New Mic For Podcasting
May 24th, 2008 | By James Lewin | Category: Featured Story, Podcasting Hardware 
Blue Microphones has introduced a new microphone designed for mobile use, the Snowflake.
Blue calls it “the first professional portable USB mic, and recommends it for mobile podcasting, VoIP software (such as Skype and Vonage), field recording, lecture recording and music recording.
It retails for $79.
Specifications:
- Transducer Type: Pressure Gradient w/USB Digital Output
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Sample/Word: 44.1kHz / 16 bit
- Frequency Response: 35Hz – 20kHz
Features:
- Mac and PC compatible
- Plug ‘n play
- Unique design fits on your desktop or laptop
- Includes USB cable
Just wondering how this new mike is in terms of handling noise, popping P’s, wind noise, that kind of thing.
I have found a lot of mikes out there that can be used for remote recording but not equally well — when you’re sitting at your desk, your mike doesn’t have to contend with being moved around or handled. I have seen many good recordings ruined because the mike is not rugged enough for the job, so would really like to know if this mike is truly a good remote mike and what makes it different from other USB’s on the market. (Often for remote recording I will recommend a non-USB mike just because there are a lot more or them out there that are suitable for non-studio use — a good ENG (electronic news gathering mike) will often do the job better just because it’s specifically invented for work in the field.)
I bought a snowball Mic from this company and it was a piece of crap – then they would not take it back. Customer service was bad – incompetent. Since then I have been unwilling to send blue another dime, Why should I trust a company that does not seem to care that low end doesn’t have to mean junk? If I buy a cheap mic it is because I am really counting every dollar – and need a mic I can trust and will work to the highest standard.
I use an H2 Zoom hooked up to my computer for recording or a sure 58 hacked in through a USB device. Maybe Blue has come up with something half decent – then again maybe their promise is once again bigger then there bite. Honestly though the issue is really mute because computers create so much extra sound that you really don’t want to be using a USB mike because of the fan noise pollution.