Samson Audio has announced the C03U multi-pattern USB studio condenser microphone, following on from their C01U USB microphone last year. That was one of the first USB studio microphones, and the new C03U adds a few more bells and whistles. (But only if you’re actually recording bells and whistles, of course.) It’s essentially their standard C03 studio condenser mic with an A/D converter and USB output attached.

Samson say: “The C03U features dual 19mm internal shock mounted diaphragms with switchable omni, cardioid, and figure-8 pick-up patterns. Perfect for recording vocals or any acoustic instrument plus the selectable patterns make it ideal for a variety of specialized recording situations, like multiple vocalists, ambient room miking, and even a group of people around a conference table recording a Podcast.”

So it has two diaphragms compared to the C01U’s one, and has three pickup patterns while the C01U was a cardioid microphone. It would indeed be good for recording room ambience or similar, and it’s nice that Samson Audio also mention the podcast buzzword.

A couple more technical details. The A/D converter in the C03U samples 16 bits at 48kHz. It also has a switchable high-pass filter and 20 dB pad.

Steinberg have not even announced Cubase SX4 yet, but screenshots have appeared on the Web already. The screenshots are available on the Music Thing site and show the new version looking not too different from the old, but a little reminiscent of Ableton Live. (Isn’t everything?)Judging by the screenshots there will be a few new plugins. They look great, but it’s too early to tell how well they will work…

More news on Cubase SX4 when it comes to hand, hopefully.