Blue Snowball Microphone – The only USB Mic You Will Ever Need

View The Website

Blue Yeti Snowball Microphone

New innovations in technology may have been introduced in the recent years. Larger, clearer TVs have been introduced to the public, mobile phones that double as minicomputers are now a dime a dozen, and new computers that have been launched are so advanced that these can practically think for themselves. However, when it comes to good and affordable USB microphones, there remains to be a gap in the market when it comes to innovations at least, until the arrival of Blue Snowball. Said to be the best-selling USB microphone to date, this microphone is as efficient as it is affordable and stylish. This article takes a look at the features of the Blue Snowball USB microphone.

Buy from Amazon.com

Features of the Blue Snowball microphone

The features of this microphone include:

• All-in-one sound recorder. Whether you’re recording solo for a Podcast or if you’re recording your jamming sessions with your band to try to make it big in the music industry, the Snowball is the perfect choice for you, as this microphone can capture sound perfectly. The clarity of audio recorded by this microphone can be surprising, as it actually doesn’t sound as though you’re using a USB microphone for recording.
• Three-pattern switch. The Snowball uses a unique three-pattern switch technology for cardioids (perfect for voice recording), cardioids with -10dB pad (great for recording audio with instruments), and omni directional (good for conferences, as these will allow every speaker to be heard, as sound is gathered from all directions). This allows the microphone to record just about any kind of audio from any area (such as from the front or from all around). As such, you ‘have to worry about switching different microphones for different purposes, since this is the only mic you will ever need. The three-pattern switch feature works hand-in-hand with the dual capsule feature of the microphone so that the device will be able to intuitively determine which capsule to utilize depending on the sound being recorded.
• Dual-capsule CD-quality microphone. The microphone uses two separate capsules depending on the capture applications. The first capsule is triggered by the cardioids while the second one is triggered by omni.
• Easy installation and use. You don’t need to worry about installing software just to make the Snowball work. This is a plug-and-play device, so all you will need to do is to plug this in and you’re all set.
• Comes with a USB cable and an adjustable stand. If you’re worried about how to mount your Blue Snowball microphone, don’t be, because this device comes with a small tripod microphone stand along with a USB cable. All you will need to do is to prop it up on the stand and you’re all set.
• Works with Macs and PCs. Blue refuses to enter the Mac vs. PC battle, instead making the device compatible for both kinds of computers.
• Stylish. If you’re the kind of person who wants your gadgets to be as fashionable as you are, you will definitely not be disappointed with the Blue Snowball, with its retro look that is sure to catch the eye of anyone who’ll see it.

Pros of the Blue Snowball microphone

One of the reasons why this microphone is so popular among users is that it combines affordability and functionality in one package. USB microphones haven’t really been known for recording audio clips that have a good quality. As such, the warm reception of the Snowball is understandable, because it really is able to record good-quality audio, which is arguably better than what other USB microphones can take. The microphone is also pretty sensitive, so you won’t have difficulty recording any audio (say goodbye to forcibly projecting your voice when you make your podcasts). Add that with the fact that this device is very cheap and it comes as no surprise why this gadget is so popular among buyers.

Another reason why the Blue Snowball microphone is so popular is because setup doesn’t pose any problems. All you will need to do is to plug it in the USB port of your computer and you’re all set. You don’t have to worry about waiting for a long time to install software or drivers. You can use this device practically out of the box. The only adjustment that you need to tweak with on your system preferences is sound input, and it’s only so that you can choose the settings according to your preferences and needs.

These, as well as the other features of the microphone, make it unsurprising that the device is being marketed as an all-in-one solution for your recording needs, as this is able to deliver to all of its promises. Just about anyone, from solo podcasters to bands, can make use of this device, and they don’t even need extensive technical know-how to operate it.

Cons of the Blue Snowball microphone

Of course, no device is perfect, and the Blue Snowball microphone has also received its own share of complaints. The biggest criticism leveled against the USB microphone is that if you want this device to record as well as it can, you will need to install the patch. Snowball is limited to 16-bit recording, so installing the patch is necessary if you want to be as loud as you possibly can. If the patch isn’t installed, you’ll have an audio quality that’s equivalent to other cheap USB microphones and that’s not a good thing.

Snowball also suffers from the same problem as do other USB microphones, in that it requires a pop filter so that users can avoid the popping noises that can be heard when words that have the letters P and B are pronounced.

Another complaint directed toward Blue for Snowball is that its stand looks flimsy, making a lot of people wary about it using this with the microphone itself. Snowball is pretty big, which is why some users are leery about propping it up on a flimsy microphone. Instead of risking the mic from falling, some have instead done away with it or used some other stand to mount the microphone.

Buy from Amazon.com

Conclusion

USB microphones have never really enjoyed a good reputation for good audio recording. The Blue Snowball mic attempts to change this perception and comes up with good results. While it does have its downsides, it remains to be one of the best products in the market, able to record good-quality sounds without putting a dent on your budget. If you want a USB microphone that is affordable, works well, and looks good to boot, the Snowball is the right choice for you.

You can buy this Blue Snowball on Amazon. They offer free shipping and from what I can tell when comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon do currently have the best deal especially with the free shipping option. Click here to view on Amazon.