Do you want to get a microphone for videoconferencing , creating podcasts , recording voices or musical instruments ? Why not opt for the Blue Microphones Snowball? A and very easy to use microphone . And that's not all ! Find out everything you should know before buying the Snowball microphone: its design, its features, its technical performance, its sound quality... And finally, our opinion.
Blue Microphones Snowball Overview
The Blue Microphones Snowball is a condenser microphone . It is a fully “ Plug and Play ” USB model like the Blue Yeti USB microphone. To use a microphone of this type, there is nothing rocket science.
You will not need to install any third-party drivers or software. To make it work, simply plug the cable that comes in the box into an available USB port on your PC or MAC.
In terms of design, the Blue Snowball has nothing to envy of ordinary condenser microphones. Indeed, as its name suggests, this microphone is shaped like a snowball. Its vintage look takes us back to the 60s.
The microphone is attached to a height-adjustable table tripod. This metal device allows you to position it according to your preferences. Note also that the three-legged support is equipped with non-slip rubbers to stabilize the microphone. You will thus be able to make your recordings in the best conditions.
Just like other models from the Blue Microphones brand, the Snowball benefits from a beautiful finish. The front is decorated with a metal logo (“Blue”) above which a red LED light is placed. The latter allows you to check whether the microphone is plugged in or not.
But its major asset is on its back side. There is a USB port, but not only that. There is also a button allowing you to change the sensitivity of the microphone according to your needs. This is a device that makes the microphone practical for multiple uses.
Also discover : Test and review of the Sontronics STC-20 Pack microphone . This guide gives you the complete overview of this condenser microphone, along with its sound quality and technical specifications.
The Blue Microphones Snowball and its 3 directivity settings
In addition to its unique design, the Blue Snowball also stands out for its versatility. Unlike a classic condenser microphone which offers only one directivity, this model offers three.
You can in fact switch at any time between 3 operating modes:
- 1st Position : cardioid directivity
- 2nd Position : cardioid directivity with an attenuator less than 10 dB
- 3rd Position: omnidirectional directivity .
Focus on these 3 options
Cardioid mode only captures sounds in front of the microphone. This first option is therefore the most interesting for studio recording.
As for the second option, it is a variation of the cardioid . But this time, the capsule is equipped with an attenuator less than 10 dB. This helps reduce loud sounds .
And the third option lets you switch to omnidirectional mode . The latter makes the Blue Snowball sensitive to sounds within a 360 °C . This is ideal for a conference call or for singing or talking with others.
Blue Microphones Snowball: a model designed for multiple applications
Gamer, streamer, podcast columnist, YouTuber, musician or singer, you will certainly find what you are looking for by opting for this 3 in 1 model (also discover our guide on the best gaming, streaming and podcasting microphone).
Indeed, this model is designed to record voice (singing, podcast, voice-over) thanks to its unidirectional cardioid mode . It can also be adapted to recordings of powerful sound sources (guitars, drums, loud vocals, etc.). To do this, simply select the cardioid mode attenuated by less than 10 dB.
You can also use this microphone for group rehearsals by choosing omnidirectional mode. The latter gives you the possibility of capturing sounds all around the microphone . This is a big advantage that you cannot have with the Snowball iCE . Indeed, this other version of Snowball only has a cardioid capsule.
In short, if you are looking for a versatile microphone that is suitable for multiple uses , I highly recommend the Blue Microphones Snowball.
Apogee Mic Plus microphone review guide . This is a cardioid condenser USB microphone. Discover the complete details in this guide, as well as our opinion on this studio microphone.
Focus on the sound quality of the Blue Microphones Snowball
There is no doubt that sound quality is a criterion of capital importance when choosing a microphone. It is clear that we always want the best possible quality, whether for gaming, podcasting or even recording. So what about the Blue Snowball?
Well, you should know that like all Blue microphone models, including the Blue Bluebird SL, Blue Yeti and Blue Spark SL, the quality is matched with the Snowball. Whether outdoors or in a home studio, it provides excellent sound quality .
The frequency response, that is to say the frequency interval that it is capable of capturing, is between 40 Hz and 18,000 Hz .
Obviously, it won't produce the same sound as a professional studio microphone costing 20 times more. But he's getting close. The sound is clear , natural with little background noise . It picks up bass well and performs reasonably even without a pop filter. What's more, you don't necessarily need to stand too close to the mic to get good sound quality.
In short, as you will have understood, there is not much to complain about with the Snowball in terms of sound quality.
What is the Blue Microphones Snowball best suited for? Definitely, for podcasts and streaming. It is in these contexts that this USB microphone performs best.
The technical characteristics of the Blue Microphones Snowball
- Type: Condenser microphone with digital USB output
- Polar patterns: cardioid, -10 dB attenuated cardioid, omnidirectional
- Frequency response: 40 Hz – 18 kHz
- Sampling frequency/resolution: 44.1 kHz/16 bit
- Power supply type: 48 V
- Dimensions: 325 mm (circumference)
- Weight: 460g
Our Overall Opinion
Overall Sound Quality
Value for money
Global mark
Our opinion on the Blue Microphones Snowball microphone
Versatile, practical and affordable. These 3 words seem most appropriate to me to describe the Blue Microphones Snowball. Of course, this model is far from perfect. But it is rare to find an inexpensive microphone on the market with all these qualities.
In addition to being easy to install and use, I particularly like this microphone because of its retro design. Its tripod is quite sturdy and adjustable, which is not the case with the Snowball iCE. Added to this is the small LED which lights up when the microphone is connected to a computer.
As for the sound quality, again, I am won over by the rendering of this microphone. And what about its 3 directivity settings? This is a feature that I find very practical and above all economical.
In fact, by equipping yourself with the Blue Snowball, you no longer have to buy an omnidirectional microphone to record the atmosphere in a room. You can easily change the sensitivity of the microphone using a simple button.
Note, however, that the sound quality is significantly better in cardioid mode compared to omnidirectional mode. This model would therefore be ideal for solo recording.
And to top it all off, the Blue Microphones Snowball offers great value for money. I can only recommend it.
Blue Microphones Snowball Demo
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Blue Microphones Snowball
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