a review by Tom Piper
As a past podcaster and active Skype user, a quality microphone is very important to me. My Blue Snowball has previously been my premium USB mic, but its too large to carry around very much. At Macworld/iWorld 2013, I was introduced to two new mics (also from Blue) which are small, versatile and high quality.
On an iOS device, the all-new Mikey Digital is the perfect tool for mobile recording. It features two custom-tuned Blue capsules for stereo recording, a line-input, USB pass-through and a stylish updated 230-degree rotating design. Mikey's three gain settings allow for a versatile recording experience for everything from a loud concert to a whisper. I can record music, videos, interviews, musical instruments and more. It also comes with its own soft carrying pouch for convenient storage and protection while on the go. Mikey has turned my iPhone 5 (and iPad 3 and iPad mini) into the coolest mobile recording devices around.

With its superior quality audio recording, it has been specifically designed for the iPod touch (4th gen), iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and all iPads. It will work with most popular recording apps such as Garage Band, iRig Recorder, iProRecorder and many others. Mikey has automatic or manual gain control for its own mics, plus an 1/8 inch input jack for guitars, other microphones, and any device with line-out (the built-in mics and line-in are mutually exclusive). The other jack is a built-in USB charging port, and the unit includes an advanced processor for future app compatibility.
An experienced iPhone or iPad user might ask why an external mic is needed when one is already built in? Quite simply, the most important factors include higher fidelity sound, auto-gain stereo input, digital instead of analog recording, and overall improved control. My iOS devices recognize Mikey Digital as a separate microphone, and will use it for any application using a microphone EXCEPT the phone, Siri and FaceTime functions. Video recording and outside apps will use Mikey Digital resulting in some of the best recording quality in the industry.
More information and demos are available at http://bluemic.com/iOS_devices/. Mikey normally retails for $99.99 at many outlets, and at Amazon for only $69.99. This is a terrific little microphone that is lightweight adn convenient to use. It also works just fine with Apple’s Lightning dongle or cable adapter (Blue assures us that their newest version won’t require an adapter).
For a Mac OS (desktop or portable) computer, the new Tiki is the world's first USB microphone that mimics the intelligence of human hearing by focusing on desired sounds, minimizing background noise and knowing when to mute altogether. It's two modes give any Skype user, podcaster or musician the versatility to quickly choose the best option in any situation. First, Intelligent Speech Mode brings my voice to the forefront of a conference call or chat while noise-canceling technology simultaneously minimizes unwanted, competing background noise. Natural Recording Mode captures a wide range of sources from vocals to acoustic guitar, recording high-fidelity audio with exceptional clarity. Tiki sets a new standard for crystal clear audio for wherever I go.
This is an intelligent ultra-compact USB microphone which brings my voice to the forefront using voice isolation and noise-cancelling technology, thus improving vocal clarity for online communication like Skype and iChat, and voice recognition software. Unlike the built-in microphone on my MacBook Pro 15” retina, Tiki reduces computer fan and typing noise by intelligently auto-muting. The recording mode is optimized for podcasts and music recording using a multi-colored LED to indicate muting status and more.
The Tiki has two ears and a brain . . . that is, two capsules and one very powerful (400MHz) DSP chip which constantly listens and compares the signal from the two opposite-facing cardioid capsules. The DSP decides which signals to pass through and compares the signals to help remove background noise. In addition, it applies noise-reduction algorithms co-developed with iZotope, then applies intelligent muting, which soft mutes whenever you aren't speaking. With the push of a button, Tiki's natural recording mode behaves like a traditional microphone, and applies only minor processing to add presence and proximity to the signal from the mic-- everything is done in real time, in hardware.
This mic can be plugged directly into either of my computer’s USB ports, or used with the included USB “sled” and 30” cord to place it closer to me or in any other position. The Tiki is automatically sensed when plugged in (its wise to check the input and output Sound settings in System Preference just to be sure), then shows a blue light when “listening” to me, and an orange light when it auto-mutes. No muss, no fuss, just great recordings which I love to use with Garage Band with its special effects.
More information and demos are available at http://bluemic.com/tiki/. The Tiki normally retails for $59.95 at many outlets, and at Amazon for only $33.95. This is a wonderful little microphone that is easy to setup and use.
Blue Microphones is a highly-regarded company which was founded in 1995 with the belief that technical innovation and cutting-edge design can combine to create a family of audio tools that not only look inspiring, but sound like nothing else on the planet. Blue has fundamentally changed the way microphones are imagined, creating a line of mics with custom-designed sonic signatures that make each Blue microphone truly unique and perfectly situated to take advantage of today's increased digital bandwidths.
To put it simply: the perfect analog devices for the digital age. I highly recommend both the Tiki and Mikey microphones for most portable experiences.
