What's up, all! Just treated myself to my first condensor microphone, a USB-powered specimen of fiendishly convenient technology that includes a pre-amp and d/a converter. For entry-level it probably doesn't come any better than this. I have heard reports that this device was noisy, however I was able to fix that: 1. Set the device pre-amp to 75% volume in ALSA mixer. 2. Sing with your mouth right before the grate above the Samson logo. The device is calibrated to be relatively distortion-free when singing moderately loud, and this way you will have enough signal to be very happy with the noise level. 3. Pop-effects are disturbing singing this way; the manual recommends the famous engineer's trick of stretching a bit of nylon stocking over a hoop and singing through that. I now have the privilege of asking a girl I know for used stocking to provide some extra suggestive edge to my kinky songs while doing something technically beneficial. Life is good. Carlo