Computer Microphone - PC Guide https://www.pcguide.com Practical Guides to PC & Tech at Home, Work, and Play Sat, 20 Apr 2024 15:02:33 +0000 en-US https://www.pcguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/PCguide-favicon-75x75.png Computer Microphone - PC Guide https://www.pcguide.com 32 32 Best gaming microphone of 2023 – our picks for streaming, budget, and overall https://www.pcguide.com/computer-microphone/buyers-guide/best-gaming-mic/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=22530 Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:06:02 +0100 Blue Snowball Microphone Review Easy Setup The Blue Snowball gets its name from its shape—it looks like a little, grey snowball. The Blue designers build the mic to look like an old fashioned mic from the 1950s and it comes in a variety of colors that all have that same retro charm. The plastic and metal components are durable and relatively heavy for the small device. This demonstrates that the mic is high-quality and resistant to breaking.Setting up the mic is a breeze; simply put the mic on the included stand, plug in the USB cord to your computer, change your recording software’s source to the Blue Snowball. Now, you’re ready to go. It really takes just three steps. The mic can be used with Mac or PC, there’s no software to install, and after plugging it in, you’re ready to go. Talking right into the mic will show its dynamic range of sound capture. The mic captures speaking and singing just as efficiently. It’s small size also makes the mic a great choice for recording on the go.Sometimes, the best things come in small packages. The size of the Blue Snowball also makes it attractive if you’re recording outside of your home. You wouldn’t want to lug a huge microphone across the city just to record a podcast, so the Blue Snowball is a great choice for portable recording because it’s easy to carry and resistant to damage.

Professional Sound Quality

After using the Blue Snowball, you’ll realize right away that it is superior to your computer’s built-in microphone. This mic is designed to capture a broader decibel range of sound, so your voice sounds a lot fuller than you might have thought possible. You’ll hear the richness of your voice without static or crackling.The Blue Snowball also has two settings, omni-directional and cardioid. Omni-directional means that the mic hears all audio sources at the same volume, while cardioid mutes other sounds and focuses on the audio source that’s right in front of the device. The added versatility of these settings allows you more freedom in what you can record and the quality of your recordings. As long as your on the right setting, your recordings with the Blue Snowball will always sound crisp, loud and clear.This is what makes the Blue Snowball great for recording both music and voice. If you’re making your first solo album, the Blue Snowball can help—or, if you’re making a weekly podcast with friends, the Blue Snowball is the industry standard. Because of its versatility, the Blue Snowball is a good choice for all types of artists.Not only is the mic great for creating online content, it’s also superior for doing routine online tasks. If you’re tired of your friends not being able to hear you on voice chat, this mic will capture your voice in higher quality audio and add a level of clarity your computer mic can’t match.

Blue Snowball Price

What sets this mic apart from the pack is its low price point. You won’t find a better microphone than this one for less than $100.When you’re purchasing the Blue Snowball, you’ll want to determine which is the best model for you. There’s two models available, the Blue Snowball and the Blue Snowball iCE. The difference is simple: the iCE is for recording one audio source, while the Blue Snowball has a setting for omni-directional audio recording. The iCE is a little cheaper than its non-iCE counterpart, which is perfect for capturing just one voice (singing, speaking, solo-podcasting). On the other hand, the Blue Snowball can do one source, plus it can also record multiple sources (conference calls, podcasting in the same room, recording a live band).The price difference between these two microphones isn’t very steep. So, if you think you’ll ever use the mic to record more than one audio source, you should spring the extra few bucks for the Blue Snowball. It allows more versatility in recording. However, if you know you only want to record your own voice with the mic, save money and get the iCE.Either way, with the Blue Snowball you’re getting the cheapest microphone on the market but you aren’t sacrificing quality with the attractive price.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking of buying a starter-microphone, the Blue Snowball is the one to get. It’s the cheapest on the market, while still maintaining a high level of sound-capture range. Setup couldn’t be easier and it’s amazing all the things you can do with this little mic.If you’re looking to improve the quality of sound you might want to get a pop filter so your voice doesn’t clip when you unintentionally change volume, as well as a Boom stand for greater control of where you position the microphone. Both of these devices are available as a product package on Amazon.Happy creating!]]> https://www.pcguide.com/computer-microphone/review/blue-snowball/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=3715 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 07:17:40 +0100 Blue Yeti Microphone Review Pros: Excellent sound quality You can choose between four polar patterns to give you the best recording quality You don’t need any additional equipment No installation needed – plug and play Excellent value for money We love the retro design THX certified

Cons:

The microphone is heavy, making it difficult to move around The stand is too big, taking up a lot of space on your desk The stand mount doesn’t have standard dimensions There have been reports of flimsy buttons and controlsCheck Price on AmazonSetting up a home studio can be a costly exercise, especially if you want quality equipment. Professional microphones, for example, are in the region of $1000 upwards. Before you do a mic drop and walk away we’ve got great news. If you’re an amateur who spends some time doing podcasts, recording interviews, musicians or playing an instrument, the Blue Yeti microphone offers a lot of value at a fraction of the cost of a professional mic.We personally love the retro look and feel of the microphone but there’s far more to this little beaut’ than that. It offers four recording modes along with excellent sound quality and is an excellent choice if you don’t need or want a dedicated studio.

Look It’s a Yeti

If you’re wondering why this USB microphone is named after the very large (mythical) abominable snowman, you need to see it in front of you. It is massive, almost disturbingly so, and makes other mics look like a Happy Meal toy. It weighs around 3.5 pounds and stands about a foot tall but while some see its size and weight as a problem, there are others that enjoy the peace of mind knowing the mic won’t be knocked over easily.The microphone itself is somewhat bulky, but that’s what we like about it, and the shape, silver body and chrome tip adds to its retro appeal. The Blue Yeti has a Mute button, a USB and 3.5mm jacks on the bottom. There is also a screw mount for when the mic isn’t on the stand. While you can use it this way we suggest you don’t. Once removed there is a handful of washers on each side that need to be aligned to get it back on the stand – in our opinion, it’s more frustration that it’s worth.

Excellent quality

The build quality and retro design are one thing, but the microphone’s key selling point is the four different recording modes, or patterns, that enhance the audio and recording quality. A simple dial lets you change the setting to suit your needs: stereo, omnidirectional, bidirectional and cardioids geometries, making the Yeti a versatile mic at a very affordable price.The patterns are able to change how your recordings sound, whether you’re using it on your own, with a group or if you’re playing an instrument. You can block out the surrounding noise for clear, crisp recordings, include the right kind of sounds for ambiance or open up the recording area if it’s a group.Let’s take a look at how the four polar patterns work: the cardioid mode is very good for voice calls and podcasts, and the omni and bidirectional modes work well for group discussions and for interviews.It’s important to mention the mic is extremely sensitive and picks up wanted and unwanted sounds, however, if you position it correctly and pick the right mode you’ll be able to cancel out unnecessary noise. For example, if the noise is coming from behind the mic the cardioid pattern will help; the bidirectional mode will help if it’s being picked up from the sides.Another feature that makes the Blue Yeti stand out is the THX certification. Usually associated with far more expensive microphones, THX guarantees quality sound and that the frequency range is delivered correctly – and this is very much the case with this particular microphone.

Room for Improvement

While we can all agree that this microphone is excellent value for money and does a really good job recording quality audio, it might not cancel out enough noise for some people, especially professional sound engineers or recording artists. The problem is that any vibrations travel up the stand from the desk, so if you’re typing on your PC or laptop the same time you’re recording the quality will be affected. While you can use a shock mount, the Blue Yeti has non-standard dimensions, which means shop-bought shock mounts won’t fit.

Who’s it For

So, let’s have a look at who will enjoy the Blue Yeti microphone and discuss why in particular.The USB microphone is made for podcasts and voiceovers, conference or Skype calls as well as singing or if you’re playing a musical instrument. It’s also great to record concerts or multiple voices in a room. For a reasonable price, you’ll have a mic with as-close-as-damn-it professional quality and you don’t have to get any other sound equipment. Whether you’re using it with your laptop or desktop, it’s a very simple set-up; all you have to do, quite literally, is plug it in and it’s good to go.The Yeti from Blue is perfect for a home recording set-up when you don’t want to, can’t, or won’t pay $1000 for a mic. The audio quality is really solid and whether you’re using it for interviews, amateur musicians and podcasts we give this a thumbs-up. If, however, you’re looking for something a little more portable, and backpack friendly, then you won’t like it. It’s called Yeti for a reason and is better suited to stay on your desk in your home studio.

Summary

Would we recommend it? Absolutely! It’s a USB microphone that is ridiculously kind on your wallet and offers excellent sound quality. The THX certification sets it apart from its competitors and the four recording patterns also add to its features.While we don’t suggest it for professional recordings, or if you’re looking for a mic that’s more mobile, you aren’t going to get much better than this, in this price range.]]> https://www.pcguide.com/computer-microphone/guide/blue-yeti/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=3981 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 07:14:36 +0100 Best Blue Yeti Settings For Streaming Plug n' Play

Blue Yeti USB Microphone Power Consumption: 5V 150mA Bit Rate: 16-bit Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHzView Latest DealWhen looking to improve the quality and content of your Twitch streams, a good piece of recording equipment can go a long way. Some popular streamers and voice overs artists will use a wide range of professional tools, from the Snowball to the Blue Yeti microphone and more. While having the best set of recording equipment isn’t a necessity, it can help to greatly improve the sound of your voice and lesson background noise when communicating with an audience.That’s where Blue Yeti microphone comes in.If you go to any electronics retailer, they will likely greet you with enthusiasm when the Blue Yeti brand is mentioned. This is one of the big guns in modern microphone technology; it is used by Markiplier, PewDiePie, and some of the most famous streamers in the world. It’s a reliable microphone that is used by the pros, but won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Once you’ve acquired the Yeti mic however, you may need mess around with it a bit.Since the Blue Yeti microphone can be used in a wide variety of ways, it may need some special attention when you try tuning it for streaming. There are a few settings and tweaks that can grant you the best performance when playing games live.In order to prevent any keyboard feedback or loud mouse clicking coming through to the microphone, you can adjust your Blue Yeti settings accordingly.

Drop that Gain Down Low

One of the biggest pros of the Blue Yeti can also be one of its biggest cons, depending on how it best suits your needs. The gain on the Blue Yeti is so sensitive that it will pick up almost any sound, including ambient background noises, and project them loudly through your recorder.You don’t want that!Try dropping the gain down as low as it will go. While it may seem counterproductive to reach the absolute minimum with your gain, it will benefit you by preventing the accidental pickup of keyboard typing, mouse clicks, chair squeaks, and more.This is especially true if you have a mechanical keyboard right next to your Blue Yeti mic!

Adjust Your Windows Volume

You may want to check on your Windows volume when using the Blue Yeti. Various streamers have reported separate audio results with the sound quality, depending on the volume level.If your gain is down all the way, try setting your Windows volume to 100 thus adjusting. This will help your mic regain some of its sensitivity without creating that extra buzz or picking up on noises that aren’t your voice.If that balanced approach does not work for you, you can try raising your gain to a middle point and lowering your Windows volume to 0. For some streamers, this technique helps them to achieve the perfect level of volume and sensitivity. For others, it’s better to have 0 gain and 100 Windows volume to prevent any ambient sounds from getting through.All in all, you’ll want to adjust your Blue Yeti gain slowly to see what works best for you. Use an external noise gate to help buffer some of the outside sounds. Keep the mic close to your mouth when you speak, and fairly close to your computer as well. With the right amount of adjustment, you should be able to achieve an audio quality that lets your voice ring through loud and clear while keeping background noises at bay.Check out our full review of the Blue Yeti microphone here]]> https://www.pcguide.com/computer-microphone/guide/blue-yeti-settings/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=3700 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 07:12:48 +0100 Best Blue Snowball Settings For Streaming Best For Gaming and VOIP

Blue Snowball USB Microphone Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz Bit Rate: 16-bit Frequency Response: Position 1-3: 40 –18 kHz Polar Patterns: Cardioid or Omnidirectional Weight: 460gView Latest DealYour Blue Snowball microphone is one of the best for recording Twitch streams and professional-quality YouTube videos, but it may take some adjusting to achieve the perfect settings. Some popular streamers, such as Inside The Game and thegaminglemon, will utilize the Blue Snowball both for streaming and recording.It can be done, and the results are worth it. Here are a few settings that we’ve found to be quite successful and adaptable when it comes to recording your voice.

Boost That Mic!

Boost the microphone to achieve the perfect sound quality for your voice. An existing complaint about most Blue Snowball brand microphones is that it can sometimes be difficult to really pick up your voice – especially if the microphone is more than a few inches away from your mouth.If you do need the mic to keep its distance, however, the mic boost will come in handy. You can slowly turn it up to see what works best for you. Pair this technique with adjusting the volume of the microphone itself on your main window, and it can help to pick up your voice crisp and clear.

Add the Necessary Filters

You can add some noise-reduction filters to your Blue Snowball to optimize it for picking up your voice only. This is the best option when live streaming through Twitch or YouTube.In the main microphone menu, you will see a Filters box option. If you click on the cog button next to Filters, it will open a new menu. From there, you can click the plus sign to add all of the filters you want. Try adding “Noise Gate” filter, which can greatly improve the audio quality of your videos.A noise gate will basically tell the microphone to shut itself off when you aren’t talking, and it will only pick up sounds when you do talk. That can prevent ambient sounds from being picked up.Another benefit to the Noise Gate filter is the ability to stop the mic from recording something that reaches below a certain decibel level. This will also keep any stray noises away, only picking up the sound of your voice when and where you need it. Applying Noise Filter will prevent keyboard clicks, fans, and background noises from showing through. The threshold of the Noise Filter should be somewhere between 30 and 40 for best recording results.

Suppress the Noise

In addition to the Noise Gate filter, you should also add a Noise Suppression filter. This goes hand in hand with your noise gate, as it specifically prevents ambient sounds such as fans and passing cars to be picked up by your microphone.The default setting on the Noise Suppression filter is typically around 30, but most professional streamers will keep it lower than that. Try it out at 25 at first to see if that works for you.You can always go back and change your settings later depending on how the quality of your streams works out. Using different recording programs can help as well, although that shouldn’t matter as much as the adjustments you make on your Blue Snowball microphone.]]> https://www.pcguide.com/computer-microphone/guide/blue-snowball-settings/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=3805 Thu, 20 Jun 2019 07:12:13 +0100