In the era of YouTube, podcasting and the development of Internet creativity, a lot of musical and near-musical equipment has appeared for all occasions. This article will focus on microphones, or rather on a specific model, on the Yeti USB microphone from Blue Microphones. This is a universal and multifunctional sound recorder, which should be used by every blogger or podcast that respects high-quality sound. In this review, we consider the characteristics of the gadget, its capabilities, and also talk about the level of quality when recording voice and musical instruments.
USB microphones
The USB standard, being universal, is used to transmit a wide variety of information, including sound. USB microphones, although they are a hot commodity, still cause a lot of questions among professionals. Few take them seriously, because digital sound has always been considered something "soulless" and poor quality, in comparison with analog. Nevertheless, convenience and a low price do their job, and the popularity of USB microphones is growing every day among bloggers and among musicians. Let's try to find out whether the game is worth the candle.
Blue Yeti Pro Microphone
Blue Yeti, despite its relatively low cost, is one of the most advanced and powerful multi-mode microphones on the market. It is equipped with three capsules and works in four different modes. The gadget is characterized by high performance and clear sound, comparable to more expensive devices. The Blue Yeti USB microphone is equipped with a high-quality analog-to-digital converter, which processes and transmits sound in real time directly to a computer or smartphone. It is possible to monitor sound without delay, and volume and gain controls are installed as separate mechanisms directly on the device. Blue Yeti does not require any additional settings or software. It is enough to connect the microphone to the computer, and it is already ready to work with any application.
Microphone specifications
- The Blue Yeti microphone boasts a voltage of 5 V.
- 48 kHz sampling rate.
- The sound bitrate is 16 bits.
- The frequency range of the microphone varies between 20 Hz - 20 kHz.
- The microphone amplifier has a resistance of 16 ohms.
- The coefficient of nonlinear distortion is 0.009%.
- The frequency range of the amplifier is 15 Hz - 22 kHz.
- Dimensions of the device - 12 x 12.5 x 29.5 centimeters.
- The weight of the device is 0.5 kg.
- Connection requires any computer running Windows or macOS and 64 MB of RAM.
Operating modes
Blue Yeti supports working in four different modes, each of which is designed to record certain content in a specific situation.
Stereo mode is the choice for those who plan to record the singing of one or more people, musical instruments, and for those who want to achieve surround sound output. The microphone is installed in 5 (or more) centimeters, the balance is established. Thanks to this approach, an identical signal level is established in the left and right channels. When recording in the center, the sound (channel) can be adjusted ex-post (already on the computer).
Cardioid mode is the choice for anyone planning to record podcasts, voiceover, or video blogging. In this mode, sound is recorded only in a straight line, while sound sources to the left and right of the microphone are ignored. To achieve maximum sound quality, you must clearly position the microphone in front of you. Yes, the depth, as in stereo, cannot be achieved, but the sound will be cleaner and richer than in the case of other recording options.
Omni-directional (omnidirectional) - for those who plan to record conferences, group calls, nature and surroundings. Often, this mode is used by musical groups, recording live. In this mode, the microphone records sound from all sources at once, capturing the maximum sound space with optimal sound. When using omni-directional mode, the microphone position does not matter.
Bi-directional (bidirectional) - designed for those who plan to use a microphone to record an interview. Sound is recorded only on both sides (front and back of the device), all other sound sources are eliminated. Correct microphone positioning in this mode allows you to achieve a soft and clear sound without using multiple microphones at the same time.
Voice recording
In an independent test on voice recording, Blue Yeti proved to be one of the best. The rich sound palette that is provided by the operating modes described above is really impressive. The stereo sampling frequency reaches 192 kHz, which is another advantage of the microphone over competitors. The standard filter allows you to clean the sound from excess noise with dignity. There is no need to install an additional filter. Portability suffers a bit and there are difficulties with monitoring the sound (not all headphones are kept in the port), but in general, for the work of interviewers or podcasts, Blue Yeti is an ideal option that can work with any device, including iPhone and iPad.
Guitar recording
Oddly enough, but even here the microphone showed its best side. Of course, you can never achieve the sound at the level of professional analog microphones, but frankly, many do not need it at all. The sound turned out to be quite “bold” and saturated. Guitar sound requires high definition, much higher than in the case of the voice. For this reason, many microphones do not cope with the recording of musical instruments. In the case of Blue Yeti, the potential is felt. Small garage groups that can hardly afford a professional microphone will be pleased.
Summary
Thus, we are faced with the most versatile, convenient and reliable USB-microphone for all occasions and for all professions. The price of the Blue Yeti microphone is 11,990 rubles. Of course, you can find a device much cheaper, but each of them will have a lot of restrictions and frankly bad sound, since they are aimed at a specific activity. Blue Yeti Pro, on the other hand, offers many uses and great sound comparable to professional recording equipment.