The Samson C02 is a pencil style condenser microphone that excels in both live performance and recording applications. Equipped with a linear frequency response for superior reproduction, it is also designed to withstand high sound pressure levels.

The C02 is extremely sensitive, and employs a tight cardioid pattern to reduce feedback. A special shock-mounted mic holder is included to minimize noise and provide additional protection. Every microphone has a characteristic polar pattern that determines how well it accepts or rejects signal coming from various areas around the microphone.

For example, omnidirectional mics accept all signals regardless of where those signals originate (in front of the mic, behind it, to the side, etc.). In contrast, directional cardioid mics are specifically designed to accept mostly signal coming from directly in front, and to reject signal coming from behind or from the side. The cardioid pattern is utilized by the C02, and for this reason, the C02 excels in environments where there is a good deal of unwanted ambient sound--it delivers those signals originating directly in front of the mic capsule itself while rejecting those that originate from behind.

The polar pattern also determines how prone a particular mic is to inducing feedback. Feedback is that characteristic nasty howling sound that occurs when a mic is placed too close to a loudspeaker--the signal from the loudspeaker is fed into the mic, then into the loudspeaker, then into the mic, over and over again until an oscillating tone is generated. Because the cardioid pattern utilized by the C02 is so good at rejecting signal not coming from directly in front of the mic, you'll find that use of the C02 greatly minimizes feedback problems.