What else you need to use it
Worked out from Samson’s own specifications and box contents for this model. The setup builder checks the same parts against your computer and the rest of your gear.
Check first
- For USB: a USB port that fits the cable. A USB cable is in the box, but its ends are not listed. Check it against your computer’s ports.
Optional
- For XLR: an audio interface or mixer with an XLR microphone input. A computer has no XLR input. The interface’s preamp raises the microphone’s signal and sends it to the computer over USB. Compare audio interfaces
- A boom arm, if you want it closer. A desk stand is in the box. An arm lets you bring the microphone nearer your mouth without it sitting in the camera shot.
- Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug. Its headphone socket lets you hear yourself straight from the microphone, before the computer adds delay. Headphone test
When this model makes sense
- Record one voice over USB now, or through an XLR interface later; get the placement right before adding effects.
- Use its headphone socket to hear yourself while you set distance and gain.
- Use it with an XLR cable and an interface that has enough gain. Its USB voice effects don’t apply on XLR.
The USB versus XLR guide weighs it against the other ways to fill the same role.
Connections and specs
- Full name
- Samson Q2U
- Still sold
- Yes, a current model
- Type
- Microphones
- Connection
- Connector shape
- USB-C; 3-pin XLR; 3.5 mm headphoneA plug’s shape doesn’t tell you its speed →
- Audio outputs
- USB; XLR
- Connects by
- USB/XLR
- Microphone type
- Dynamic
- Pickup pattern
- Cardioid
- Frequency response
- 50 Hz–15 kHz
- Sensitivity
- -54 dBV/Pa
- Max SPL
- 148 dB SPL
- Bit depth
- Up to 16-bit
- Sample rate
- 44.1 kHz; 48 kHz
- Direct monitoring
- YesWhat direct monitoring does →
- Data connection
- USB, no driver installationWhat this means for speed →
- Size and mounting
- Dimensions
- 190 mm long x 55 mm diameter
- Weight
- 0.32 kg
- Mounts
- Mic clip; Desktop tripod stand with extension
- In the box
- Included parts
- Q2U microphone; Mic clip; Tripod stand; Tripod stand extension; Foam windscreen; USB cable (2.25 m); XLR cable (3 m)
- Computer
- Operating systems
- Mac; PC; Chromebook
Check these conditions first
Not yet confirmed from Samson’s documents: needs 48 V phantom power. The builder treats it as unknown, never as a yes.
For a microphone, set your distance and input gain before adding any processing. Speak as loudly as you will on stream, listen back to a recording and leave some headroom. Judge a USB/XLR microphone in the mode you will use: its USB voice processing does not carry over to XLR.
What is included, and what may be missing
- Q2U microphone
- Mic clip
- Tripod stand
- Tripod stand extension
- Foam windscreen
- USB cable (2.25 m)
- XLR cable (3 m)
Both cable ends and the data rating matter more than the plug shape: streaming cables and ports explains how to match them.
Place it in the complete setup
Every connection
- Webcam USB outUSB cable → A USB port on your computer
- Microphone USB outUSB cable → A USB port on your computer
- Microphone / interface headphone out3.5 mm or 6.3 mm headphone connection → Headphones (what you hear)
- Computer Ethernet portEthernet cable → router; your upload → Platform (check the stream preview)
- Wall socketThe maker’s power supply, or USB power → Computer and devices that need their own power
The diagram shows a simple USB setup. Find where the Samson Q2U goes, then follow each input back to what feeds it and each output on to where it goes. HDMI and XLR gear needs a capture card or audio interface between it and your computer; it doesn’t plug straight in the way this USB example does.
The setup builder turns this into a connection list for your own computer and gear, and the pre-stream checklist covers the rehearsal once it is wired.
Compare it head to head
Each page sets the two models’ specs side by side and says what else each one needs.