Blue Microphones

[KonradG]

I was reading an article about the blue baby bottle microphone when he made this statement:

www.emusician.com:

Rather than attempt to make a single “do-it-all” mic, Blue intentionally tailored each of its models to specific applications. For example, if you need a bright, airy, naked vocal sound, reach for a Blueberry; if you want a scooped-out sound — big top and bottom but not much midrange — grab a Dragonfly.

What the Baby does on vocals is allow a singer to cut through a bright mix. For example, if you have a great deal of high-end information — cymbals, wispy acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and other sizzle — the Baby will project a vocal right through the middle. Skip the EQ, push up the fader, and the vocal sits right where you need it.

They've tailored microphones to handle certain tasks instead of one shitty do-it-all mic?

anyone here used blue microphones? if so, i would like to hear what you have to say about them, as there is no information on this site for them.

thanks.

(im a rock/alternative singer with a mid range voice, sometimes whispery, sometimes high and strong... male)

[cominginsecond]

I liked my Baby Bottle before I sold it to get my U195. I thought it was fairly smooth and pretty flat and versatile, actually. The only problem with it was that it was too damn hot for loud sources.

Anyway, you must not have done too much of a search if you think this site doesn't have any info on the Blue line. Just do a search on "Baby Bottle" or "Dragonfly" or "Blueberry." You'll get lots of opinions.

[PhilGood]

No information on this site? Is this the first you've ever heard of Blue?

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...highlight=Blue

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...highlight=Blue

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...highlight=Blue

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...highlight=Blue

http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...highlight=Blue

cables
http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthr...highlight=Blue


You know what? I'm tired. Too many to list. It's your turn to use the search function...

Do an advanced search in the mic category with Blue as the title and search titles only.

[slobbermonster]

i use them - they're good, well made and sound good on the right source. But most mics sound good on the right source.

[homestudioguy]

I believe the "BlueBird" was built as more of an all-rounder.
HSG

[KonradG]

Originally Posted by PhilGood

You know what? I'm tired. Too many to list. It's your turn to use the search function...

hey i know you wanted to post a bunch of links to try to prove me wrong about no information on blue mic's, but atleast link me to threads that say more than "this is in the wrong forum"
or
"wow these are expensive"
or
"its as big as my forearm"

no offense, but i searched and read those threads, some had a little bit of decent information (only noticed one guy who extensively used it).

but thanks for the help anyway appreciate the effort regardless of you being tired!

[KonradG]

does anyone spend money on ebay for expensive mics such as these, or do you play it safe when you spend more than a hundred bucks or so?

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by KonradG

does anyone spend money on ebay for expensive mics such as these, or do you play it safe when you spend more than a hundred bucks or so?

All the time. Nearly all of my mics were from eBay or the Free Ads board . . . including my Baby Bottle

[homestudioguy]

Originally Posted by KonradG

does anyone spend money on ebay for expensive mics such as these, or do you play it safe when you spend more than a hundred bucks or so?

Depends on the seller.............

Konrad, have you spent anytime on the BLUE website?
If not, They have a ton of info on their mics as well as lots of other neat stuff.
HSG

[Chris Shaeffer]

I have a baby bottle. I love it on a lot of sources, but it *sucks* for others. (shrug) Like any LCD.

Its hella better than my SP C1's, though. But, for some sources (shrill, peaky sopranos, for example) the C1 sounds better.

I'd love a Bluebird and a Dragonfly, but that's too much cash for me at the moment.

In general, though, I think Blue has a good place in the market: NOT cheap hobbiest-level mics but priced within reach of the serious hobbiest looking for a high level of quality.

I bought mine used and have had no regrets. I play it safe, but not so safe that I'm paying out the wazoo for everything. It was a risk buying a used mic, but I ended up getting a great mic for about half of its new price.

Take care,
Chris

[rightbrainnow]

I own a Blue Bluebird and I do find it to be a versatile mic. It can be shrill in the high end. I think it sounds kinda "blue"(as in the color). However, this mic is extremely sensitive to humidity. Sometimes it just stops working. Too much hot breath will make it stop. Ive heard that a lot of bluebirds are like this, but thats the only mic in Blue's collection that has this problem.

[KonradG]

i appreciate the help so far, thanks for pointing out their website, i had spent quite a bit of time on it but i think i have more exploring to do. i was just trying to seek out all the blue owners around here just to see if there were any disagreements with the article i was reading.

i think the question that i should have asked is:

it seems as if a baby bottle is made to give a very mid range, un-eq'ed sound that is very very natural, where the voice does the talking, not the mic. from what ive read, the room also has alot to do with the molding of this mic's sound as well.

so with pro tools le and an mbox, and my mid ranged, airy voice, and a vaulted wooden ceiling (45x25 concrete floors), theres no reason why i should have a complaint with this mic? ive used it for 30 minutes once before and it seems to pick up a warm soft voice quite well... kind of a jack johnson voice.

the only thing im afraid of is my highs (no higher than incubus' singer) and lows no lower than jack johnson, i dont think i should have a problem.

[KonradG]

thanks for the help, rep for all who have helped so far!

[mshilarious]

Originally Posted by KonradG

the only thing im afraid of is my highs (no higher than incubus' singer) and lows no lower than jack johnson, i dont think i should have a problem.

It's not so much a singer's range--especially a male voice--that causes a mic to match or not. After all the highest note a man can hit isn't much over 1kHz. Instead, it is the timbre of the voice--all those overtones in the presence range--that seems to make the most difference. That varies dramatically, and it's why it's so hard to give a mic recommendation over internet.

[slobbermonster]

from what ive read, the room also has alot to do with the molding of this mic's sound as well.

that's pretty much true with any mic - you might want to consider something else if you want something that is more versatile - The cactus is killer kewl on vox

[homestudioguy]

Dont forget to share your questions on gearslutz in their hi-end section........
There are a lot of folks who totally love the BLUE mics.
I recently got an sE Electronics Titan and it truly is an awesome vocal mic.
http://www.seelectronics.com/Titan.html
Just finished a recording for a guy, acoustic guitar and voice and those who have heard it are amazed. He has a great voice to begin with but this mic has kicked his voice into "awesome". His primary vocal range sounds similar to how you describe yours. It has definitely helped his low register aka ballsy.
I wish I could share a chorus or 2 but I don' have that permission.
HSG

[chessrock]

www.emusician.com:

Rather than attempt to make a single “do-it-all” mic, Blue intentionally tailored each of its models to specific applications. For example, if you need a bright, airy, naked vocal sound, reach for a Blueberry; if you want a scooped-out sound — big top and bottom but not much midrange — grab a Dragonfly.

What the Baby does on vocals is allow a singer to cut through a bright mix. For example, if you have a great deal of high-end information — cymbals, wispy acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and other sizzle — the Baby will project a vocal right through the middle. Skip the EQ, push up the fader, and the vocal sits right where you need it.

I would say that is an extremely astute and accurate observation.

Totally on the money.
.

[mrface2112]

i've got a dragonfly, and i've talked about it in numerous threads here.

it's an excellent mic. it is NOT an all-arounder. it excels at a LOT of things......vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, amps, drum overheads.....and it sucks on a lot of things too.....vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, amps, drum overheads.....

it's a matter of whether it works on the source in question for the song in question. not every mandolin track i record is going to have the same "demands" placed on it within the context of the song/mix. in some cases the dragonfly works great....in some cases an MXL603 is what's needed, or maybe even an SP B1 or an sm57.

mostly lately i've been loving it on drum overheads. that's just yummy.

but in general, the emusician review you quoted is pretty spot-on in terms of its "sound"....


cheers,
wade

[djhead]

FWIW when I worked at GC, I had almost every person who bought a blue mic return it. Probably buyer's remorse though.

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by mrface2112

it's an excellent mic. it is NOT an all-arounder. it excels at a LOT of things......vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, amps, drum overheads.....and it sucks on a lot of things too.....vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, amps, drum overheads.....

Very well-put.

Blue mics are not only application-specific ... they're situation-specific.

I've had people look at my DF and say: "That's a cool-looking mic. How does it sound?" And I usually say: "It depends."
.

[pohaku]

Originally Posted by KonradG

does anyone spend money on ebay for expensive mics such as these, or do you play it safe when you spend more than a hundred bucks or so?

Almost all my mics (and most of my other audio gear) were bought on e-bay or used from other web vendors or BBs, including somewhat more expensive mics like GT MD-3, Beyer M160, Beyer M500, Audix VX-10, AT-4050, etc. I've rarely had a problem with mics after doing my due diligence on the seller (maybe 1 in about 80 purchases - and it was a relatively cheap mic -- Beyer M69). On the other hand, I haven't bought anything really high buck in the way of mics, like a Neumann U-67 or U-87 or a Sony C800G or AKG C12, off of E-Bay. I get the sense that scammers target really high end stuff more than the mid price gear. Most of the mics I've purchased, and most of the Blue line, are relatively mid-priced as mics go, with a few exceptions

[PhilGood]

Alright, I can add something helpful!

If you're looking for versatility, you can try Red mics (offshoot of Blue) and get the Red Type B. It's capsules are interchangeable via a bayonnette style connector. It's very quiet and transparent and allows the capsule to be the main component of the sound. You can then purchase different capsules the are voiced from classic mics, such as the Ela M 251, the U47/48, C12 etc.

It's a very inexpensive way to get to a vintage sound. I have one and love it. It's phantom powered as well.

[rory]

I've got a Kickball, and I like it. Again, it sounds horrible on some things and sounds great on others. I use it when I need a mellower sound than a 112 or a D6. It is for sale, by the way if anyone is interested . I very rarely use it, and am saving up for some APIs.

Rory

[ozraves]

Originally Posted by mrface2112

i've got a dragonfly, and i've talked about it in numerous threads here.

it's an excellent mic. it is NOT an all-arounder. it excels at a LOT of things......vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, amps, drum overheads.....and it sucks on a lot of things too.....vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar, amps, drum overheads.....

it's a matter of whether it works on the source in question for the song in question. not every mandolin track i record is going to have the same "demands" placed on it within the context of the song/mix. in some cases the dragonfly works great....in some cases an MXL603 is what's needed, or maybe even an SP B1 or an sm57.

mostly lately i've been loving it on drum overheads. that's just yummy.

but in general, the emusician review you quoted is pretty spot-on in terms of its "sound"....


cheers,
wade

The best sound I've encountered over a kit is the Dragonfly (in the right room, over the right kit and over the right player). I'd like to get another one.

[Phosphene]

Originally Posted by cominginsecond

I liked my Baby Bottle before I sold it to get my U195. I thought it was fairly smooth and pretty flat and versatile, actually. The only problem with it was that it was too damn hot for loud sources.

Anyway, you must not have done too much of a search if you think this site doesn't have any info on the Blue line. Just do a search on "Baby Bottle" or "Dragonfly" or "Blueberry." You'll get lots of opinions.

I bought a Baby Bottle on reputation and loved it. As one of their less expensive mics, it really is a great buy. It worked on my friend's vocals on his project I did a few years ago. Funny that I was auditioning a U195 at the same time amd we were comparing them for his vocals/acoustic guitar.
It is true, the Baby Bottle does have a lot of gain. It has a thick tone to me that is bumped in the mid (as mentioned by BLUE). The BB is my first mic I try when doing vocals (mine, or others)....and I usually stick with it.

I ended up still buying a brand new U195 a few weeks later (at an amazing price) and have kept it around as well.