Blue Spark Digital Microphone
Product Information
-
Overview
The digital version of Blue’s analog microphone, Spark Digital is a professional recording device for the iPad. Featuring the same studio-grade components as its analogue counterpart, Spark Digital gives a consistent performance across a wide range of sources, including vocals, drums, guitar, speech and location recording.
The Spark Digital also provides two different sound options in one mic allowing more versatility and freedom to experiment with different sonic signatures. For storing and sharing, Spark Digital includes an exclusive Cloud Production Bundle with free access to production tools for easy organising, storing and streaming of audio content across the web.
This pack includes a 25 GB storage and transfer account for six months from Gobbler, a leader in music backup and organisation, along with a six-month Pro Account from SoundCloud. It also comes with a zero-latency headphone jack and a desk stand with built-in shockmount so you can quickly position the mic wherever you need it.
-
Highlights
- Studio-grade condenser microphone for iPad
- Records vocals and instruments
- Lets you create podcasts and capture audio on location
- Works with GarageBand and hundreds of other great apps
- Headphone jack for zero-latency, real-time monitoring
- Controls on the mic allow instant changes to gain, mute and headphone volume
- Focus Control offers two sound signatures in one mic
- Comes with adjustable desk-stand with built-in shockmount
- Soft carrying pouch
-
Did you notice?
The world's first mic to supply both USB and iPad (30-pin dock connector) connectivity. -
Apple Recommends For
Deliver studio-quality audio to your iPad, Mac, or a compute or tablet with USB input. -
What's in the Box?
- Blue Microphones Spark Digital Condenser Microphone
- Y-Cable for 30-pin connector with headphone jack
- Y-Cable for USB with headphone jack
- Adjustable stand with built-in shockmount
- Soft carrying bag
-
Tech Specs
- Frequency Response : 26 - 20,000 Hz
-
System Requirements
Mac
- OS X 10.4.11 or later
- 64 MB
- USB
Windows
- Windows 7/Vista/XP
- 64 MB
- USB
-
Manufacturer Information
Part Number
- Mfr. Part Number : 830
- UPC or EAN No. : 836213000830
Warranty
- Note : Products sold through this website that do not bear the Apple Brand name are serviced and supported exclusively by their manufacturers in accordance with terms and conditions packaged with the products. Apple's Limited Warranty does not apply to products that are not Apple-branded, even if packaged or sold with Apple products. Please contact the manufacturer directly for technical support and customer service.
Ratings & Reviews
-
Great Recording!
I know Blue is known for their vintage designs, but still have to say I was blown away by how gorgeous this mic is. Setup was flaw less, plugged it into my iPad (3 gen), booted up GarageBand and immediately got a great vocal sound (best I’ve ever gotten!). The front gain control made it easy to adjust the sensitivity. My friend has the original Spark for studio/XLR and this claims to be the same thing, and I’d believe it. I recorded acoustic guitar and vocals, sounds amazing! Big reason I bought this over other iPad mics was the headphone output – can’t really use headphones on a multi-track session on Garage Band without it. And it came with a cool carrying bag! Immediately satisfied with my purchase. …
- Written by Chris P from New Whiteland
67 of 69 people found this useful
-
Best iPad microphone
I have tried both the Apogee MiC and the Spark Digital microphones. Both are excellent products. If minimal size is important fo r you then the MiC is probably your best choice. If best sound quality is important (which it is for me) then the Spark wins easily.
I did not have any problems in terms of sound levels or reliability with the device on either iPad or Mac Book Pro Retina with latest version of OSX Mountain Lion.
I have two slight negatives to flag though:
1) The Spark does not remember the gain level after being powered off. i.e. You need to set the gain each time you connect it up to your iPad or Mac. Fortunately it has an LED gain level display that makes it easy to set the gain to the same level as before (assuming you remember what that looked like on the LED display).
2) For some acoustic guitar recording I found the bass to be slightly boomy. For most guitars this might not be a problem but with my Martin D15 which has a very rich bass it didn't sound quite right. It is significantly less boomy than the MiC though. There is also a "focus control" switch which eliminates the boominess. But neither setting captured the Martin D15 as well as a Yeti Pro microphone did. But of course Yeti Pro does not plug into iPad (only Mac or PC or XLR).
Overall though, the Spark remains the best microphone I have tried for iPad. …- Written by Alexander P from San Francisco
11 of 15 people found this useful
-
Great microphone
I'm doing some narration work and this is my first 'high' quality mic. I was hesitant about spending the $200 but I'm very happy I did; it's a great with a lovely sound. I highly recommend this microphone. …
- Written by Shidan M from ETOBICOKE
11 of 15 people found this useful
-
iPad and OSX
I've had this mic for a couple months now and have had great results in GarageBand with both my iPad (3rd gen) and my 2008 MacBook Pro (unlike some other reviewers who complained about OSX.). If you're looking to expand into an entire mobile studio, Apogee probably offers a better overall system of advanced interfaces for recording multiple instruments, but if, like me, you're just recording acoustic/vocal tracks one at a time, this mic is great. I especially like the zero latency monitoring jack connected to the mic, which isn't offered on the Apogee Mic without extra hardware. Overall: works as advertised, was easy to use, great sound. Very happy with my purchase. …
- Written by Devon D from Calgary
1 of 2 people found this useful
-
Really disapointed in Blues qualitycontrol
Bought it , brought it home and ran some a couple acoustics from my collection through it. Iphone with garageband
Yes its extra b oomy on dreads... and So fat and beautifully detailed on my 000 rosewood model.
Listened back through dynaudio bm5s and was very impressed,
Way better than apogee mic or tascam offering
Ten minutes later it stopped powering up. Glitchy =non professional
Come on Blue? it sounded good for a minute …- Written by Kevin P from Healdsburg
4 of 7 people found this useful
-
stopped working first day
I had the same problem as the other reviewer - except instead of 10 minutes I got about three hours of use. Then it started crack ling terribly then quit working altogether.
I guess I have to go back to the store and exchange it... Sigh …- Written by Andrew S from Oakland
4 of 6 people found this useful
Questions & Answers
Answers from the community
-
anyone else have an issue with the mic not screwing into the stand?
- Asked by Jeffrey J from Glen Burnie
- 23-Dec-2012
Answer
Yes, I had that problem and returned it. The threads are on the cheap side.
- Answered by Todd L from Greenfield Center
- 11-Mar-2013
-
Is it compatible with Macbook Air 11" OSX 10.6.8 ?
- Asked by Amelia S
- 26-Jan-2013
Answer
Yes - Spark Digital is compatible with MacBook Air OSX 10.6.8 via USB (minimum OS is 10.4.11)
- Answered by Stacey M from Thousand Oaks
- 29-Jan-2013
-
is this mic compatible with the Auria App?
- Asked by Robert B from Union City
- 11-Feb-2013
No answers yet
-
Can I plug in my ipad/ laptop directly and record? Does it require external power?
- Asked by Christina W
- 28-Jan-2013
-
What is the best software for this mic?
- Asked by Rosario B from Bogota
- 6-Jan-2013
-
If I already have a Blue Snowball, is this a serious upgrade? I'm looking for something better.
- Asked by Virginia D from Montreal
- 19-Nov-2012
Answer
Spark Digital is a significant upgrade from Snowball.
As a studio mic, Spark Digital has a large r diaphragm capsule with one polar pattern (cardioid) so it offers more fidelity and sensitivity than the Snowball or Yeti. Spark Digital includes the Focus Control, which offers two different sonic options in one mic at the push of a button. It comes with an adjustable desk stand and built-in shockmount, and also includes y-cables for each platform with a headphone jack for zero-latency real-time monitoring. …- Answered by Stacey M from Thousand Oaks
- 4-Dec-2012