Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Meteor.Mic.Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Installing.the.Meteor.Mic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Quick.Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Recording.Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Polar.Pattern.&.Frequency.Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
v1 0.©2010.Samson.Technologies.Corp
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Introduction
Congratulations.on.your.purchase.of.the.Samson.Meteor.Mic.USB.studio.condenser.microphone .
The.Meteor.Mic.represents.the.culmination.of.Samson’s.history.of.building.world-class.micro-
phones,.and.is.a.product.of.Samson’s.position.on.the.leading.edge.of.digital.microphone.technol-
ogy .The.Meteor.Mic.is.a.professional.studio.microphone.with.a.large.25mm.diaphragm,.housed.
in.a.die-cast.fold-up.body .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.
adaptor.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.perfor-
mance.with.incredible.accuracy.and.clarity .It.is.also.great.for.VoIP,.chatting.and.webcasting
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!
1
Introduction
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.specifi-
cations
If.your.Meteor.Mic.was.purchased.in.the.United.States,.you’ll.also.find.a.warranty.card.enclosed .
Don’t.forget.to.fill.it.out.and.mail.it!.This.will.enable.you.to.receive.online.technical.support.and.
allow.us.to.send.you.updated.information.about.this.and.other.Samson.products .With.proper.
care,.your.Meteor.Mic.will.operate.trouble-free.for.many.years .Should.your.unit.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.call.Samson.at.1-800-3SAM-
SON.(1-800-372-6766).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.pur-
chased.outside.of.the.United.States,.contact.your.local.distributor.for.warranty.details.and.service.
information .Also,.be.sure.to.check.out.our.website.(www samsontech com).for.information.about.
our.full.product.line .
We.recommend.you.record.your.serial.number.in.the.space.provided.below.for.future.reference
2
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Meteor Mic Features
•. Professional,.large.diaphragm,.studio.condenser.
USB.microphone
•. 1-inch.(25mm).microphone.capsule
•. Onboard.1/8-inch.headphone.output.with.vol-
ume.control.for.zero.latency.direct.monitoring
•. High-quality.A/D.and.D/A.converters
•. Compatible.with.Mac.and.PC.computers;.no.
special.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
3
Meteor Mic Layout
1
1. Capsule - Large,.1-inch.(25mm).diaphragm.with.
Cardioid.polar.pattern
2
5
2. Windscreen - Dual.stage.grille.protects.the.cap-
sule.and.helps.reduce.wind.noise.and.p-popping
3
4
3. LED - Three-color.LED.illuminates.blue.to.indi-
cate.power,.amber.to.indicate.that.the.micro-
phone.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.head-
phone.output .The.LED.will.illuminate.amber.
when.the.microphone.is.muted .
6
6. Stand Mount - Standard.5/8-inch.thread.mount.
to.attach.the.Meteor.Mic.to.a.microphone.stand
4
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Meteor Mic Layout
7. Headphone Jack - 1/8-inch.(3 5mm).stereo.jack.
for.connecting.headphones.or.studio.monitors
8. USB - Mini-B.size.USB.connector.for.interfacing-
with.your.PC.or.Mac
7
8
5
Installing the Meteor Mic
Installing.the.Meteor.Mic.is.a.simple.procedure.that.takes.just.a.few.minutes .Simply.connect.the.
included.USB.cable.and.begin.recording .The.following.sections.of.this.manual.provide.detailed.
instructions.on.setting.up.your.Meteor.Mic.in.MAC.OS.or.Windows
Windows 7 & Windows Vista
1. The.first.time.you.plug.the.Meteor.Mic.into.a.USB.port,.Windows.7.or.Vista.will.install.the.
universal.drivers.for.that.port .A.balloon.will.pop.up,.telling.you.the.computer.has.found.the.
Meteor.Mic
2. When.it.is.finished.installing.the.drivers,.a.balloon.pop.up.will.say.“Your.device.is.installed.and.
ready.to.use ”.
Note: This balloon will only pop up when you first plug the device into a particular USB port.
3. To.set.the.Meteor.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.Sound .Under.the.Playback.
and.Recording.tabs,.you.can.select.the.Samson.Meteor.Mic.from.the.menus.and.use.the.Set
Default.button.to.set.it.as.the.default.device
4. To.set.the.gain.of.the.microphone,.click.the.Properties.button,.and.then.select.the.Levels.tab .
You.can.choose.to.view.the.Microphone.volume.level.as.either.a.percentage.or.in.dB,.by.right.
6
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Installing the Meteor Mic
clicking.on.the.number.box .If.you.find.that.the.microphone.red.clip.LED.is.lighting.frequently,.
turn.this.control.down.until.the.LED.no.longer.flashes.red
5. Select.the.Playback.tab,.then.select.the.Level.tab.and.set.the.computer’s.Master.Volume.to.
100% .Use.the.Meteor.Mic’s.front.panel.Volume.knob.to.control.the.overall.output.from.the.
headphones.or.speaker ..
6. Adjust.the.direct.monitoring.level.in.the.Playback.tab.by.moving.the.fader.labeled.Micro-
phone .A.good.place.to.start.is.to.set.the.monitoring.level.equal.to.the.microphone.gain .
Remember.that.the.monitoring.level.is.not.the.same.as.the.microphone.gain .If.the.input.
signal.is.clipping,.lower.the.microphone.gain
Windows XP
1. The.first.time.you.plug.the.Meteor.Mic.into.a.USB.port,.Windows.will.install.the.universal.
drivers.for.that.port .A.balloon.will.pop.up,.telling.you.the.computer.has.“Found.new.Hard-
ware ”
2. When.it.is.finished.installing.the.drivers,.a.balloon.pop.up.will.say.“Your.new.hardware.is.
installed.and.ready.to.use ”.
Note: This balloon will only pop up when you first plug the device into a particular USB port.
7
Installing the Meteor Mic
3. To.set.the.Meteor.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 De-
vices .In.the.Audio.tab,.select.the.Samson.Meteor.Mic.from.the.drop-down.menu .
4. To.set.the.gain.of.the.microphone,.click.the.Volume.button.in.the.Sound.recording.section.
to.make.the.Microphone.slider.appear .It.will.say.“Samson.Meteor.Mic”.in.the.status.bar.at.
the.bottom .Moving.this.slider.will.adjust.the.analog.amplifier.circuitry.in.the.microphone
5. To.set.the.headphone.level,.click.the.Volume.button.in.the.Sound.playback.section,.and.set.
the.Speaker.slider.to.the.maximum.position .Use.the.Meteor.Mic’s.front.panel.Volume.knob.
to.control.the.overall.output.from.the.headphones.or.speakers
6. To.set.the.direct.monitoring.level.in.the.headphones,.click.the.Volume.button.in.the.Sound.
playback.section .Adjusting.the.Microphone.slider.changes.the.microphone.monitoring.
level,.and.will.not.affect.the.microphone.level.sent.to.your.software ..
Note: If the Microphone section does not appear at first, click Options and then Properties, and
click the checkbox next to Microphone.
8
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Installing the Meteor Mic
Apple MAC OSX
1. To.start.using.the.Samson.Meteor.Mic,.simply.plug.it.in .The.LED.will.illuminate.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.Meteor.Mic.as.the.computer’s.audio.input,.open.System.Preferences.from.the.
dock.or.the.main.Apple.Menu
3. Next,.open.the.Sound.preferences,.choose.the.Input.tab.and.select.Meteor.Mic .To.set.the.
gain.of.the.microphone,.adjust.the.Input.volume.slider.at.the.bottom.of.the.Sound.dialog.
box .The.Input.Level.meter.will.show.the.recording.level .
4. To.set.the.playback.volume,.click.in.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.checkbox.in.the.Thru.column.in.Audio/
MIDI.Setup
9
Quick Start
There.are.many.ways.to.use.the.microphone,.and.our.quick.start.example.is.a.typical.setup.for.
recording.vocals .Just.follow.the.simple.steps.below.to.begin.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. Next,.connect.your.headphones.to.the.Headphone.
output.located.on.the.rear.of.the.Meteor.Mic
3. Plug.the.mini-B.size.(small).end.of.the.included.USB.
cable.into.the.USB.socket.on.the.rear.of.the.Meteor.Mic
4. 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 in this manual to confirm your computer has
recognized the Meteor Mic. Also, make sure your computer’s output level is set to maximum for
full volume in the Meteor Mic headphone monitor.
10
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Quick Start
5. Launch.your.DAW,.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.DAW.for.
the.vocal.track
7. Next,.set.the.level.of.the.Meteor.Mic .There.
are.few.ways.to.do.this.depending.on.your.
preference.and.computer.setup .One.way.to.
control.the.gain.is.to.set.the.microphone’s.in-
put.level.in.the.Sound.playback.in.Windows,.or.
in.the.Sound.dialog.box.in.System.Preferences,.
if.you.are.using.a.MAC.OS .You.may.also.set.the.
gain.of.the.microphone.by.raising.the.Input.
level.control.in.your.DAW .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.Volume.knob.until.you.reach.a.com-
fortable.listening.level
11
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.
6.to.24.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.mi-
crophone.a.little.bit.away.from.the.artist.so.that.sound.arrives.at.
the.microphone.slightly.off-center .If.space.allows,.it.is.preferable.
to.prevent.p-popping.through.the.use.of.an.external.pop.filter.
like.the.Samson.PS01 .If.recording.a.group.of.singers,.ensure.that.
they.position.themselves.around.the.front.of.the.microphone.
close.to.one.another .
.
12
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Recording Techniques
Acoustic Guitar
There.are.a.variety.of.ways.that.the.Meteor.Mic.can.be.used.to.mike.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.to-
wards.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.remove.any.unwanted.boominess,.move.
the.microphone.toward.the.fingerboard .Unlike.a.steel.string.acoustic.guitar,.the.sound.of.a.nylon.
string.acoustic.guitar.that.is.played.by.finger.picking.is.usually.naturally.warmer .To.record.an.
even,.full.tone,.it.is.suggested.that.you.begin.by.positioning.the.microphone.3–6.inches.above.
the.center.of.the.bridge .This.will.help.emphasize.the.higher.frequencies.and.pick.up.the.attack.
sound.of.the.finger.picking .If.the.microphone.is.picking.up.too.much.low.frequency.from.the.
sound.hole,.move.the.microphone.so.that.it.is.slightly.off-axis.from.the.guitar .If.you.have.a.pair.of.
13
Recording Techniques
Meteor.Mics,.try.one.positioned.at.the.fingerboard.and.the.second.over.the.bridge.of.the.guitar,.
or.have.one.microphone.positioned.close.to.the.guitar.and.the.second.a.few.feet.away.to.pick.up.
the.sound.of.the.room,.blending.the.two.sources.together
Piano
The.grand.piano.is.a.very.challenging.instrument.to.capture,.and.can.be.miked.in.a.variety.of.
ways ..For.close.miking.the.piano,.position.the.Meteor.Mic.just.inside.the.piano,.centered.be-
tween.the.soundboard.and.the.open.lid .The.closer.you.move.the.microphone.toward.the.instru-
ment.the.more.low.frequencies.the.microphone.will.pick.up .For.an.ambient.recording.like.that.
used.in.a.classical.performance,.position.the.microphone.outside.the.piano,.facing.into.the.open.
lid .For.a.more.contemporary.ensemble.sound,.place.two.Meteor.Mics.in.the.piano,.positioning.
one.over.the.low.strings.and.one.over.the.high.strings.at.a.distance.of.6–12.inches.apart .When.
miking.an.upright.piano.with.a.single.microphone,.position.the.microphone.just.above.and.in.
front.of.the.piano.with.the.top.open,.centered.over.the.instrument .If.you.have.a.pair.of.Meteor.
Mics,.position.the.microphone.over.the.open.top.of.the.piano.with.one.microphone.over.the.bass.
strings.and.one.over.the.high.strings .You.can.also.position.two.mics.in.front.of.the.kickboard.
area.approximately.8.inches.over.the.bass.and.high.strings ..
.
14
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Recording Techniques
Guitar Amp
Placement.of.the.microphone.when.recording.an.electric.guitar.can.impact.the.tone.as.much.as.
the.choice.of.instrument.and.amplifier .Guitar.amps.are.usually.close-miked.but.consideration.
must.be.made.for.the.type.of.signal.the.amp.will.produce .While.condenser.microphones.like.the.
Meteor.Mic.have.fast.transient.response,.they.cannot.handle.extreme.high.SPL’s .The.Meteor.Mic.
should.be.placed.approximately.4.inches.from.the.grill.of.the.amp .For.a.brighter.sound,.the.mi-
crophone.should.face.the.center.of.the.amplifier’s.speaker.cone .By.moving.the.microphone.off.of.
the.center.of.the.speaker,.the.sound.becomes.mellow,.rolling.off.some.of.the.high.frequencies .To.
add.more.of.the.room.sound,.the.microphone.can.be.angled.away.from.the.amplifier,.or.placed.
further.away.from.the.speaker
Overhead Drum Kit
Because.of.its.extended.high.frequency.response.and.fast.transient.response,.the.Meteor.Mic.
performs.exceptionally.well.when.used.as.an.overhead.drum.set.microphone .You.can.position.
the.microphone.approximately.centered.5.feet.in.front.of.the.drum.kit..12–24.inches.above.the.
kit .For.stereo.miking,.use.two.microphones.placed.over.the.drum.set.at.a.distance.of.three.to.five.
feet .Even.though.overhead.mics.are.mostly.for.the.cymbals,.you.can.get.the.entire.kit.to.sound.
great.with.just.two.microphones .You.should.experiment.with.the.exact.placement.depending.on.
the.size.of.the.room.and.whether.you’re.looking.for.an.ambient.or.close-miked.sound .
15
Specifications
Polar.Pattern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cardioid
Capsule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-inch.(25.mm).condenser.capsule
Frequency.Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Hz.-.20kHz
Max.SPL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120dB
Sample.Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 1/48kHz
Bit.Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16bit
Power.Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5V.70mA.(idle),.100mA.(peak)
Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Headphone.Volume,.Microphone.Mute.Switch
Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/8”.TRS
Headphone.Impedance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.ohms
Headphone.Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85mW.at.16ohms
Headphone.Frequency.Response. . . . . . . 20Hz.-.20kHz
Signal.to.Noise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96dB.(A)
Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 92”.x.3 9”.(49mm.x.100mm)
Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57lbs.(263g)
16
Meteor Mic · USB Studio Condenser Microphone
Polar Pattern & Frequency Response
+20
+10
0
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20
50
100 200
500
1000
2000
5000
10000 20000
Meteor Mic Frequency Response
Meteor Mic Polar Pattern
17
WARNING: Listening.to.music.at.high.volume.levels.and.for.extend-
ed.durations.can.damage.one’s.hearing .In.order.to.reduce.the.risk.of.
damage.to.hearing,.one.should.lower.the.volume.to.a.safe,.comfort-
able.level,.and.reduce.the.amount.of.time.listening.at.high.levels
Please. use. the. following. guidelines. established. by. the. Occupa-
tional. Safety. Health. Administration. (OSHA). on. maximum. time.
exposure.to.sound.pressure.levels.before.hearing.damage.occurs
•. 90.dB.SPL.at.8.hours
•. 95.dB.SPL.at.4.hours.100.dB.SPL.at.2.hours.
•. 105.dB.SPL.at.1.hour.110.dB.SPL.at.1/2.hour.
•. 115.dB.SPL.at.15.minutes.
• 120 dB SPL - avoid or damage may occur
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 com
|