Blue Microphones are an American company founded in 1995 and now owned by Logitech. The company manufactures and designs microphones, headphones, and numerous audio solutions for musicians, consumers, and the world of professional audio.
Let’s be honest…
I knew nothing about Blue Microphones until I was handed one to review. It is always interesting to examine the changing face of audio recording. I certainly know a lot more now and will let you know all about this mic in my in-depth Blue Yeticaster Review…
(4.4 / 5)
Contents
Overview
The Blue Yeticaster is a microphone built for the streaming and podcasting world. This microphone has been available for quite some time and has become one of the best USB microphones on the market. The Blue Yeti is a plug-and-play microphone that needs no interface to get up and running fast.
Worth mentioning…
This is not a high-end professional microphone. You certainly will not find it recording anything in a studio, anywhere. That said, it fills a need in the online and home audio production market. Watch any YouTube video, and you’re likely to see this microphone. It’s no mistake; it’s often hailed as the best microphone for Youtube.
The Design
The Blue Yeticaster is quite a bulky, heavy microphone, which tries to emulate some kind of retro styling with a modern twist. The bulk is necessary for providing the versatility it dispenses with its tri-capsule design. It can be set to pick up signals from all directions.
Impressive color scheme…
It plain to see that Blue Microphones understood the market they targeted. And they were planning to dominate that market. The Blue Yeti microphone comes in eleven colors. Yes, I said eleven; Platinum, silver, Aztec cooper, black, lunar grey, midnight blue, satin red, slate, space grey, teal, and white-out!
Controls
A built-in gain control knob on the back is a nice feature, which is not often present on microphones at this price point. It is very useful to quickly be able to turn the gain down when things are getting heated in an interview. Most microphones at this price are software-assisted when changing the gain.
Likewise, there is a mute button is on the front. It flashes when the unit is turned on and muted. Simply press the mute button until the LED is solid to start your podcast.
Multiple Polar Patterns
Unlike many of the best Podcasting microphones, the Blue Yeti comes with four polar patterns. This versatile array of polar patterns cuts down setup costs and allows one microphone to do the job of many. The cardioid pattern is the preferred choice for clarity in your sound, but the options are there.
Cardioid and bi-directional…
A cardioid polar pattern focuses on signals directed at the front of the microphone. This pattern is a great choice, as it cuts out a substantial amount of noise from the sides and back.
Bi-directional will focus on signals to the front and back of the microphone. This would be useful for interviews on a budget. However, I would say that having a microphone for each person and space to breathe is probably a better option.
Omnidirectional and Stereo…
The omnidirectional setting will pick up signals from all directions equally. This is more for situations where the sound isn’t hugely important as it can feel a little distant. A conference call could be a good example of that. Stereo is useful if you are looking for a clear separation between the left and right.
The Connections
This is a USB-only microphone, so no XLR input is provided. However, there is a 3.5mm jack input, and volume control is provided for those who wish to use headphones while podcasting.
The Bundle…
When purchasing this microphone, be sure to watch out for the bundle offer. The bundle has huge savings compared to buying the essentials separately. The bundle will contain a boom stand and a radius shock-mount along with the microphone.
The boom stand can be connected easily to most surfaces. Plus, there are cable management clips to hide that cabling within the stand. It is a very flexible stand that allows the microphone to be mounted upright or upside down.
The radius shock-mount does a great job at lessening the effects of vibrations and unexpected movements. These are surely going to occur during streaming or podcasting. Likewise, a good pop-shield will serve you well and help get you a crisper sound. And most should fit easily to the boom stand.
Important to note…
The Blue Yeti is pretty heavy and won’t work with any old microphone stand. It is also not interchangeable with standard parts. It does need to stay with the stands and parts built for it, which can be expensive to replace.
The Sound
The Blue Yeti microphone is pretty sensitive and can be prone to picking up low-end rumble or unwanted external noises. A good shock-mount should help considerably.
This microphone does a fine job of picking up the spoken word with crisp clarity. I don’t imagine you will find yourself needing much in the way of post-production, with the sound that is achieved.
Uses…
The Blue Yeti is ideal for someone who wants to start making YouTube videos or live streams. This is one of the most versatile microphones due to its many polar patterns. Whether you are podcasting, streaming, or doing voice-over work, this microphone handles all possibilities with ease.
Specifications
- Sample rate: 48kHz.
- Bit rate: 16-bit.
- Power required: 5V 150mA.
- Capsules: 3 Blue-proprietary 14mm condenser capsules.
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz.
- Max SPL: 120dB (THD: 0.5% 1kHz).
- Weight of microphone: 1.2 lbs.
- Polar patterns: Cardioid, Bi-directional, Omnidirectional, Stereo.
Blue Yeticaster Review – Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Extremely versatile.
- No audio interface is needed.
- Good bundle.
- Lots of colors.
Cons
- No XLR.
- Heavy.
- Needs its own stand.
- Feels a little cheap.
Looking for Something Else?
We have a growing collection of audio equipment just for you. Check out our in-depth Monolith M1060 Headphone Review, our Oontz Angle 3 Ultra Review, our Audio Technica AT 2020 Review, our AKG K240 Studio Review, and our AKG Perception 220 Review for items you can buy in 2023.
Also, take a look at our comprehensive reviews of the Best Karaoke Microphones, the Best Wireless Workout Headphones, and the Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming currently on the market.
Blue Yeticaster Review – Final Thoughts
The Blue Yeti is one of the best entry level microphones you can buy. It is easy to use and inexpensive to get yourself up and running fast. Made for streaming, podcasting, and YouTube, it does a fine job of delivering well on these platforms.
There are many options out there, but you won’t find as many colors, that’s for sure. I personally like microphones that are less bulky and have an XLR connection along with the USB for versatility in recording extra backups. I also prefer microphones that can just be used with any universal stand or connector.
Do your homework…
Considering the younger crowd this microphone is aimed at, a little knowledge goes a long way. Check your polar pattern setting before use, and I would recommend leaving it on cardioid most of the time.
For the price, the Blue Yeticaster microphone delivers well. It thrives in the expanding world of social media. I would recommend paying a little more and going for the bundle, which will save you money in the long run. At this price, with the many useful features, I think it’s a good solid purchase.
So, until next time, stand up and be heard.
