Archive for the ‘Microphones’ Category

Best USB Microphones for Recording

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Whether you’re podcasting, recording music to your computer, posting a YouTube video or recording professional voiceover material, you need a professional-quality USB microphone for recording. Blue Microphones offers a range of USB microphones to fit your specific needs. Need help deciding what you need? Take a quick look at each, their features and strengths:

Blue Microphones Snowball

USB Microphone

Snowball Style: Black, Brushed Aluminum or White

Features:

*Great for podcasting, vocal and instrumental recording

*Three settings: Cardioid for talking in front of the mic, Omni for round-table or multiple source recording and Cardioid with a -10dB pad for louder sounds such as a band, guitar, or if you want to temper any “popping” you hear in your audio

*Plug-and-play: No complicated drivers required and works on PC and Mac – Use it with GarageBand, Audacity, iChat, Skype, Power Point, YouTube

* Buy here

Yeti

USB microphone, THX certified

The world's first THX-certified microphone

The ultimate in-home studio USB mic, features:

*Perfect for instrumental or vocal recording, podcasts, Skype, voiceover, sound effects, broadcast, and more

* Contains three premium condenser capsules for allowing four recording patterns – Omni: For round-table or multiple source; Cardioid: For directly in front of the mic; Bi-directional (or Figure of 8): For front and back of the mic (great for duets or interviews); Stereo: Records the right and left channels (great for music; paints a true audio picture of your live instrumentals)

* Gain control

* Zero-latency headphone jack for direct monitoring, along with volume control so that you can hear instantly what’s being recorded

* Digital mute button (for a cough or content you don’t want on the podcast)

* Buy here

Snowflake

portable USB microphone

The portable solution for USB recording, features:

* Great for Skype calls, recording quick musical demos on the road or podcasts on location

* Carrying case for protected, easy traveling

* Cardioid pattern for recording Skype, podcasts, interviews on-the-go

* Sits on the tabletop or hangs on the back of your laptop for easy positioning

* Buy here

Icicle

XLR to USB adapter

Do you have your favorite professional microphone, but you want to get that sound onto your computer? The Icicle XLR-to-USB converter allows you to do just that!

* Great for getting that XLR professional sound straight into your computer without the mixing board

* Plug the XLR cable into one end, then plug the USB cable into your computer

* Supplies phantom power

* Analog gain control

* Buy here

Skipper’s Tip: Capture bass frequencies with the enCORE 200

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Did you know? The enCORE 200 is incredible in handling loud bass frequencies that could muddy up a live performance. Its ability to handle loud SPL (sound pressure level) makes it the perfect mic for kick drums, tom toms and bass amplifiers.

Tips for great bass sound:

Don’t forget to put on the phantom power, the active circuit helps create the smooth response need in this application. 

Place the microphone closes to the signal source. Don’t be afraid to get right on top of the amplifier or drum, the enCORE 200 will not distort. This way there is little bleed through in the mix.

EQ to your liking adding or subtracting the frequencies that help blend the mix of your live performance.

Neon Trees captivating performance of “Animal”

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Blue artist Neon Trees captivates audiences with their performance of Animal live on LP33 TV, using the Blue enCORE 200 mics.

Yeti meets iPad – Blue Microphones Yeti works with iPad

Friday, August 20th, 2010

MYTH BECOMES LEGEND – Yeti works with iPad

Yeti has proven itself as the number one choice for people who want to record great audio onto their computer. Now, when you’re away from your home computer, laptop or the studio, you can easily record your voiceover, podcast, business conference or drop vocal and instrumental tracks onto your iPad! Using the new Camera Connection Kit, you can connect the Yeti to the iPad to record CD-quality audio.

And don’t forget to download Blue Mics’ free audio app, Blue FiRe, giving you high-fidelity recordings in mono and stereo on the iPad, while allowing you to see the recording in real-time.

Squirrel Rights: Rhett & Link use Blue Mouse

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Ever wonder how Rhett & Link get that great sound? Check out their new video, Squirrel Rights Song, which uses Blue’s Mouse mic.