Blue Baby Bottle Studio Condenser Microphone with Case
With a detailed midrange presence and smooth top end, the Baby Bottle condenser shines on vocals, guitar cabinets, and hard-to-mic instruments like violins.
Overall User Ratings (based on 36 ratings)
Submitted October 10, 2012 by Matt J in Port Republic, MD
"The other reviews are spot on"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Excellent mic for the money.
Sound
First off, as another review stated, this mic is hot. It is also remarkably quiet. Crank the gain up and you won't know it's there until you breathe. It's sound is a "what goes in is what comes out" so if you are looking for color, this isn't it. I find that to be quite helpful in that I use this mic for male vocals in many different singing styles. The sound plays nice with whatever chain I need to use to fit the genre. It can be driven VERY hard without any complaints allowing for a wide range of applications this can mic. I also personally find I don't have to be constantly aware of my recording proximity when recording vocals that swing from subdued to belting.
All in all there are plenty of mics that sound better for certain applications, but none that give you a decent sound on everything you put it in front of.
Features
Did not fit some of my shock mounts. Also, the pop filter, although interesting looking seeing as its not much bigger than the capsule, could have been a tad bigger as its not effective against extreme plosives. I have purchased Blue's rectangular pop filter which works as expected and quite frankly looks wicked. Is it worth the extra money? It's a pretty mic so why not?
Ease of Use
Plug and play. Although due to how hot it is, not having to drive equipment as hard down the chain keeps the signal very clean. If your pre groans at you when you ask it do some work with other mics, this will take some of the load off.
Quality
Although it looks like the capsule might just roll off on its own, it's a very solid mic. I don't feel the need to be ginger with it. Heavy, thick walls, nice machining and finish. No blemishes noted from the factory. I have been using it for about 8 months now and I have had no issues at all with it.
Value
It's worth more. Period. For the sound, it would be an "average mic" if they had slapped an $800 tag on it but nobody would for a second say the mic didn't hang with others in that range.
Manufacturer Support
I have not personally but the gentleman that I ordered it through called them while I was there to get some more detail on the frequency response. He got through on the first call, and in that time they transferred him to an engineer on the floor who answered my question thoroughly.
The Wow Factor
I mean look at it. It's fun to look at.
Musical Background:
Vocal/keys for 20 years. Home studio with collaborative projects worldwide as well as webcasts
Musical Style:
Rock, alternative, folk, S/S, soft rock, country, pop
9 of 9 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted April 5, 2016 by David H in San Diego, CA
"This is the mic for my vocals"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'll start off by saying I am a mid-baritone with a nasal tendency that shows up in peculiar ways on a lot of mics with typical high-end boost. I'll qualify myself as Pro Tools certified and college educated in Music Production.
I have used many, many microphones in my day and I have my expensive favorites like anybody else (Neumann U47 is a great way to blow 4K). In my current locker exist many of today's most popular and highly-rated microphones (C414s, AKG 4060, Rode NTK, etc.) but when it comes time to record MY lead vocal, the Baby Bottle is almost always the one that gets the nod.
It's no frills. The signal path doesn't allow for on-mic attenuators of any kind. It is colored (every mic is colored) with a lot of bottom end and a boost in the upper-mids that gives off the impression of 'natural presence' without going into 'sparkle.'
It has probably the least self-noise of any mic I have.
I frequently pair this with a Focusrite ISA One, which adds just a smidge of color to the 800 Hz range which most people would characterize as 'warmth.'
Completely, 100% recommended for male vocals.
Musical Background:
I am an engineer and producer
Musical Style:
all genres
3 of 3 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted November 8, 2004 by a customer from comcast.net
"Buy one."
For what this costs, you can't beat it. I am overjoyed at this mics versatility.
www.flamethrowerstudios.com
Sound
Update: Not only have I used it on vocals, but violin and mandolin as well. It sounded great on all of these. The singer I had in here commented that he really liked the way this mic sounds. I gotta agree, this mic does many things well.
Features
Came with shock mount and pop filter.
Quality
It is really well made.
Value
Can't go wrong for the money.
Manufacturer Support
Dunno, haven't needed it.
Musical Background:
Recording Engineer
Musical Style:
PunkRock
11 of 12 people (92%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted December 6, 2016 by Michael B in Spring Hill, FL
"Outstanding, Cost Effective Microphone"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
My friend recommended this microphone to me and at first I was skeptical, but after plugging it in and trying it out I'm sold!
The construction is very good, it's a solid microphone that looks and feels like it won't fall apart. The sound is great and clear, very nice for vocals and acoustic guitar as well as drum overheads.
The only thing I'm left wanting is some switches that other microphones tend to have. (pad, pattern, etc). There is only one setting on that mic and while that setting works exactly how I'd want it to, it'd be nice if there were more options.
Overall a great product, and I'll definitely be picking up a few more in the future!
Musical Style:
rock, acoustic, country, blues
1 of 1 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted November 18, 2004 by a customer from NETSCAPE.NET
"THE BEST FOR THE MONEY"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Sound
IF YOU'RE VOCALS ARE SOUNDING TINNY AND HOLLOW YOU ARE IN FOR A PLEASANT SURPRISE. THIS MIC HAS A NICE NATURAL SOUND PERFECT FOR RECORDING WITH TODAYS ROLAND HARD DISC RECORDERS AND THE LIKE. SOME OF THE BEST MICS SOMETIMES HAVE TOO MUCH HIGH END FOR THE DIGITAL DOMAIN,FORCING VOCALISTS TO USE SM58'S AND OTHER DYNAMIC MICS, WHICH ARE NOT REALLY CUT OUT FOR RECORDING.
THIS MIC HAS A SMOOTH FULL SOUND. I ALSO OWN A RODE NTK, ,A NEUMANN
U87AI,AND A TLM103. I THINK THIS MIC HAS THE BEST OVERALL NATURAL SOUND,AND THE PRICE IS AWESOME .
Musical Background:
ENGINEER,MUSICIAN
Musical Style:
VARIOUS
6 of 9 people (67%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted October 16, 2014 by Richard GIBBS in Stockbridge, GA
"Baby Blue Bottle Condenser Microphone"
This microphone is excellent for home studio's/Vocals.
Musical Background:
over 15ys
Musical Style:
Rock, R&B Hip hop
Did you find this review helpful?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted April 9, 2004 by a customer from ullanta.com
"Beautiful - in sound, design, and craftsmanship"
Value
Well worth the price; comparable to mics that cost much more. Don't judge by features, judge by quality!
Manufacturer Support
I once made a pre-inquiry by email, and the chief designer called me back by phone...
The Wow Factor
An affordable, versatile BLUE - desireable AND obtainable!
Musical Style:
classical, mostly
1 of 2 people (50%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted January 14, 2004 by a customer from aol.com
"Blue Is AWSOME I love the little baby Bottle"
craftmenship awsome I will be enjoying it for many years to come!
Sound
Its really quiet and really hot all my pr amps had to be turned to half what they were its a great mic that was well worth the money I am hooked on bluse till I die
Features
Well for the money the only feature it has is its great amazing sound and the low self noise (5.5)not thats a feature in its self
Quality
Its amazing first rate
Value
This item is worth twice as much as the selling its is beter than the tlm 103 by far
Manufacturer Support
Well I have had no problems BLUES quality in many ways is there support cause it lasts and it does not break so you dont have to deal with them
The Wow Factor
Well there mics are one of a kinds it nice to have a mic in the studio that just stands out in so many way LOOKS and SOUND
Musical Style:
Well there are many but Real R&B like some marvin gaye
of 1 people (0%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted May 28, 2003 by a customer from yahoo.com
"A versitile, solid, beautiful, old school old world mic"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
An amazing little mike foar it's price. Very present and warm on vocals. The craftsmanship is first rate. No silly vintage "color"
like on the new inexpensive tube condencers. Can take a 133db hit too.
Musical Style:
Rock / Alt
of 1 people (0%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted February 20, 2004 by a customer from comcast.net
"Excellent quality, great value!"
I figured I needed one "go to" mic for voxcals and guitar cabs. I think this is it.
Sound
This is the real deal. For the money I don't know if there's a better deal out there. I have an Oktava MK319 which rules in its own way, but-The Blue Baby Bottle is in a league all it's own! Very low self noise, and sounds great on electric guitar. Haven't tried it on vocals yet, but will later this week.
Features
$475.00 and it came with the pop screen and shock mount.
Quality
Feels hefty, sounds great.
Value
Amazing!
Manufacturer Support
Can't rate this. I'm thinking I won't need to. Just byu looking at their website, I think support will be good if needed.
The Wow Factor
Killer!
Musical Style:
PunKrock
2 of 3 people (67%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Submitted March 9, 2005
"An average mic, in a beautiful package."
Sound
It sure sounds great when you listen to it by itself. However, I had the luxury of having several mics to compare it to and it didn't really stick out of the bunch as exceptional. The test bed was a 3035 (cheap but effective), R121 (ribbon), and a 219 (Russian made also). The 3035 came out on top with the most clean sound on martin and gibson acoustic guitars and male vocals, while the 414 found favor with female vocals and some taylor guitars. I was very suprised that the 99 dollar 219 also made in russian sounded a lot like the baby bottle, but for hundreds less. The ribbon mic sounds like nothing else, and had a lot of bass end clarity. In all, sound quality wise, the baby bottle is probably in the lower half of these mics, but by no means does it sound bad.
Features
The mic I bought came with a lovely cherry red storage box, however I'm a little scared to put the mic in the box, because it doesn't have very good support for the diaphram (they put poorly cut styrofoam to support the diaphram unit). The microphone itself is a work of art, it's both beautiful and seems sturdy enough to handle years of careful use. I had to buy the shockmount and pop filter seperately for an additional $50.
Quality
Beautiful mic right out of the package, I however did notice some cosmetic blemishes on the top of the diaphram cage, but what can you expect, they're all hand made...
Value
Looks like no other mic out there, sounds like any other condensor mic for under $400, so depends on what you're looking for.
Manufacturer Support
Well, the technical support number that comes in the box, is a disconnected number, so if anyone reading this knows someone at blue, please let them know.
The Wow Factor
So the mic doesn't sound as great as I've been told, but for some reason, I can't let it go. If you have two things that perform similar, but one just looks better, then you have this crazy urge to spend more on it (for example, ipods). Despite some flaws that I found, I wouldn't sell this mic back. Who knows, maybe one day it'll be a collectors item.
Musical Background:
Recording Engineer
11 of 17 people (65%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
Please wait.