Questions & Answers for Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone

It will work in the sense that it will record sound (and it's quite sensitive). The question is placement. To fully record drums, normally one would a) mic each drum and cymbal, b) use one or more overhead mics to capture ensemble sound, c) use one or more mics located elsewhere in the room to capture ensemble sound.

Mic vendors typically sell kits of instrument mics, complete with drum mounting hardware, for use as described in a) above.

The Yeti is physically a relatively large mic. In the context of recording drums, it would likely best be used as a room or overhead mic.

• Answered by Kenneth D from Ottawa
• Jan 7, 2011
• Flag as inappropriate

The Yeti is a truly "plug and play" microphone. Once connected via the included USB cable to your Mac, it becomes available as both an audio input and an audio output to the entire system. Any app that inputs or outputs sound should be able to use a Yeti no problem, just as an app would use the Mac's onboard speaker and/or mic.

When plugged in to a Mac, the Yeti will appear as an available choice in the "Sounds" system preference. You can select the Yeti as the audio input device (ie microphone function) and/or audio output (there's a standard 1/8" headphone jack at the base of the mic). If the Yeti is subsequently unplugged, it will disappear from the "Sounds" systems preferences, and the Mac will revert back to the onboard speaker and mic.

• Answered by Ken D from Ottawa
• Nov 30, 2010
• Flag as inappropriate

Short and Sweet answer of yes.

• Answered by Adam S
• Jun 16, 2010
• Flag as inappropriate

I owned a snowball for about 2 weeks, it was 'ok' but not what I expected. I then bought the Yeti. I was blown away. It records a live music performance very well, as it has omni directional/surround that capture ever corner of the room. I love it.

• Answered by Sean N from North Tonawanda
• Jul 9, 2010
• Flag as inappropriate

The USB cord is 10 feet long.

• Answered by James G from Tacoma
• Dec 29, 2009
• Flag as inappropriate

Another person has answered with this above:


I had this same question and bought the Yeti anyways. You can do either. The Yeti is recognized as both an input (mic) and output (for monitoring). When you select the Yeti for both, you get a mixed signal in the headphones. You control volume of the mic in the mix with the headphone volume nob on the mic itself, and the volume of the mix in your recording app (eg. garageband). It's very slick.

• Answered by Sean N from North Tonawanda
• Jul 9, 2010
• Flag as inappropriate

Yes, but be sure to use a pop-filter to stop the over pronunciated P's, D's, B's and other harsh consonants being exaggerated in the recording. To fit a pop-filter on this mic, you'll have to get another mic stand that fits pop-filters, or do a bit of DIY on the pop filter so it holds onto the Yeti's own stand.

• Answered by Otto H
• Sep 26, 2010
• Flag as inappropriate

Both the Yeti and the Snowball are extremely easy to set up on your computer; it literally is as simple as plugging the microphone into an available USB connection.

The bigger question is what software you will use to record: GarageBand? Logic Express? Logic Pro? Or something from someone other than Apple? In any case, the software (recording, editing, mixing) will likely represent your learning curve.

In terms of mic quality, the Yeti is generally regarded as offering better recording quality and sensitivity. The Yeti, unlike the Snowball, also offers 4 choices in mic settings (cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, and bidirectional).

The Yeti can be unscrewed from its included tabletop mount and attached any mic stand.

• Answered by Kenneth D from Ottawa
• Dec 14, 2010
• Flag as inappropriate