Until podcasting came around, most people rarely encountered or used a microphone unless they worked in a special industry or were giving a wedding speech. The explosion of podcasting opened up a whole new market to microphone manufacturers. They battled it out to build affordable microphones with features that podcasters would love. A champion emerged: The Blue Yeti microphone.
Introduced in 2009, the Yeti from Blue Microphones is remains to this day immensely popular among podcasters, YouTubers, and other digital content creators.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
With 32,000 reviews on Amazon’s U.S. store, it’s clear that the Blue Yeti microphone is a hit. If you’re considering which microphone to purchase for your podcast, this article will help you decide.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest reasons why the Yeti has been such a smashing success.
USB Connection
Before their explosion in popularity in the digital space, most microphones used an XLR connection. This professional connector is designed to plug into a professional mixing console or audio interface. This means that you’d need some cables and a separate device to connect a decent microphone to your computer.
While a USB connection is not unique to the Yeti, it’s a no-brainer when designing a simple microphone for podcasters. Connect a single cable to your computer, and it’s showtime.
Built-In Stand
Though this may seem like a minor detail, it contributes to the Yeti’s simplicity.
Traditional microphones don’t include a stand.
With the Yeti, there’s no extra accessories needed, no extra costs, and no disappointed buyers wondering why their microphone won’t stand up straight!
The Yeti is easy to travel with and completely self-contained.
Multiple Pickup Patterns
This is where the Blue Yeti microphone really shines. Most microphones pick up sound from one direction, and reject sound coming from elsewhere.
This is ideal for a single-person setup, but what about with multiple people speaking? Well, the most ideal scenario is using a proper multi-mic setup so each person has their own microphone.
But in a pinch, or on a budget, you can share. The Blue Yeti makes that easy by offering different pickup pattern settings, ideal for 2 or more speakers. It’s also important to note how to properly speak into the Blue Yeti, it’s more confusing than you’d think!
Other Features
The Yeti offers simple “plug-and-play” operation for both PC and Mac. It also has nifty features like a mute button, level control, and is available in several colors. You can also mount the Yeti on a different stand or a microphone boom.
Overall Value/Price
The final piece in the Yeti puzzle is its price point. Not only does it offer extreme versatility and convenience in a compact size, but it’s quite reasonably priced.
We Recommend the Blue Yeti
You can see that the Blue Yeti is a great fit for many podcasters. It’s popular for a reason! This is why East Coast Studio continues to recommend the Yeti to many of our clients.
Every situation is unique, so speak with a professional before investing in any podcasting equipment. East Coast Studio is owned by a graduate of Canada’s top audio engineering school, so we know a thing or two about microphones. We can help you launch your podcast and avoid costly mistakes like buying equipment you don’t need.
This article contains affiliate links and we may share a portion of the sale should you click through and make a purchase. We are not affiliated with Blue Microphones, nor were we paid, bribed, or given any free products to write this article.