Audio Technica at2035 and blue yeti are popular brands that you’re likely to come across when looking for a reliable microphone for podcasting and streaming. They are both great microphones with the ability to capture high-quality audio. For most buyers, choosing one over the other is confusing as they both have strengths and weaknesses.
In this post, we’ll be taking a closer look at the microphones to help you make an informed decision when choosing. We’ll be discussing the design, features, performance, connectivity, advantages, and disadvantages of the two microphones.
| Audio Technica AT2035 | Blue Yeti | |
| Polar Patterns | Cardioid | cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, stereo |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz – 20kHz | 20Hz – 20kHz |
| Sample Rate | 48 kHz | |
| Bit Rate | 16 bit | |
| Max SPL | 148 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1 T.H.D.;158 dB SPL, with 10 dB pad (nominal) | Max SPL: 120dB (THD: 0.51kHz) |
| Connectivity | XLR | USB |
| On-Board Controls | High-Pass Filter, Pad | Headphone Volume |
| System Requirements | n/a | Windows and Mac OS, USB 1.1/2.0, 64 MB RAM |
| Features | Comes with a protective pouch and custom shock mount. Cardioid sound pattern reduces sound pickup from the sides and rear, helping to improve isolation of the desired audio source. Switchable 10dB pad and 80Hz high-pass filter. One of the most affordable studio condensers on the market. Includes a pivoting stand mount. Great choice for vocals and instruments Can easily handle loud noises, making it the best choice for music and vocals. | Four sound patterns – Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Bidirectional and Stereo. Comes with mute button, gain control, and zero latency headphone output. Great choice for podcasts, interviews, discussions, conference calls, voice-overs, vocals, instruments, commentary, streaming and gaming. Plug and play simplicity Requires Windows 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP or Mac OS 10.4.11 or higher Includes a heavy duty stand. |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
CONTENTS
Audio Technica AT2035
The At2035 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone. It offers the perfect blend of quality and affordability and it’s a great choice for a home and professional studio recording and live performances.
Build Quality
Audio Technica At2035 offers exceptional sound quality, and one of the key features behind this is its ingenious design and build quality. The outer shell of the microphone is made of a combination of high-strength plastic and metal. This material combination gives the mic a robust and sturdy design without adding too much weight.
At2035 measures 170mm and 52mm in length and diameter, respectively. It weighs 403g and often comes in a black finish, giving it a more elegant and professional look. Two switches (attenuation pad and low cut filter) near the base of the mic allow to switch between sound patterns.
The XLR output connector on the At2035 is a great addition for users looking to upgrade from USB microphones. It is more versatile and allows you to work in non-digital environments, so you don’t have to be stuck on your computer. However, the microphone needs phantom power with external power.
The At2035 comes with a threaded stand adapter, vinyl storage pouch and a shock mount, all packaged in a box. The adaptor allows for easy mounting of the mic on the stand, while the shock mount helps to eliminate unwanted noises such as vibrations from the table.
Features
With a single polar pattern, Audio Technica At2035 is not a versatile microphone. It only has a cardioid mode, which captures sound coming from the front part of the microphone.
The cardioid mode is ideal for solo use when recording music, podcasts, voiceovers and virtually any situation where sound is registered from one direction. Since the mic has reduced sensitivity to sound coming from the sides, it’s not a great choice for recording discussions and interviews.
The microphone comes with a selectable 10dB attenuation pad to handle high SPL signals without any issues. Its broad, flat response allows it to work easily with acoustic instruments such as drum overheads, pianos, brass instruments and guitars.
The low-cut filter minimizes audio at 80Hz and lower. This feature is important in eliminating noises such as wind, breath and vibration. In addition, self-noise is very low.
Performance
Audio Technica At2035 has a frequency range of 20Hz – 20 kHz, which makes it easier to handle different sounds. However, the mic performs better when used for vocals as it boasts a presence boost of about 13 kHz frequency which allows vocals to cut through denser mixes.
The microphone delivers outstanding sound quality. Its neutral and harmonious sound character is great for vocals. This also explains why the microphone is very popular among podcasters.
The At2035 records crisp, clear sound. When compared to Blue Yetu, At2035 delivers better sound quality in terms of clarity. However, this doesn’t mean Blue Yeti is bad in that regard. At2035 does better than Blue Yeti here because it uses an XLR connector that delivers better sound quality than USB.
At2035 is also designed to work with different instruments. The mic’s ability to handle high SPL sounds makes it easier to work with a guitar or drum amp. Generally, At2035 is the best choice for recording music. It might not be as versatile as Blue Yeti, but it delivers better sound clarity.
Connectivity
Audio Technica AT2035 uses the old XLR output connector. So, on this microphone, there’s no USB connectivity or headphone output.
Strengths
- The mic comes with a shock mount
- High-quality condenser with low noise circuit and excellent pickup
- A great choice for vocals and instruments
- Ability to tolerate loud noises
- Easy to set up and use
- Sturdy, minimalistic design
- It comes at an affordable price
Weaknesses
- It doesn’t come with a stand
- Single polar patterns make it less versatile
- Not the best choice for recording things like effects
- Can pick up unwanted noises due to its high sensitivity
Conclusion
At2035 is a great microphone for recording vocals and instruments such as guitars and drums. It offers versatility, exceptional sound quality and solid construction at a pocket-friendly price. The mic’s ability to hand high SPL levels makes it an appealing option to many home/professional studio owners. Although it has a few weaknesses, they’re definitely not a deal-breaker.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, neutral-sounding large-diaphragm condenser microphone that offers value for money, then At2035 is the easiest option to recommend. It’s one of the best studio-quality condenser microphones and offers good value for money.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
The blue yeti has become synonymous with the increasing popularity of podcasts, vlogs, and online streaming. Many users love the mic for its plug-and-play simplicity. It’s the best microphone for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time tweaking audio settings.
Build Quality
Blue Yeti has a stylish design and comes in a range of sleek colors choices such as midnight blue, platinum, silver, satin red, and others. The microphone is made from plastic, and the build is excellent. However, the plastic knobs are not as firm as you may wish, so you may want to be a bit careful when using them.
The blue yeti comes with a stand, which is a handy feature for users who want to place the mic on a table in front of them when recording. With this mic, you don’t need a boom arm. Rubber pads at the base of the mic prevent movement and absorb vibration that may cause unwanted noises.
However, tall people may find it a bit difficult to use the mic as the stand is short. Still, the issue is not a deal-breaker as it can be solved by putting books or boxes under the mic.
Yeti’s compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry. Being a USB microphone means you can work on any PC. To use the microphone, simply plug it in, and the computer will pick it up automatically. You don’t need additional software to use Blue Yeti.
Features
Blue Yeti offers a wide range of features that are useful in different situations. It’s an extremely versatile microphone designed to work in a wide range of settings. The mic comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack that allows you to hear what you’re recording in real-time on earbuds or headphones.
The mute button on this mic allows you to take a break when you need to. This feature is particularly important in live recording as it helps you to avoid unwanted inputs. You’re also provided with three onboard dials to help you achieve better sound recording.
The first dial is the volume control, which allows you to either increase or reduce the headphone output volume. Adjusting this function won’t affect the captured audio. The second dial is the gain control which allows you to increase or decrease the microphone’s sensitivity if you hear distortion from background noises while recording.
The third dial is the polar pattern selector. This feature makes Blue Yeti an extremely versatile microphone as it allows you to change between the different polar patterns depending on your environment.
Blue Yeti has four sound patterns. They include:
Cardioid – Records audio coming from the front part of the mic. This sound pattern is great for solo use when recording podcasts, vocals, voiceovers, or music tracks.
Stereo – Captures sound from left and right channels. This sound pattern records a realistic sound image that’s perfect for recording vocals and acoustic instruments.
Omnidirectional – This sound pattern records sound all around the microphone. It works well when there are people around the mic. It’s the best option for recording live bands, conference calls and multi-person interviews.
Bi-directional – In this sound mode, the microphone captures sound from the front and rear. This mode is great for recording duets and interviews.
Performance
Blue Yeti is a high-performance microphone. With a frequency range of 20Hz – 20 kHz, it can easily handle a wide range of sounds without any problem. The final audio is always high quality. However, the sound output of this mic is in digital form rather than analogue.
The 48 kHz/16-bit digital signal is delivered through a USB connection. This can make it challenging to fine-tie your audio recording after production, unlike analogue sound, which is easily adjustable.
On the upside, Blue Yeti records consistently clean audio. It might not be as crisp clear as the audio recorded by At2035, but it’s still good enough. Also, the maximum SPL handling of the Blue Yeti is lower than that of At2035. This means the Blue Yeti is not the best option for recording loud vocals or instruments.
Still, the Blue Yeti is the best USB microphone for recording vocals and music instruments with impressive details and balance. It’s a microphone that can do virtually everything well.
Connectivity
Blue Yeti is a USB mic, meaning it connects directly to a desktop or laptop without an external interface. The microphone also comes with a 3.55mm headphone output that allows you to monitor your signal.
Strengths
- For a USB microphone, it offers excellent sound recording ability, whether it’s for audio or video production.
- Outstanding sound recording. The microphone can easily record the full range of your voice, unlike headsets which only record a limited range.
- Excellent richness and depth in sound quality
- It doesn’t require additional software to set up
- It comes with a stand
- Four sound patterns make it easy to record audio in different environments
- Reasonably priced
- Sturdy design
Weaknesses
- No XLR output
- Flimsy controls
- May pick up unwanted noises
Conclusion
The Blue Yeti is a popular mic among podcasters and YouTubers, thanks to its versatility. If you’re short on funds and want to start making videos or podcasting, then this is the right microphone for you. The ease of setup is quite satisfying for beginners and users who want to get right into recording without wasting time.
Blue Yeti is also a great choice for your podcast, YouTube and radio recording needs. The four sound patterns allow you to record in almost any setting. You don’t have to buy another microphone to record specific sounds. And, for a USB microphone, the sound quality is exceptional. It’s indeed value for money.
Audio Technica At2035 vs Blue Yeti: Which One Is Better?
Both Audio Technica At2035 and Blue Yeti are great microphones that deliver excellent sound quality.
It’s fair to saying choosing one over the other is quite challenging, but Audio Technica At2035 has a slight edge over Blue Yeti. There are a few differences between the two microphones, the most notable one being connectivity style (XLR and USB).
They are both great choices in their individual capabilities, but it depends on how you intend to the microphone. For instance, USB microphones are a good option for users looking for a single mic, but for bands, you’re going to experience issues because most computers can only use one USB at a time.
When it comes to audio quality, capsule quality, compactness, controls and frequency response, Audio Technica At2035 takes the day.
The At2035 is a great choice for anyone with an audio interface or who wouldn’t mind getting one. However, you want a simple plug-and-play solution, or you need several sound patterns, then you’re better off with Blue Yeti.
Here is a summary of our findings in the four categories we compared the two microphones in:
Build quality – Audio Technica At2035
Features – Blue Yeti
Performance – Audio Technica At2035
Connectivity – Tie
Overall: Audio Technica At2035