[Answered] Blue Snowball... How's the static???

CommMatt said:
I'm afraid if I get any closer to the mic there will be popping from me talking (plus, with the headset mic, there wasn't an option to get closer)

Though... I have a friend sitting right behind me who builds and uses radios, which (in our case at least) is known to interfere with our stuff.
"Dude, why is the TV beeping???"
"hold on... Okay, what?"
"Nvm it stopped...."
Click to expand...
Get a pop filter, they cost like 10 pounds and remove popping noises
 
CommMatt said:
I'm afraid if I get any closer to the mic there will be popping from me talking (plus, with the headset mic, there wasn't an option to get closer)
Click to expand...

The Snowball is a condenser microphone and these by and large are intended to be quite close. Popping is certainly an issue but that is dealt with via positioning. You will get the best possible audio by having the microphone about a hand width distance from your mouth, but position it 45 degrees to either side so it is by your cheek rather than being hit by air from your mouth. The popping comes from the force of air hitting the mic diaphragm which, if you direct the force of air past the mic instead of directly into it, will reduce or eliminate the pops.

Just give my suggestion a try by holding the mic in that position. And again, drop the gain (input volume). You'll hear an improvement.

The primary issue with the Snowball is that it doesn't use standard mounting threads, so getting it onto a desk stand is expensive since the proprietary mounting bracket from Blue is another $50. Of course, a mic stand and some duct tape will resolve that issue. By positioning the mic further away from the keyboard, you'll also reduce the keyboard noise. A lot of people have that problem simply because the mic is closer to the keyboard than it is to your mouth and the input volume is set higher to keep the voice volume good, but it in turn amplifies the keyboard clicks.
 
Tarmack said:
The Snowball is a condenser microphone and these by and large are intended to be quite close. Popping is certainly an issue but that is dealt with via positioning. You will get the best possible audio by having the microphone about a hand width distance from your mouth, but position it 45 degrees to either side so it is by your cheek rather than being hit by air from your mouth. The popping comes from the force of air hitting the mic diaphragm which, if you direct the force of air past the mic instead of directly into it, will reduce or eliminate the pops.

Just give my suggestion a try by holding the mic in that position. And again, drop the gain (input volume). You'll hear an improvement.

The primary issue with the Snowball is that it doesn't use standard mounting threads, so getting it onto a desk stand is expensive since the proprietary mounting bracket from Blue is another $50. Of course, a mic stand and some duct tape will resolve that issue. By positioning the mic further away from the keyboard, you'll also reduce the keyboard noise. A lot of people have that problem simply because the mic is closer to the keyboard than it is to your mouth and the input volume is set higher to keep the voice volume good, but it in turn amplifies the keyboard clicks.
Click to expand...

Yeah I have keyboard sound problems :/
 
Tarmack said:
The Snowball is a condenser microphone and these by and large are intended to be quite close. Popping is certainly an issue but that is dealt with via positioning. You will get the best possible audio by having the microphone about a hand width distance from your mouth, but position it 45 degrees to either side so it is by your cheek rather than being hit by air from your mouth. The popping comes from the force of air hitting the mic diaphragm which, if you direct the force of air past the mic instead of directly into it, will reduce or eliminate the pops.

Just give my suggestion a try by holding the mic in that position. And again, drop the gain (input volume). You'll hear an improvement.

The primary issue with the Snowball is that it doesn't use standard mounting threads, so getting it onto a desk stand is expensive since the proprietary mounting bracket from Blue is another $50. Of course, a mic stand and some duct tape will resolve that issue. By positioning the mic further away from the keyboard, you'll also reduce the keyboard noise. A lot of people have that problem simply because the mic is closer to the keyboard than it is to your mouth and the input volume is set higher to keep the voice volume good, but it in turn amplifies the keyboard clicks.
Click to expand...
I thought the Snowball came with it's own stand?
And, why does a color change cost $20 more than the normal color? (The black Snowball costs $25 more than the white, and the blue Snowball $15 more than the white)

Also, how do you know so much about... everything?? :O

TheGovernor said:
Yeah I have keyboard sound problems :/
Click to expand...
When recording on my laptop, I had no issues with keyboard sound.

When switching to desktop recording all you could hear on my first test-run
"TAPTAPTPATPAPTPATPATPAPTPATPAPTPATP"
 
CommMatt said:
I thought the Snowball came with it's own stand?
And, why does a color change cost $20 more than the normal color? (The black Snowball costs $25 more than the white, and the blue Snowball $15 more than the white)
Click to expand...

Yes the Snowball has a small desktop stand. I'm referring to a proper tall microphone stand. The recording industry uses a standard threaded mount for microphones. Blue made their own proprietary one and their mics don't work out of the box with a standard mount.

As to why a color change costs more, honestly and I mean this in the general sense so as to avoid as much offense as possible. Blue mics sell based on their look, not their audio quality. It is a vanity decision. The Yeti is a decent mic, but about 40% overpriced for the sound. People are buying these microphones because they're exceptionally well marketed, to the point where the community, who in most cases have never used another mic are going around plenty of places online claiming they're the best mics on the market. This is simply not true and you can find an equal or better mic for less money most of the time. It takes a really heavy sale for the Blue mic to be the best choice at the time.

I do a fair amount with audio quality which is why I know about all of this. As to why I know "everything", well I do have a very healthy ego that needs to be fed from time to time.
 
Tarmack said:
Yes the Snowball has a small desktop stand. I'm referring to a proper tall microphone stand. The recording industry uses a standard threaded mount for microphones. Blue made their own proprietary one and their mics don't work out of the box with a standard mount.

As to why a color change costs more, honestly and I mean this in the general sense so as to avoid as much offense as possible. Blue mics sell based on their look, not their audio quality. It is a vanity decision. The Yeti is a decent mic, but about 40% overpriced for the sound. People are buying these microphones because they're exceptionally well marketed, to the point where the community, who in most cases have never used another mic are going around plenty of places online claiming they're the best mics on the market. This is simply not true and you can find an equal or better mic for less money most of the time. It takes a really heavy sale for the Blue mic to be the best choice at the time.

I do a fair amount with audio quality which is why I know about all of this. As to why I know "everything", well I do have a very healthy ego that needs to be fed from time to time.
Click to expand...
That is a very good explanation.
cookie.gif

So I give you a giant cookie.
Enjoy fine sir.

Also, do you have a microphone recommendation?
Cheap (Less than $50 please ;-;) but good quality?
The Snowball sounds good for me (under my $50 limit, good quality) thought what you pointed out with the stands (and needing to be rather close to it) concern be a bit. And if there's a better one I can get for less (or the same) I'm all-in.

Thanks so much for your help!
 
Normally, I suggest the Samson Meteor for the $50 range.
http://www.amazon.com/Samson-Meteor...TF8&qid=1417642405&sr=8-2&keywords=Samson+mic

Some people want to go even lower in price and in those cases I genuinely recommend a Rockband mic which you can easily find on Kijiji for $10.

However, if you're in the market for a mic RIGHT NOW, I may have a better suggestion. Amazon appears to have the Samson C01U for ridiculously cheap and it comes with Cakewalk (audio editing software.
http://www.amazon.com/Samson-C01UCW...TF8&qid=1417642405&sr=8-4&keywords=Samson+mic

$57 is a ridiculously good price for that microphone. It's normally $80-$100 without the software.
 
Tarmack said:
Normally, I suggest the Samson Meteor for the $50 range.


Some people want to go even lower in price and in those cases I genuinely recommend a Rockband mic which you can easily find on Kijiji for $10.

However, if you're in the market for a mic RIGHT NOW, I may have a better suggestion. Amazon appears to have the Samson C01U for ridiculously cheap and it comes with Cakewalk (audio editing software.


$57 is a ridiculously good price for that microphone. It's normally $80-$100 without the software.
Click to expand...
That meteor looks niiiice. Though, I do have to question Samsung Logic:
Chrome costs $20 less than Nickel??? Wouldn't it cost more, since you have to polish it and all?
Marketing logic aside, that is looks like a good microphone!
I feel like the Chrome goes better with my setup, too.

I'm afraid I don't have money right now to be shopping, so I'm going to stick with the meteor.

I'm going to keep my eye on that C01U though...

Thanks again for your help! :D

P.S. Samsung r00les :3
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top