All user reviews for the Blue Microphones Snowball

I bought the Blue Snowball microphone back in 2010. I was getting ready to deploy to the desert, and I was warned not to bring valuable equipment for fear of getting it filled with sand (sand gets into everything over there)! So I paid the $100 at the time for this microphone to do some temporary work during my stay away from home. I probably would have been ok bringing a better microphone for recording my vocals but, I am still able to find good uses for this microphone even to this day!

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
As I said before, while I was in the desert I used this microphone to record temporary vocals for any song ideas I would form while out there. Honestly, I wonder how well those recordings would have held up had I knew how to properly mix at the time. While not my first choice for recording vocals for commercial songs, the Blue Snowball has been my first choice for everything else. I have made great presentations, radio commercials, and voice-overs for video tutorials all with this microphone. I have also recording samples of me making noises with dishes to use them as drums for school assignments.

STAND-OUT FEATURES
So the usb-powered Snowball condenser microphone has three different modes of operation. The first position, which I use the most, is for what’s directly in front of the microphone. If you’re going to be doing any voice-overs, vocals, or podcasting, you’ll want to use “position 1” for get the best results possible. I’ve conducted video tutorials while recording my vocals from a good two feet away with this mic, and the audio comes in loud and very clear. While mixing down the tutorial I find that I have to spend very little time making sure that my voice is clear after recording.

If you need to capture loud sounds like live bands, “position 2” is going to be your best bet. I used this setting to capture the samples I needed to record for making drums samples. Lastly in the third position, you’re able to use this mic for things like conference calls where multiple voice in different places need to be heard.

MY OPINION
The Snowball is very versatile and can meet your many needs for audio recording. I think the best thing about this microphone is that it is does not require an audio interface. You can just plug and play via usb connection. Studio equipment can be expensive, but this microphone is not. Whether it’s recording acoustic instruments, voice-overs, or just chatting on Skype with a friend, this microphone is well equipped to handle the challenge with great results.

PROS
built-in stand makes easy to place mic anywhere
usb powered plug and play
clear audio

The Snowball is a Usb microphone, it's very easy to use, has a pretty decent sound and a very affordable price that's hard to compete with.

The installation is simple, it's plug in play (via the usb). Any recording application you have should be able to recognize it once installed, but if it doesn't... just go into properties and tell your soundcard to listen to your usb port (problem solved)

It's a very stable mic surprisingly Blue has always been good at building projects that last (that's one of their trademarks)

OVERALL OPINION

I hated most about this mic was it's design. I can't stand the way it looks or it's build. It's just... clunky. The audio quality isn't too bad it's very usable especially if you're podcasting or just using the mic for some basic voice overs.

I hate the fact that you can't mount this mic to a mic stand. It's meant to be a desktop/table top mic but they couldn't made it a little more versatile.

I've used several different usb mics (condenser and dynamic) before using the snowball and they all had more features and a much better sound to me.

The other thing I didn't like too much was the snowballs super low recording levels. I found myself nearly kissing the mic in order for it to pick up of a semi hot signal.

Blue is known for making quality gear (mics, cables etc). I don't know what the aim was when this was created. If they were going for a regular podcast mic cool but people that use them/trust them expect studio mics or mics that can adjust to a studio environment and that is not the case with the Snowball.


If I had $100 in my pocket and needed a usb mic today the snowball would not be my mic of choice

I used this mic when I first got into DAW based recording a a while ago. I was expecting a USB Mic to not stand up to a professional studio's sound, but it turns out this thing is amazing. If you're starting out with recording, or DAW based recording, this mic is a wonderful way to experiment with things before you go out and buy an expensive interface. Props to Blue for coming up with something inexpensive, and comparable to studio mics twice the price. Blue is known for putting out great mics so it was only right they did the same with a usb version.

It's also great when on the road with a laptop. When an melody pops in your head, or you don't want to have to walk out the door and forget a catchy lick you just thought up, you can easily scratch track it without having to mess with interfaces, and powering up equipment.


OVERALL OPINION

I'm amazed at how good it sounds. I've used it to record my band and a friends band as well. For vocals it gives you a clean and crisp signal that naturally brings the vocals to the front of the mix. I often times find myself using the Snowball to record things over more expensive mics I own, because it's so easy and convenient to use. I leave it on my computer desk and when I want record I plug it in and I'm done, there's no fussing around with big mic stands and XLR cables. It's simple, it sounds fantastic and it's inexpensive. What more could you want from a mic? Downside of the mic is it can pick up a lot of other surrounding noises. You will need to be in a really quiet room or have a room that’s sound proof or treated properly so it doesn’t pick up things going on outside of the room. But this mic is very easy, just plug in the usb slot and start recording your music!

Microphone type: 2 capsules
3 positions: cardioid, cardioid with 10 dB pad, and omnidirectional (second capsule).
Technology: capacitor.
Plugs into a USB port.
Appearance: ... a lot of plastic shaped ball bigger than what you can expect when you see it in his globe (about 10 cm in diameter). Telescopic steel tripod well made solid in appearance (about 18 cm unfolded). Made in China ... It is written in big top, this one is not wrong!

OVERALL OPINION

Received this morning ...
This microphone is virtually unusable out of position with pad! It saturates very quickly. Do not expect to record a repeated in omnidirectional, it is cooked! Blue has released two patches, one for recording and another powerful Registration lower. Indeed the level drops but still saturates the microphone. These patches are in fact drivers, and you have to install one that uninstalls the other. It's pretty quick, but it is not instantaneous (click on the patch, remove micro micro ... ... Reconnect disconnect, reconnect ... OK!). To solve the problem may need to be put behind a door.
Huge latency (ms 325.079 as Cubase), impossible to record with headphones. We can do without, but can not add a second runway to less than reset the mouse!
Recording quality: not even want to dwell on it.
The microphone still has something good, it's pretty easy to put it back in its box to send it back where it came from!
A joke do we dare to leave such a m. .. ?

The Blue Snowball used to be that thing I always lusted after before I actually got into the world of serious recording, so even if I was inexperienced, my research and obsessive following of the Snowball had to mean it was good, right?

Well, yes. The Blue Snowball is quite a feat of design. Before anything else, it's striking with its shape, and in the case of the chrome one, its color, and its switchable patterns and a pad in the cardioid widened my eyes in amazement before I understood that this was a rather normal thing among microphones.

Once I met a friend who owned one for convenience and travel recording, I had to try it out. I was just getting into recording, but because I was dead serious, I ended up getting an entire audio chain which started with a Shure SM7b. So I had standards. And I immediately figured out how glad I was that I didn't spend $100 on the Snowball.

I can't say it's bad. It's a good microphone, but to be frank, even for a USB microphone, it's beginning to show its age. At this point in time, a Yeti with far superior quality and features can be had for just a little more, and for the same price, a Samson Meteor (which is a rather impressive piece of work) can be had instead. The Blue Snowball, even for a USB microphone now, sounds a bit shrill, and I could never bear to use this for anything more than idea capture.

OVERALL OPINION

So I find that the Blue Snowball, unless it gets a bit of a makeover, will lose its place in the traveling audio person market. There are a few better offerings coming out onto the market now, and if you YouTube the Snowball and watch it in comparisons with other USB microphones, it's getting blown away.

But I will say one thing. When your friends who know nothing about audio come over and see the Snowball, they'll get a bit confused. Because it still had complete control over the high-end consumer market, and maybe that's how I should have reviewed it.

Hello,

This mic is versatile (vocals, acoustic instruments, podcasts), it has to this effect a reduction or Omni Switch. It is a micro USB Cardioid Condenser static powered by the PC (5V). Compatible with any PC. Low latency direct, high Omni or multiple sources.
The USB allows drivers to bypass and under certain situations nomads, it''s okay to repair a microphone.
As compared to the Zero points of the previous opinion, I think is important about the material and insulation.
Another advantage necessary: the suspension rather expensive, yet essential, which is not supplied with and for good reason ..
See the tests fair or worse on YouTube.

OVERALL OPINION

Past year, I have more to look, lol.
Yes of course, the little GO USB Mic Samson C01U and.
What I like, I think depending on the version there is more or less plastic. The three have a great vintage look, all-aluminum and brushed steel, it exudes robustness, white is the one who seems more fragile, but in fact it is a very strong resin that complements the Mac colors and new HP .. Black is a bit cold but "pro".
I find it superior in capturing the Samson GB and virtually tied with the C01U for singing and ukulele or guitar. I have not tried yet the G-Track or AKG.
Most, it must be said: his look and the USB side and the mobile switch gear and suspension option, alas.
Cons: Like all USB microphones, it does not equal a good static XLR with a good preamp. Attention compared to its competitors, it is large, providing a small valise.il unsuitable been in a group, as already stated, it is dedicated to singing, guitar, stringed instruments, and also Podcast (documentaries, reportages , dialogues actors).
The value price is right and I would do this choice.

The Blue Microphones Snowball USB is a condenser microphone that has a capability of being sent via USB straight to your computer. This bypasses the audio interface and really eliminates the need for one if you are just trying to record one thing at a time with this microphone only. This is made for studio use only, as it designed for use with your computer. It has either an omni or cardioid in terms of polar pattern settings. It also comes with a mini stand that is great for putting on your desk.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the Blue Microphones Snowball USB mic for about a year and have found it useful for those who want a microphone that can connect straight to your computer via USB. It is perfect for those just looking to have a microphone that they can record ideas or single mic recordings. The sound quality of this microphone is surprisingly good considering how cheap it is and while I haven't used any other USB based microphones, I think it would be hard to find a mic that is as cheap as this one for what it does. I have used this microphone on everything from vocals to simply just recording a live performance with a single microphone. It is quick and easy to set up, which makes it perfect for getting down ideas. I have come to trust Blue Microphones to make high quality sounding microphones that are set a reasonable prices. This makes them viable for both the professional and amateur, but I would really just recommend this microphone to amateurs looking for a cheap way to record with a good sounding microphone without having to buy a whole recording rig. All in all, this is a great innovation from Blue Microphones and definitely is worthy of a try.

Like getting 3 microphones in one with a 3 postion swith just above the USB connector. 1 Activates the Cardioid Capsule 2 Activates the Cardioid Capsule with a -10db pad(loud situations) 3 Activates the Omni Capsule Missing in the box Microphone stand and USB Cable that by early annoucments would be in the box. They are not. I guess that most highend mircophones do not come with these items so why should the SnowBall?

Price paid

$139.00

OVERALL OPINION

An excellent USB studio microphone.

For the most part very easy to use going into GarageBand. Can be a little tricky to get some audio software to recognize the SnowBall. No USB drives on the website. Not very windows friendly.

The B.L.U.E. SnowBall is well built.

This has to be the most interesting looking micrphone that I have ever seen and used. The retro looks catches your eye and the great quality makes you think that this may be the only USB Microphone that anyone needs. A big WOW factor the 1st time you see it!

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: macbodock ( 9-, 2005)

USB is a great idea but lacking with the support of live monitoring.

Price paid: $160 USD

Sound quality was excellent.

Plug and play but configuring your daw is another story. Cubase SX would only recognize one audi interface at a time while using asio drivers. The wdm drivers allowed me to select the Blue snowball as a input device but being that the snowball is usb live monitoring is on about a 300ms delay.

Seemed real durable and the quality was top knotch.

OVERALL OPINION

Sad to I took the mic back and exchanged it the next day because of the poor implementation of usb as an interface for multitracking along side another audio interface (m-audio delta 192). If I was doing podcasts and did't need to monitor this would be the mic to have, the quality that I was able to record was excellent but due to no asio support and no live monitoring it just wasn't for me.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Khary ( 2-, 2006)

This microphone from Blue is a very creative looking mic and audio interface in one that is made for podcasting and hobbyist recording. I actually bought this as a gift for my brother, but played around with it for a bit to check out the sound quality before giving it to him. First of all it comes with a neat looking stand and mounting device. It is meant to sit on a desk perched on top of this little stand for podcasting purposes. The stand also happens to be a pretty good height for miking a guitar amp if you wanted to use this for that purpose. It is mainly a cardioid condenser type mic, but you do have some options here. There is a 3 position switch on the back that can change that. The first position is normal cardioid condenser. The second one is the same capsule except this time with a 10db pad engaged to take down the level a little bit, in case you are screaming into the thing or are recording a loud amp. The third one turns the capsule into omni mode, which will record a much larger sound field. That is a nice position if you just want some rough recordings of a rehearsal or something. The mic itself connects to a computer with USB and is self powered, so you don't need any of the usual extra components to get this condenser mic working. The mic is not compatible with every kind of DAW though, so make sure before you buy this that you're not in for any rude compatibility surprises.

OVERALL OPINION

This mic is very cheap and can do a lot for the price. For someone who is not too discriminating about the sound quality, this is a very nice buy because it is the microphone, stand, and interface all in one convenient and cool looking sphere. The overall sound quality is a little bit lacking in detail, but definitely more than you'd expect for the price. I wouldn't get it for myself, but makes a nice gift for someone into podcasting!