Blue Microphones SnowBall USB Microphone Bundle
Posted: December 29th, 2009 | Author: Condenser Microphone Reviews | Filed under: Condenser Microphone Reviews | Tags: Blue Microphones, Cardioid, Ebay, Garage Band, Golf Ball Size, Good Job, Mac Osx, Mac Requirements, Microphone Technology, Mics, Mixed Reactions, Professional Edition, Ram Mac, Retro Style, Snowball, Snowflake, Soft Vocals, Sound Forge 9, Usb Microphone, Usb Microphones | No Comments »Blue Microphones SnowBall USB Microphone Bundle
Includes: tripod stand.Blue Microphones Snowball – Round and white, the Snowball lives up to it’s name, and features a retro style that harkens back to the early days of audio. But on the inside, the Snowball represents only the most modern in microphone technology. Bringing you professional quality audio recording on the PC or Macintosh via USB. It’s perfect for everything from soft vocals to a loud garage band. It’s also ideal for professional sounding podcasts. PC Requirements – XP Home or Professional Edition, USB 1.0 or 2.0 port, and a minimum of 64MB of RAM Mac Requirements – Mac OSX, USB 1.0 or 2.0 port, and a minimum of 64MB of RAM
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Mixed Reactions
First, this thing is big. Think softball big. I wanted something I could take on the road with me. This aint it.
However, I’ll grant you that from my little bit of experience with it, the audio seems to be pretty good (tested on Sound Forge 9).
The problem this mic shares with about 95% of USB mics is that you are dependent on the monitoring audio of your computer/software. When I record, the headphones are on. The lag on my laptop made monitoring impossible. Some software doesn’t even support monitoring during recording.
This mic is going back — or going on eBay.
I’ve ordered a Samson G-Track, which supports real time monitoring.
I did order a Blue Snowflake…Yeah..I know…Same monitoring problem. But the same problem in a cardioid that’s golf ball size instead of softball size is easier to swallow.
4 Stars Good quality mic
I use this mic primarily for recording classes I teach. My students and I sit around a conference table and I set the SnowBall in the middle; it does a very good job picking up all of the voices. I have several students (teens) who mumble or are very soft spoken and the mic pics them up just fine.
I have also used this to record a lecture. I placed it below the podium, out of view of the speaker and the audience, and it captured the speaker’s voice very well.
I attach the mic to my MacBook and use GarageBand software for the recordings. I can record about 1.5 hours without needing to have the computer plugged in. The whole interface is very easy to use.
My wife thinks it looks big and ugly; others have found it cool looking. It is on the larger side, but because it works so well I don’t really care about the looks. It fits in my messenger bag with the stand, shielded USB cable, and laptop, so the size isn’t an issue for me.
4 Stars exceptional
the sound sounds great and crisp. No noise is heard even if my ceiling fan is going. only problem I have had is that recording guitars sounds rather dull. This may or may not be because of my $250 guitar… Either way, not as good as a $1000 neumann but close enough for anyone who isn’t in a professional recording studio.
Worked instantly with my Mac.
5 Stars Blue “Snowball” Mic….
The Blue Snowball Microphone is great for an inexpensive mic…..but still sounds very high quality! It is a USB mic…so you just plug it in to your computer and it’s ready to go. (Of course you need to let your computer know it is the Blue mic you are using.) It is really a wonderful mic….the sound is clear….no static or crackling sounds. Too many great things to mention….
5 Stars Perfect
The Blue Snowball was extremely easy to set up…just plug it in the usb port and that’s it. I use it in a group setting for webex. Picks up everyone’s voice clearly.
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