Again in 2019, the Blue Snowball was utilized by 9% of podcasters, making it the second hottest podcasting mic in our Podcast Gear Survey that yr.
5 years later, in our 2024 Gear Survey, just one% of podcasters reported utilizing the Snowball. So as to add insult to harm, it was additionally the second most “changed” mic, with greater than 7% of respondents selecting to ditch it for one thing else.
So, what occurred? And should you had been considering of shopping for one, ought to this set alarm bells ringing? All will likely be answered on this newly up to date Blue Snowball assessment.
This Blue Snowball assessment makes use of some affiliate hyperlinks to assist assist all our free content material, although relaxation assured, associates by no means stop us from being sincere. In the event that they did, I wouldn’t advise you to not purchase one.
No matter Occurred to the Blue Snowball?
The unexciting reality is… nothing, actually. However possibly that’s a part of the problem.
Up to now 5 years, plenty of sensible audio tools has been launched. There are a lot of extra USB mic options, to not point out podcast-specific recorders, too.
The Blue Snowball has all the time been a restricted entry-level mic, and now there’s an abundance of entry-level mics which can be, to be frank, simply higher.
If you happen to’re nonetheless on the fence about getting one, although, let’s crack on with this Blue Snowball assessment and discover out extra concerning the little fellow.
Blue Snowball Vs Blue Snowball iCE
There’s a extra fundamental model of the Snowball known as the iCE. It’s cheaper, and the one actual distinction is that it has a Cardioid polar sample, whereas the “correct” Snowball has each Cardioid and Omnidirectional.
Polar Patterns are settings that decide the place the mic “hears” sound. Cardioid means solo use, whereas Omnidirectional picks up sound from all instructions equally.
In idea, an Omnidirectional polar sample is appropriate for getting a number of of us across the identical mic. In apply, this by no means sounds good – not with the Snowball or some other mic. If you happen to should purchase a Snowball, save your self some extra cash and go for the iCE.
The Blue Snowball’s Main Flaw
However before you purchase a Blue Snowball, iCE or in any other case, you need to be conscious that neither has a headphone jack, and that’s a serious dealbreaker for me.
It’s difficult to actively monitor your self should you can’t plug headphones right into a mic or interface, which suggests any audio points gained’t be picked up till it’s too late.
Sure, you may arrange a workaround to listen to your self coming again by the pc’s audio output, however that just about all the time introduces latency. Any delay in listening to your individual voice, irrespective of what number of milliseconds, is massively offputting.
Different Shortcomings of the Blue Snowball
There are a few different options missing from the Blue Snowball that may put you off altogether:
- No Achieve Dial: If you wish to modify your enter recording ranges, you’ll have to take action in your pc or software program.
- No Mute Button: You’ll even be reliant on software program to mute your recording, at any level.
Does the Blue Snowball Sound Good?
It can sound okay. I do know, excessive reward, eh? However like some other mic, you will get first rate outcomes should you apply good mic technique and record in a treated space.
My sound pattern was recorded for our unique Blue Snowball assessment again in 2016. I summarised it as “a terrific choice should you’re a complete newbie,” although I’d disagree now. There are simply so many higher entry-level choices in the marketplace.
Pete Lutz of Pulp-Pourri Theatre was additionally variety sufficient to ship over a sound pattern, as I used to be utilizing the iCE mannequin. He appeared to love the Snowball and was creating some well-produced stuff, so all energy to him.
How A lot Does the Blue Snowball Value?
It’s virtually solely the iCE mannequin you see on the market, today. Keep in mind, all the unique actually gives that’s any totally different is an Omnidirectional polar sample choice, and I’d by no means suggest utilizing that anyway.
A brand new Blue Snowball iCE will price between $35 and $50, relying on the offers accessible. It’s also possible to choose up a refurbished Blue Snowball iCE on Amazon for little greater than $20!
However even should you suppose the audio high quality will likely be greater than adequate to your wants, the dearth of a headphone jack ought to nonetheless provide you with trigger for concern. I’ll cowl some Blue Snowball alternatives in a second. First, although…
Are There Any Positives of the Blue Snowball?
It’s a nice-looking little mic that’s fast and straightforward to arrange. It’s sturdy and sturdy, which may’t be mentioned for a lot of different Condenser mics.
The Blue Snowball additionally gained’t break the financial institution, so it isn’t a dangerous funding. Although, once more, I believe you’ll get higher worth for cash elsewhere.
There’s a extra “woolly” constructive to the Blue Snowball, too, in that it has enabled so many individuals to simply begin podcasting for nearly twenty years. Its reputation may be severely on the wane, however it has a legacy maybe solely rivalled by the Blue Yeti.
Talking of which…
Blue Snowball Vs Blue Yeti
The Yeti is Snowball’s large cousin, and each have lived underneath the Logitech model since their 2018 acquisition of Blue.
And whilst you may discover the Blue Snowball ingesting bourbon in a backstreet bar and muttering “I was somebody” to anybody inside earshot, the Blue Yeti continues to be very a lot residing a champagne and limo life-style.
The Yeti stays the most well-liked mic in podcasting, and fairly comfortably at that, although I nonetheless don’t suppose it’s by any means one of the best. The Yeti has its personal flaws, which I’ve lined in our Blue Yeti review, however it outdoes the Snowball constantly throughout the board:
- A number of Polar Patterns (we’ll ignore the truth that none, aside from Cardioid, are of any use).
- On-board Mute button and Achieve dial.
- Headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring.
- Wider Frequency Response: Yeti (20Hz – 20Hz) Vs Snowball (40Hz – 18Hz).
- Larger Pattern Charge choice of 48kHz
The Yeti is costlier at round $100, however simply because it’s a extra spectacular specimen than the Snowball doesn’t imply it’s your man. The Snowball is a much-replaced mic at 7.3%, however 12.5% of podcasters have determined to commerce of their Yeti and discover one thing higher.
Blue Snowball Options
If you happen to noticed the Samson Q2U up there because the second hottest podcasting mic, you may surprise if it’s a worthy Blue Snowball different.
The brief reply is “Sure.”
At round $70, the Q2U doesn’t price way more than a brand-new Snowball, and is cheaper than the Yeti. It sounds higher than each, and works in USB and XLR type, which means you don’t essentially want a pc to report with it.
The Samson Q2U is undoubtedly our most really helpful mic for brand new and early-stage podcasters, and we nonetheless usually use them ourselves, too.
If the Q2U has your consideration, however you’d nonetheless like to buy round, try our Best Budget Mics information. There, you’ll discover two extra options to the Blue Snowball: the ATR2100 and the Maono AU-HD300T.
Abstract: Blue Snowball Evaluation
The Blue Snowball could be happy with its distinguished position in podcasting historical past. Over the previous twenty years, it has made audio recording accessible to numerous creators.
It has all the time been a restricted entry-level mic, however a mixture of nice advertising and lack of competitors helped it grow to be one of the fashionable mics within the medium.
It’s onerous to make an argument for getting one in 2024, and thus, I haven’t. I can reside with out a Achieve dial or Mute button on a mic, however no headphone jack is an actual downside. Even when the audio sounded unimaginable – and it clearly doesn’t – then that may be a dealbreaker.
However, should you already personal a Snowball or have just lately picked one up, I’m not saying it is best to change it instantly. Your podcast gained’t reside or die primarily based in your gear, so concentrate on constructing a recording routine and publishing constant high quality content material. As soon as you’re on this for the lengthy haul, you may take a look at upgrading to one thing extra skilled.
If you happen to’d like extra assist with launching or rising your podcast, then make sure you drop by The Podcraft Academy. There, you’ll discover in-depth programs on every part from beginning a present and modifying audio, to promotion, advertising, monetisation, and past. We even have a bunch of downloadable assets and checklists and run weekly reside Q&A periods, too. Whether or not you’re utilizing a Blue Snowball or a Neumann U87, we’ll arm you with the instruments and ways to maintain on going.
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