The Blue Yeti Nano USB microphone is a compact USB microphone that packs in big features. Despite having a low price this offers a great build quality with well designed features that allow this to be used by beginners and pros alike.
This dual condenser microphone offers both omnidirectional and cardioid modes making it good for podcasters and vloggers as well as musicians and those wanting better video conferencing quality.
The fact this looks good and is of a portable size are bonuses that help to make this mic stand out from the sub-$100 priced crowd. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Blue Yeti Nano to see if this is the best USB microphone for you.
Blue Yeti Nano: Design and build
The Blue Yeti Nano is a relatively compact microphone for a high-end USB device coming in at 8.3 x 3.8 x 4.3 inches and 1.4 pounds. And all that is of a premium quality with a solid feel that makes this not only feel but also look more high-end than its price would suggest.
There's a volume dial on the front which lights up in green when you're using it. You can press this in to act as a physical mute button which will then light up red so you know it's activated.
The has a stand built-in with a swivel mount so it can be titled, ideal when being used as a directional mic for desktop recording – podcasters we're looking at you. That said it can be a little low, but thanks to a 0.75-inch screw-in adapter it can connect to most mic stands.
On the underside of the mic is a micro-USB port as well as a 3.5mm jack for audio connections. It's easy to hook up to your devices, whether you're using one of the best home computers or best laptops.
The mic features two condensers with two 14mm capsules. One works for the cardioid mode while the other is built for the omnidirectional settings. The first is ideal for podcasting, vlogging, gaming and video chat while the latter works well for recording out and about, for music or conferencing.
Switch between the modes using a button on the back with the LED for that pattern lighting up so you know which mode you're in.
Blue Yeti Nano: Features and performance
Connection: USB
Ports: Micro-USB, 3.5mm aux out
Condensers: 2
Directional patterns: Cardioid, omnidirectional
Size: 8.3 x 3.8 x 4.3 inches
Weight: 1.4 pounds
The Blue Yeti Nano outputs an impressive hi-res 24-bit audio quality. This goes up to 48kHz but can be lowered if needed while the frequency response sits between 20Hz and 20kHz.
The mic doesn't use DSP (digital signal processing) meaning you get an analogue recording in the most natural and realistic representation of reality. The result is a more professional recording finish like you'd get using an XLR connection.
Of course all this means you need to make sure the balance of gain levels and mic placement just right. It can pay to pair this with the best audio editing software to finish off any pops or distortions that might come up. Not that we had any of these issues.
That said you do get software with the microphone in the form of Blue's Sherpa program. This allows you to adjust mic levels, set gain and even works with GarageBand as you're recording.
This is a low-latency mic that means what you hear is what you get, live – ideal for recording music. Vocals are clear and crisp even at a distance of around eight inches away. This is for cardioid but switch to omnidirectional and you'll find the audio is still crisp and clear just with more surrounding sound captured too.
Blue Yeti Nano: Price
The Blue Yeti Nano is an affordable USB microphone as it's a sub-$100 model, just, at $99. This comes in a few color options of red, blue, black or gray and we have noticed variation in prices based on colors. You can buy this from lots of different places including Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart. Or go direct to Blue.
Should I buy the Blue Yeti Nano?
The Blue Yeti Nano is a great way to get a professional recording quality finish without breaking the bank. This is a compact model that's easy to use and offers both cardioid as well as omnidirectional patterns making it a real all-rounder for lots of uses.
If you want more analogue controls, so you can use this without the Sherpa app, you may be left frustrated. Also, if you need more than two condensers and therefore two pattern modes, you may need to spend a little more for something like the JLab Talk Pro.
Blue Yeti Nano: Verdict
The Blue Yeti Nano is an easy to use yet hi-res microphone that produces an excellent audio end result. The price is low, the build quality is high and this covers most needs well. Unless you're a professional that need XLR quality recording this will serve you well – in fact it may even be enough for many professionals in some fields too.
