Blue's new Mikey iPod / iPhone microphone still rocks the retro
By Darren Murph 
posted January 5th 2010 3:21PM
posted January 5th 2010 3:21PM
CES 2010: Blue Microphones Announces Second Generation Mikey Portable Recorder for iPhone and iPod
Offering unmatched portable sound, the latest Mikey features new capabilities for improved recording
(Westlake Village, California – January 7, 2010) – Blue Microphones (www.bluemic.com), a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces the second generation Mikey Portable Recorder for iPod and iPhone at CES 2010. Building upon the award-winning audio technology developed for the original Mikey, the second generation is certified for iPod and undergoing iPhone certification, featuring improved circuitry for superior recording and enhanced new features. The latest Mikey, available Spring 2010, along with Blue's recently-released Yeti THX®-Certified USB mic, are being showcased at CES from January 7 – 9 in South Hall 1 at Blue's booth #21836.
"The second generation Mikey is a natural next step for Blue as we continue to expand our consumer audio line to provide the highest-quality portable audio on the market," said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. "With the new Mikey and the Yeti, the world's first THX®-Certified mic, Blue brings portable and USB recording to the next level."
Like the original, Mikey features two custom-tuned Blue capsules for professional-quality stereo recording capabilities. To accompany its sleek new design, Mikey features an improved acoustic circuit that allows for higher quality recordings of high-volume events, like concerts. This next generation Mikey is pending iPhone certification to accompany the already-achieved iPod certification.
The second generation Mikey also boasts a 3.5mm line-input for direct recording of other sound sources such as a guitar or mixer along with a USB pass-thru connection to allow for simultaneous charging and syncing. The updated case design makes Mikey compatible with most protective cases and now features a 230-degree range of adjustability with seven detent positions for perfect positioning. Additionally, the new Mikey comes with a soft carrying pouch for convenient protection and portability. Blue also provides a headphone extension cable for instant playback monitoring when using iPod Touch and iPod Nano.
To complete the mobile audio experience, Blue recently announced Blue FiRe, a free, high-fidelity field recording app for iPhone and iPod touch that is now available from the App Store. Developed in partnership with Audiofile Engineering, the Blue FiRe App is optimized for the second generation Mikey - enabling users to have a complete, high-quality mobile recording experience.
Blue will also be showcasing its recently-released Yeti, the first THX®-Certified microphone. The latest addition to Blue's new consumer line, the Yeti is the ultimate USB microphone for professional recording. The Yeti is first USB mic to offer Blue's premium condenser capsules in a proprietary triple capsule array for the highest quality, most versatile audio recording capability. With four patterns (Omni, Cardioid, Stereo, Bidirectional), Yeti offers studio-quality performance and superior results in any situation.
The new Mikey, MSRP $99.99, will be available Spring 2010, while the Yeti, MSRP $149.99, is currently available at flagship retail partners such as The Apple Retail Store, Guitar Center, Amazon.com and other fine pro-audio and consumer electronics retailers worldwide. For complete details, visit www.bluemic.com.
Does iphone/ipod show carrier name and everything on top, even though the phone is tilted 180 degrees?
@satish No, this is the pro recording app "Fire"
@satish It's up to the app - that program, FiRe (or specifically the free version for Blue called 'Blue FiRe') allows for 180º screen flip because the Mikey attaches to the bottom of the iPhone, and by flipping it allows you to hold the iPhone/Touch like a field recorder with the microphone on the towards what you're recording.
I want this, the only problem is waiting until spring...
With the addition of a line-in, this is a game changer for iPhone recording apps. I'll be snatching one of these up for sure...
Wow... already back onto the iPhone humping? Pathetic. Just pathetic. Goodbye engadget.
@boggit
Really? iPhone humping? I record comedy shows with my iPhone already. Throwing a nice mic by Blue up on top would me a nice bonus.
I don't, however, know of a good program to do the recordings with. YouNote usually craps out.
@ash chapman Try FiRe: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=309378684&mt=8
Will this be available for the Nexus One?
This seems pretty good, only problem, as every iphone/ipod touch user knows, is that the app is most likely going to crash, and then you're shafted..
@lax Not true. I use that app with the first-gen Mikey and it's very stable. The only thing that makes me wince as I see that image is that the phone's radio is still on. You can introduce that infamous 'mobile phone reception' buzzing and beeping into your recordings if you don't put the iPhone into 'airplane' mode.
Gay.
how would this compare to Logitec's XY mic
( http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/30/logitec-introduces-cross-eyed-xy-stereo-microphones-for-your-wal/ ) in terms of quality? which would be better for doing field interviews?
@volt4ire
Blue is far better as a professional audio manufacturer than Logitech.
And this new one looks like AB rather than XY mode.
@volt4ire OK, on top of that, the mic you link to is not made by the 'Logitec' mouse/periph company we all associate that name with, but rather a Japanese company named Logitec - not the same company. I did the research and went with the Blue Mikey. I'd still like to mess with that mic but you have to order it from Japan and I just don't want to bother. Maybe if I see it there on a trip, I'll grab one.
It looks as if this mic has the same major flaw as the original Mikey... The microphone faces the screen of the iphone, and the speakers face the back. Basically, if you want to use this mic to record with the Video camera, the mics are facing the wrong way. I disassembled the original Mikey and switched the mics and speakers for camera use, and it makes a HUGE difference. If they didn't fix this, it will be a disappointment to some.
@Daremo I like that! I may do that with my original Mikey when I get this new one...
i wish someone made something similar... but with just 2x XLR jacks on it. or even dual 1/4". actually at this point i'd be fine with dual RCA.
anyone? please?
@x23 This does have a 3.5mm line input, so you could just get an RCA-to-Stereo Minijack adaptor if RCA is ok for you.
But the only XLR thing I've seen for the iPhone and iPods is the Alesis ProTrack:
http://www.alesis.com/protrack
and I also saw this cheaper alternative, a simple cable, although it's not stereo:
http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/atepper/story/connect_your_pro_xlr_microphone_into_your_iphone/
@(Unverified)
yeah. the Alesis is total overkill though.
seems like Blue could make this same device as this Mikey... chop the mic off... then just use the XLR (x2) and gain knob from their very own Icicle device. done.
the 3.5mm is nice... better than nothing... but even then... i'd rather at the very least dual RCA. and (again) loosing the actual mic.
that other cable is going into the iPhone mono mic-level input that lives in the headphone jack. a proper audio device needs to go in through the dock connector on the proper audio-input sections of said connector. (some digital audio inputs in there if i am not mistaken.)
seems like *someone* would've made something like this by now. especially with all the various recording apps... and even 4-track apps these days.
if possible... and if dual XLR (those neutrix style combo 1/4 + XLR would be ideal) turned out to be too bulky... even something with dual RCA + single 1/4" + gain knob + 3rd RCA doing SPDIF (if possible... i forget if the dock can take digital audio input for certain) ... then a 3 position input switch i suppose ... would be pretty awesome. seems so simple i can't believe it hasn't been done.
i can think of a million uses for such a device.