Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone Review

Finally, a USB mic that’s not only easy to use, but sounds as good on your desktop as it does in a professional recording studio. Meet the Snowball; the world’s first professional USB mic.

Whether you’re recording a guitar at your kitchen table or a complete band in the studio, the Snowball can capture it with detail unheard of before in a USB mic.

Introduction:

Finding the right microphone is just as tough and complicated as finding the right speakers. Especially when you use it on a computer, the task doesn’t involve having the right microphone, but the right hardware to use it on as well.

Known for its line of professional studio-grade microphones, Blue Microphones offers the Snowball – a new USB based microphone that you simply plug on your computer. It’s a simple and easy way to record the best possible audio, perfect for those podcast or if you just want to be the next err, American Idol.

Manufacturer’s Specification:

• Transducer Type    : Condenser, Pressure Gradient with USB Digital Output
• Polar Patterns    : Omnidirectional or Cardioid
• Freq Response    : Position 1-3: 40-18 kHz
• Sample/Word Rate    : 44.1 kHz/16 bit
• Weight        : 460 grams
• Dimensions        : 325 mm (circumference)

Design and Setup:

The Snowball looks like well, a ball. A circular shaped sphere makes up the main microphone and includes a metal hole where you can attach the tripod that comes along with the package. This will let the microphone reach a height of about 6 inches.

With the big ‘Blue’ logo in front, the shiny exterior gives the Snowball a sense of elegance, especially when you place it on top of your desk. On top you will find a LED that lights up in red to let you know that it is ready to record.

At the back you will find only a single port that’s solely used for connecting the Snowball to your computer. While it is not really a deal breaker, the extra ports and connections could be a welcome addition.

There is also a switch at the rear of the Snowball that lets you switch between the microphone’s three recording modes: cardioid, cardioid -10dB, and omni though it is only represented by 1, 2 and 3 switches and you may have to keep that manual handy just in case.

Performance:

Since the Snowball is plug and play, it easily install on your computer (it’s Windows and Mac compatible) without the need for extra software. Speaking of software, I would have preferred if they packaged some sort of recording software to come with the Snowball.

So how good does the Snowball sound? In omni mode, my voice is represented with superb accuracy and I barely noticed any hiss when playing back recorded content. Compared to when I using the built-in microphone on my headset, recordings are fuller and with a wider dynamic range.

For a microphone of this type (it’s a professional-grade one), that is good enough. Bear in mind that this is still a monophonic type of microphone – that means it can perfectly record from a single audio source like your voice. But using this for multiple channel recording won’t do the job.

Supplied Accessories:

• USB cable
• Microphone stand
• User guide and manual

Pros & Cons:

Pros

• Stylish and excellent design
• No frills setup and usage

Cons

• Only uses USB as the main input and output
• No software included for recording audio
• Confusing recording mode

Conclusion:

The Snowball offer an inexpensive way for you to get an above average recording from your computer. It’s not professional grade but for its price and performance, it’s worth it.