Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsNot as good as the original Yeti, needs improvements, but Still a good mic.
Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2019
FYI - I have the original Yeti, other condenser mics, gaming headsets (hyper x and Logitech G933) and a music background.
SHORT VERSON:
PROS:
- Small foot print
- Solid build
- Looks great
- USB PLUG IN, and done
- decent mic, for most people
CONS
- picks up higher frequencies of your voice
- does not have GAIN knob (i knew that when i bought it though)
- not great for mobile device recording (recording audio for phones/ipads)
- may required editing of voice before you post online
- Its worth putting in $30 more for the Big Yeti.
LONG VERSION:
Lets start with the good. Its small, looks absolutely great, and feels solid. Compared to my 5+ year old Big Yeti, this thing feels really nice. The rubber holding the microphone in place has been designed so that if the knobs are a little loose, the mic doesn't just nosedive into the stand, which is a solid plus for me.
The quality is great, if its just streaming, and more basic use.
By itself, it can be attached to a camera stand, or tri-pod, or a microphone stand with the included adapter which is great.
Now for the bads...
This microphone to me, considering the cost, is not the microphone you should get. For the cost, and sound quality, its just not up there. Now, if you have a nice soft radio friendly voice, this would be fine, but for an average girl with a slightly higher pitch voice, this microphone isn't too good. Even for me, where i have a deeper voice, i still sounded a little different from my big yeti. For a girl, it required some editing of the voice to make her sound more pleasant. The issue is, that this is for streaming, and i dont think it does it well. Basically, it favours the higher frequencies more, meaning your voice sounds a little tingy and weak. Dont get me wrong, compared to most common microphones, this will still sound superior to them all, but I think you are better off getting the Big Yeti than this one.
This could also be due to manufacturing changes from the time when i bought my Big Yeti, and all Yeti's sound like this, as i'm not sure, but if the Big Yeti costs $30, and still sounds like the one i have, it is worth it.
For those who like singing, this may not be the best microphone as well, same issue.
For those who like singing using those apps for karaoke, where you can edit your voice later before you post and stuff, not great either, as hearing yourself as you sing with this mic still feels off and can throw you off.
Now, if you are the type of person whos running around podcasting all the time, this microphone might be better for you, but the audio technica AT2005 or something might be better as it picks up less surrounding sound too. If you interview others a lot on your podcasting, and only got money for 1 microphone, this might be better as it can record 2 people at once well on the cheaper end, and easier to bring around.
If you plan to just buy this for basic voice chat on video games, skype, discord, etc, this would be fine as well, but gaming headsets are better. But for me, i prefer not wearing big headphones and it messes up my hair, so.. that might suit you better if you have same situation.
All in all, i recommend getting the Big Yeti as it will be better. If the Yeti Nano was cheaper, around $100 as base price, than i think its pretty good for what it is. At the moment, its just priced a little high, or to close to the Big Yeti to justify the Yeti Nano. Its small, and cute, and unless that is what you are prioritizing, than get the Big Yeti.
Also, not including the Gain Knob is a HUGE bummer. The rear button for the pick up pattern should also rotate for Gain level, similar to the headphone volume and push down for mute in the front. IF this had that as well, i think the this product would be worth it a lot more, as this can be a good travel microphone with mobile devices.