Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone - Silver Edition

by Blue Microphones

Product Features

• Tri-capsule array - 3 condesner capsules can record almost any situation
• Multiple pattern selection - cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo
• Gain control, mute button, zero-latency headphone output
• Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, conference calls
• Plug 'n play - Mac and PC compatible

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5.5 x 10 inches ; 3.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002VA464S
• Item model number: YETI
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (603 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Color: Silver

Create unparalleled recordings and send them directly to your computer with Blue Microphone's Yeti USB Microphone. The Yeti uses Blue Microphone's proprietary tri-capsule technology to produce pristine, studio-quality recordings. It features four different pattern settings so you can record vocals, instrumental music, podcasts, or interviews in ways that would normally require multiple microphones. With simple controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain, you'll be creating exceptional recordings right out of the box.

Yeti USB Microphone at a Glance: Ideal for recording music, podcasts, interviews, and more Multiple pattern selection for exceptional audio Built-in headphone amp for zero latency monitoring Gain switch and mute button Mac and PC compatible

Unique, adjustable design and on-board mute and gain controls for professional-sounding results. View larger

Control your recording in real-time with a 3.5mm jack that lets you listen as you record.
View larger

Easy to install--simply plug the Yeti into a USB port and you're ready to record. View larger

Four Different Pattern Modes for Versatile Recording

Using Blue Microphone's proprietary tri-capsule technology, the Yeti can record sounds that range from the barely audible to the deafeningly loud--all without a loss of fidelity. Depending on what kind of sound you are recording, you can choose from four distinct pattern modes:

Stereo mode: The stereo mode uses both the left and right channels, and is ideal for capturing a realistic, general sound image. Cardioid mode: Well-suited to podcasts, sung vocals, and other voice work, cardioid mode records sound sources that are directly in front of the microphone. It delivers a rich, full-bodied sound. Omnidirectional mode: Omnidirectional mode picks up sound equally from all directions. It is best used in situations when you want to capture the ambience of "being there"--like a live recording of a band's performance. Bidirectional mode: Bidirectional mode records from both the front and the rear of the microphone. It is ideal for capturing the nuance of a musical instrument, or recording an interview between two people.

Control Your Recording in Real-Time

With its controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain, the Yeti puts you in charge of every level of the recording process. If you are experiencing distortion or feedback while recording an especially loud source, simply adjust the microphone's sensitivity with the gain control. Or, if you want to take a break in the middle of a podcast, use the instant mute button.

The microphone comes equipped with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and allows you to listen to what you're recording in real-time, without latency delays. You can adjust the volume of your headphones using a control on the front of the microphone.

Innovative Design Makes Recording Easy

The Yeti features a visual design inspired by classic recording equipment--a stylish, retro aesthetic that will complement any computer system. Its metal grille and shiny, chrome-toned frame recall the look of old-timey microphones.

Because it's built on a hinge, you can adjust and pivot the microphone in relation to the sound source, improving sound quality. Once you have it at a desired angle, you can use the set screws to secure it in place. The microphone can also be folded down for easy portability, or removed completely from its base for field recordings.

Hassle-Free Setup

The Yeti requires no complicated drivers to operate; simply plug it into your computer's USB port with the included USB cable, calibrate it with your operating system, and you're ready to record.

The microphone is compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Home and Professional), and Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher), and requires a minimum of 64 MB of RAM.

The Yeti USB Microphone is backed by a two-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box

Microphone, adjustable stand, USB cable, and instructions.

	Yeti	Yeti Pro
Studio-quality audio via digital USB
Blue's premium condenser capsules in a proprietary triple setting
Four recording patterns (stereo, omni, cardioid, and bi-directional)
Adjustable Microphone gain control for varying volumes
Mute button
Zero-latency headphone output with volume control for direct monitoring
Adjustable angle on its integrated custom-designed desk stand
Driverless installation for both Windows and Mac
Professional recording via analog XLR
Separate analog circuit path
Maximum recording resolution	48 kHz/16-bit	192 kHz/24-bit
Optional Radius shockmount available

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

724 of 743 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Blue Yeti Microphone In Action and Sound Test Comparison March 8, 2010

By Antonio Centeno

Color Name:Silver

Length: 6:34 Mins

NOTE: I used the Blue Yeti Microphone to record this Video Review

Blue Yeti Review Summary
The Blue Yeti is an excellent plug and record USB microphone that has dramatically increased the quality of my voice recordings. It has a solid & sleek build, is easy to use, and most importantly clearly records my voice.

Introduction - Who I am and how do I use this product
My name is Antonio and I own and operate ATailoredSuit.com; I have been using the Blue Yeti since February to speak with clients on Skype and to record podcasts and videos about men's style and custom clothing. Prior to owning the Blue Yeti I used the Blue Snowflake for one year; before that I used the built in microphone on my computer and headsets. For the last 6 months I have been looking at purchasing the Blue Snowball; when this microphone came out I decided to make this purchase instead.

Pros - Things I Love
1. Sound Recording Quality - The most important quality in a microphone; from my limited 30 day use and when compared to the past types of microphones I am used to (Blue Snowflake, Logitech Webcam 9000 Microphone, Various Headset microphones, Built in Computer Microphones) this Microphone beat them all.
2. Plug and Play - I have seamlessly used this microphone on 3 separate computers, one running XP, the other Vista, and on a Windows 7 machine. In each case it was immediately recognized and clearly marked as the Blue Yeti
3. Simple Knobs and Design - Mute, Mode, Headphone Volume and MIC Gain Control. Stand can be tightened and microphone removed.
4. Solid Build - Overall, Solid (One small complaint below). The 10 foot USB cord was a nice touch.
5. Playful Approach - Blue has decided to present the Yeti in a playful manner. They appeal to the creative and make the manual much more approachable for those of us not technically inclined.

Cons - Things I am not happy with
1. Size - It weight 3.5 pounds and stands 1 foot high - I am used to this now, but be prepared for a big footprint!
2. Looseness of Volume & Gain Controls - A small complaint, but for an overall solid device these feel like they will be the first things to break.

Final Recommendation
The Blue Yeti is an amazing microphone that was well worth the investment. It has already dramatically increased the quality of my voice recordings and I recommend it to any podcaster. I give this product 9 out of 10 stars (5 out of 5 for Amazon!), my only knock that the price maybe too high for some.

201 of 207 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yeti or Snowball? Watch the video and decide. (and another way to add a pop filter) July 13, 2011

By Bob Tobias #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Color Name:Silver

Length: 2:11 Mins

Bottom line: Outstanding value for a great sounding mic!

What I liked:

- Superior sound (watch, and more important listen to, the video)
- Solidly built with a sturdy stand
- It looks cooler than a Snowball (imho)
- It worked immediately with my 64-bit Win7 system. No downloads, additional drivers, or other confusion. True plug and play.
- Has a gain control
- Has a mute button
- The pattern select switch is clearly marked with the mic pattern
- Uses a standard USB to Mini cable. The Yeti comes with one that's about 6' long.
- Very reasonable price given the quality

What might have been better

- It would have been really, really nice if there was a place to securely connect the pop filter to the Yeti stand. After living with my duct tape and cable tie solution for a little while, I like it better than even if the champ had worked. It provides a rock solid connection between the filter and the mic and nothing sticks out/up as it would with the clamp. You can, if you like, go back to the beginning of this point and remove one or two of the "really's".

To watch for:

- The Yeti couldn't get enough power to run when I connected it to an unpowered hub in place of the Snowball. (Blue says you should always connect their mics to a USB port directly attached to your computer, not a hub. I got lucky with the Snowball.) After I switched to a different (powered) hub it works fine. The Plugable USB 2.0 10 Port Hub (with Power Adapter) is the hub that worked with the Yeti and it's excellent in many respects.

Other notes:

- In the video I used Scotch Transparent Duct Tape, 2 Inches x 20 Yards, Clear (2120-A). It comes in handy for a great many things besides connecting a pop filter to a microphone.

And finally, if you're still uncertain, here's my recommendation. If you already have a Snowball then there may not be a reason to upgrade. The sound is better but maybe not better enough to justify buying a whole new mic. However, if it's a choice between the two, I would recommend the Yeti, both for sound quality, features, and (yes) appearance.

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews, accompanied by detailed videos, can take the place of first-hand experiences that are often lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've gotten from other reviewers and try to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and the video at least entertaining. If there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

117 of 123 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Blue's latest is a home run January 4, 2010

By John Burroughs

Color Name:Silver|Amazon Verified Purchase

Blue has become famous for its striking microphone designs, and the retro-modern Yeti is a worthy addition to the company's product lineup.

The first thing you'll notice is what a beautiful, well-designed object this is. The Yeti has a solid custom desk stand that provides a bit of built-in cable management for headphone and USB cords. Despite its outdoorsy name, the Yeti is not the ideal choice for recording in the wild -- it's really big and heavy. That said, the swivel-stand arrangement allows you to rotate the body of the mic upside down into the base if you do need portability. (Unlike Blue's higher end studio mics, no travel box or road case is included, but at this price point, that's not a surprise.)

On the front: a mic mute button and headphone volume dial. On the rear, mic level control and a pickup pattern selector. The dials are just a bit jiggly and plasticky for such an otherwise elegant design. On the bottom are the zero-latency headphone jack and mini-USB connector. The swiveling body makes accessing the USB and headphone ports a snap. Another thoughtful addition down-under is a 5/8 inch threaded hole that allows you to remove the base and mount the Yeti on a standard microphone floor stand.

The Yeti houses a trio mic elements to offer stereo, omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-eight pickup patterns. The selections give the mic a versatile bag of sound tricks, whether you're recording a solo podcast, taping an interview or meeting, or laying down some vocals in GarageBand. The headphone amp doesn't exactly go to 11, but the mic delivers a pretty respectable output level. We're talking 16-bit USB audio, so the Yeti doesn't have quite the full warmth and sonic detail of a "real" large-diaphragm condenser like Blue's pro studio models, but the sound is surprisingly good for a USB mic, with much less noise than similarly-featured competitors like the Samson G-Track.

No drivers needed -- just plug in the included USB cable. On a Mac, select "Yeti Stereo Microphone" for both input and output in the Sound control panel of System Preferences. Configuring Yeti in GarageBand's Audio preferences is a snap, too.

To avoid P-pops and breath sounds when working up-close, you might want to invest in a pop screen of some kind, though it seems a shame to put a big foam hat on top of such a beautiful head.

Did we mention how cool The Yeti looks sitting on your desk? The streamlined aluminum styling matches the finish of Apple's current product lineup quite well.

The Yeti's sound quality and multiple pickup patterns raise the bar for USB mics, and leave even Blue's much-beloved Snowball playing catchup. For the price, a product that looks and sounds this good is going to be pretty hard to beat. Highly recommended.