apogee

1
Samson’s G-Track Pro
delivers a considerable
uplift on their original
G-Track mic. With multiple pickup
patterns (cardioid, omni and figure
8), 24-bit 96kHz operation,
dedicated 1/4” instrument input and
newly-designed desktop stand, this
mic and instrument interface combo
really looks and feels the business.
Mic and instrument input and
headphone output levels get
dedicated on-body knobs alongside a
handy microphone mute button. The
twin channel interface can also send
mic and instrument signals to
individual DAW tracks or blend them
to mono at source, which is a nice
touch. Meanwhile, the direct
monitoring option provides zero
latency monitoring. The real drawback
though is that it requires too much
power for use with an iOS device.
www.samsontech.com
VerDICt 8.6
2
M-Audio’s Uber Mic is the
cheapest of our four mics
and also the only one that
includes a stereo mode as well as
three regular mono polar patterns
(omni, cardioid, figure 8). On-body
controls for mic gain, mic mute,
headphone level, zero latency blend
and polar pattern selection,
alongside a handy miniature LCD
display, make operation totally self
explanatory, and the U-shaped mic
mount works equally well screwed
into the included desktop stand or
attached to a mic stand.
Slightly frustratingly iOS use
requires Apple’s camera kit, and
audio operation only goes up to
16-bit/48kHz. Nevertheless, if this
doesn’t bother you, the Uber can
certainly deliver some awesome value
for money.
www.m-audio.com
VerDICt 9.2
3
The Raspberry is one of
many mics in Blue’s
extensive USB range.
Offering one input/two output DAW
and iOS integration via the included
USB or lightning cable, the compact
grey and red body is flanked by
handy headphone level and mic level
knobs, with the latter also providing
push-button mic muting.
Designed for regular stand mount
or desktop positioning using its
foldaway isolating stand, the cardioid
capsule performance is enhanced by
their own Integrated Acoustic Diffuser
(IAD), which helps reduce ambience.
Audio operation is only up to
24-bit 48kHz and there’s no way to
balance the headphone mix other
than by changing the mic gain, but
the Raspberry is simple to set up and
delivers the most focused sound of
our four test mics.
www.bluedesigns.com
VerDICt 8.8
4
MiC Plus is the latest
version of Apogee’s iOS and
USB cardioid condenser
mic with integrated audio
interfacing. As you’d expect from
Apogee, 24-bit 96kHz support and
super-quiet PureDigital preamp
mean audio fidelity is excellent.
What’s more, the desktop tripod
stand and front-mounted controls
make this no style slouch either. Zero
latency monitoring can be adjusted
via the five-position blend button,
but alas there’s no independent
headphone gain. For metering there
are three red/green LEDs and
pushing the digital gain encoder
mutes the mic.
MiC works well both in desktop
and regular configurations, and the
simple compact design is easy and
fun to use.
www.apogeedigital.com
VerDICt 8.8
COMPACT WINNER Both the Apogee MiC Plus and
Blue Raspberry scored equally in our test. But we loved
the foldaway design and focused sound of the latter.
FM VerDICt
OVERALL WINNER M-Audio’s Uber Mic is featureful, a
cinch to use and with the addition of Apple’s Camera Kit
also works with iOS. Oh, and it’s super affordable too.
4
Apogee MiC
Plus £239
USB Microphones | Reviews
97
FMU331.rev_grouptest.indd 97 18/04/2018 10:41