Blue Yeti USB Microphone Review: Is It Worth The Hype?

Blue Yeti’s Multi-Pattern USB Microphone Review

Produce unparalleled crystal-clear audio recordings on your own computer with Blue Yeti’s Multi-Pattern USB Microphone. With its advanced tri-capsule technology, you can create records on par with professional studios.

Its multi-pattern settings enable you to capture different sound directions such as stereo, cardioid, bidirectional, and omnidirectional.

This means you can record any kind of sound in various directions that suit your audio project, from vocals, narrations, podcasts, multiple interviews, to instruments.

You also wouldn’t need to set up many microphones because you can simply switch in between the controls for versatile recordings.

Blue Yeti
9.8/10 Our Score

Aside from pattern selection controls, Blue Yeti’s USB Microphone also has controls for headphone volume, mute, and mic gain. Check best price on Amazon here.

Features:

  • Multi-Pattern Modes.

Blue Yeti mic has four pattern modes for multi-purpose recording; stereo, cardioid, omni directional and bidirectional.You can switch between the pattern selection and whatever kind of recording suits with your audio project.

The stereo mode enables the left and right channel which are ideal for recording realistic sounds.

The cardioid mode captures sound in front of the mic, making it best suited for narrations, vocals, podcasts, and game streaming.

  • Bidirectional mode picks up sound in the front and at the back of the microphone, perfect for recording interviews on a voice recorder, duets, and vocals with instruments.
  • The omni directional mode equally captures sound from all directions. You can use this to create realistic ambiance settings or live performances with the audience.
  • Real-Time Recording Controls.With Yeti mic, you are in charge of all the levels of the recording process as it allows you to control the pattern selection, headphone volume, pattern selection, microphone gain and mute. Since it is designed to have a 3.5 mm headphone jack, you can listen to recordings in real-time with no delays. You can tweak the volume or control the capturing direction of the mic.
  • Easy Gain Control.

If you hear feedback or distortion during recording coming from background noise or a loud thump, you can just adjust Yeti gain control to increase or decrease its sensitivity.

  • Instant Mute.

If you suddenly need a break, just use the easy mute button.

  • Classic Retro Design.

The Yeti Mic looks great on cam because it is designed to look like a retro recording equipment that takes you back to the 1950s. It has a shiny metal grille and frames like an old broadcasting mic.

But despite the classic look, the technology it uses is high-tech.

  • The Yeti mic is mounted on a hinge so you can pivot and adjust the mic depending on your sound source.

Simply position it to your desired angle and secure it in place with the screws included. If you’re on the move, you can fold down the mic or remove it from its base for greater portability.

  • Easy Set-up.

Yeti USB mic is basically a plug and play device. You don’t need to install additional software for it to be recognized by your computer’s operating system.

  • 2-year Yeti USB Mic has a two-year limited warranty, to ensure customer satisfaction.

Specifications

Capsules: pressure gradient, condenser
Polar Patterns: Multi-direction (stereo, cardioid, bidirectional,and omnidirectional)
Max SPL: 120dB (THD: 0.5% 1kHz)Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
BitRate: 16bit
Sample Rate: 48kHz
Dimension: 5 x 5.5 x 10 inches
Weight: 4 pounds
System Requirements:

  • For Windows PC: Windows 8 and lower, with USB 1.0/2.0 and 64MB RAM.
  • For Macintosh: Mac OS4.6 or higher, with USB 1.0/2.0 and 64MB RAM

Verdict

Blue Yeti’s Multi-Pattern USB Microphone is truly a versatile mic that can operate the way four different mics can. The multi-pattern function is basically phenomenal. See prices and buy on Amazon.

It’s perfect for home recording and professional studio recordings. You won’t need to buy separate microphones to capture specific sounds. And the sound quality is superb for a USB Microphone. This microphone is highly recommended.

Pros
  • Aside from the high-quality multi-pattern modes and cool features that Blue Yeti’s Multi-Pattern USB Microphone offers, here are some of the positive aspects of this product based on the experience of its users.

  • Best for recording scratch audio for video production.

  • For a USB microphone, it’s recording sound quality is excellent, whether for audio and video productions. Even for dubbing and voice-overs in television shows, this mic can be used.

  • Phenomenal Sound Recording. It can capture the full range of your voice, unlike a headset mic which only picks up limited range.

  • No need for sound editing. The sound recordings with this microphone are great so that you won’t need to edit your recordings for gaps, variances, or level issues anymore.

Cons
  • Despite the impressive features that Blue Yeti’s Multi-Pattern USB Microphone is capable of, some users have experienced negative aspects of this product.

  • Awkward cable.

  • Some users hate how the cable connects to the mic’s base. Nevertheless, users suggest that you can ensure that the cable is pulled through the hole and the mic should be tilted upwards in a way that the base faces the user.

  • For soundproofed rooms only. It can still pick up background noises, so the best solution is to soundproof your recording area.

  • Noise gate dysfunctions. The noise gate function cuts some of the recorded


Frequently Asked Questions

What does pattern mean on blue yeti?

The Blue Yeti (like many other mics) has multi-pattern modes, which is a fancy word for saying in which direction the mic can work the best. These patterns are also called “Polar patterns.” There are four patterns:

• Stereo: Enables left and right channels. Captures sounds both from the front and the sides, making it a great choice for choir singing.
• Cardioid: Captures sound in front of the mic. Best for vocals.
Omnidirectional: Captures sounds from all directions, best for conference calls in an office setup.
• Bidirectional: Great for interviews. It captures sounds from two directions.

Are Blue Yeti mics bad?

Blue Yeti mics are very popular among podcasters and streamers. But there are some genuine criticisms which apply to them:

• USB mics are inherently inferior to XLR ones in terms of sound quality. So if you are looking for a recording mic in a professional setup, then Blue Yeti USB mics are no good.
• The build quality is a bit shaky. There are consumer complaints of paint coming off or scratches on the surface.
• The mic is a bit heavy, especially if you like “walking and talking.”
• It has USB Type-2 cables, which are slow.

Is a Blue Yeti worth it?

There are some great features of the Blue Yeti that make this purchase worth it. These include: 

• Multiple polar patterns
• Easy gain control.
• Easy setup
• Instant mute
• Retro design
• Two-year warranty

However, if you are looking for professional-sounding vocals, Blue Yeti is probably not the way to go because it’s a USB mic.

Why does my Blue Yeti sound bad?

If your Blue Yeti mic sounds bad, you can do the following:

1. Check the USB cable connection at both ends. A faulty cable might be causing distortion. Replace the cable with another one and try it out
2. USB hubs can reduce the sound quality of a mic.
3. You may be holding the mic too close or in the wrong direction. Blue Yeti is a multi-pattern mic, so choose the pattern that maps best to how you are going to sit and talk
4. Check the software. See if using a different DAW helps improve the sound quality.

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