Blue Yeti Microphone Review: #1 for more than one reason

The Blue Yeti is a popular USB condenser microphone that is often used for podcasting, streaming, and home recording. It features four different polar patterns (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo), which allows for flexibility in recording various sources. The microphone also has a built-in headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring and a mute button for easy control.

The Blue Yeti has a good reputation for its sound quality, with many users praising its clarity and richness. It’s also considered a great value for the price and it has a durable and sturdy build. The microphone is easy to use, plug and play and it’s compatible with most computers, it also comes with a stand, so you don’t need to buy one separately.

One of the main complaints that users have with the Blue Yeti is that it’s quite sensitive to background noise and can pick up a lot of room noise. This can be mitigated by using a pop filter, shock mount, and by recording in a quiet room. Some users have also reported issues with the microphone’s USB connection, but this can usually be resolved by using a different USB cable or by updating the microphone’s drivers.

Overall, the Blue Yeti is a great option for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable USB condenser microphone for home recording. It has a good reputation, it’s easy to use, and its great sound quality, durability and versatility make it a great option for anyone looking to record high-quality audio.

Polar Pattern

The Blue Yeti USB condenser microphone features four different polar patterns:

1. Cardioid: This pattern is ideal for recording a single source, such as a person speaking or singing. It captures sound primarily from the front of the microphone while rejecting sound from the sides and rear.
2. Bidirectional: This pattern is ideal for recording two people sitting across from each other. It captures sound from the front and rear of the microphone while rejecting sound from the sides.
3. Omnidirectional: This pattern is ideal for recording a group of people or a room full of sound. It captures sound equally from all directions.
4. Stereo: This pattern captures sound with a left and right channel, it’s great for capturing sounds with a sense of space, like the sound of a guitar being played or a choir singing.

The Blue Yeti’s polar pattern can be easily selected by turning the microphone’s pattern selector knob, which is located on the base of the microphone. This feature makes it easy to switch between patterns depending on the source you’re recording and the desired effect.

The Yeti microphone also features a mute button that allows you to silence the microphone quickly, this is a great feature for streaming and podcasting when you don’t want the background noise to be picked up.

Blue Sherpa Software

Blue Sherpa is software developed by Blue Microphones, the company that makes the Blue Yeti USB microphone. The software is designed to work with Blue’s USB microphones, including the Yeti, and provides users with a variety of features to enhance their recording experience.

Some of the features of Blue Sherpa include:

• Volume control for the microphone and headphones
• A built-in equalizer for adjusting the microphone’s frequency response
• A noise reduction feature to help reduce background noise
• A “Voice Morph” feature that allows you to change the pitch and timbre of your voice in real-time
• A “VoiceFX” feature that allows you to add special effects to your voice such as echo, reverb, and more.

Blue Sherpa also allows you to customize your microphone settings, adjust the volume and the mute button, and even choose the polar pattern that you want to use. Additionally, it allows you to save your custom settings and recall them later.

The Blue Sherpa software is only compatible with Windows and Mac OS, it’s not available for Linux or other operating systems. Also, the software is not mandatory for the Blue Yeti to work, you can use it without the software, but it does provide additional functionality.

 

Blue Yeti Accessories

There are several accessories that can be used with the Blue Yeti USB microphone to enhance its functionality and improve the quality of your recordings. Some popular accessories include:

1. Pop filter: A pop filter is a device that attaches to the front of the microphone and helps to reduce plosive sounds (hard “p” and “b” sounds) that can cause distortion in your recordings.
2. Shock mount: A shock mount is a device that attaches to the base of the microphone and helps to isolate it from vibrations and handling noise.
3. Boom arm: A boom arm is a device that attaches to a desk or table and allows you to position the microphone at the optimal angle for recording.
4. Windscreen: A windscreen is a foam cover that attaches to the microphone and helps to reduce wind noise when recording outdoors or in a room with a lot of airflow.
5. Carrying case: A carrying case is a protective case that you can use to safely transport your Blue Yeti microphone and accessories.
6. Audio interface: An audio interface is an external device that connects to your computer’s USB port and allows you to record high-quality audio to your computer.

By using these accessories, you can reduce background noise, improve the sound quality of your recordings, and make it easier to position the microphone at the right angle for recording. It’s also worth noting that some of these accessories are included with the microphone, but others you have to buy separately.