Samson Q9U Review (Comparison to SM7B and RE 20) | Booth Junkie
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- čas přidán 19. 03. 2021
- Thanks to Samson for sending me this mic for review!
www.samsontech.com/samson/prod...
Find it on Amazon: geni.us/samq9u
Other Mics in this Review:
EV RE 20: geni.us/RJS0B
Shure SM7B: geni.us/h4EAk
DBX286s: geni.us/thedbx286s
Table of Contents:
0:20 Introduction
2:06 USB / XLR combination of jacks
3:50 Connecting to a phone
4:56 Switches
5:35 MID Setting
6:17 High Pass Filter
9:32 Mute switch
10:26 What's in the Box
11:01 Comparison with SM7b
12:08 Plosives and Pop Filter
14:20 User Manual Issue
16:19 Comparison with EV RE20
17:55 Build Quality and Mount
19:25 USB Mode
20:36 Weird Clicking Noise
22:45 USB Background Noise
23:24 Use with a DBX 286 s
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Thanks! - Jak na to + styl
Although I own an RE20, I've used the Samson Q2U for the last 9 months as a utility mic and it works very well, with the right software EQ, etc. The Q9U sounds fabulous for the price. Perfect for zoom, etc. But equally good for podcasting. Let's face it, most people are listening to podcasts etc on their phones through some AirPods -- not through high fidelity speakers. The Q9U is a steal.
Please, somebody give this guy a trophy.
yup lol. i laugh my ass off when audiophiles lose their shit when they see someone stream with a 50 dollars unbranded mic while not realizing a good 80% of podcasts listeners and or streaming viewers do so with cheap headphones/buds or even phone speakers that will NEVER be able to catch the nuances of different microphones (unless it was catastrophically bad ofc). the audiophiles community is such a circle jerk that is not even funny lol.
If you're using EQ and other processing, then why would it matter what mic you're using?
can't make garbage sound amazing with just software@@TyIer7
You're a legend Mike. Incredible review and hearing the Q9U side by side against the titans was immensely helpful.
Another excellent comparison video Mike! I love that you took time to run it through the DBX 286, and compared it to the RE20 (the one I used in my radio career for 10 years!)
The intros are the best! Such a nice microphone.
Only CZcams intro that actually brings me joy 🤣have a great day fellow booth junkies 😎
Appreciate the effort you put into these videos Mike. Really helps
Great fair review, Mike. We appreciate your tone and balance, especially for newbies like myself playing around with starting out in voiceover.
you're better of with the Q2U. This new mic sounds like a freakin soup can.
This is how all microphones need to be reviewed.
Great work!
Cheers Mike.
Thanks for the amazing review and comparison. Glad all is well with you.
Thank you for the review. You just sold me on this microphone!
Another useful review that is fun to watch. Thank you!
Really great review Mike! I like the RE-20, I used it for 20 years in Chicago radio. For voice-over i like the sound of my synco MIC d2, in mixes it really cuts through.
That was a really great review. I love all the detail you went into. Cheers!
Been waiting for this one!
Another great video! Thanks for your review on this mic. Was looking for an SM7B alternative (which is what I currently own). My friend let me borrow his Q9U and there's one thing it lacks that the SM7B has (at least in my scenario). The Q9U's shielding is not as great as the SM7B. I live in an area where EMI is insane (my neighborhood is interwoven with electrical wires hovering over our roofs like a spiderweb). There's a slight buzz that is inescapable and despite using a ton of ferrite beads and noise isolator gimmicks (and locations in my house), that buzz won't go away unless I fix it in post. The SM7B is immune to my EMI situation. The Q9U, not so much. That's just my experience with this mic. Thanks again for the vid!
Not that I am in the market (still rocking my Shure SM27) but clear in my opinion that old saying still applies in 2021. You get what you pay for. Thank you for your reviews! Solid work!!
Thanks a lot for the review. I own a Shure MV7, but don't have an audio interface yet.
But the software settings and possibility for upgrade were worth it for me. And it can get pretty "broadcast" like
The mute button is soooo nice. I have an inline switch, and trying to hit it without handling noise is impossible. It's a dead mute, but transmits all the handling noise.
I think the EV RE20 is still my fave sounding mic out so far. One day I'll get my hands on one. That said, for $200 and USB plug in, the Samson looks fantastic!
they dropped the ball on the q9u
clicked this video for your perspective on the Q9U - left with a desire to get an RE20.... haha! That sound/tone is so nice!
I used to prefer the SM7 but I have to say I like the RE20 more and more. It's THE broadcast radio sound.
The Q9U sounds like someone talking into a trash can. lol
Great video as usual Mike! 😄
I have an SM7B, and would love one of these Samson's for my other projects especially when I don't need another SM7B. I know the people at Samson. It is competent.
Love the intro, i think we should call the the bumble bee test.
for what it is and what it costs I think it is a great microphone. I'd be lying if I said I preferred it because the re20 is probably my favorite dynamic microphone ever made but I really think it is a great option over the rode podmic and a focusrite scarlet solo.
I appreciate this video so much. The more I listened and thought about it, makes me feel good. With the DBX 286 or 286xs? Also loving the video you posted way back explaining how to setup the DBX channel strip. And they are affordable and my local DJ shop sells the mic and the channel strip. Life is good. The booth is unbeatably quite and clean. Hopefully having a noise gate and close proximity to the Q9U (as you suggested) should sound almost as good as this video does.
Fwiw. I use a Samson MIDI keyboard. It's been a solid peice of kit. Thanks for the upload Mike.
Thank you Mike for the great review. At 200$ it sound really great. Considering buying it.
Love the review, multiple mid rolls are a bit of a drag but understandable.
Great review! The RE20 really suits your voice.
I would love to see you review the Shure MV7
I love the RE-20! Went with an RE-320, l'm happy!
After a lot of research, reviews, and testing I went with the RE20. I have a pretty decent "radio" voice. Very pleased with it. The 7b was a little too dark. Also picked up the Sennheiser 414 for more detailed work, and also us it with my C100daf for video work. Mike's reviews did play a role in my decisions. Really appreciate his efforts here.
Love your channel, very entertaining and informative. Just. a note on plugging the mic directly into the phone, it should work, I use google voice record app, which has in settings option, allows ext mic. What you require android 10 or later, google recorder, and a usb mic. I am running with Audio technica ATR2100x-USB mic
cheers
Shane
This was an amazing video thank you!
But solid review... As always... Nice idea with the dbx combo. Back to the booth...
Nice! Love the point you made at the end about the external preamp. That’s not always an expense people think about when it comes time to buy a mic.
Thanks for another great video!
Great Microphone!! Its really hard between this microphone and Shure MV7
Cheers Pal much appreciated 👊🏿
I purchased on fromUK three days ago after watching your review, am eager to check for internal noise, I think it’s smoother sounding than sm7b.
I do have KSM32 on order as well, condenser, but I’m hoping also smoother than sm7b.
The Blue Yeti PRO has a mute button. I no longer use mine for VO, but it’s very handy for video conferencing!
I'm noticing the Q9U has a little more high and mid range than the SM7B, even with the pop filter on. I still prefer the SM7B's sound. Just straightforward, hefty, and no nonsense. I think for more mid-range or expressive sounds, the Q9U is definitely an option.
Samson mics are flatter, SM7B is muffled.
Funny you said no nonsense when you used nonsense to describe it.
Intro cracks me up everytime.
Wait, so you mean this thing actually exists? Imagine my shock! (great review btw, I was looking forward to this one.. for over a year, thanks Human Malware/whatever caused the mic to not be a thing prior)
Wow i like the samson becoz of the choices of cable
I would like to see you review the Samson G-Track Pro next. You've got a fantastic ear for sound and I'd like to hear your opinion of the mic.
This video made me miss the re20s in my previous studio. Wow.
Used RE20's for twenty years in broadcast radio! Love those mics!
Great review. I believe the Q9U lacks the fuller voice range of the SM7b and RE-20. I believe it distinctly lacks tightness and definition -- a combination of lacking both a balanced controlled low end and clean presence. I also believe the Q9U close proximity is very muddy on the flat setting and the roll-off pulled fullness and warmth with only some of the proximity mud.
The dbx 286S certainly improves the Q9U a lot although after using it, the Q9U still lacks a fuller range and retains some noticable mud. I have a dbx 286S which I use for live video conferencing on Zoom, Meets, etc. The enhancers if used more than a small amount become unnatural. I don't believe the HF Detail can be turned up enough to correct the Q9U definition well without introducing obvious spectral artifacts from the spectral enhancement the HF Detail uses. I don't believe the LF Detail can help the Q9U well either. The scooping the LF Detail does can't sufficiently suppress the low mids mud enough without thinning out the overall result. I believe there may be better choices at its price point -- ones that a starting person will likely retain even after an upgrade versus this one, the Q9U, which I would likely quickly discard after an upgrade. The dbx 286S is fabulous for live spoken voice work -- the kind of cures the Q9U needs are really beyond the ability to adjust well in a voice strip, even a good one such as the 286S.
RE20 wins!! Just picked up the new black edition. Booked more work with it in the last 3 months than any other mic in my locker. Just works for my deep voice.
when i first started streaming i picked up a blue yeti, because i didnt have an interface, and didn't want to figure out an interface, i just wanted a usb mic to plug and play. and honestly, i regret it. i ended up using it much longer than i would have liked because i didn't have a hybrid usb/xlr mic, so swapping to the SM7B was a big investment. but i think at 200 dollars, this is a great first mic. it definitely sounds better than any usb condenser i've seen, and the yeti pro or whatever its called is 250 anyways, and this sounds better, atleast for my use case because its dynamic.
For the price, I really would like one of these!
I get this one! Think the RE20 sounds so "saliva-ish" for my usage, i make audiobooks. Not so exp for having a quick start with this instead of another two, not needed some 200 bucks "activators" as well. So this is the game-changing feature and my benefit. Thanks, Mike!
Looks cool! Mute button, more of a mid-focused sound, mid boost. I like it.
Mike, have you tried any other windscreens on your 416 besides the stock one? I recently thought to slide the synco one on (much denser) and found that I preferred the slightly less bright sound. It's such a present mic.
For me, the RE20 is the absolute winner in this test! But as you said, The comparison isn't fair if we do not take in count the different value proposition you talked about. It all depends on where i am starting from.
Thank you for this review. In a few months I’ll be buying the Q9U. Also need to get a better iPhone video app compatible audio interface. My current interface can’t handle recording with sample rate a higher than 48khz.
And why do you need more than 48kHz?
@@JesterDyneWhy does someone need more than 1080p resolution?
@@boldandthebeautifulgimbal2881 Videoresolution is not an Issue.
We Audio Engineers nearly all to 48kHz.
There is simply no benefit for higher Sample Rates but more problems.
czcams.com/video/-jCwIsT0X8M/video.html
the difference is huge wow
I think I finally found my microphone! Thanks!
What is the headgear you're wearing? I'm looking for a USB headphones to go with my mic.
Which one are you getting?
@@laurieegbert9052 Those are Sennheiser HD380's. I would advise against USB headphones, as most don't have great sound reproduction.
Best of luck!
I'm going to try this Samsung. I record audio for e-learning. I have a Windows and am looking for pc compatible mic and headphones. Tried a few sets but haven't been happy with them. Now looking for individual items.
@@laurieegbert9052 Good luck finding Mike's headphones; they're discontinued and I've not seen them sold online for a while. You might try Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros. Go for the 80 Ohm version if you can.
I love that you did this review, Mike; but I hate that it's reinforced the fact that the RE20 remains a dream mic for me (read: I still have to save up for it)! Huge difference, with your voice. The features of the Q9U are great; but when it comes to the sound with your voice, the RE20 is just much better.
Is there a reason you didn't compare it to the mv7 which would be a more fair comparison price wise and in the audience they are going after?
To me it seems like the Q9U just needs a slight high boost with the mid switch turned on. For around a third of the price of the SM7B I'd be more than happy with that.
For half the price + headphone monitoring + XLR and USB C option hands down a better mic. Audio is the same if not better. Purchased two of these for my podcast. I wanted shures but these are better.
The difference is enormous. Samson literally sounds like you are talking into a pillow. Nothing against Samson, as they really are a value brand...and this may be the right choice for some...but the Shure and the EV are broadcast / studio standards for a reason: this is the reason. Nice job showing direct comparisons.
shure wins
Yea, the difference in price is enormous
I really don’t hear a “enormous” difference. Regardless, I actually prefer how the Q9U picks up my own voice vs the SM7B.
Hi Mike!
Question for you--I'm debating between buying a Rode NT1 or a Lewitt 440 Pure (or open to other suggestions). I'm a male and have a deep voice without excessive sibilance, and plan to hopefully use the mic for both voiceover AND for some music recording (maybe as a drum room mic or in combo with an SM57 for guitar). I will be using a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 (3rd Gen). Cheers!
Recently discovered the channel and I'm loving it. Keep up the great content.
Hey Mike! Love your vids. Which should I get for my first mic? The Senhieser MK4 Lewitt 440, or Cynco d2 shotgun? Noisy street, hollow walls. Treating a linen closet with Producer's Choice blankets. Would appreciate any input Mike or others. TIA :)
The price is down to $129 now and for that price it sounds even better imo. And it’s a hell of a lot better than a Blue Yeti for about the same price. But if I had an unlimited budget it wouldn’t be my first choice. Thanks for the review!
hey man
what do you think about the isovox v2?
regards
This gon' be guud!
16:57 The money shot: proximity sound effect.
Does the Q9U need a cloudlifter for something like a Scarlett Solo?
thank you
If you ask me, ill say the shure sound better, in my opinion, if I have to buy a cloud lifter with the shure ill rather go for the Earthwork Icon Pro which is superb compare to shure sm7b
I understand.. this is your passion/hobby/job, but what do you do with all theses subparts microphones/equipment?
Great review! Just curious what the mic pre for the SM7b is? And it wasn’t eq’d or anything?
Damn, just bought the Q2U a week ago :( guess I'll keep it and maybe upgrade further on :)
Q2U is a great mic! Welcome to #Q2UCult :-)
the q2u sounds better than this one
My god that sound difference !!
Wouldn't the SM57 be a better option for lower budgets? It sounds very similar to SM7B at half the price.
Look up this video ''Shure SM7B vs Shure SM57 A81WS mod'' I have given that to a lot of streamers or people on a budget.
@@digitaltactics9234 Yes although the different foams used don't help the comparison. But SM57 can easily be processed to sound like SM7B, with or without pop screen.
Mike, thanks for yet another very helpful review.
How would you compare this with a Rode Procaster?
Thanks in advance.
All this video did was make me want 4 EV RE20s. It was like comparing Sinatra with a karaoke singer.
You are killing me! I am setting up a new podcasting studio and there goes the budget!
Since you helped creating this mess, I need you to help me justify this to my boss, mister.
Happy with my new MV7, but man, wish it had usb c port instead of the micro usb...My only complaint about it.
Update, returned the MV7 and got the Q9U last year, pretty happy with it.
I listened to this on my iPhone and the audio sounded great. The SM7B sounded warmer but I’m not mad at the Q9U. I think it’s price point is a little high. The SM57 with the A81WS windscreen is a better option at about $130. How many of us really need a more expensive mic than what the President uses? To each his own.
You make a point ! But you'll need an audio interface, so pricewise it's about the same. You will have a much more flexible system, but no mute button.
Lol.... The exaggeration is so real, specially at the very end of the video where you connect the Q9U to a DBX 286s and make it sound much much better, and still, you make it look like a $20 mic In comparison to the SM7B.
The marketing around the SM7B is impressive, really.
Gotta pair this against the Procaster, they're direct competitors.
ETA: Haha maybe not, maybe pair this against the Podmic and the MV7
Definitely bro, a letdown, we've been waiting around 2 years for this thing.
@@HentaiHappy how’s it a letdown? I thought with the mid filter it sounded better than the sm7b on his voice. I listened to it through DT1990s, compare his voice at 5:50 to the sm7b.
@@bringbackshaming Must be your set of DTs because as soon as he switched to the SM7B @10:58 , his voice became godly. To me, the q9u sounded too thin, and veiled. The real battle begins when you pit the Q9U against its true competitors, such as the MV7, Rode PODMIC, and Presonus PD-70. PD-70 and Podmic tear the q9u to shreds. It's a pity, because I trusted Samson after their Q2u
@@HentaiHappy ehhh I think audio is 60% subjective when it comes to tonality and clarity (a lot of people mistake more treble for being “clearer” and more “detailed”, although I do agree that it should be compared to the latter mics. It really depends on the voice, especially with mics like the Re20 and SM7B. Some people just sound better on one vs the other.
RE20 is wonderful on your voice brother
what preamp you used for SM7B, could you mention your audio chain best suited for SM7N
Not by a long shot is the SM7B worth u$400, when with a u$160 mic you can achieve amazing sound quality.
Is the shure sm7b microphone stand suitable for the samsung q9u mic?!
But what about Shure's USB microphone?
what gain was your mic on when recording this ?
New to higher end audio, so apologize if this is an dumb question (used a cheap USB mic for years, but looking to upgrade) How does something like the dbx hook into the computer? Do you still need an audio interface to get the signal into your software, or does the dbx hook right into computer?
You still need an interface. The dbx286s goes between your mic and the interface. Check my video called "Hooking up your first studio", at around the 21 minute mark.
@@BoothJunkie Perfect. Thank you! Learning a lot from this channel! Trying to get a real set up going and deciding between something like this to start with USB and slowly move my way up to XLR with an interface and dbx, or to start with an interface and a cheaper XLR mic (something like the lewitt mtp250) and eventually upgrade the mic. With only about $300 and so many choices, it is hard to decide!
Re 20 ftw!
What headphones are you using?☺️
Samson Q9U or Rode Procaster?
The SM7B has better, brighter sound and less handling noise... but must have a powerful preamp... such as Focusrite Isa One...
The Q9U has muddy sound... less highs... but as a beginner it is a very good option
I hate bright sounding mic because my voice is already shrill as heck
I really don't think this is supposed to be a sm7b killer, its priced to compete with the mv7 and from what I've seen so far it is an mv7 killer
Exactly!
In fact, I just got the Q9U to replace the MV7 that I returned. Looking forward to trying it out!
Yes.
Hybrid mics are amazing. And thank goodness it's USB C and not micro-USB! Micro-USB genuinely is the worst connector in the world. If you disagree you are wrong. I have way too much experience with breaking micro-USB cables to say otherwise.
Don't get me wrong I don't think anyone would disagree with micro USB being terrible but I also really don't think type C is much better. It's a bit sturdier, but it's even more prone to accidental disconnects from the slightest of movements, wears out just as fast and it is still very fragile. I would much prefer USB Mini B or just a full sized type B connector, it's not like a microphone benefits from the other Type C features.
@@Antares-dw9iv It being sturdier already makes it 100x better. I'd much rather have it accidentally disconnect than break because I dropped it
@@xHadesStamps I guess it's an overall improvement but it still feels like there are much better alternatives than simply going with USB C because it's newer.
@@Antares-dw9iv Yeah. I'm not the biggest fan of USB C myself. I'd rather have something like the full-size. However, still much butter than micro-USB simply because of how bad micro is.
sounds amazing lets be honest
*EDIT** Bandrew also has a video with this mic, and using it in USB mode sounds a million times better, in all irony lol. **EDIT*
The Samson mic is a little too nasally and lacks low end in a way that makes it sound thin. Too much upper-mids and now enough low. I have an $80 broadcast dynamic mic from Zoom Corp Japan (the company that makes guitar pedals, not the video chat company - no relation) that sounds better. Several channels have shot out the Zoom ZDM-1 against the Rode Podmic and Procaster, as well as the MV7, and to my ears, IMO (as well as the opinions of a LOT of other people) the best entry level broadcast/recording dynamic race has 3 distinct leaders, all of which pull well above their "weight" class - Podmic, PreSonus PD-70, and ZDM-1. I had high hopes for this mic when it was announced last year, and the price is too high, and the quality is too low.
I was looking to get the RE20 for streaming what would you recommend i need other then the mic and the arm, i was going to get a mixer do I need more then that ?
Using macbook pro m1 13 inch
For anyone who reads this, consider the ART Tube MP studio preamp rather than the cloudlifter/fethead. It costs a fraction of the leading competitors and it provides 70db of gain at an EIN of -129 (literally will never hear any hiss whatsoever with whatever mic you use). My recent upload demonstrates it with a dbx 266xs comp/gate I n practical use with a SM7B. Don’t be fooled, the results I pull from the two are incredible and cost the exact same price as one cloudlifter.
I’m using ART voice channel and still running cloud lifter to beat noise floor
@@jameslifetimelearner that isn’t necessary. The voice channel can provide up to 70db of gain at -130 EIN. Record two takes, one with and one without the cloudlifter. Match the levels exactly and listen to the noise floor. It will be virtually the same. Watch some of my videos on this topic it will save you some money 😊
@@UndergroundSoundProductions ok thanks I also have tube mp
Just hate to crank knob past 12:00
@@jameslifetimelearner check out some of my videos. I use an ART MPA II and never use a cloudlifter when using a sm7b. All of the ART analog hardware have amazing preamps. I have guides on how you set these preamps us as well if you’re lookin for some guidance!
@@UndergroundSoundProductions thanks man I like your videos and also own an mpa2 , haven’t used it yet. Gonna run it through a graphic eq and Mva compressor for acoustic guitar recording . Having a ball experimenting and quitting my day job soon
haha I was really liking the Q9U and its flexibility and everything ... and then you plugged in RE20 😂😂
The RE20 is like watching the Blue Angels fly-by vs a Cessna 150
I need advice desperately.. I am trying to figure out a good mic for my circumstance. I can afford $150 plus tax. I have a scarlet solo and a mostly untreated dining/living room area of an apartment. I am looking at the Samson q9U at $150 the Shur mv7x at $150. I am also considering the Rode podmic at $92.. Can someone anyone? Suggest which one might be best for my circumstance? I have tried the zoom zdm-1 I have tried an AudioTechnica at2020, a Samson Q2u and several other dynamic and condesor mics under $100 this is the first time I have considered an option over $100..
Oh boy I didn't expect the difference to be that big. The Samson sounds extremely muddy and it's not like it's a super cheap sub 100$ budget mic. You can get a Rode Procaster with something like a Behringer UMC22 for pretty much the same price, which will blow this out of the water. Are you sure this unit is working as intended? It's obviously not gonna sounds as good as the higher end mics, but I also can't remember ever hearing an XLR microphone in this price range sounding this clearly worse than the SM7B or RE20, at least when listening through youtube. The Q9U almost makes you sound like you're talking into a pillow or into a vintage microphone. This barely sounds like a SM48 competitor much less a SM7B killer, and while having the option to upgrade to a good XLR interface is nice it hardly matters if it still sounds like that on a high end interface.
This is pretty surprising because I was always pretty impressed with Samson's lower end USB condenser microphones.