Samson G Track, GM1U Owner's Manual

CPU

Copyright 2007, Samson Technologies Corp.

Printed April, 2007 v1.0
Samson Technologies Corp.
45 Gilpin Avenue
Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: [phone]
www.samsontech.com

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

G Track Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

G Track Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Installing the G Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 6

Getting Started with Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Getting Started with MAC OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

G Track Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Operating the G Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 14

Application Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Using the Optional SP04 Shock-Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

G Track Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

1

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Samson G Track studio condenser. The G Track
features a large, 19mm, ultra thin diaphragm capsule with an onboard high quality
Analog-to-Digital converter and USB output. Plus, the G Track features a built-in audio
interface with headphone output allowing you to connect your electric guitar and bass,
keyboards, drum machines, MP3 players and just about any other signal source. The G
Track’s Input selector switch lets you choose between Mic/Inst input, so you can record
electric guitar and vocals in one take, or Stereo Line Input to record left and right signals
from stereo devices. The onboard mixer allows you set clean signals for recording by
providing Instrument and Mic input level controls, plus a Peak LED to help you set a
hot level without clipping. In addition, the G Track employs a clever monitoring system
allowing you to choose a variety of playback options for headphones or monitors with
zero latency monitoring of the input signals. Using the Direct Monitor switch, you can
select CPU to hear only the computer, Direct Mono to hear the mic and guitar input in
both sides of the phones, or Direct Stereo for keeping the left and right image while
using the line inputs. You get everything you need to get started recording on your
computer including USB, guitar, headphone extension and stereo line input cables,
so you can connect to just about any instrument or audio device. You will also find a
convenient swivel mount and desk stand included in the package. The G Track is perfect
for recording your music or any acoustic audio source on your favorite DAW (Digital Audio
Workstation). Just plug in the supplied USB cable, launch your DAW and start recording.
The G Track faithfully reproduces a variety of sound sources including vocals, acoustic
string and wind instruments, percussion, and overhead cymbals, to name a few. The
extended frequency and fast transient response ensures an accurate reproduction with
linear characteristics from bottom to top. Whether you’re recording your latest song idea,
a podcast, or your band’s next big hit, the G Track is the simplest and most comprehensive
solution for high quality recording on a Mac or PC. Just plug it in and start creating!

In these pages, you’ll find a detailed description of the features of the G Track USB Studio
Condenser Microphone, as well as step-by-step instructions for its setup and use, and full
specifications. You’ll also find a warranty card enclosed—please don’t forget to fill it out
and mail it in so that you can receive online technical support and so we can send you
updated information about these and other Samson products in the future. Also, be sure
to check out our website (www.samsontech.com) for complete information about our full
product line.

With proper care your G Track will operate trouble free for many years. We recommend
you record your serial number in the space provided below for future reference.

Serial number: __________________________ Date of purchase: __________________

Should your unit ever require servicing, a Return Authorization number (RA) must be
obtained before shipping your unit to Samson. Without this number, the unit will not
be accepted. Please call Samson at 1-800-3SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) for a Return
Authorization number prior to shipping your unit. Please retain the original packing
materials and if possible, return the unit in the original carton and packing materials. If
you purchased your Samson product outside the United States, please contact your local
distributor for warranty information and service.

2

G Track Features

• Large Diaphragm, 19mm, Studio Condenser with built-in audio interface and
USB Digital Output.

• Compatible with most any Mac and PC based Digital Audio Workstation.

•

The microphone's 19mm capsule with 3-micron diaphragm is extremely detailed

and the super-cardioid pick-up pattern makes it ideal for recording vocals,
acoustic instruments and just about any other sound source.

• Onboard headphone amp with level control allows you to listen to the inputs
and mix directly from the microphone, plus you can use the output to connect
active studio monitors.

• A direct monitor mixer, with mono or stereo modes, is provided for zero latency
monitoring.

• The microphone includes a Line Input for connecting electric guitar and bass,
plus keyboards, drum machines, MP3 players and just about any other line level
signal.

• The Instrument and Mic input gain controls with Peak LED make it easy to set
the proper clean signal when recording with the mic or line inputs.

• The on-board, high quality AD converters with 16 Bit, 48K sampling rate provide
better than CD quality recording.

• On the road, in the studio or in a fixed installation, the solid die cast construction
make the microphone a reliable audio tool from venue to venue, day in and
night out.

• A complete cable set with guitar cable, headphone extension, stereo line with
RCA adapters and 10 foot USB cable is included.

• A cast base desk stand and metal swivel adapter are included to easily position
the microphone right out of the box.

G Track Features

3

G Track Layout

1. Capsule – Large diaphragm, 19mm

capsule with 3-micron diaphragm.

2. Input

– Selector switch to configure
the input configuration for either
mono instrument and microphone, or
stereo line in.

3. LED

– The dual color Power/Clip LED
lights green to indicate power, and
flashes red when the input signal is
clipping.

4. Direct Monitor

– The slide switch
allows you to select three different
monitor modes; computer playback
only, computer playback with direct
monitor in mono, or computer
playback with the direct monitor in
stereo.

5. Volume

– Pop-out level control to
adjust the overall volume of the
Headphone/Line output.

6. Instrument

– Pop-out level control
to adjust the input level of the
instrument or line inputs.

7. Mic

– Pop-out level control to
adjust the sensitivity of the internal
microphone.

Bottom View

A. IN

- Instrument Input on 1/8-inch
(.35mm) stereo input jack for
connecting instruments in mono
like electric guitar and bass guitar, or
stereo line level signal like those from
keyboards, drum machines and MP3
players.

B. USB

– B size USB connector for

interfacing with your PC or Mac.

C. Phones

- 1/8-inch (.35mm) stereo jack
for connecting headphones or studio
monitors.

4

Installing the G Track

Installing the G Track is a simple
procedure that takes just a few
minutes. Since the G Track is USB
compliant, you can use either a MAC
or PC, connect the included USB
cable and plug and play. You will be
able to control your G Track using
the standard audio interface controls
in the MAC or Windows operating
system. You will find detailed
instructions on setting up with MAC
OS and Windows in the following
sections of this manual.

Getting Started with Windows

XP

1. The first time you plug the G Track
into a USB port, Windows will
install the universal drivers for that
port. A balloon tip will pop up,
telling you it has found the USB
Audio codec (figure 1).

2. When it is finished installing
the drivers, it will say “Your new
hardware is installed and ready to
use” (figure 2).

Note: This balloon will not pop up

again for the same USB port.

3. Most of the time, you’ll want the
output volume from the computer
at the maximum position, but
sometimes it defaults to the
middle of the slider, making the
output very quiet. The volume can
be increased in several ways. The
simplest is to click the loudspeaker
icon (figure 3) in the system tray
and drag the slider to the top
(figure 4).

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4