That's what I want plugged into my Mac Mini!

So, you've just bought a Mac Mini, you're running Logic, and you haven't got an audio in. You could buy some little USB interface and a cheapo microphone or, for a very reasonable $139, you could buy a Snowball, made by Blue, who make some really, really expensive microphones. It's USB powered, with two capsules, one for vocals, one for instruments. I really, really want one...

Posted by Tom Whitwell.

Comments:

i have a question.. umm so does it have a built in preamp? I'm guessing it would if it can record vocals and instrument.

# posted by

Anonymous : 4:20 pm

If it connects to USB, then it had better have a pre-amp, D/A, and serializer.

Last I checked, USB is a digital serial bus.

# posted by

Anonymous : 4:51 am

USB is a powered input, so there is no need for a preamp...the power supplied by the USB port is enough to amplify the mics output. And USB is a much better interface than, say, a line or mic input because it would not pick up interference due to the PC/CPU fan or hard drive.

# posted by

Anonymous : 12:46 am

When the hell is this mic supposed to come out? Its past Spring of 05!!! lol

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:28 am

This Mic is out now, I bought one at my local Guitar Center. And yes, it includes a pre-amp, and is automatically recognized by OS X (no need for a driver installation).

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:53 pm

just a question to the person above that bought at GC... does it include the little stand/mount thatt some reviews mention. Just asking 'cause GC said no over the phone.... thx

# posted by

Anonymous : 7:00 am

has anyone used one of these on a PC running Windows 2000? Just curious if it'll work with a driver installation? Or if it will only work with PC's that have XP?

# posted by

Anonymous : 4:46 pm

I just jumped from their site - http://bluemic.com/snowball_faq.php - and it says the snowball only works with XP... BTW, haas anyone heard of any other USB mics?
happy New Year from Melbourne, guys.

# posted by

Anonymous : 9:24 am

the blue mic seems to be nothing more than a funky paperweight if you're using anything other than Garage band. So far - no good.

# posted by

Anonymous : 3:37 am

I'm looking at Blue's site as well and it clearly states OS X as one of the system requirements. It's often mis-understood that USB devices just work on Macs anyway, just don't fall into that myth!

# posted by

Anonymous : 8:57 pm

Hello,

Yes, it has a preamp... yes, it comes with a stand (not the shock-mounted stand, but a little tripod with rubber feet). I have been using mine to record podcasts. The sound quality is pretty good for voice; I have not tested it with instruments yet. A word of caution that it is quite sensitive and will pick up a lot of ambient noise, even using the cardioid capsule.

MacOS X (at least, 10.3.9+) will recognize it directly; it will show up in Audio MIDI setup. (see Applications/Utilities/...) Any audio application should be able to handle it. I am using Freeverse Sound Studio since I don't have Garage Band. It works with Audacity, although I have had some trouble getting Audacity to retain its settings and stay stable.

Windows 2000 also recognized it directly (no need to install a driver).

# posted by

Paul R. Potts : 2:07 am