Samson Meteor Mic User manual

Meteor Mic
USB Studio Microphone

Samson Technologies Corp. v3.1
Copyright 2018
278-B Duffy Ave
Hicksville, New York 11801
1-800-3-SAMSON
www.samsontech.com

Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Congratulations on your purchase of the Samson Meteor Mic USB
studio condenser microphone. The Meteor Mic is a professional studio
microphone with a large 1” (25mm) diaphragm, housed in a die-cast
body with patented fold-up legs. The microphone features high-quality
onboard digital converters and a USB interface, as well as a headphone
output with level control for zero-latency monitoring, and a microphone
mute switch for added control over your recordings. The Meteor’s integral
tripod legs allow for limitless positioning to capture any sound source.
There is even an integrated stand adapter to mount the microphone on a
studio boom. With the Meteor Mic, you get everything you need to start
recording on your computer - just plug in the supplied USB cable, launch
your favorite audio software, and begin recording.
With its extended frequency and fast transient response, the Meteor Mic
reproduces any performance with incredible accuracy and clarity. It is
also great for VoIP and video chatting. Whether you’re recording your
latest song idea, a podcast, or your band’s next big hit, the Meteor Mic is
the simplest and most comprehensive solution for high-quality recording
on a Mac or PC. Just plug it in and start creating!
In this manual, you’ll find a detailed description of the features of your
Meteor Mic USB studio condenser microphone, as well as step-by-step
instructions for its setup and use, and full specifications.
Introduction

We recommend you keep the following records for reference, as well as a
copy of your sales receipt:
Serial number: _________________________________________
Date of purchase: ______________________________________
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Meteor Mic or any
other products from Samson, do no hesitate to contact us at
[email protected].
With proper care and maintenance, your Meteor Mic will operate trouble-free
for many years. Should your Meteor Mic ever require servicing, a Return
Authorization (RA) number must be obtained before shipping your unit to
Samson. Without this number, the unit will not be accepted.
Please visit www.samsontech.com/ra for an RA number prior to shipping your
unit. Please retain the original packing materials and, if possible, return the
unit in its original carton. If your Meteor Mic was purchased outside of the
United States, contact your local distributor for warranty details and service
information.
Introduction

Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Meteor Mic Features
• Professional, large diaphragm, studio
condenser USB microphone
• 1” (25mm) microphone capsule
• Onboard 1/8” headphone output with
volume control for zero-latency direct
monitoring
• High-quality A/D and D/A converters
• Compatible with Mac and PC
computers; no drivers or external power
supplies are required
• Microphone mute switch for privacy,
and to silence noise during playback
• Computer-controlled analog input gain
• Power, Peak, and Mute LED indicator
• USB cable and carry pouch included

1. Capsule - Large, 1” (25mm)
diaphragm with a cardioid
(unidirectional) polar pattern.
2. Windscreen - Dual stage grille
protects the capsule and
helps reduce wind noise and
p-popping.
3. LED - Three-color LED
illuminates blue to indicate
power, amber to indicate that
the microphone is muted, and
flashes red when the input
signal is clipping.
4. Headphone Volume - Controls the
overall level of the Meteor Mic’s
headphone output.
5. Microphone Mute Button - Mutes
the output of the microphone to
the computer and headphone
output. The LED will illuminate
amber when the microphone
is muted.
6. Stand Mount - Standard 5/8”
thread mount to attach the
Meteor Mic to a microphone
stand.
1
3
6
4
2
5
Meteor Mic Layout

Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Microphone
7
8
7. Headphone Jack - 1/8”
(3.5mm) stereo jack for
connecting headphones or
active studio monitors.
8. USB Jack - Mini-B USB
connector for interfacing with
your computer.
Meteor Mic Layout

Connecting to a Computer
Using the Meteor Mic with Windows Computers
1. From the Start Menu, open the Control Panel and select Sound.
Under the Playback and Recording tabs, select the Samson Meteor
Mic as the audio device.
2. To adjust the gain of the microphone, click the Properties button,
and then select the Levels tab. You can view the volume level as
either a percentage or in dB, by right clicking on the number box.
3. If the microphone LED is lighting red, turn this control down until the
LED no longer flashes red.
4. In the Playback tab, select the Level tab and set the computer’s
Master Volume to 100%. Use the Meteor Mic’s Output Level buttons
to control the overall output from the headphones or speaker.
5. To adjust the direct monitoring level in the Playback tab by moving the
fader labeled Microphone.
Using the Meteor Mic with Apple OSX
1. Open System Preferences from the dock or the main Apple Menu.
2. Select the Sound preference icon, choose the Input tab and select
Meteor Mic.
3. Set the gain of the Meteor Mic by adjusting the Input volume slider at
the bottom of the Sound dialog box.
4. Set the Meteor Mic as playback volume by clicking the Output tab
and select Meteor Mic, adjust the Output volume slider at the
bottom of the Sound dialog box to the maximum setting and use the
Meteor Mic’s front panel Volume knob to control the overall output
from the headphones or speakers.
5. To turn direct monitoring on or off, open the Audio/MIDI Setup utility
located in the Utility folder inside the Applications folder. Then click
the check-box in the Thru column in Audio/MIDI Setup.

Meteor Mic USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Follow this simple quick start for a typical set-up to start recording.
1. Unfold the legs of the Meteor Mic, and position the microphone
on your desktop. The legs can be adjusted to set the angle of the
microphone.
2. Connect your headphones to the Headphone output located on the
rear of the Meteor Mic.
3. Plug the mini-B (small) end of the included USB cable into the
USB socket on the rear of the Meteor Mic and plug the other end
of the USB cable into an available USB port on your computer.
4. Set the computer’s output level is set to maximum for full volume
in the Meteor Mic headphone monitor.
5. Launch your recording software, turn the microphone’s Volume
knob down, and select the Meteor Mic for the input and output.
6. Set up a mono record track in your software for the vocal track.
7. Set the level of the microphone following the instructions in “Connecting
to a Computer”. If you see the Power/Peak LED illuminate red, your
signal will be distorted. Turn the MIC level control down until it
does not flash red.
8. Speak or sing into the mic and raise the Meteor Mic’s Headphone
Volume knob until you reach a comfortable listening level.
9. Press the record button and start creating.
Quick Start

Recording Techniques
The Meteor Mic is a great microphone choice for many instrument miking
situations. Below is a brief guide on using the Meteor Mic in some typical
applications:
Vocals
Position the microphone directly
in front of the artist so that the
microphone grille is between 64
to 18 inches away. The closer the
artist moves to the microphone,
the more the bass or low response
increases; this is called proximity
effect. To achieve the fullest
sound, the vocalist should aim the
microphone center line towards
their mouth. If p-popping (turbulent
bursts of air produced when uttering
consonants) is occurring, rotate the
microphone a little bit away from
the artist so that sound arrives at
the microphone slightly off-center.
Acoustic Guitar
There are a variety of ways that the Meteor Mic can be used to mic
an acoustic guitar. Optimal microphone placement will depend on the
type of instrument, and what kind of sound you’re looking to capture.
It may be necessary to experiment with various positions to achieve full
and balanced tone. When miking a standard steel string acoustic, it is
suggested that you begin with the microphone at a distance of 6–12
inches from the sound hole, positioned slightly off-axis, and pointing
towards the edge of the fingerboard. From this position, moving the
microphone towards the sound hole will cause the mic to capture more
low frequencies. If, instead, you wish to capture more high-end, or to