Is the Blue Yeti a Condenser or Dynamic Mic?

The Blue Yeti is the microphone choice of countless creators. Compared to professional XLR microphones, the Blue Yeti allows the recording of good-quality audio at an affordable price. It’s also easy to set up on any computer. But before buying one, you will want more information about the Yeti, like is the Blue Yeti a condenser or dynamic microphone.

The Blue Yeti is a USB condenser microphone. In fact, it contains three condenser microphone capsules, allowing it to be switched between four different polar patterns. As you would expect from a condenser microphone, the Yeti is a sensitive mic, revealing detail in the sound source.

Last update on 2024-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Condenser vs Dynamic microphone

All creators do not exclusively use condenser or dynamic microphones. The two types of microphones have unique features that can be exploited as required.

Condenser microphones are generally much more sensitive than dynamic microphones and produce higher output levels. They are also good at revealing detail in the sound. All three points are important characteristics when deciding on the microphone to buy.

If you are going to record in a noisy environment, you might be better off getting a dynamic microphone. But if you need a high audio signal where you can clearly hear the detail, then a condenser may be the better choice.   

A microphone that many creators aspire to own is the Shure SM7b, a rich-sounding dynamic mic. However, it costs around $400 and will require a mic preamp and audio interface, making the real cost around $700-$800. The SM7b is also notorious for having a very low output signal level. This makes the Blue Yeti a bargain at around $130, plus there’s plenty of audio signal to play with. However, the SM7b is a delightful microphone, especially if you need to cut down on background noise.

Last update on 2024-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Is the Blue Yeti a Stereo or Mono Microphone?

Whether the Blue Yeti is a stereo or mono microphone has nothing to do with it being a condenser microphone. But the fact that it has three condenser microphone capsules does have a bearing on whether it is a stereo or mono microphone.

The Blue Yeti is both a stereo and mono microphone since the selected polar pattern determines whether the output is stereo or mono. The cardioid, bi-directional, and omnidirectional polar patterns are all mono. But when the stereo polar pattern is selected, the output is stereo.

The multiple polar patterns of this microphone are a key selling point, making the Blue Yeti four microphones in one.

You might imagine that the bi-directional and omnidirectional modes should be stereo since they make the microphone sensitive to sound from more than one direction. However, the signal does not contain any spatial information to create a stereo sound image for the listener.

In stereo mode, the Blue Yeti will use two of the three microphone capsules, with a small delay between a sound arriving at both mic capsules. This delay allows the creation of the stereo sound image.

I’ve Heard that the Blue Yeti Gain Too High

Because the Blue Yeti is a condenser microphone it is a sensitive and “hot mic”, producing a high output signal. This is not a failure but a consequence of it being a USB condenser microphone. Condenser microphones are commonly used for vocals, voice recordings, and broadcasts, partly because of their sensitivity and ability to capture detail.  

If you need to turn down the signal level on a Blue Yeti, you can do this in two ways. You can reduce the Yeti’s output signal by turning down the Gain dial. You’ll find it on the rear of the Blue Yeti and just above the mode dial. You can also reduce the level further by going into your input sound settings on your computer and moving the volume slider to the left.

I suspect that some people who say the Blue Yeti gain is too high may be using the microphone in an environment that would better suit the lower sensitivity of a dynamic microphone. Remember, condenser microphones are meant to be sensitive.

Summary

The Blue Yeti is a USB condenser microphone that is sensitive, easy to set up on a computer, and ideal for voice recordings. However, avoid using a Yeti where there is background noise or in acoustically bright or lively rooms. For best results, you need to know how to set up and use the Blue Yeti. I have written several articles about the Blue Yeti. Here are three that you will find useful.

• How to setup and use a Blue Yeti microphone
• Blue Yeti microphone instructions: How to position your mic
• What are the best Blue Yeti microphone patterns to use

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