Blue Microphones Spark Digital Studio-Grade Condenser Microphone for Apple iPad and USB 2.0

I love Apogee and I love my MiC but when I saw that Amazon had this Blue Spark for a mere $155 I jumped all over it (even added the mere $3.99 for next day shipping cuz gear lust has a way with me).I am in my third decade of project studio singer/songwriting and God only knows how much has been siphoned off the family budget for "tools". Along the way I have sang through expensive microphones and also through telephone receivers. One lesson learned is that it takes a good tune to grab an audience. Another lesson is that we live in an incredible time period.What used to cost hundreds, thousands to record and produce can now be (somewhat clunk-illy) recorded on the go with a "smart phone". I realize it's not for everyone, but if you wish a fairly portable, nearly high-dollar sound...then order the Blue Spark Digital.Combined with a USB OTG cable, this puppy makes me SO glad I returned my iPhone and got the Galaxy Note 2. That said, it comes with the 30-pin if you still am an iPerson. I have also connected to an i7 Windoze laptop via USB and it works great with Mountain Lion as well.Now, for brass tacks...the Apogee MiC isn't a Neuman. I know. I'm not stupid. Neither are you, though. So, if you like Apogee and want portability--buy both! You'll find good use for them. I am sure of it. The "focus" button you will either love or loathe. I personally am afraid of how much I love it. It is best for voice podcasting but I've recorded vocals on a song just to see which camp I am in.All serious musicians are bleeding cash. Bleed some toward Blue this time around. You'll never miss it!

This is a great microphone! At school we have Macs, PCs, and iPad's used in classes and this microphone works without any issues. Compared to the original spark microphone, the sound quality is identical, especially with the focus switch turned on, it helps very much with voice overs and vocals.The only downsides i might see is if you have an older iPad you will need to purchase a separate cable from Blue Microphones for about $20 and close to $5.50 for 3-5 day ground shipping.Also, a pop filter is NOT included with the microphone. However, you can also order a pop filter for $15 with about $6 for the same 3-5 day ground shipping. Overall, i would recommend this and the other microphones from Blue if you want something simple and long term affordable.NOTE ABOUT POP FILTER:If for some reason you do not want to purchase the pop filter from Blue Microphones, Full Compass is also selling the pop filter for $20 with shipping. If you go to the Full Compass website, search for the model A22130-00. This pop filter is listed for the older/original Spark Microphone, but this pop filter DOES work with the Spark Digital.I have seen comments online from some people that the screw that holds the pop filter on (located on the back of the microphone) is stripped after they originally received the Spark Digital. Blue Microphones has said that this pop filter issue is common with this microphone and will be repaired/fixed by them for FREE. If you do happen to receive a model with this issue, visit their website and contact support for more information.

This mic is awesome. If your sole purpose for recording is for cardioid type projects, then this is the mic for you. Focus mode is great, There are a couple of channels with YouTube videos that record using this mic with the focus mode on. Try mine, Search in youtube: Blue Spark Digital Julian Lonzoe and for the other channel, search: Blue Spark Digital Tasty Chews. Check it out so you get a sense of focus mode. You can use this with a iPhone XS Max and for any lightning based iPhone. No need for an adapter like you would with the blue yeti. It also comes with a stabilizer stand, so need to worry about your mic picking up if anything bumps the desk, stand, etc - it’s supposed to seem flimsy to pick up any movement from the stand or desk, etc it’s sitting on. You also get a awesome bag to help protect it from scratches. Also if you read the manual, if you contact Blue you can get a custom pop filter, not sure how much they charge- I found this out after I received the package. I bought my custom spark filter off full compass based off another review I read.

Seemed like the perfect purchase for me on paper; compatible with Lightning iOS devices, a real-time monitoring feature, PC compatibility and a focus mode tailored for more detail in the mid range and roll-off on the low end (for vocalists). My biggest concern was latency while monitoring in iOS, as everything I've tried (and returned) had unbearable latency.I actually found that I did not need the real-time monitoring feature on the device, this is perfect. I can confirm this microphone has virtually no perceivable latency on an iOS device (both an iPhone 6+ and iPad Mini 2) when monitoring through the headphone jack.On a PC, I'd be more concerned over sound quality, since ASIO drivers are available on that platform.The sound quality is head and shoulders above the CAD Audio U37 microphone I was using on my PC as a casual vocalist. At $170.00, it's pricey, but this is truly a case of getting what you pay for.There are a few negatives to mention that I don't feel merit a star deduction:- The focus mode switch in the back is fiddly. Don't go too hard on it.- $44.99 for the matching Pop Filter? Really?- I wish the monitor and gain were two separate switches.

Three pros:-1. Clear and crisp sound recording, easy-to-use mic and sits like a king on the desk:)2. Compatible with PC/MAC/iOS devices and comes with both USB & lightning connectors.3. Better than blue yeti(yeti is a lot heavier, catches a lot of background noise, stand doesn't have shock mount),blue raspberry(catches even the slightest rumble on table, produces high sibilance, also have a good luck finding a suitable pop filter), AT2020 USB+ (has no mute button, picks up every single background noise, stand does not have a shock mount), Rode NT USB(no gain control switch, no mute button, stand doesn't have a shock mount).Two flaws:-1.The metal mic screws into plastic threads of the metal stand and one needs to be very careful while screwing it, otherwise the threads will be damaged for sure and due to plastic/rubbery caps being used on mute/volume/gain & FOCUS ON/OFF switches, the caps pop off easily.2. After the gain/volume is set to get the sweet spot, if the mic is disconnected from the PC/MAC/iOS device, then those controls reset to default automatically. It is cumbersome to adjust the controls everytime before recording.Still confused at whether to buy it or not? ...Ever heard of Neat Bumblebee Microphone? It is somewhat an ugly looking mic that produces OUTSTANDING/FANTASTIC sound, has rotating/swivel stand, mic capsule is internally shock-mounted and comes with a nice pop filter.It does not have a mute switch which is the only drawback.Hope you found this tiny review helpful(Whatever I wrote is based on my experience with all the mics mentioned).

I bought this Microphone in 2014 so about 5 years ago and have grown quite a bit of a collection of Cardioid USB Microphones and the Blue Spark is definitely one of the better ones.I stream, make the occasional Youtube video and used it to talk to friends over Discord and Teamspeak.Pros+ Fantastic Sound Quality+ Clear and rich audio+ USB makes it super easy, just plug in and go.+ Easy push to mute button located on the frontCons- Front mute button is plastic and mine had cracked somehow just by slight handling causing the button to fall out at various points.- No pop filter with this one! (However the Spark XLR version includes this!)- Body shell is plastic (I would of much preferred a solid steel body or at least a heavier plastic to prevent cracks or scratching)

Mic designed for high quality recordings, but with an easy USB set up, and several built in controls. Same as the original Blue Spark but with USB instead of XLR connection. The entry level of the professional series from Blue.The good: Original and very beautiful design, high quality recording, easy to set up (no preamp or mixing board needed), buttons for gain, volume control, mute, and focus all built in to the mic, very solid quality construction, included shock mount and metal base that swivels, quiet mic for close recordings, reasonable price, complete package to begin recording direct to computer.The bad: Aesthetics are so pretty it almost looks like a display piece more than a serious piece of recording equipment, eventho it is (I will leave the looks to your preferences), unified gain, volume, and mute button- in one- is fiddly, confusing, feels cheap, and not overly precise (the only part of the mic that feels cheap, and that I do not like), and seems an example of looks over function. To work optimally the mic must be close to the voice or instrument. If not it will not pick up well. No pop filter included. Not exactly cheap (but reasonable for what you get).Paid 187 Euros on Amazon.esMicrofono bonito, completo, usb, buen calidad de sonido, para grababacion de cerca, de la serie profesional mas bajo. Boton para controlar volumen, grabacion y mute es complicado, poco preciso, confuso y de mala calidad. La unico pega de un microfono bonito y de calidad.

As stated in other reviews, the connection into the microphone is a tad frail. This is a small price to pay for such a good microphone in terms of sound quality, however, resolving the issue has... not been achieved. Via the service request system on their website, I sent for a new USB Y cable and after a month received a lightning (iOS) cable. Fine, I'll make another request. It was ignored for a good portion of a fortnight before having someone reply stating that a new shipment of these cables were in next week. "Great! Let me know when they're in!" I said, naively believing that I was, in fact, going to get a replacement. Another fortnight went by. No cable. "Any update?" I asked. "Early next week" he replied. Early-next-week eventually passed when I decided to phone. "Thank you for your call, we will put in a request for one right away" stated the polite American on the other end. However, this was 2 weeks ago and I have yet to receive a cable or a confirmation to say it's on it's way.tl;dr Great sound quality, crap customer service.

First I'll say this microphone is beautifully made and looks very sharp on any desk.Being a USB microphone it is very convenient and doesn't require any external audio interface. You can also use it with your iPad if you're into that, may be good for those recording while travelling.So about sound quality. On a technical level I don't have much to complain about. Audio is crisp and clear and doesn't pick up too much ambient noise.However, it never sounded right for me. I record voiceovers and I always had to tweak the audio with post processing to give my voice a bit more bass. I think this will be an individual thing depending on what you prefer. In the end I upgraded to an sE 2200a MkII with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 which now gives me the sound I want without any editing.In conclusion I think this is a great piece of kit but not for everyone.