In this video I review the Blue Yeti, a microphone that not only records outstanding audio from your computer, but during video chats and Skype video calls too. In fact, about the only thing more impressive than it’s performance, is it’s price.
Resources
Blue Yeti Microphone
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LOL..It’s enormous!!
@Pete – It looks bigger in the video than it actually is because I was using a web cam and the mic was a lot closer to the web cam than me.
Hey do you know if this microphone needs a shockmount or a pop filter. I’ve heard of Blue making some for this microphone and figured it had to be for some reason. If i’m going to do just vocals, would I even need the extra expensive equipment? Thank you!
Great tip Dave!
How would you compare it to the AudioTechnica 2020 USB mic??
michael
I’d love to know the answer to this question as well! thanks.
@Michael – They are similar in sound quality, but the Yeti is the only THX certified USB mic. In addition, the Yeti has a headphone jack, volume control and the ability to change the mic’s recording pattern, whick the AT 2020 does not.
For the first time ever, I have a different opinion to your talk Dave.
And it’s about darn, near time … because I always find myself
agreeing with you … and I can get darn near ornery
Dave, Your voice comes across as extremely compelling,
calming and dynamic in your laid-back delivery style
… extremely easy to listen to …. like an old friend ……
I look forward to your messages …
But I think what enhances it … is when you’re using your
Sennheiser WIreless Microphone …
This Blue Microphone … And I’m listening on my spankin-new
Mac Desktop (the new 21.5″) …. comes across slightly muffled,
it certainly takes that unique edge or breathiness …off your
voice. And to me, I don’t know how others feel …but voice quality
is very important …. it’s no better than that webcam microphone ….
It just gives one more reason to go with your previous mentions
of investing the money on something you’ll use and treasure over
the years for it’s quality ….the Sennheiser lapel microphone.
As always … Love your reviews. They’re the highlight of an
old man’s life. Geez … I may even have to adjust my pacemaker
… I get so excited when your weekly update clinks in my email
reader.
Gad
@Gadabout – Blue and Sennheiser mics are different animals. The Sennheiser I use is an on-camera mic, while the Blue Yeti is a computer condenser mic. In the video, I did not have the Yeti in front of me and the audio was recorded at a far lower quality than you’d normally use when recording audio on a computer. The point was to show that the mic can clearly out-perform web cam mics, even when it’s off screen and recording at a low quality. And that it’s very versatile…I showed it in conjunction with a web cam only…not when recording traditional spoken audio on a computer or music.
I’ve heard about this mic before but I didn’t realize that it was so inexpensive. I can see why it’s called the ‘Yeti” – it’s huge but nonetheless does a fantastic job, just like you in your video tips!
A bit off topic and I know you’ve probably covered this before – what is the best external mic for the Kodak Zi8 (your previous video persuaded me.)
Rainer
@Rainer – The “best” wireless lav mics are $600…probably more than you’d want to spend with a $200 camera. But Audio Technica and Azden have low-cost alternatives…just remember you get what you pay for.
Dave: Love your videos. I will try out the Blue Yeti. I have a question for you. Do you know of any software that will take a MP3 file and convert it to a DOC file in Microsoft Word. I would like to take some of my audio recordings that I have in Cam Studio and make short articles out of them.
Thank you very much
Ger
@Gerald – Do you mean transcribing software? There are no fool-proof options…even products like Dragon Natural Speaking make lots of errors. It’s best just to pay a human to transcribe them.
Dave, how would compare this to the MXL 990 USB (which I own and use via your recommendation.) Is this a level up, or just another player in the same range?
Tx,
Scott
@Scott – Most higher-end USB condenser mics share similar quality, especially to the average listener. The Yeti is more versatile than others and is the only THX certified USB mic.
Dave,
How does the sound quality on the Blue Yeti compare to the Blue Snowball microphone? (if you’ve tried it)
I’m using the Blue Snowball microphone for my screen casts and it has worked pretty well. I’m thinking of upgrading to a little bit higher-end budget microphone.
Thanks,
-Don
I use the Blue snowball and I am very happy with it. This yeti thing is a bit big. My next thing would be to step up to a Rode mic
@Darla – The mic appears larger than it is in the video b/c I was using a web cam and the mic was close to the web cam (like people who hold the fish they catch closer to the camera so the fish looks bigger). It actually has a smaller footprint than other USB mic’s that are placed on a stand. The microphone itself is thick though.
@Don – I’d rate it above the Snowball (the Yeti is THX certified, the Snowball is not). Plus the Yeti is far more versatile.
Dave,
I realize this is probably a pretty lame question, but I have an older computer with only about 2 gigs of memory and am using a Home edition XP, browser is Firefox.
I was really interested in watching this video reviewing the Blue Yeti microphone, but because of the long buffering time my computer took, I had to wait about 20 minutes to hear/watch the complete video. What can I do to improve the situation so there’s no stopping and buffering throughout the whole thing? Thanks.
@Cathryn – There’s not much you can do besides using a computer with a faster processor and a faster Internet connection.
Thanks Dave, I was afraid you were going to tell me that! Have been thinking of upgrading, but haven’t gotten that far yet.
Cathryn, I have a Dell with 2Gb RAM and XP Pro but I have no problem with watching videos- no buffering problem. Nevertheless I just purchased a new computer with 8Gb RAM and I am NOT looking forward to moving everything over to a new O/S.
Rainer
Anyone’s tried this one… ?
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-USB-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001AS6OYC
@Jener – See my comment to @Michael about the AT 2020
Sorry…I should’ve paid better atention.
Thanks
Dave, this looks like a good microphone. Just this year I bought an Audio Technica, so I won’t replace it yet. However… I do have a need for a 2 mic system and some kind of adjustable sound board. Do you have any suggestions?
@Cinda – You’ll need a mixer if you want to use more than one mic. Mixers typically use XLR microphones, not USB, as XLR is far superior in the audio world. Here’s an inexpensive mixer for two XLR mic’s:
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/1002.aspx
Here’s an example of a mixer that supports USB mic’s (just be warned the mixers + USB can cause a lot of headaches):
http://www.numark.com/c3usb
This looks like good info & I’ll check it out, but one more question. For my podcast and teleseminars, I’m often interviewing people on the telephone, too. Sometimes their voice is so much higher than mine, but more often it is a lot lower. That means a LOT of editing before I can get it in useable form. Will this system work for that kind of a need, too?
That is brilliant and it looks like a relative of RU D2 which is good for me!
Hey Dave, I have just recently purchased the Kodak Zi8 because of the external mic ability.
I believe you get what you pay for, so also bought a Sennheiser 100Series G2 wireless pack for recording, instead of using the inbuilt.
Now for screen recording, looks like I’ll be ordering a Yeti.
It’ll be working with 2 27″ iMacs of which one is set up as PC and the other as Mac for video stuff.
Thanks for the updates. Always informative and easily understandable, without being over the top.
Hey Dave
Nice!
I use the Rode Podcaster USB Mic and it does a great job!
However, I really like the feature of this new mic where you can adjust the gain of the mic – seems like a very useful little feature.
Do you know if it’s easy to attach a pop filter for it?
Gideon Shalwick
@Gideon – You can add a pop filter, but you’d have to custom rig it because the stand it comes with isn’t tubular (there isn’t a custom pop filter for the Yeti stand that I know of). You can also remove the mic from it’s “built-in” stand and use it with a regular stand if you want, which would probably be easiest for using a pop filter.
Hi Dave!
As always, love your finds. I will definitely get this one (Sweetwater here I come).
I have a Blue Snowball and was quite disappointed with it – I pretty much had to EAT the mic to get any decent tonality. I was also disappointed with the Samson CS10 (I think). I too noticed difference in the audio quality when I recorded to Mac versus PC. I had MUCH better sound quality with the PC. Go figure.
As far as wireless mics, I like the Senheisen too, especially when I’m shooting with gear like the XH A1S – got gorgeous picture quality and skin tones . However at a documentary film intensive I attended last year, the ones they recommended were like $1100 (can’t recall the brand but it wasn’t one I was familiar with). What is your recommendation for the best lavalier wired microphone? Price is not an issue for me.
Thanks in advance!
cj
@Cheryl – I prefer Sennheiser, but Azden, Audio Technica and Samson are also popular brands. In the club, under “The Equipment I Use” section, I list a few specific models.
Hi again, Dave!
Just ordered mine from Sweetwater for $149. No tax. Free FedEx shipping.
The Best Buy site has it but no stores in the area. However Best Buys will charge you tax and shipping. So when I get back from my conference, I’ll be testing it out.
Loved the TONE depth it added to your voice.
Again, thanks for the find.
I think I already gave my Blue SnowBall to GoodWill.
cj
–
Sounds fantastic, and a great idea to have an audio monitor output right in the mic.
Awesome value. I definitely recommend a usb mic as the 2nd most important tool ( just after Logitech webcam) for web video. I have an AT2020 which I love but think I may have to swap it for the features like the headphone mute and gain. Thanks for scouting the video tools and sharing the goodies!
Hey Dave,
Several times you mentioned that the Yeti is THX Certified, which means diddly to us non-Dave’s.
How about a little info on why that should matter to us?
BTW – I have a Blue Snowball and love it, but because it’s so inexpensive, I may grab a Yeti too.
Thanks for edutaining us!
@Mike – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THX
Thanks Dave!
Something seems not right here. I gotta say, after hearing this podcast, I didn’t like the sound quality of this mic AT ALL. Even when you put it right under you. It only sounded SLIGHTLY better than your webcam mic. Which is totally weird because I love my Blue Snowflake.
@doublejnyc – The audio was recorded at a low quality setting to mimic a video chat.
The mic looks like R2D2!
Sounds really good and lots of bang for the buck.
Thanks, Dave.
Howard
I just bought the EditorKeys Sl600 usb vocal microphone which has built in headset jack. Plus gain,mute, zero latency and volume. The 10 year warranty was the real selling point for me. I’m really happy with it except new to video and audio equipment. I get a slight amount of noise not background noise but a slight buzzing/hiss noise. I can get most of it out when cleaning it up in Camtasia but was wondering if it is normal for all usb mics to have noise? Thinking it might be from either my windows settings, or some type of line interference. Maybe going to invest in a shielded usb cable to see if that clears it up. Either way, great video Dave. I’m definitely hooked on your vtm’s hopefully you have some how to setup your audio hardware vtm’s for this newbie.
@Scot Manaher – No, it’s not normal to have audio noise with USB mics. It’s likely a problem with the USB port in your computer.
Thanks for the quick response Dave that crossed my mind. I was wondering the samething. I know I have a memory error so one stick is going bad. Plus the lan ports are acting up. Its about time to build that core i7 workstation I been wanting. The gigabyte motherboard Im looking at comes with usb 3.0 ports which will be great when I start purchasing usb 3.0 hardware. Too bad the usb 3.0 mics are not out yet. I owned my own computer shop for 5 years so I built all my rigs since my late teens.
Either way thanks for the tidbit on their should be no static with usb microphones.
Hi, I just got my yeti and pulged it in my computer but I hear a hughe noise, like a bunch of bees into it. I don’t think that it would be the USB port since I use regularly a USB headset from microsoft for podcast recording.
Any clue?
@Jorge – You’d need to contact Blue for technical support:
http://www.bluemic.com/salesandsupport/support.html
Hi Dave,
I stepped up to the Yeti from the Snowball Mic I was using for my screencasts. I really like the voice audio quality, but when I’m doing a screencast it magnifies the sound of my typing and mouse activity to the point where it is hugely distracting.
I’ve tried adjusting the gain, but for some reason it is just picking up every noise I make with the keyboard and mouse, rendering it useless for recording my screencasts.
Do you have any idea how I could fix this problem?
@Don – The Yeti can record audio in multiple directions, you might want to try adjusting the pattern settings on the back. If that doesn’t solve it, I’d contact Blue tech support.
I contacted support and tried the various pattern settings. There is no way I can use this microphone for screen casts without a shock mount. The base is rigid and it picks up any and all vibrations from the keyboard, mouse movements, etc. – very loud.
I like the sound quality of this mic for voice, but I don’t think it is a good option if you are doing screen casts.
Any idea where I could find a shock mount for it?
I’ve heard that the Blue Yeti fits inside of a Rode SM2 Shockmount but not entirely.
Okay, so I upgraded from the MXL 990 USB and all I have to say is AWESOME! I found a significant difference in quality, it really makes a difference. The Yeti is a great microphone, best buy I can note at the $100 price range.
Dave,
Great video! I’m a big fan of the Yeti myself and use it for my podcast. When I first got it I was confused about how I was supposed to position the mic in relation to myself, so I contacted Blue. They told me that since it’s a side address mic you should point the front logo towards your mouth and not the top of the mic (kind of like the mics on the desks of the Letterman, Conan, Leno, etc). That will give you even better sound and then adjust your pattern on the back depending on your situation. Just thought I’d pass along the info.
Hey, Dave,
Amazon-dot-com just delivered my new AT 2020 USB microphone yesterday. Is there any way I can get it to work in Windows 98 using Audacity? Windows 98 is looking for a driver which doesn’t seem to be available even on the Windows 98 install disc. Is there any driver available as a freeware download off the Internet that would get the AT 2020 USB talking with the Windows 98?
If that doesn’t work, is there a way I can patch the USB mike cord into an analog cassette deck to record using some sort of USB to phono plug adapter? Do I need a $40 USB to analog converter box?
Thanks for your input!