The converters built into the microphone, which has a capacitor capsule, are fixed at 16-bit/44.1kHz and the mic can be used with computers running Windows XP or Mac OS X without the need to install additional drivers. A red light on the mic shows that it is active all necessary power comes from the computer's USB buss.

Overall, the frequency response extends from 40Hz to 18kHz (at -6dB, judging from the response curves given on the Blue web site), with a presence peak at 3kHz in cardioid mode and at around 10kHz in omni mode. (The Ringer shockmount pictured here is an optional accessory.) Besides a USB port, the mic's only means of connection, there's a three-position switch at the rear which is used to switch between two cardioid-pattern modes (one with a -10dB pad and one without) and an omnidirectional mode. A threaded stand-adaptor is set into the base and a neat table-top tripod stand comes with the microphone, along with a USB cable for connection to a computer. Blue's USB offering comes in their now-familiar Ball format - blue, red and black varieties (the Ball, Kickball and 8-ball respectively) are already available - and because the newcomer is white, the name Snowball seems totally appropriate.Īs with the other ball mics in the range, the Snowball has a resin casing with wire-mesh grilles at front and rear.

One notable feature of this year's Winter NAMM show was the number of different companies introducing the world's 'first serious USB microphone'. A multi-pattern mic that plugs straight into a computer.

Snowball mic settings 1 2 3