VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Art · Guest

Check this out; new tool for building an economical, simple studio:

http://www.bswusa.com/proditem.asp?item=C01U

Studio-quality condenser microphone, plugs into your USB port. Bypasses your crappy laptop sound card, no pre-amp needed.

0ver $200 retail, but BSW sells for $80!

If you're traveling and want to do quality voice work from a hotel room or other non-studio environment, using a condenser mic will really bring in all the noise of the room. The Blue "Snowball" USB cardioid mic might be better for less-than-perfect rooms, but it costs almost twice as much.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_id/138978

Frank F · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject:

After all the hype.... how does it sound?

I know what a "Blue" sounds like... I am a bit hesitant about this one....

with specs like these... who knows?

16-bit sample resolution
Supports 8 kHz, 11.025 kHz, 22.05 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz sampling rates
USB low-power device - draws 26 mA => 130 mW. In suspend mode 0.3 mA => 1.5 mW.
Frequency response: 40 Hz to 18 kHz

Frank F

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

For voices on the move it's a good idea but remember there needs to be a great room first in which to place the mic.

Art · Guest

Frank:

You say you know what a Blue sounds like... Are you talking specifically the USB Snowball? Or other Blue mics?

Either way, what do you think? I've never used any of them. How do they sound?

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:21 am Post subject:

The Blue Baby Bottle is superb and represents great value for money.

Frank F · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:22 pm Post subject:

The Blue Snowball is a good mic for travelling, however, it does not sound like my Neumann's. Not as much warmth or depth. but with a little EQ and tweaking it meets my requrements. Its not a bad "toy" to have handy when on the road. The Blue Snowball does not have the specs I prefer, but then again - its a USB device... so for what it is and is not - have a ball, play and enmjoy.

Personally I would rather take a small mixer, and a "great" mic, add my laptop and a couple of CD-Rs and I am road worthy.

Depending upon the type of recording you prefer, and the conditions (room sound, outside noise, etc.) - a simple and practical way of doing VO for the "Road Warrior" is the mixer/laptop theory.

Your choices are what you prefer, not what I prefer. So when you get an opportunity to review the mic for yourself, have a go - it might pay off for your particular sound or style.

Frank F

kgenus · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:14 pm Post subject:

My travel kit is essentially a Pelican case with cutouts for my 87, 416 and 421... shock mounts fit too. Waterproof. Through in the Mackie 1202 and the computer and that's it.
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Genus