Apogee MiC and Blue Yeti are two popular USB condenser microphones for recording vocals, podcasts, instruments, interviews and much more. Let’s take a look at the epic USB condenser mic battle: Apogee MiC vs Blue Yeti. If you want more reviews, check out our recommendations on the best mic for recording in 2016.
Apogee MiC
The Apogee MiC is a USB condenser microphone that can be plugged in and recorded directly into your iPhone, iPad or Mac. This is a great choice for a studio quality recording mic that you can take with you anywhere, for traveling or frequent studio shifting.
Highlights
- Portable-sized studio recording mic
- Full compatibility with your iPhone, iPad or Mac
- High definition audio recording: up to 24-bit/48kHz for the MiC and 24-bit/96kHz for the MiC 96k (an improved version of the MiC)
- Studio quality cardioid condenser microphone capsule
- Built-in mic preamp with 40dB of gain and phantom power to enable the full functionality of condenser mics
- PureDIGITAL technology to deliver pristine, faithfully reproduced and sonically rich sound quality
- Designed for vocal or acoustic instrument recording
Pros
- No configuration or software installation needed: just plug in straight into your iPhone, iPad or Mac USB port, open your favourite digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Garageband, and start recording away!
- Portable size: Allows you to bring the MiC anywhere with minimal fuss. Bring it on a holiday at the beach, to a new temporary studio, or simply for recording your song ideas on the go! Just stuff it in your backpack and you are good to go.
- Versatility: You can record vocals, spoken words for podcast, interviews, acoustic instruments such as guitar and violin
- Extraordinary sensitivity and dynamic range: who says USB mics can’t pick up the whole room? The Apogee MiC has such amazing sensitivity, preserving the richness and depth of the recording that will blow you away
- Faithfully reproduced sound: ever get frustrated when the sound you play is a whole world different from what you record? The Apogee MiC ensures the sound captured is as close to the original quality as possible
Cons
- The Apogee MiC is not compatible with Windows or Linux
- Might be a bit pricey for new recording artists
- There is no battery and you can’t charge the Apogee MiC when recording, so you need to charge it by plugging into the USB port of your iPhone, iPad or Mac for about two hours prior to recording
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
The Yeti microphone by Blue is one of the most sonically rich and finest sounding USB condenser microphones currently available in the market. Its amazing flexibility and versatility allows you to create to your heart’s content, anywhere and anytime you like.
Features
- Direct USB connection to your laptop
- Full compatibility with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Mac OS X
- Four distinct pattern modes to choose from: stereo mode, cardioid mode, omnidirectional mode and bidirectional mode
- High definition studio recording with sample rate and bit depth of 16-bit/48kHz for Yeti and Yeti Studio, and 24-bit/192kHz for Yeti Pro
- 5 mm headphone jack: allows you to listen to the recording and monitor in real-time, with near zero latency
- Dimensions: 4.72” (12 cm) x 4.92” (12.5 cm) x 11.61” (29.5 cm)
- Weight: 1.2 lbs/ 0.55 kg (microphone) & 2.2 lbs/ 1 kg (stand)
- Adjustable angle to give you the most comfortable recording angle possible
- Custom desktop stand for easy recording on your desk
Pros
- Amazing versatility with four directional polar patterns: stereo mode is ideal for realistic studio recording with left and right channels creating an impression of space. Cardioid mode helps minimize unwanted noise from in front of the mic, and is most suitable for live performances, podcasts, voice-overs, and acoustic instrument recording. Omnidirectional mode captures the atmosphere and sounds from all around the mic, and is great for recording ambient background music, conferences or a live band performance. Bidirectional mode is great for recording situations where you need to capture sounds in front and behind the mic, such as in an interview.
- Ability to monitor the recording gives you control over the final result
- No driver installation or configuration required, allowing hassle-free recording
- Full compatibility with Windows and Mac OS, giving you freedom to record on a variety of devices
Cons
- The Blue Yeti has a relatively low resolution compared to other high-end condenser mics, which may turn off some audiophiles
- May be a bit pricey for new recording artists
- Its relatively large size & weight makes it less portable than other USB mics such as the Apogee MiC or the Blue Snowball
Apogee MiC Vs Blue Yeti
Here is a product comparison table to let you see the differences more clearly.
| Apogee MiC | Blue Yeti | |
| Resolution | Higher (bit depth = 24 bit) | Lower (bit depth = 16 bit) |
| Compatible with Windows | No | Yes |
| Multiple polar patterns | No | Yes |
| Gain control | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in mute switch | No | Yes |
| Headphones output | No | Yes |
| USB connection | Yes | Yes |
| Size | Smaller, portable | Larger |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Best used for | Recording vocals, acoustic instruments, podcasts, voice overs, recording on the go | Recording vocals, acoustic instruments, podcasts, voice overs, interviews, live performances, field recording, conference calls |
The Apogee MiC provides a higher recording bit depth compared to the Blue Yeti, which generally means higher resolution, more clarity during recording and a more faithful reproduction of the sounds recorded. However, the Blue Yeti has more flexibility and provides a solution for almost every recording scenario: recording vocals and acoustic instruments in the studio, podcasts for video tutorials, conference calls, live bands or choirs, field recording, etc. This is possible thanks to the Yeti’s four available recording modes and polar patterns.
A downside of the Blue Yeti is its relatively large size and weight, which makes it not very portable and suitable for light travelling. On the other hand, the Apogee MiC is designed to be carried in any bag and perfect for recording on the go.
Conclusion
Depending on your recording needs, either the Apogee MiC or the Blue Yeti may prove to be the better solution for a USB condenser microphone. If you need a high quality, compact and portable mic for recording while travelling, the Apogee MiC may be a more suitable alternative. If you need a flexible solution for a wide range of recording scenarios, then the Blue Yeti may be a better fit.
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