Samson Q2U User manual

Owner's Manual

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Q2U Recording and Podcasting Pack from Samson! The Q2U combines the convenience of digital and analog audio capture into one microphone. With XLR and USB outputs, the Q2U is the easily ﬁts into your home studio and mobile recording, as well as stage performance. The pack includes a desktop tripod stand, mic clip, foam windscreen, XLR cable and USB cable...everything you need to start recording right out of the box.

For recording music, podcasts, house of worship services, meetings or conferences, the Q2U is the perfect solution for recording quality digital audio on your computer or sound reinforcement. Just plug in and start creating!

Features

• Dynamic Microphone with USB digital output and standard XLR analog output.

• Full range, linear frequency response for accurate sound reproduction.

• Unidirectional, pick-up pattern picks up the sound in front of the microphone and minimizes

ambient and background noise.

• Compatible with most any Mac or PC recording software

• Onboard headphone ampliﬁer with level control for zero-latency monitoring, plus you can use

the output to connect active studio monitors.

• Computer-controlled analog Input Gain makes it easy to set the proper level and get a clean signal.

• A desktop tripod stand, tripod extension, mic clip, foam windscreen, 10’ USB cable and 10’

XLR cable are included to easily set up the microphone right out of the box.

Q2U Layout

1. Windscreen – Dual stage grill protects the capsule and

helps reduce wind noise and p-popping.

2. Capsule – Internally shock mounted dynamic microphone

element with cardioid pick up pattern.

3. LED – The dual color Power/Clip LED lights green to

indicate power, and ﬂashes red when the input mic is overloaded or clipping.

4. ON/OFF switch – Used to turn the microphone USB and XLR

outputs on or off.

5. Output Level control – Up and Down buttons control the

headphone output volume.

6. XLR connector – Standard Male XLR connector with analog

output for connecting to a standard microphone preamp.

7. USB – Mini-B size USB connector for interfacing with your

PC or Mac computer.

8. Headphone Output – 3.5mm stereo jack for connecting

headphones or studio monitors. The headphone output provides a mix of the direct signal from the microphone and the audio playback from the computer.

Getting Started - Connecting to a Computer

Using the Q2U with a computer is a simple procedure that takes just a few minutes. Simply connect the included USB cable to an available USB port on your computer and begin recording.

Using the Q2U with Windows Computers

1. From the Start Menu, open the Control Panel and select Sound. Under the Playback and Recording tabs, select the Samson Q2U 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 Q2U’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 Q2U 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 Q2U.

3. Set the gain of the Q2U by adjusting the Input volume slider at the bottom of the Sound dialog box.

4. Set the Q2U as playback volume by clicking the Output tab and select Q2U, adjust the Output

volume slider at the bottom of the Sound dialog box to the maximum setting and use the Q2U’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.

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