SE Electronics X1 USB condenser microphone

General

The SE Electronics X1 USB condenser microphone is similar to the SE X1 condenser microphone. There's only one real difference: the X1 USB condenser version features, you guessed it, a USB connector! The X1 USB is a fine large-diaphragm condenser microphone for studio use. Thanks to its USB connector, you can use it anywhere in combination with your laptop. It is also powered via USB, of course! Just plug this plug-and-play mic into your laptop and get recording!

Properties of the SE Electronics X1 USB condenser microphone

The drawback of using a USB microphone might be that you cannot directly plug it into a professional preamp. However, the X1 USB features excellent components that preclude preamp use. If you are still set on using preamps and the like, you are better off getting a traditional XLR microphone. The overall quality of the X1 USB is excellent - its full-range frequency response doesn't let anything get past it. With a maximum sound pressure level of 135 dB, it can withstand very high volumes.

Use of the X1 USB microphone

This is a microphone that you can use in your living room or studio, even if these aren't acoustically perfect. The recording level isn't very loud, but with the pad switch at 0 dB, it is more than enough. You could even record instruments - percussion, wind instruments, vocals/speech! Noise is never an issue, you'll enjoy clean and clear recordings. With this investment, you are getting your hands on a USB microphone with fine 192/24 quality - you won't regret it for a second!

Please note:

• Here you can read an English review of the SE X1 USB.
• Windows 7 users may need to install this driver first.