REVIEWED: Samson QU2 Recording & Podcasting Pack
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REVIEWED: Samson QU2 Recording & Podcasting Pack

At first glance this appears to be just another handheld microphone. And let’s face it – that is exactly what the QU2 is, on the surface at least. Sure, you can use this as a regular, run-of-the-mill handheld dynamic microphone. It’s got a fairly rugged build and a decent internal suspension system for the capsule, so there isn’t too much handling noise. If that’s all you needed it for, then yes, it will certainly do the job well enough. But, there are a few more tricks up its sleeve, as the QU2 has been designed to work in a range of situations. If you don’t have a mixer or interface with an XLR input to a microphone preamp, many stage microphones will be useless to you. The QU2 negates the need for a separate interface with its own built-in USB interface ready for a plug-and-play setup on a table or laptop computer. It is ready to deliver with just about any setup, combined with just about any array of peripherals you may have on offer.

 

If you need to quickly record an interview, or even a vocal take for a song, you can get the QU2 running into your computer in no time with or without the need of any external hardware. Combined with an existing interface and preamp, you’re able to run off the XLR output, but foregoing this option, you can simply connect via the included USB cable and monitor your recording from the microphone itself via the inbuilt headphone output on a 3.5mm stereo jack. Volume control is found on two buttons at the base of the microphone, right next to the headphone output, making it an ideal solution for recording on the go when you just want a microphone, a pair of earphones and your laptop. Maybe you’re not going to find the same quality as would be achieved with a studio condenser microphone, but at the same time, it does not attract the same price tag, nor does it require the added preamp and suspension mount that a condenser would. Packaged with XLR and USB cables, along with a desktop stand and foam pop filter, the QU2 is ready to go right out of the box. Why not improve your voice for both video and audio with very little investment and a simple setup?