Great mic addition to your studio at a descent price point!
The Samson FM1 delivers a clear, crisp response that works exceptionally well as a close-mic for guitar amplifiers or individual drum components like snares and toms. Its flat, low-profile design gives it high versatility in positioning the capsule close to the source. The supercardioid pickup pattern ensures tight off-axis rejection, cutting out stage bleed and background noise. At its price point, it has durability providing a solid range an unexpected level of sonic warmth and detail that rivals more expensive instrument microphones. I would still probably go for an SM57, but this is great to have around as a second microphone!
A
Abhinav
★★★★★
Its a good mic, but a Sennheiser e609 is the same price
I picked this mic up to record guitar amps.
The audio signal is clear and picks up vocals and instruments well.
The mic has a flat face, so it can be placed close to the speaker on an amp cabinet, or hang from a cable. It resembles a Sennheiser e609.
The pickup frequency and pattern is similar to the e609.
For the price, I am not sure if this is worth it. The FM1 sells for $100, which is the same price as the Sennheiser e609. There is a cheaper option for a mic in a similar category, the Behringer B 906, which sells for $40.
It does a good job of recording instruments, and is useable for vocals. But it may not be worth it due to the price. Still, it's a good sounding mic that feels built quite well.
B
BK
★★★★★
Great mic
This is a fantastic mic with some great features. Samson always makes excellent products and this dynamic super cardioid microphone follows this pattern. I have owned several Samson products over the years and can attest to their quality and reliability. This microphone has a super cardioid pickup pattern with a front facing design that is ideal for miking guitar cabinets. It will work for many other instruments as well. Internally, there is a built-in shock mount to minimize the effects of external vibrations. This is a fantastic feature that makes this mic a reliable choice as an instrument mic. Included with the mic is a microphone clip to attach to mic stands. This is an excellent deal for a great mic.
M
Matti2d
★★★★★
Better budget alternatives available
I compared this instrument mic to my Behringer B906 instrument mic which is also super-cardioid. Both are physically flat, so placing on an amp is easy. The Behringer has 3 different EQ settings while the Samson has none. I tested both using my Scarlett Focusrite Solo input into Audacity with the same gain settings (3/4) on the Scarlett. Surprisingly, the Behringer had more gain than the Samson. Considering the Samson is 2.5x the price, I would expect better sensitivity. I cannot attest to the sound quality or the noise rejection from the super-cardioid, but for a cheap instrument or kick mic, this will do the job.
I used in rehearsal for my amp mic, and could hear no discernible difference between my channel and our other guitarist's amp Behringer mic.
For the price, I think the Behringers are a better deal. But if you have lots of gain control on your mixer, the Samson will be fine. I plan on keeping as a backup in our mixer rig.
D
D.
★★★★★
Samson FM1
its a a straight forward microphone. its purpose is to record instrumentions, amps, etc. For spoken word it does pretty well too. Doesn't pick up much and isnt overly sensitive. One of my favorite inexpensive microphones is the Q2U by Samson. This fits in a shure A55m with a microphone grip if you need the added shock absorption. Build quality seems like this thing could take a number of drops and keep going without issue.
CJ
★★★★★
Professional Performance And Perfect Clarity Without The Need For Mic Stands
The Samson FM1 is an impressive piece of equipment for anyone who needs to capture high volume instruments without the clutter of extra stands. Having spent years relying on the Sennheiser e 609 for my guitar cabinets, I was curious to see if this more affordable option could actually hold its own in a recording environment. The design is remarkably similar, offering that signature flat profile that allows you to simply drape the cable over the top of an amplifier so the capsule sits perfectly against the speaker grille.
The sound quality is surprisingly clear and maintains a warmth that brings out the character of a tube amp. While the Sennheiser has a bit more weight to its chassis, the lightweight nature of this microphone actually makes it easier to position without it shifting during a long session. It handles loud signals beautifully and I noticed no distortion even when pushing my stack to stage volumes. The supercardioid pattern does a fantastic job at rejecting background noise which is essential when miking drums or working in a room with other musicians. This is a reliable and effective tool for any musician looking to simplify their setup while maintaining a professional sound.
