Whatever your purpose is, if you are seeking a reliable mic that can be very versatile, then you are most probably considering to get yourself a USB microphone. Why? Well, obviously, because the USB – the Universal Serial Bus – is, uh, universal. Nearly every electronic device has a USB port, from smartphones to desktop computers, from Apple to Samsung devices. By having a USB mic, you are giving yourself the flexibility to work with different platforms. As for the moment, there are two popular picks for a budget under two hundred bucks: Razer Seiren Elite and Blue Yeti. Which one should you choose? (See also: Audio Technica AT2020 Vs MXL 990)
Razer Seiren Elite
Razer Seiren Elite is a professional-grade studio microphone having three 14mm custom-tuned condenser capsules built into an array. It has four different polar pattern configurations (cardioid, stereo, omnidirectional, bidirectional), switchable by simply rotating the main control knob. So, it is very versatile and flexible for various purposes. It is also able to record at an outstanding quality, with a maximum recording resolution of 192-kHz/24-bit, making it viable for making high-quality content. It is compatible with Razer’s shock mount and pop filter, but neither is included in the bundle, unfortunately. Nevertheless, it is coming with a built-in headphone amplifier with a 3.5mm jack, suitable to accommodate any monitoring headphone. The audio output port is beneficial to be used for direct monitoring, having zero latency so that you can precisely hear what your listeners will hear. There are mic gain and headphone volume control knobs for optimal control over your recording and monitoring. Worth mentioning, it is a USB plug-and-play device, so there is no driver to cause you unnecessary headaches.
Blue Yeti
Blue Yeti is also a USB plug-and-play microphone, so it is just as convenient to use. It also features a tri-capsule array for delivering exceptional sonic qualities. Furthermore, Blue Yeti also comes with four polar pattern options, consisting of cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. Once again, it is as versatile as Razer Seiren Elite for serving various purposes like vocals, musical instruments, interviews, podcasting, field recordings, etc. Blue Yeti has a zero-latency output as well for direct monitoring, along with several on-board controls, including a gain control knob and a headphone volume knob. There is a mute button, though, which can be very handy in controlling your recording. You can immediately cut the sounds by pressing the mute button. However, it records in 16-bit/48-kHz, a standard quality in the industry.
Razer Seiren Elite Vs Blue Yeti
| Razer Seiren Elite | Blue Yeti | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Razer | Blue Microphones |
| Key features | - Built into the Razer Seiren are three 14 mm custom tuned condenser capsules in an array that is capable of 4 different recording pattern configurations. - 4 Dedicated recording patterns for multiple applications Different recording applications call for specific recording patterns that best accommodate the use case. - Zero latency headphone output for accurate monitoringThe Razer Seiren comes with a built in headphone amplifier that accommodates any monitoring headphone that has a 3.5 mm jack. - USB plug & play recordingThe Razer Seiren is made to be an easy to use plug and play USB microphone - no fuss involve. | - Tri-capsule array - 3 condenser capsules can record almost any situation - Multiple pattern selection - cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo - Gain control, mute button, zero-latency headphone output. Requires a minimum of 64 MB of RAM - Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, conference calls - Plug 'n play - Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher) and PC (Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP). Bit Rate: 16bit |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 4.2 out of 5 stars | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
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Decision
If you are simply looking for the best bang for the bucks, then Blue Yeti is the way that will not let you down. Blue Yeti holds the fullest value here because you will mostly record only in the standard quality, yet it gives you better control. Only if you plan to record at a higher bit rate and a higher sampling rate very often that Razer Seiren Elite becomes viable.