The Blue Yeti microphone makes vocal recording easy and affordable. It’s an excellent choice for podcasters, YouTubers, gamers, and anyone who wants a simple, high-quality recording solution.
It’s one of the most popular USB microphones on the market, but is it worth the hype?
In this Blue Yeti microphone review, we’ll look at what this mic has to offer and some potential drawbacks.
By the end, you should have a good idea of whether or not the Blue Yeti is the right choice for your needs.
Let’s get started!
Overview
The Blue Yeti is an easy-to-use and affordable USB microphone. It’s also a good choice if you need a mic with built-in features like a gain control knob and mute button.
However, if you’re looking for studio-quality recordings, you may want to invest in an XLR mic and audio interface.
Here are some things to consider when deciding if the Blue Yeti is suitable for you:
How Important is Ease of Use?
The Blue Yeti is very easy to use.
Just plug it into your computer’s USB port, and you’re ready to go. No additional hardware is needed.
How Important is Sound Quality?
The Blue Yeti may not be the best option if you’re aiming for studio-quality recordings.
An XLR mic connected to an audio interface will produce better sound quality, but this mic will get the job done for streaming, voiceovers, and gaming.
Do You Need a Mic with Built-In Features?
The Blue Yeti has a gain control, mute button, and zero-latency headphone output.
It also has multiple polar pattern settings, so you can adjust the mic to pick up sound from different directions.
Pros
- Affordable
- Convenient (USB-powered)
- Adjustable polar patterns
- Desk stand included
- Zero latency headphone output
Cons
- Limited compared to XLR mics
Technical Specifications (Specs)
*As listed on the Blue Yeti Product Page
- Power Required/Consumption: 5V 150mA
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- Bit Rate: 16-bit
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Max SPL: 120dB (THD: 0.5% 1kHz)
- 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)
Blue Yeti Microphone Review
Pattern Modes
The Blue Yeti has four pattern modes: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo.
In Cardioid mode, your Blue Yeti will only pick up sound from the front, which is great for podcasting, voiceovers, and streaming.
In comparison, bidirectional mode causes this mic to pick up sound from the front and back.
Omnidirectional picks up sound from all around the microphone, making this mode great for conference calls and group chats.
Lastly, stereo picks up a wider sound range, providing a more immersive experience for music recording acoustic instruments.
These modes make the Blue Yeti one of the most versatile USB microphones on the market. It has a setting for every recording situation.
Related Post: How to Set Up a Mic for Streaming in 7 Steps
Ease of Use
The greatest appeal of the Blue Yeti is how easy it is to use.
Since it’s a USB microphone, you won’t need an audio interface or mic preamp to connect it to your devices.
This mic is compatible with Windows and Mac computers and most popular recording software programs. Plus, it has a mute and volume button on the front, so you can control the audio without going into your software settings.
It also comes with a desk stand but can also easily connect to a mic stand or boom arm.
Related Post: The 4 Best Pop Filters for the Blue Yeti
Zero latency Headphone Output
The Blue Yeti has a zero-latency headphone output (on the bottom), meaning audio from your microphone will be outputted directly to your headphones without delay.
This output benefits gamers and streamers who need to hear their voices in real-time.
How Good is the Blue Yeti’s Sound Quality?
The Blue Yeti is popular among gamers, podcasters, and streamers due to its affordability and recording quality.
It produces impressively clear and detailed audio.
However, it tends to pick up too much background noise in certain settings. You can minimize unwanted background noise by recording in a properly treated room.
Related Post: How to Improve Your Microphones Sound Quality
Are Blue Yeti Mics Worth It?
Yes, the blue yeti microphone is definitely worth the purchase.
It’s a great quality microphone that will allow you to record clear and crisp audio.
The only downside is there are better options for studio vocal recording.
However, it’s a high-quality, versatile USB microphone for streaming, podcasting, voiceovers, or gaming.
It has three condenser capsules that allow for clear and accurate sound capture. Plus, its four pattern settings allow you to change its function for different recording scenarios.
This mic is very easy to set up and use. It comes with a stand and a 3.5mm zero-latency headphone output, so you can start using it right away. Just plug it into your computer’s USB port, and you’re ready to go.
