Blue microphones
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Logitech retires the Blue microphone brand
Logitech has has killed off the Blue microphone brand, and will now sell the products under the Logitech G gaming brand.
Blue Yeti mics are up to 35 percent off for Black Friday
Blue Yeti microphones are up to 35 percent off at Amazon for Black Friday, including a $70 Nano.
Logitech puts NVIDIA Broadcast features directly into its headsets and Blue mics
Logitech has announced that it's incorporating NVIDIA Broadcast directly into certain headsets and Blue microphones, with no need to run any NVIDIA apps.
Logitech's Pro X gaming headset goes wireless for $200
Logitech is finally unveiling a wireless version of its popular Pro X gaming headset.
Blue's Yeti X microphone comes with everything you need to sound like a pro
Blue's microphones have been a popular choice for podcasters and live streamers for years, mostly due to their plug-and-play ease of use. Now the company is aiming to make things even easier with its latest USB mic: the Yeti X. The new $169.99 option has redesigned LED metering built in so you can keep tabs on vocal levels in real time. Should you need to make a change, a multi-function control knob does that right on the microphone -- similar to previous Blue devices. What's new here is that same control also acts as the mute switch and can be used to control volume for headphone monitoring.
Logitech G teases Blue gaming headphones on the way
Late last year Logitech acquired Blue Microphones, and a tweet indicates their next combo project is for gamers. We've already seen the debut of the Blue Ember XLR microphone for streamers, but it seems likely that this Logitech G product will actually be a new set of Blue-designed headphones for the gaming lineup. All we can see is a logo that's probably located on an ear cup -- that bears little resemblance to the older A Logitech G933 gaming headset pictured above -- but what they'll sound like is what matters, and Blue has come through on that front before. Expect them to be unveiled July 9th -- the usual set of streamers and influencers are already touting the unveiling date on their Twitch channels and social media profiles -- when we should find out how these will help you get more kills and/or talk to the folks in the stream chat a little more clearly.
Blue Microphones breaks the headphone mold with Mo-Fi
TUAW readers know the love many of our bloggers and editors feel for products from Blue Microphones. The company has been making amazing mics for recording music and podcasts for years, but the latest Blue product isn't a microphone -- it's a pair of headphones. And not just headphones, but ones that the company promises "makes every device sound better." We're testing that promise of the new Mo-Fi powered Hi-Fi headphones (US$349.99) in this review. Design What makes Mo-Fi different from traditional headphones? An internal amplifier. From the Mo-Fi website, "Mo-Fi improves the sound of every source-from smartphones to studio gear-by reducing the audio workload on your device. The built-in amp provides tons of power so your source doesn't have to work as hard. It all adds up to vastly superior performance and jaw-dropping sound quality." The built-in amp isn't the only change. Blue looked at the entire design of the headphone to try to make the Mo-Fi set a lot more comfortable than traditional headphones as well. They did this by creating a decidedly different-looking headset that consists of a flat-looking headband with a built-in adjustable tension knob, height adjustment to account for the wide variation in distances between top of head and ears, and making some large earcups that actually do a good job of completely covering even the largest ears. Since Mo-Fi is a set of powered headphones, you will have to charge the internal battery before use. That takes about three to four hours, but you'll get about 12 hours of playback once it's charged up. The company says that Mo-Fi uses intelligent power management to extend battery life by automatically powering off the headphones when you take them off. If the battery dies, you're still able to listen to music, but the amplifier won't be performing its magic. As you'll see in the next section of this review, just because the amplifier is offline without battery power doesn't mean you won't be getting great sound anyway. The frequency response range of both the amplifier and drivers (Mo-Fi uses a pair of 50mm fiber-reinforced dynamic drivers) is from 15Hz to 20kHz, roughly matching the hearing range of most humans. Functionality The big questions that need to be answered for headphones are 1) How do they feel? and 2) How good do they sound? To test both, I did a comparison to my current headphones of choice, a pair of V-Moda Crossfade LPs. As you'd expect, these are non-powered headphones that take their "power" from the source, whether that is an iPhone, iPod touch, a Mac or any other source with a standard 3.5mm jack. While I was waiting for the battery to charge up I looked through the box to see what's included with the Mo-Fi headphones. There's a soft case with a pocket for storing the cables, a 1.2-meter (about 4 foot) audio cable with controls for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch, a 3-meter (about 10 foot) audio cable, a 1-meter USB to micro-USB charging cable, an AC charging adaptor, a 3.5mm to 1/4" TRS adapter, a two-prong airplane connector, and the usual Blue Microphones detailed user manual. After plugging in the Mo-Fi, I could see a faint yellow LED pulsing, indicating that the headphones were charging up. Once the battery was charged, the LED went out. Time to test! Before I get into the sound from the Mo-Fi headphones, let's talk about comfort. These are heavy headphones -- just over one pound (16.44 ounces, 466 grams). But the adjustability of this headset is crazy good; by adjusting a bit here and there, I was able to get the MoFi to feel pretty comfortable on my big head. There's a tension knob located on the headband and the multi-jointed design that holds the ear cups in place makes adjustment up or down very easy. I highly recommend going onto your music source device before starting to listen and adjusting sound volume down quite a bit; your ears will get blasted if you don't. The Mo-Fi unit comes with a warning label to that effect, too. Now, about sound quality. Can I just say WOW and leave it at that? The Mo-Fi headphones are incredible, both in the range and crispness of the sound. When listening to Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," for example, there was one section where I could hear a difference in the arrival time of a hand clap -- it showed up earlier in my right ear than the left. I'd never noticed that before with any other headphones, and it's probably just a tiny fraction of a second difference that I was able to pick up. I found that I was able to listen to music at a much lower volume with the Mo-Fi than what I normally adjust my iPhone to, both because of the internal amplifier and just the clarity of what I was hearing. Everything sounded better; highs were pure and sweet, bass was thumping along nicely, and the Mo-Fi headphones provided better stereo separation than I'm used to. Usually when I'm testing speakers and headphones I listen to a variety of genres to get a feel for just how good the sound reproduction is; the Mo-Fi headphones made even some old recordings sound as if I had transported myself back in time to the studio where the classics were taped. The drum solo in Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" sounded like it was happening just to the left of me in real time if I closed my eyes -- that's a recording made in 1959! Even some relatively overproduced pieces of music (i.e., "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty) sounded better with Mo-Fi than with other headphones, although they didn't produce the incredible feeling of "reality" that I got with those songs that were just laid down with a minimum of tracks. The real shocker with my test came when I turned the single switch on the headphones to Off, simulating what I'd hear if the onboard battery was drained. Although I had to turn up the volume a bit on the iPhone, the sound quality was still better than what I get from my usual set of headphones. Conclusion If I could give the Mo-Fi headphones 5 stars out of 4 possible, I would. If we had an "Editor's Choice" award at TUAW, these headphones would get it. I know I'm definitely going to campaign for these to be one of our Best of 2014 products. Blue Microphones should be commended for creating a pair of headphones that not only live up to the marketing hype, but exceed it. I cannot recommend these headphones highly enough for anyone who truly enjoys listening to or creating music, and who has the $350 to spare. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Blue Microphones Mikey Digital goes Lightning, sounds great
For reporters, podcasters or musicians on the go, you really want the best possible sound quality without having to lug a lot of equipment around. That's why portable digital stereo recorders like those from Zoom are so popular -- they're compact, and they capture incredible sound. The iPhone and iPad can make recordings, but the built-in microphones leave a lot to be desired. That's why small digital mics like the Mikey Digital (US$99.99) from Blue Microphones are so useful -- you can get amazing sound quality while using your Apple device so you don't have to carry yet another piece of gear. I first reviewed the Mikey Digital in 2012, but iOS devices have now moved on to the Lightning adapter so the old Mikey Digital required a 30-pin to Lightning adapter in order to work; in other words, one more adapter to lose. The new device just plugs right into that Lightning port on your iPad Air, iPad mini, or iPhone 5/5s/5c. I thought it would be a good time to take a fresh look at the Mikey Digital. Specifications Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x .5 inches (63.5 x 63.5 x 12.7 mm) Weight: .18 pounds (81.6 grams) Microphone type: Stereo pressure gradient condenser Sampling: 44.1kHz/16-bit Polar Patter: Cardioid Frequency Response: 35Hz - 20kHz Features: auto level sensing, low gain, and high gain settings; 230 degree swivel mount; 1/8" instrument, external mic, or line level input; pass-through USB connector for device charging Design Highlights With the exception of the Lightning connector, not much has changed with the design of the Mikey Digital. It's still small enough to fit into a pocket comfortably, and Blue Microphones thoughtfully provides a small carrying bag to slip the Mikey into for that very purpose. What I've always liked about the Mikey Digital design is the swiveling mount. If you have your iPad or iPhone mounted on a stationary tripod or stand for recording video and sound, you can swivel the mic around so that it points directly towards your sound source. One side of the mic has a Blue Microphones logo on it, and as long as that's pointed towards the sound source, you're going to get great sound. Functionality Highlights You'll need an app like Garage Band to record and edit the sound you've captured. When the Mikey D. is under the control of a recording / editing app, all three LEDs light up. During recording, those LEDs will flash red if you're overloading the mic and clipping sound. The other side of the Mikey Digital has a sensitivity selector for loud sounds (live music, sporting events, etc... in the 100 - 130dB range), quiet sounds (distant noises, un-amplified lectures, and other sounds in the 45 - 65dB range), and an Auto Mode for speaking voices in interviews, acoustic instruments, etc... To test the new Mikey Digital I read the first paragraph of this review, first with the built-in microphone on an iPad Air and then with the Mikey D. Both intros were recorded with the Mikey Digital as well. As you can hear for yourself, the iPad Air built-in mic recording is somewhat clipped and also has a bit more noise in the background. The additional directionality provided by the Mikey Digital eliminated that noise, and there is additional depth and warmth in the recording that wasn't there while using the built-in mic. The sound quality -- at least to my ears -- wasn't as good as I expect from a much more capable (and expensive) pro desktop mic, but for a portable, stick-it-in-your-pocket microphone, it was definitely acceptable. So there it is: the Mikey Digital does provide better sound quality than your built-in mic. The big question you need to ask yourself is "Do I want to spend that extra $100 to get better sound?" If you need extra sensitivity for recording lectures, if you want to be able to make bootleg recordings at loud concerts without overloading the built-in mic, or if you want a very compact mic that can go with you just about anywhere, then the Mikey Digital is worth the $100 price tag. If, on the other hand, you're doing studio recording with an iPad and want the absolute best in sound, you probably want to shell out the extra quid and a much more professional microphone like the Blue Microphones Spark Digital ($199.99) or the recently-reviewed IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD ($129.99). Conclusion Compact, directional, and with built-in settings that allow optimum sound recording under a wide range of situations, the Blue Microphones Mikey Digital is an excellent choice for a portable iPhone or iPad mic. While it offers better recording quality than what you'll get with the built-in microphones on Apple's iOS devices, those wishing for the best possible sound will want to spend a bit more to get a top-end mic. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Where there's a Spark Digital, there's Lightning
It's not the biggest news of the day by any stretch of the imagination, but if you're a user of one of Blue Mics' wonderful Spark Digital microphones (US$199.99), you'll be glad to hear that the device is now available with a Lightning cable for use with your favorite new iOS device. If you're unfamiliar with the Spark Digital, be sure to check out the TUAW review of the microphone. In the past, the Spark Digital shipped with a USB connector that could be used with any USB-equipped Mac or PC, as well as with a 30-pin Dock Connector cable for use with previous generations of the iPhone and iPad. Now the device can use the thin, direction-independent cable to connect to all of the more recent iOS devices that use the Lightning standard for charging and syncing. For those who purchased a Spark Digital with the 30-pin adapter cable after August 1, 2013, Blue Microphones is making the Lightning cable available for free when you provide proof of purchase. If you bought a Spark Digital earlier than August 1 or can't find that receipt, a Lightning cable is available for just US$28 (email service@bluemic.com to request the cable).
Blue Nessie: Excellent mic for entry-level podcasters and beyond
If I say "Nessie" your first thought is somewhere in Scotland, right? Well the folks over at Blue are changing your definition of that word forever with their latest microphone. For US$99 you can now record all sorts of things armed with a Mac that has a USB port (sorry Beige G3!)) and it will all sound pretty fantastic. Design This is a mic that doesn't take up a lot of space, something that's particularly painful to Blue Snowball users. No more wide tripod base, this is a single solid disc on your desk, and included in the base is both a volume dial for your headphones, and an indicator light that lets you know the mic is connected and powered up (solid white), or muted (pulsing white). Just above where the mic "neck" meets the base is where you plug in your monitor headphones (it's a 3mm audio jack, just above the red switch in the photo). I have been using my EarPods in this setup and they sound just fine. I'm not recording music or anything too complex, so the EarPods do a fine job. I've also used my previous iteration of Apple earphones successfully, so if you have comfy monitor headphones, you're all set. Functionality This is a cardioid microphone, so it's good for lessening sound that isn't what you want to pick up. It has a built-in pop filter and built-in shock mount, so two common issues of recording are resolved without additional equipment. You can choose from three preset modes when recording: Vocal, Instruments and a "raw" setting for those who wish to tweak and rejigger audio later on. When you take the Nessie and the cable out of the packaging, you're ready to go; there are no drivers or "management software" to install. And once it's unpackaged, you can tip Nessie's head in all sorts of directions, which is handy if you are looking to use those other modes and record more than just podcasts. Also inside the aforementioned base is an internal shock mount, which teams up with the pop filter to help keep even more incidental noise out of the recording. Conclusion If you need a microphone that works in a variety of settings that all involve a horizontal surface to set the mic on, Nessie has excellent sound quality at a very good price. This is a very good mic for someone who might be interested in recording with more than an iPhone, but maybe isn't ready to drop "pro audio" amounts of money. Pros Great sound quality Excellent base design (including volume and shock mount) Modes available for different use types Easy to find and use mute button Cons Requires a stable horizontal surface (not the best for field recording or saving desk space) Who is it for? This is for someone who might be using a USB headset or an iPhone mic and wants to up their audio game with a separate "point and shoot" microphone that can take care of some basic settings, or just record raw audio for more advanced folks.
Test-driving the Blue Microphone Spark Digital
Many podcasters and musicians love the digital and analog microphones made by Blue Microphone. The company's booth at trade shows usually has a long line of computer geeks eager to see what the latest mic is, and earlier this year we were wowed by both the Spark Digital (US$199.95) and the just-released Nessie ($99.95). Now that the initial crush of orders for the Spark Digital has subsided somewhat, I was able to get a review device for a test drive and found a lot to like in this compact microphone for Mac and iPad. Design When I say it's a compact microphone, I'm saying that the Spark Digital isn't as massive as the Blue Yeti that I currently use. It comes with a small adjustable tilt stand that not only has some vibration-isolating padding on the bottom of it, but also includes a separate shock mount that suspends the microphone body from a series of elastic cords. The body of the mic is dark metallic blue with light metallic blue highlights at top and bottom. On the front is a chrome-plated Blue logo, and a mute/gain/volume knob. There is an LED in the knob, as well as a set of four tiny LEDs that glow orange to denote gain level or blue for output level. On the back is a switch for Focus Control -- more about that later. The top of the mic contains the action -- in the words of Blue Mics, it's the "same studio-grade condenser capsule and hand-tuned components for high-fidelity recording and consistence performance in any situation– vocals, drums, piano, speech, location recording and more." The capsule is in a see-through metal cage that acts as a bit of a pop filter, although professionals will want to invest in a separate pop filter to keep those plosives from wrecking their recordings. %Gallery-191500% With the Spark Digital, Blue Mics includes two cables. One is used to connect the microphone to a USB port on a Mac or PC, and includes a separate headphone jack for monitoring what you're recording. The other cable also has that separate headphone jack, but ends in a 30-pin connector for use with an iPad. If you wish to connect it to a fourth-generation iPad or iPad mini, you'll have to invest in a separate Apple 30-pin Dock connector to Lightning adapter. To carry all this on the road with you, there's a nice microfiber-lined carrying bag with the Spark Digital logo on the side. There's a separate pocket for the cables, with the mic being carried in the main pocket of the bag. Functionality Mac According to Blue Microphones, the Spark Digital was designed from the start to provide a rich and vibrant sound, perfect for podcasters and singers but also appropriate for many musical instruments. I'll get to the meat of the review right now -- the sound quality of the Spark Digital absolutely blew me away, and that's coming from someone who has used a Blue Mics Yeti for years. Listen to the following Garage Band recording on the Mac in which I first record a sentence with the Yeti, then the same sentence with the Spark Digital without Focus Control enabled, and finally with Focus Control enabled. Sound is quite subjective, but for me the Spark Digital recordings sound much more realistic than the one from the Yeti. There's much less background noise in the Spark Digital recordings, and the Yeti seems to be emphasizing the lower tones in my voice, making it boom a bit more. The Yeti sounds a bit more "mechanical" to my ears. Note that the Yeti was set up with a similar cardiod pickup pattern to what is normal for the Spark Digital. There's less of a difference between the Spark Digital recordings with Focus Control disabled and enabled. However, after listening repeatedly to the two recordings, the one made with Focus Control enabled seems to me to be the most accurate representation of what my voice actually sounds like. It's just a hint "warmer" than the recording made without Focus Control on. Monitoring with a set of headphones worked well; just changing the output settings to "Blue Microphones Spark Digital" allows monitoring of everything that's being picked up by the mic. iPad The Yeti can't be used with an iPad, so I was unable to do a similar comparison between the two Blue Mics. Instead, I did a comparison between the built-in microphone of the iPad and the Spark Digital. Unsurprisingly, the Spark Digital did a wonderful job. Llsten to the recording below to hear the built-in microphone first, followed by the Spark Digital. Unless you love background noise and hisses, you'll agree that the Spark Digital recording is hands-down superior (this was done with Focus Control turned on). I apologize for cutting off the beginning of the second recording. Once again, monitoring worked perfectly through the headphones; I could even hear the "countdown" cue to the start of the recording. For the first time, I could actually imagine recording a podcast or music (if I had any musical talent other than singing) on the iPad. It's almost hard to believe that both recordings were made in the same location on the same iPad -- the Spark Digital did an excellent job of ignoring the background noises that the iPad's built-in mic seemed to exaggerate. Conclusion With the Spark Digital, Blue Microphones has created what is probably the best microphone for recording both on iPad and Mac or PC. The unique design and superb electronics combine to make a microphone that excels in capturing voices in a most realistic way and would most likely be (I was unable to test) excellent for musical recordings as well. For podcasters who want to get the most out of their computer or iPad, there's currently no equal to the Spark Digital.
April Fools' Day roundup: hamster beats, pirate's booty and Play-Doh printing
April Fools' Day is tough. Believe us. We know. It's 24 hours of fake news, bad jokes and Gangnam Style references. But not all of it is the internet equivalent to lining a toilet with plastic wrap. Sometimes, good stuff manages to slip through the proverbial cracks in the web. After the break, check out some of the holiday's highlights. If you dare.
Blue Mics' Nessie adaptive USB microphone perfect for desktop recording
Most of us here at TUAW are in love with the products designed and sold by Blue Microphones. The company makes some amazing gear for recording podcasts and the like, and now there's a new member to the Blue Mic family -- Nessie (US$99, expected to ship in the first half of 2013). Nessie works with both Macs and PCs, and can be adapted to iPads for portable recording with the addition of an Apple Camera Connection Kit (not included). Besides the cool design, which mimics those images of the legendary Loch Ness Monster swimming with its head above water, Nessie is designed to make all of your recordings sound a lot better than what you'd hear from a standard USB microphone. The adaptive capabilities provide onboard equalization and boosting, creating a full and rich sound for voiceovers and podcasts. There's a built-in pop filter to eliminate those nasty plosives, and a shockmount to eliminate rumbling if you happen to touch your desktop during recording. To hear just how good Nessie can make you sound, the company supplied sample recordings of a voiceover and a guitar demo. Check 'em out, and then keep your eyes open for this newest addition to the Blue Mic family.
Daily Update for January 8, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Blue Microphones Spark Digital now available, wields USB and iOS mobile recording for $199
The final member of the Blue Microphones trio that we saw introduced back at CES is finally hitting shelves. Blue's dual-connecting Spark Digital is now shipping from Apple and Best Buy with other retailers soon to follow. If you'll recall, the mobile recording peripheral touts the label of "the first true studio condenser microphone made for both iPad and USB." An adjustable desk stand, all of the requisite cables and six month subscriptions to both Gobbler and SoundCloud Pro are included right out of the box. You can snag one for yourself for $200 just as fast as you can click. However, if you've already splurged for a new iPad, iPad mini or the iPhone 5, you'll need a Lightning adapter before you can get started.
Blue Microphones Mikey Digital takes iPhone and iPad recording up a notch
When it comes to microphones for the iPhone and iPad, I have to admit that I haven't been too impressed with what's been delivered over the past few years. For example, the original iRig Mic from IK Multimedia was quite noisy, although the iRig Mic Cast improved on that somewhat. The original Mikey from Blue Mics was also an improvement, but now the company is shipping the new Mikey Digital (US$99.99) that works with recent iPhones and all iPads to capture stereo sound with clarity. Design The exterior of the Mikey Digital is similar to that of the the second-generation Mikey; a small rectangular dongle that plugs into the dock connector port of your iPhone 4 or 4S, or any model of iPad. One concern about using the dock connector port is that persistent rumors are pointing towards a new and more compact connector for iOS devices. Should that happen, it's likely that some sort of adapter will allow dock connector peripherals such as the Mikey Digital to work with newer devices. %Gallery-164122% The Mikey Digital is much larger than the iRig Mic Cast, which plugs into the headphone port of your iOS device. The Blue device also features a swivel, so you can "aim" the microphone at your subject for the best possible sound. There are two other goodies in the box, a small carrying bag and a guitar jack adapter. The Mikey D., as the user guide affectionately refers to it, has a sensitivity switch that toggles among loud, auto and quiet settings. Each setting has an LED associated with it so you get visual feedback of the switch setting. In addition, there's a 1/8" stereo input port (you use the adapter to plug a guitar or other instrument in for recording) and a micro-USB port in case you want to charge your device while recording. Functionality No microphone is useful without an application to receive the input. When the Mikey D. is under the control of a recording / editing app such as GarageBand, all three LEDs light up. During recording, those LEDs will flash red if you're overloading the mic and clipping sound. To test the Mikey D. under real-life conditions, I recorded the closing words from the Daily Update using both my regular setup -- a Blue Mic Yeti attached to my iMac -- and an iPhone 4S with the Mikey D. attached. In both cases, the app used for recording was GarageBand. First, the Blue Mic Yeti on my iMac: Now, the Blue Mic Mikey Digital on my iPhone: Both sentences were recorded simultaneously, with the two microphones located as close to each other as possible. On the Mikey Digital, I set the sensitivity to "auto." The Blue Yeti is set in such a way as to be unidirectional, and the audio sounded somewhat more realistic and with less background noise from the fan in my iMac. The Mikey Digital picked up a bit more background noise, and the sound was less "warm" and "full" than what was captured with the Yeti. It's important to note that neither of these recordings were post-processed. Removing background noise from both of the recordings would help, and the Mikey Digital recording could probably stand to have the low end boosted a bit. The important thing to remember with the Mikey Digital is that it is meant for portable recording, and for that purpose I think it does the job better than any portable mic I've tried so far. For off the cuff recording, I'm probably not going to carry along a MacBook Air and my bulky Yeti. Pulling an iPhone out of one pocket and the Mikey Digital from another is the perfect way to have a very capable sound recording studio for music or voice anywhere. Conclusion Blue Mics really hit the ball out of the park with the Mikey Digital. Compared to earlier models of the Mikey and to other "made for iOS" microphones, the capabilities and sound quality of the Mikey Digital are significantly better. Pros Attractive and well-built, without the cheap plasticky look of competitors Excellent stereo sound capture Ability to plug a musical instrument into the microphone via the 3.5 mm stereo input port and the included guitar jack adapter Clipping indicator helps during setup of microphone to make sure you're not overloading it Adjustability of the Mikey Digital swivel provides a way to capture the best quality sound while still keeping an eye on the recording app Cons Dock connector might not work with future iPhones and iPads, or may need an adapter to work with them Who is it for? Professional and amateur musicians, reporters, podcasters, bloggers, or anyone who needs to accurately reproduce sound in stereo from an iPhone or iPad
Blue Microphones Mikey Digital portable microphone for iOS devices hits shelves, offers mobile tracking for $100
The second of Blue Microphone's CES trio has broken cover. Mikey Digital, a mobile recording peripheral for the iPad and iPhone is now available at select retailers. If you're in need of a refresher, the retooled version of the original Mikey tracking unit connects to you Apple smartphone or tablet via the dock connector. The mic houses the same two condenser capsules found on the more robust Snowball and Yeti USB mics while sporting built-in sensitivity control and CD-quality analog / digital conversion. A 3.5mm audio jack is included for monitoring or either stereo line-in or mic-in -- if you're looking to tack on a few more gadgets when recording with the 230-degree rotating kit. USB pass-thru allows for charging while in the midst of a session and a LED clipping indicator keeps tabs on volume levels to ensure the best results. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, the Mikey Digital will hit your wallet for $99.99 just as soon at you can enter your shipping info.
Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording
More Info Blue Microphones outs Tiki, Spark Digital and Mikey Digital; looks to feed your mobile recording habit Blue Microphones Tiki USB mic now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15ths Apogee MiC review In recent years, mobile and compact recording gear has, like so many other gadget types, become smaller and smaller in stature. We've seen add-ons for smartphones and tablets that aren't much larger than a quarter, along with mobile mics that boast USB compatibility. The Blue Microphones Tiki continues the trend, offering the same premium aesthetics we've come to expect fromthe company, along with top-notch audio quality. The Tiki is said to perform at its best with Skype-style video chats and voice recording, thanks in part to an intelligent mute and noise isolation features. Let's be honest, though. Purchasing a USB microphone for the sole purpose of video chatting will be a tough sell for most folks. People like podcasters will expect a bit more functionality from a peripheral like this. Luckily, the unit boasts a "Natural Recording Mode" that promises instrument-tracking capabilities as well. But does the Tiki handle online banter, voice recording and guitar sounds well enough to warrant a $60 purchase? And exactly how smart is the intelligent mute? Read on to see what we discovered when we gave this flash drive-sized microphone the full-on review treatment. %Gallery-162897%
Blue Microphones Tiki USB mic now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15th
Remember that miniature USB mic we saw back at CES from Blue? Well, the outfit just announced that the Tiki is hitting store shelves with the same $59.99 price tag we expected. The mobile recording peripheral is now available at Best Buy and is slated to hit Apple stores and other retailers at the month's half-way point. In case you're in need of a refresher, the diminutive unit features Intelligent Speech mode for recording interviews or meetings and Natural Recording mode for capturing your best Jack White guitar riffs. You can also expect proprietary noise cancelling technology, voice isolation and intelligent mute with the kit that is sized similar to a USB flash drive and connects via said ports. If you're itchin' for a closer look before adding one to your mobile recording setup, take a peek back at our hands-on for a few detail shots.
IRL: Blue Mics Yeti, Western Digital My Passport and Razer's Naga Hex gaming mouse
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. It's been a busy week for tech writers. Capping out a week populated by not one, not two, but three smartphone reviews, we're happy to take a breather and return our attention to life's littler pleasures. Like USB mics and portable 2TB hard drives. And also, gaming mice.
