Elgato’s Wave:3 USB microphone sounds great, but requires patience

A year ago most of us got along just fine using our laptops’ built-in webcams and microphones. Now many of us are stuck at home, setting up new workspaces and finding that our options for standalone mics and cams are somewhat limited — and a lot of w...

Elgato’s first USB microphones are aimed at streamers

Whether you stream your game sessions, run a podcast or record vocal performances, you need a decent mic. Elgato is throwing its hat into the USB mic ring with its new Wave 1 and Wave 3 units -- which shouldn’t be a shock since Corsair has been using...

Blue’s Yeti X microphone comes with everything you need to sound like a pro

Blue's microphones have been a popular choice for podcasters and live streamers for years, mostly due to their plug-and-play ease of use. Now the company is aiming to make things even easier with its latest USB mic: the Yeti X. The new $169.99 option...

Blue Microphones Spark Digital now available, wields USB and iOS mobile recording for $199

Blue Microphones Spark Digital now available, wields USB and iOS mobile recording for $199

The final member of the Blue Microphones trio that we saw introduced back at CES is finally hitting shelves. Blue's dual-connecting Spark Digital is now shipping from Apple and Best Buy with other retailers soon to follow. If you'll recall, the mobile recording peripheral touts the label of "the first true studio condenser microphone made for both iPad and USB." An adjustable desk stand, all of the requisite cables and six month subscriptions to both Gobbler and SoundCloud Pro are included right out of the box. You can snag one for yourself for $200 just as fast as you can click. However, if you've already splurged for a new iPad, iPad mini or the iPhone 5, you'll need a Lightning adapter before you can get started.

Continue reading Blue Microphones Spark Digital now available, wields USB and iOS mobile recording for $199

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Blue Microphones Spark Digital now available, wields USB and iOS mobile recording for $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording

Blue Microphones Tiki compact USB microphone a thumbdrivesized unit for mobile recording sessions

In recent years, mobile and compact recording gear has, like so many other gadget types, become smaller and smaller in stature. We've seen add-ons for smartphones and tablets that aren't much larger than a quarter, along with mobile mics that boast USB compatibility. The Blue Microphones Tiki continues the trend, offering the same premium aesthetics we've come to expect from the company, along with top-notch audio quality. The Tiki is said to perform at its best with Skype-style video chats and voice recording, thanks in part to an intelligent mute and noise isolation features.

Let's be honest, though. Purchasing a USB microphone for the sole purpose of video chatting will be a tough sell for most folks. People like podcasters will expect a bit more functionality from a peripheral like this. Luckily, the unit boasts a "Natural Recording Mode" that promises instrument-tracking capabilities as well. But does the Tiki handle online banter, voice recording and guitar sounds well enough to warrant a $60 purchase? And exactly how smart is the intelligent mute? Read on to see what we discovered when we gave this flash drive-sized microphone the full-on review treatment.

Continue reading Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording

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Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blue Microphones Tiki USB mic now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15th

Blue Microphones Tiki now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15th

Remember that miniature USB mic we saw back at CES from Blue? Well, the outfit just announced that the Tiki is hitting store shelves with the same $59.99 price tag we expected. The mobile recording peripheral is now available at Best Buy and is slated to hit Apple stores and other retailers at the month's half-way point. In case you're in need of a refresher, the diminutive unit features Intelligent Speech mode for recording interviews or meetings and Natural Recording mode for capturing your best Jack White guitar riffs. You can also expect proprietary noise cancelling technology, voice isolation and intelligent mute with the kit that is sized similar to a USB flash drive and connects via said ports. If you're itchin' for a closer look before adding one to your mobile recording setup, take a peek back at our hands-on for a few detail shots.

Continue reading Blue Microphones Tiki USB mic now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15th

Blue Microphones Tiki USB mic now available at Best Buy, coming to Apple stores July 15th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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