Copyright 2009, Samson Technologies Corp. Printed May, 2009 v1.1 Samson Technologies Corp. 45 Gilpin Avenue Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816 Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) Fax: 631-784-2201 www.samsontech.
Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Go Mic Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Go Mic Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Installing the Go Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Samson Go Mic portable USB studio condenser. The Go Mic is a dual-pattern studio microphone featuring high quality onboard digital converters and USB interface fit into an extremely portable, fold-up design making it ideal for professional digital recording or webcasting. The Go Mic is a studio quality condenser microphone offering both unidirectional, or cardioid, and omnidirectional pick-up patterns, plus there’s a 10 dB PAD for recording hot signals.
Introduction In these pages, you’ll find a detailed description of the features of the Go Mic USB Studio Condenser Microphone, as well as step-by-step instructions for its setup and use, and full specifications. You’ll also find a warranty card enclosed—please don’t forget to fill it out and mail it in so that you can receive online technical support and so we can send you updated information about these and other Samson products in the future. Also, be sure to check out our website (www.samsontech.
Go Mic Features • Compact, dual pattern studio condenser with built-in audio interface and USB digital I/O. • Compatible with most any Mac and PC based Digital Audio Workstation that support the USB Audio class. • Unique, fold up design with integral clip makes the microphone extremely portable and ideal for most recording solutions, especially for mobile laptop recording.
Go Mic Layout 1. Windscreen – Dual stage grill protects the capsules and helps reduce wind noise and ppopping. 2. Capsules – Dual, internally shock isolated 10mm capsules provide both Cardioid and Omni polar patterns. 2 1 3 6 3. LED – The dual color Power/Clip LED lights green to indicate power, and flashes red when the input signal is clipping. 4 5 4. Diecast Base – The molded zinc base is weighted and shock isolated to provide a sturdy solution for desktop applications. 5.
Installing the Go Mic Installing the Go Mic is a simple procedure that takes just a few minutes. Since the Go Mic is USB compliant, you can use either a MAC or PC, connect the included USB cable and plug and play. You will be able to control your Go Mic using the standard audio interface controls in the MAC or Windows operating system. You will find detailed instructions on setting up with MAC OS and Windows in the following sections of this manual. Figure 1 Getting Started with Windows XP Figure 2 1.
Installing the Go Mic 3. To set the Go Mic as your default device for sound playback and recording, or to change its settings, click the Start button, click Control Panel and then click Sounds and Audio Devices. Under the Audio tab, you can select the Samson GoMic from the drop-down menus. (figure 3). Figure 4 Figure 5 4. To set the gain of the microphone, click the Volume button in the Sound recording section to make the Microphone slider appear (figure 4).
Installing the Go Mic the Mute checkbox in the Microphone section on the right. (If the Microphone section does not appear at first, click Options and then Properties (figure 6), and click the checkbox next to Microphone. (Figure 7) 6. To prevent system sounds from coming through the Go Mic, select a different sound card for the system default, and then choose the Go Mic manually within your DAW software.
Installing the Go Mic Getting Started with Windows Vista 1. The first time you plug the Go Mic into a USB port, Windows Vista will install the universal drivers for that port. A balloon tip will pop up, telling you it has “Found new Hardware”. 2. When it is finished installing the drivers, it will say “Your new hardware is installed and ready to use”. Note: This balloon will not pop up again for the same USB port. 3.
Installing the Go Mic 5. To set the direct monitoring level or the playback volume in the headphones, click the Properties button in the Playback tab instead, and open the Levels tab. Adjusting the Speakers slider changes the headphone level. To turn off the zero-latency hardware direct monitoring (if you want to use software play-through with effects instead), click the Mute button (speaker symbol) in the right of the Microphone section (figure11).
Installing the Go Mic Getting Started with MAC OS X The following example is for setting up the Go Mic in MAC OS X . 1. To start using the Samson Go Mic, just plug it in. The LED will light to indicate it is receiving USB power. The MAC will recognize the USB audio device and automatically install a universal driver. 2. To select the Go Mic as the computer’s audio input, open the System Preferences from the dock or the main Apple Menu (figure 12).
Installing the Go Mic 7. To set the playback volume in the headphones, adjust the Output volume slider at the bottom of the Sound dialog box (figure 15). At this point you can begin using your microphone with most any audio recording software, but you need to select it as an input and output device within the DAW. When selecting the inputs and outputs just look for and select the Go Mic.
Operating the Go Mic Go Mic Quick Start You will find a detailed description of the Go Mic’s controls and functions in the following sections of this manual. However, if you can’t wait to get started, you can follow this quick start guide. Before you get going it’s recommended that you follow the instructions on installing the Go Mic with either Windows or OS Mac in the previous sections of this manual. Once you confirm the Go Mic is connected to your computer properly, it will be easy to start recording.
Operating the Go Mic Go Mic Quick Start - continued 3. Next, connect your headphones to the PHONES output located on the right side of the Go Mic. 4. Plug the mini-B size (small) end of the included USB cable into the USB socket on the right side of the Go Mic. 5. Now, plug the other end of the USB cable into an available USB port on your computer. Note: Be sure to check the installation guide for Windows and Mac OS to confirm your computer has recognized the Go Mic.
Operating the Go Mic A Note on Powering the Go Mic The Go Mic is a condenser microphone, and like all condenser microphones, it has internal electronics that require an active power supply. Traditional studio condensers are almost always powered by a Phantom Power supply which is usually derived from the mixing console. The Go Mic receives its power from the USB bus. Simply connect the microphone to the computer’s USB port and the microphone is ready to operate.
Operating the Go Mic Polar Patterns The most important characteristic of any microphone is its directionality or “pick-up pattern”. There are three basic categories of pick up patterns; omni, bidirectional (or figure 8) and unidirectional. Omni mics pick up sound from all directions, bidirectional mics pick up the sound directly in front and back of the microphone while rejecting the sound on the left and right sides, and unidirectional (cardioid) mics pick up the sound in front of the microphone.
Operating the Go Mic will get the best frequency response, however when you start pointing the microphone slightly away (off axis) you will notice the high frequency response dropping off and the microphone will start to sound like it has more bass and less highs. For most vocal applications you’ll want to position the microphone directly in front of the artist about 4 to 18 inches. If you are close miking a vocal, set the microphone to a slight angle to reduce p-popping.
Application Notes The Go Mic is a great microphone choice for many instrument miking situations. Below is a brief guide on using the Go Mic in some typical applications: Vocals Position the microphone directly in front of the artist so that the microphone grill is approximately 4 to 18 inches away. When close miking vocals, use of an external pop filter like the Samson PS01 is strongly recommended.
Application Notes Piano You can achieve outstanding results using the Go Mic on acoustic piano. Several placement approaches can be used depending on the size of the piano, and the type of sound you are looking to record. When miking a Grand Piano, (for an ambient sound like that used in a classical recital), a Go Mic can be positioned directly in front of the instrument. Open the lid to the full position and place the microphone five to twenty feet in front of the instrument.
Go Mic Specifications Go Mic Frequency Response - Cardioid Polar Pattern - Cardioid Go Mic Frequency Response - Omni Polar Pattern - Omni 20
Go Mic Specifications Go Mic Specifications Polar pattern Frequency Response Cardioid Omni Element type Element Diameter Diaphragm thickness Cardioid Omni Sensitivity SPL Weight Dimensions Cardioid and Omni 80Hz - 18kHZ 20Hz - 20kHZ Fixed Charge electret 10mm 4 microns 2 microns -47 +/- 2dB/Pa 121 db 0.23 lbs. (.105 kg) 2.8” x 1.7” x 23”x 0.9” 70.5 mm x 43.5mm x 23mm Specifications subject to change without notice.
Samson Technologies Corp. 45 Gilpin Avenue Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816 Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) Fax: 631-784-2201 www.samsontech.