Review on 🎙️ Chrome SAMSON Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Microphone by Steve Jones

I bought this mic for two reasons: 1) I'm shooting videos for a job that requires voiceover and 2) I started vlogging and needed a mic to add audio to my videos . But actually, I've found it's pretty useful for more than just that. I also use it for online meetings, audio and video chats, online courses, etc. I like it much better than the built-in microphone in my laptop. Let's talk about looks first. This mic has a really neat, stylish look. It's retro and looks like old-school mics from the 1950s, but the fold-out legs give it a modern feel. The polished metal look is also great. However, it tends to show fingerprints. If this bothers you, consider another color option. The sound quality is also fantastic. It's a condenser mic, so it's kind of directional. I've found that when I recline comfortably in my chair, I get a lot of volume when I speak into the microphone on my desk. However, the sound gets richer the closer you get to it. Therefore, to speak a video, I usually hold it in my hand closer to my mouth. It also does a good job of minimizing background noise, especially if it's coming from the side or behind. I didn't need a pop filter with this mic, but I don't talk with my mouth pressed shut either. I tested it and it caught a few of those pops. So, for those of you who put it on a stand and talk next to it, consider adding a pop filter. But if you're speaking next to him instead of addressing him directly (which you should be doing anyway), avoid blowing air on him and causing those volume spikes when you spit air into the mic. It also has a headphone jack on the back so you can monitor your audio right from the back of the Meteor when you're speaking, which is great if your recording device doesn't have a headphone jack to monitor. The Meteor has a threaded insert on the underside for mounting a microphone stand. If you want to attach it to a jib, stand, desk mount, etc., you can. But I will say it will look a little weird with the legs sticking out when mounted on a threaded stand. Some won't care. If you do, you can try prying out the fold-out legs with a screwdriver if you plan on leaving it on its stand. Speaking of fold-out legs. I would love if they were removable. This is one of my only issues with this mic. But since I use it most of the time on my desk, that's usually not a problem for me. The rear leg also folds over the mini-USB port on the back of the mic. So you can't just fold in your legs and still use the mic because you can't plug it in. If you are not careful and put pressure on the microphone, you can also change the position of the microphone. rear leg and damage the connector or cable by pushing the rear leg into the cable. So keep that in mind when using and moving your Meteor. The microphone level and mute can be controlled directly on the microphone. I love it! It has adjustable volume on a ring around the mute button. The color of the LED changes from blue to yellow to indicate that the microphone is muted. This works even if you disable the microphone on your computer or laptop. (I have a dedicated mute button on my keyboard, so I just use that instead of reaching for the mic.) If you need to travel with it because the legs fold down, it's nice and compact. And even in the kit there was a faux velvet pouch to put it in. Finally, if you buy this microphone. While the sound quality is very good, if you plan on recording something with it I would STRONGLY recommend spending a few bucks more and purchasing the accompanying Samson Sound Deck app. You can record audio through this application. And the app includes the option to turn on noise cancellation, which eliminated virtually every echo I heard from my voice bouncing off the hard walls of my home office. The Sound Deck app also works with third-party recording products. I tried adjusting the noise reduction and echo removal while recording in Audacity and it definitely affected the recordings. So not only do you have to record with Sound Deck, you just have to keep the app running in the background to take advantage of it. It also means that all real-time audio signals have NR and EE active, which is great for clear audio during my meetings and training sessions. All in all this is a fantastic microphone! I'm happy with how it looks and works. There are a few minor things I would change (detachable legs!) but not enough to deduct a full star from my rating. I would give 4.5 if I could. Especially when you combine it with the Samson Sound Deck.