Blue Yeti USB Microphone

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Understanding a Blue Yeti USB Microphone

When you say Yeti, images of the abominable snowman come to mind. Now, there isn’t actually any proof that the Yeti exists but the scientific community is hard at work at it. In the mean time, there’s the Blue Yeti microphone. People more or less have an idea as to what the Yeti looks like and they use this information in their search for the elusive abominable snowman. One look at the Blue Yeti microphone and they’ll know for sure why it is named as such.

The ultimate USB microphone for professional recording

The Blue Yeti microphone is one of the most highly-advanced, versatile USB microphones in the world today. Combining the use of four pattern settings and three capsules, this microphone from Blue is the ultimate tool in creating top-rated recordings straight out from your computer. No need to go to a professional studio to record! The Yeti microphone is capable of capturing anything with ease and clarity that has never been heard of before in USB microphones.

Features and technical details

In sending incredible audio fidelity to your computer directly, the Blue Yeti microphone makes use of a high-quality analog-to-digital converter. It is also fitted with a headphone amplifier to achieve zero-latency monitoring and simple-to-use controls for pattern selection, headphone volume, microphone gain, and instant mute directly located on the microphone. What makes this microphone even simpler to use is that you don’t need to install any drivers in order to use it. Just plug the Yeti in, your recording software load, and you’re ready to go.

The Blue Yeti microphone is compatible for use on both Windows and Mac operating systems. If you’re using a PC, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are supported. If you’re using a Mac computer, you need to have a Mac OSX version 10.4.11 or higher. What the Yeti is most proud of is that it is designed to be advanced and versatile, with recording capabilities and tools from several devices and microphones in one place with the ease of a plug-and-play interface.

The actual parts of the Blue Yeti microphone boils down to the following: there’s a custom base to keep the microphone steady (cable management included), a standard threaded microphone stand mount, a USB mini jack, a zero-latency headphone output (with volume and amplifier control), a master volume knob, a mute button, a microphone gain control switch, and a polar pattern selector (stereo, cardiod, omnidirectional, and bidirectional).

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Technical details for the Blue Yeti microphone are as follows:

• Dimensions – extended in stand (12cm x 12.5 cm x 29.5 cm)
• Weight – microphone (0.55 kg), stand (1kg)
• Microphone – 5V 150mA (power needed/consumption), 48 kHz sample rate, 16bit bit rate, three 14mm proprietary condenser capsules, 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response, 4.5mV/Pa (1kHz) sensitivity, and 120dB max SPL.
• Headphone – amplifier 16 ohms impedance, 130mW power output, 0.009% THD, 15Hz to 22Khz frequency response, and 100dB signal to noise.

Feedback

Since the Blue Yeti microphone was released, a lot of people had the chance to put it to the test. Here’s what some of the experts in the tech industry had to say:

• CNET – whether you’re doing a recording for a concert or an interview or a podcast, the Yeti delivers sound quality that THX would approve of. And with integrated gain control and up to four recording modes, this is a top choice for USB microphones. Unfortunately, the Yeti is not without its faults. But only if you’re looking for a portable microphone because the Yeti has an imposing size. There’s also an issue with plastic knobs that might give rise to concerns over durability. The bottom-line about this microphone is that it really is capable of producing the richest sounds that USB microphones can produce. If you can get over the bulky form, then this microphone would work just swell for you.
• TechRadar – never again will a home microphone be unwanted because of the awful buzzing noise it creates when you plug one into your computer. USB microphones aren’t new but the coming of the Yeti heralds a new era where simplicity still produces excellent results. Testing out the four patterns available yielded sound quality that is clear and full, although results could be better if you had a pop-shield. Still, a THX-certified microphone at a reasonable price is a worthy investment.
• Wired – the Yeti that everyone knows is big and imposing. The same is true with the Yeti microphone from Blue. The difference between the two though is that the latter is very much real. As one of the newest USB microphones around, the Blue Yeti produces professional-sounding recordings, with a form that is simple to use and fitted with flexible settings for whatever kind of recording you have in mind. Also, this is the first ever microphone that THX certified. If that doesn’t say something about what the Yeti can do, no one knows what will.

Is it for you?

If you’re anyone who does a lot of recording at home, then the Blue Yeti microphone is an excellent option for you since apart from simply being extremely easy to use, this microphone also offers professional-sounding recordings. And for the most part, that’s what you should really be just concerned about. If you don’t believe that the Yeti is truly capable of producing such sound quality, you’ll probably at least listen to THX. THX is a standard when it comes to sound quality so anything certified by THX will bear the same kinds of standards. Since you’re doing most of your recordings at home, it can be assumed that you’re more or less on a budget. The Yeti takes care of this concern because this microphone is very reasonably priced. However, if you’re looking for a portable microphone, you’d best look away from the Yeti because, like the mythical creature, it is quite imposing in form. This is why the Yeti is best for those who do home recordings.

Where Can I Buy the Blue Yeti USB Microphone?

You can buy this Blue Yeti on Amazon. At the moment they include 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.