Yeti USB Condenser Mic gets certified by THX, fellow Yetis

Blue Microphones, the same company responsible for the heralded Snowball, is today introducing the planet's first THX certified microphone... or so it says. The hilariously named Yeti USB Condenser Mic ($149.99) touts condenser capsules in a triple array, four total patterns (omni, cardoid, stereo, bidirectional), a zero-latency headphone output (with volume control for direct monitoring), an adjustable microphone gain control and a mute button. As expected, the USB mic will play nice with both Mac and Windows-based systems, and if you've been looking high and low for a mic that gets an oh-so-coveted stamp of approval from Sir Abominable Snowman, you can finally call off the hunt next month.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:29PM]

What is next? thx iphone speaker?

[Slappy Wag Posted Nov 11th 2009 11:36AM]

That Yeti looks to be running toward its cave with some sort of phallic device.

[SiriusDoggy Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:37PM]

iYuky

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:37PM]

I don't understand. Why would someone choose a usb powered condenser mic vs a phantom powered condenser mic? or the other way around? What's the difference?

[nAv Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:57PM]

"Phantom power (usually P48 or 48 volts in pro audio equipment, sometimes lower (i.e. 12 volts)) is a method that sends a DC electrical power through microphone cables to operate microphones that contain active electronic circuitry. It is best known as a common power source for condenser microphones" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_power

I think that answers it. the sound quality on these are pretty awesome. I bought a friend a "Audio-Technica AT2020", and the sound quality is astounding

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:59PM]

You'd need a mixer/audio interface (and one with phantom power) to use that mic you're comparing to these direct USB mics. This is an easy, (relatively) quality solution from Blue, certainly good enough for many people's applications, plugs directly in to your computer's USB port, and you don't need to buy or carry more than you need.

Of course, if you already have an XLR mic you like, Blue also makes the Icicle, an XLR-to-USB adaptor. I looked into all of it as I set up my rig for podcasting/interviews, and this company offered a lot of options.

[Demo22 Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:58PM]

The usb powers it because you are supposed to use this for recording onto your computer. It is not a stage mic.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:48PM]

Thanks guys I am aware of the voltage requirements and the audio interfaces with phantom power but how does USB performance stack up with phamtom?

[runner50783 Posted Nov 10th 2009 9:48PM]

Because I don't know shit about this subject and I just want to buy a good mic...

[NAME Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:41PM]

This looks like a big dildo to insert in a yeti.



(the above comment is rated SNFW and should not have been viewed.)

[Why should I have all the fun Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:28PM]

Seek help before it's too late

[Peytral Posted Nov 10th 2009 10:34PM]

and SNFW is...?

[Greendogo Posted Nov 11th 2009 8:08PM]

Maybe he meant NSFW? Not safe for work?

[Why should I have all the fun Posted Nov 11th 2009 11:03AM]

Safe Not For Work

-- Yoda

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 7:59PM]

I get a lot of use out of the Blue cheaper 'podcast' grade mics (USB snowball, USB snowflake, Mikey for the iPhone/iPod) and as long I set up the recording situation properly, I get great results from them for a podcast I work on. Love 'em.

I'm interested in this new 'no latency direct headphone output', because I do get some comments from people I'm interviewing that they're getting an 'echo' (delay) as we speak if they're monitoring in headphones, obviously the latency rearing its ugly head. All of it can be avoided, of course - if you have your mics, your mixer, a monitoring system and a headphone distribution amp, but that's just not always possible - you show up with your laptop and the USB mics and off you go. The direct monitoring would be convenient.

[Nate Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:01PM]

I too have the snowball, it has always been great for my mini-recording studio!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:28PM]

Have you checked your mix-minus situation? When you're interviewing someone remotely, you shouldn't be routing their audio back to them down the line. That's likely the cause of your slapback. That's an issue that exists in every remote situation - I deal with it every day at my job at SiriusXM radio.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:37PM]

Hey Michael, yeah, I should have specified... I was talking about a local recording, not a remote. I definitely know it's a latency issue, there's no actual echo, it's the audio in the person's headphones being slightly behind what they're saying, sounding like a distracting echo to them.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:26PM]

THX has just officially declared itself a joke. I thought the THX certified Mackie monitors was a stretch, but this.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 9:03PM]

Abominable price.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 10:16PM]

That's actually a very reasonable price for a decent condensor mic.
Granted, there are many cheaper mics of good quality, but it's not terrible, like Blue et al.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 9:36PM]

Using the USB bus to power a high quality condenser mic seems like a good idea, but I would imagine there are better implementations out there, THX or no THX.

[DizWhiz Posted Nov 10th 2009 9:42PM]

Is that a condenser mic in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? RAWR!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 10:14PM]

Now, to decide if we let pinks use it, or just prevent them from purchasing it...

[Poop Chef Posted Nov 10th 2009 11:03PM]

The audience is now deaf

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 11th 2009 4:03AM]

"Cardioid" is the correct spelling.
http://www.gap-system.org/~history/Curvepics/Cardioid/Cardioid1.gif