If you're looking to upgrade from your computer's built-in microphone, why not make it an actual upgrade? Blue Microphones makes some of the best-sounding and best-selling studio microphones around, and their engineering and recording know-how translates brilliantly to the Blue Snowball USB microphone. Like all Blue products, it looks striking, with practical features and brilliant sound.

Blue Studio Quality in a USB Condenser Mic

The Blue Snowball is based around a Blue condenser capsule. More sensitive than dynamic capsules, condensers mics are preferred for recording vocals -- whether spoken or sung -- and delicate acoustic instruments. Because the Snowball is a USB microphone, there's no need for a preamp or audio interface -- just a computer with a USB port. Over the included USB cable, the Snowball sends audio information and receives +48V phantom power for the condenser capsule. Connecting your Snowball couldn't be simpler. As a studio-grade recording mic, the BLUE Snowball can be mounted on a standard microphone stand and placed just about anywhere -- though it does ship with its own desk-mount tripod stand for simple podcasting sessions and songwriting demos.

Podcasting to Music Recording, Snowball Does It All

This sensitive microphone is superb at picking up the nuances of quieter acoustic instruments, but in cardioid mode there's also a -10 dB pad you can engage for recording loud singers or even guitar or bass amplifiers without distorting the incoming signal. Making the mic even more versatile, Blue gives you the option of switching the polar pattern from cardioid to omnidirectional. The cardioid pickup pattern is more directional, rejecting noise to the sides and back of the microphone, and features a flattering bass and presence boost as you get closer, making it perfect for radio-style voice over. But sometimes you want a more neutral, roomy sound. Omnidirectional mode picks up sound from all directions, and also features a flatter frequency response. Try omnidirectional mode for recording round table meetings, or for tricky acoustic instruments like harp, piano, upright bass, etc.

Features:

- Package includes Blue Snowball microphone, USB cable, and tripod desk mount
- USB 1.0 or 2.0 plug-and-play compatibility with Mac or Windows PC
- Works with iPad using Apple's Camera Connection Kit
- Captures CD-quality 44.1 kHz/16-bit digital audio
- +48V phantom-powered Blue condenser capsule
- Switchable omni and cardioid pickup patterns for vocals and more
- Switchable -10 dB pad for capturing loud sources
- Three-position switch: Omnidirectional, cardioid, cardioid -10 dB
- Distinctive Blue design

With one simple connection -- and at a very nice price -- the Snowball turns your computer into a professional recording studio. When you're ready to upgrade to better computer audio, trust Blue to make a mic that sounds every bit as good as it looks. zZounds is an authorized dealer of BLUE products.

Acoustical Operating Principle: Position 1-2: Pressure Gradient; Position 3: Pressure

Polar Pattern: Position 1-2: Cardioid; Position 3: Omnidirectional

Frequency Response: Position 1-3: 40-18,000Hz

System Requirements:
Macintosh: Mac OS X; USB 1.0 or 2.0; 64 MB RAM (minimum)

PC: Windows 7, Windows Vista, XP Home Edition or XP Professional; USB 1.0 or 2.0;
64 MB RAM (minimum)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Chrome

Shipping Weight: 2 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 5 in

Gloss Black

Shipping Weight: 2 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 5 in

White

Shipping Weight: 2 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 5 in

Product Description

Finally, a USB mic that's not only easy to use, but sounds as good on your desktop as it does in a professional recording studio. Meet the Snowball, the professional USB mic.

Whether you're recording a guitar at your kitchen table or a complete band in the studio, the Snowball can capture it with detail unheard of in a USB mic.

The Snowball is a direct plug n' play mic that connects to either a Mac or PC -- no additional software is needed. With its dual-capsule design and unique three-pattern switch (cardioid, cardioid with -10dB pad and omni), the Snowball can handle everything from soft vocals to the loudest garage band -- and it's ideal for podcasting. Check it out and you'll see why it's the coolest mic in town.