Blue Microphones Yeti Stereo USB Mic Melds Power And Adorability
So you may not be able to record video of the Abominable Snowman with Blue's new microphone, but you will be able to record its plaintive yelp in stunning, THX-certified, stereo sound. The Blue Microphones Yeti (MSRP $149.99, available Dec '09) is described by its manufacturer as "the ultimate professional microphone," and after a quick glance at its features, we're inclined to agree.
The Blue Yeti is a multi-pattern USB mic capable of cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-eight, and even stereo operation. It accomplishes this impressive variety by employing a proprietary triple-capsule arrangement in the microphone's head (pic below at right). The ability to select between so many pickup patterns makes the Blue Yeti an appropriate microphone for a wide variety of sound sources, as detailed by this chart, which is both informative and unabashedly cute.
The mic-mounted controls on the Yeti include the four-pattern selector knob, mute switch, mic gain, master output volume. The bottom of the mic is where the mini-USB jack and direct monitor headphone out live, as well as a threaded stand-mount, though the Yeti ships with a beefy-looking desktop yoke-mount stand.
So how does this mic route audio to your DAW? We're not sure whether it's always running two channels, or if it switches between mono and stereo streams. The downloadable manual is a little crytpic, saying only "If you want the sound in the right or left channel only, you should try using the cardioid, bidirectional or the omnidirectional setting, and use your software to hard-pan the sound to the left or the right." Hmm. . .
Also: THX certified? Not sure what that entails, other than what's stated in the official press release: "After rigorous lab testing, THX certification affirms the ultimate in recording and playback fidelity thanks to superior design and quality." The Yeti is the first microphone to be THX-certified, but what this means from a technical standpoint is unclear.
For a bit more clarity, dig this features list:
Microphone and Performance
- Power Required/Consumption: 5V 150mA
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- Bit Rate: 16bit
- Capsules: 3 Blue-proprietary 14mm condenser capsules
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 4.5mV/Pa (1 kHz)
- Max SPL: 120dB (THD: 0.5% 1kHz)
Headphone Amplifier
- Impedance:16 ohms
- Power Output (RMS): 130 mW
- THD: 0.009%
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 22 kHz
- Signal to Noise: 100dB
Specifications
- Dimensions (extended in stand): 4.72" (12cm) x 4.92"(12.5cm) x 11.61"(29.5cm)
- Weight (microphone): 1.2 lbs (.55 kg)
- Weight (stand): 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
System Requirements
- PC: Windows 7, Windows Vista, XP Home Edition or XP Professional
- USB 1.1/2.0; 64 MB RAM (minimum)
- Macintosh: Mac OSX ( 10.4.11 or higher )
- USB 1.1/2.0
- 64 MB RAM (minimum)
Yeti
Just got mine in the mail. Have not been able to route it through to my Cubase yet. Have to take the book out again. They recommmend not pluging it through the preamp. I can hear it through the computer. Everything works so far. Sounds clean and flat (no specific character like a Neumman etc.) although more like a broadcasting mike than a singing mike so far. I'm sure I can work all that out post recording. It picks up external sounds on the omnidirectional but as soon as you move to the centre of the room it quiets right down. I think this will be a good addition to a home recording studio at least and a good live mike if you want to minimize surrounding noises. Otherwise, it does seem to pick up room ambience. I think the "flatness" may turn off newbies which would be a shame because you can always colour the sound a little bit while recording. All and all so far, a good mike for the money.
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