How To Use Your New Blue Yeti Podcast Microphone

 

You’ve got your podcast ready to go and have just got your brand new Blue-Yeti mic in, and you’re ready to take on the world! Before you jump straight into, there is a bit of a learning curve that comes with your Blue-Yeti, so let us help you tackle the mic, so you can tackle your podcast and your message.

Let's take a look at the four patterns and how to manage them, and the best situation for each one. There is a bit of a learning curve to managing the four patterns of the mics so we’ll dive in to see how to manage each pattern, and the best situation to use each one. 

THE PATTERNS

Cardio Mode: (Solo-cast)

The mode you are most likely to use as a podcaster will be cardio-mode. In cardio-mode you will only have the front microphone on and all others turned off. This will ensure that it captures your voice and very little else. It is important to remember to have the Blue-Yeti logo facing towards you, and that you have the mic set up in a vertical position. That microphone inside is facing up and down and there is no microphone at the top so it is especially important that you keep the mic in a vertical position and not bend it to an angle or put the “top” towards your mouth. This positioning will move the mic down towards your workstation, and cause your voice to be cluttered with table vibrations, seat movements, and other distractions.

Bidirectional: (Co-host/interview)

The bidirectional pattern: This is going to be the pattern you want to use if you have a co-host or someone you are interviewing in the room with you. This setting turns on the front microphone (like in cardio mode) as well as the back microphone. This way you and your co-host/guest can sit across from each other and have your conversation, You may have to play a little bit with the distance between you and the mic and try to make sure that it is evenly spaced so that both sides are heard and one is not drowning out the other.

Omnidirectional: (Big interview or background noise)

This is the setting that looks like a circle. This is a good visual, because this setting is going to be good in a round table setting. This would be if you had a conference call or a large group that you are talking with. This will also pick up a lot of background noise so unless you’re doing that round table or large interview, you likely won’t use this function.

Another thing podcasters use this setting for is to recording background or ambient noises to create more immersive story telling post-production.

Stereo Mode:

Finally we’ll look at the chain-link pattern. This will pick up everything! From what's happening on the table, what your feet are doing under the table, the air conditioner kicking on, the cat purring in the hall, you name it, it’s going to be caught in your recording. This pattern is not one that you will be using for podcasting. Think more of your favorite musician doing an acoustic set, and how you can hear every strum, every note, the vibrations of the strings; that is what this setting is for. This is more for when you are trying to capture the acoustics of a room, and everything in it.

Untitled design (5).png

The last feature we’ll look at is the Gain button right above the other patterns. The Gain is the amount of area the mic is listening to. Think of it like the amount of space that your mic is able to reach and capture. The best way to get this right is to do some tests. Start with the dial turned all the way to the right then record yourself saying “test." Repeat this until the dial is all the way to the left. Then go back and listen to each one and note which one you like and offers the best sound for you. 

Other items you can use to enhance your Blue-Yeti are things like a boom arm and windscreen. There is already a spot on the bottom of your Blue-Yeti for a boom arm like we mentioned before. The pros of using a boom arm are that it keeps the microphone completely steady as your recording so you don’t have to worry about table vibrations, tapping, or anxious fidgeting being picked up in your recording. In the same way, a windscreen will help lessen some of those harsh consonant pops like “k”s, “p”s and hissing sounds that either come from your breathing or the air around you. 


The best thing you can do with your Blue-Yeti is play around with the different patterns, play with the gain, and practice with distance (how close/far away you are from the mic) until you capture the sound that you need to make your voice and your podcast the best it can be.

PRODUCT LINKS:

 
podcast tipsCassidyy Atkins