While certainly a mic that is geared toward someone experienced in the field, the Blue Raspberry Microphone offers radio DJs a crisp and clean sound that you’re unlikely to find amongst most other microphones on the market.
On top of that, the Blue Raspberry Microphone prides itself on being very small and portable, making it something any DJ can cart along with their things and take with them at the drop of a hat, something that may be difficult for larger and bulkier mics out there.
Is the Blue Raspberry Microphone Any Good?
Ultimately, while I wouldn’t go so far as to say the Blue Raspberry Microphone is perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it is clearly on the other side of being quality.
It completely lacks any DSP (digital signal processing), making it stand apart compared to most other microphones in the same price range.
Simply put, if you’re someone that needs a good mic that can be used for gaining levels, offering some necessary EQ as well as manual compression options, and you also want to make sure it’s small and easy to set up, then the Blue Raspberry Microphone definitely worth considering.
Looks
Immediately out of the gate, the Blue Raspberry Microphone has a fun and retro look to it. I’m not particularly partial to the retro mic look, so it isn’t doing a ton for me.
That said, I can imagine that those that enjoy that concept would find it pretty cool. Not only that, but you’ll see that the Raspberry marries this look with modern capabilities.
Again, for those that love the old-school traditional microphone look, the Raspberry borrows heavily from the iconic mics of the ’40s through ’60s.
The Blue Raspberry Microphone has a red base color with a grain leather patina alongside the ‘Blue’ logo along its center.
The Raspberry’s front face hosts both the grille as well as the LED indicator, solidifying that impressive retro look.
Meanwhile, the back panel is where you’ll find the various essential ports. This is where the mic’s 3.5mm headphone jack is as well as the micro USB port where you’ll connect your recording materials.
Build
Produced from an aluminum build, the Blue Raspberry Microphone makes a point of trying to be as interesting as possible. Behind the aforementioned grille is a 14mm electret condenser, which is essential for properly capturing audio sound for recordings as well as simply for presenting for others to listen to.
The Raspberry has a cardioid pattern, meaning that, instead of the spherical look of modern microphones, you’ll have to speak at its front to collect the sound.
You can also address slightly from either side, but that’s going to affect the quality a bit.
The Blue Raspberry Microphone has two knobs set on either side panel. The left knob is used for headphones while the right knob determines the amount of gain you have control over.
Mic Stand
The Blue Raspberry Microphone has a swivel stand that allows you to spin and point the mic in a full 360-degree setup as well as either tilted both forwards or backward.
The stand itself is built with rubberized feet which help prevent it from moving or skating around when set.
Despite the mic being built into the stand, if you’ve got a screwdriver, you can unscrew the two from each other, either putting the mic on a separate stand entirely or just holding it directly. This is clearly what they were thinking, as the mic setup comes with an additional adapter accessory, making alternate stands very much a possibility.
Internal Setup
In terms of the Raspberry’s internal setup, while it is capable of being plugged into a computer and got going pretty much immediately, you have to consider the fact that the different recording software types out there will have different requirements.
This means that something like GarageBand may require something that Pro Tools doesn’t or vice versa.
We played with GarageBand, which was pretty simple overall, however, you’ll want to consider what your setup is and what software you’re using.
The Blue Raspberry Microphone also has some patent-pending acoustic treatment materials inside of it.
These look similar to diffusers and different paddings that you’d see in a recording studio or at a concert hall.
And while it may seem more of a gimmick than anything, it does seem to reduce the number of sound reflections you have to deal with from other surfaces.
All in all, it’s definitely a plus more than any minus.
Blue Raspberry Microphone
Pros:
- Very Portable
- Highly Versatile
- Desktop & Mobile Devices
- Clean & Clear Sound
- Stand Is Detachable
Cons:
- Design Itself Is A Bit Flimsy
Sound Quality
Jumping into the mic’s sound quality, the Raspberry operates on either a 16 or 24-bit setup. It also has a frequency response that ranges between 20Hz and 20kHz, while its max sound pressure levels reach around 120dB SPL.
But that’s all just a bunch of numbers.
The reality is that the Blue Raspberry Microphone comes across as incredibly professional and high-grade, similar to that of a studio condenser mic.
The mic has a fair amount of brightness that makes the sound come across as very very clean and clear.
It sounds the most impressive when spoken into no more than five or six inches away while the mouth and grille are properly lined up with one another.
The Raspberry mic’s sound does falter a bit the further a person is from the mic. You’ll also have to keep in mind that vocalists and those speaking into it will also need to keep in mind the fact that they’ll have to come at it from the front to get the best sound possible.
DSP (Digital Signal Processing)
Speaking on the DSP’s lack here, the Raspberry sets itself apart from the vast majority of its competitors. As an example, mics like the Shure MV51 include up to four different DSP settings as well as a DSP-free mode.
And because of this lack of DSP, the Raspberry ends up with an all-around clear and crisp sound that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get even from a DSP-free mode with other mics out there.
Still, if you do find yourself needing a bit of DSP to prevent any sound distortions or to help with compression issues, then you may want to look at another mic, as the lack of DSP does come with a bit of bad alongside its good.
Personally, I love the crisp and clear sound of the Blue Raspberry Microphone, so that easily wins out compared to any other type of mic.
Still, that’s only because my recording studio is as removed from alternative sounds as possible. I’m not sure if I could be as confident if there were a ton of alternative sounds running around in the background while I was recording.
Blue Raspberry Mic: Drawbacks
In terms of weaknesses or downsides, there really isn’t a lot here.
Overall, the biggest drawback that I’ve noticed is that the mic’s stand is a bit on the flimsy side of things. It’s also a bit too far away if you plan on doing any type of sound recording that isn’t from a podcast “in your face” setup.
This means that playing music or singing with a guitar is not going to be the case unless, again, you’re directly in front of it.
Even when you consider the podcasting side of things, it’s only barely more appealing. This is because the stand itself is incredibly short compared to most desktop stands that you’d see for radio DJs or for podcasters.
As such, the stand itself just isn’t up to snuff fully and kind of holds the mic back more than a bit. I’d personally recommend unscrewing it and looking for either a separate desktop mic or just holding it when doing your recordings.
Outside of that, the Raspberry’s lack of DSP can also be a bit of an annoyance, but only because of the aforementioned issue of your outside sound.
If you’re in a relatively quiet place or recording when there isn’t a bunch of competing sounds to deal with, you should be more than fine with the mic’s innate DSP-free setup. Still, I’d be more than a bit wary if I lived in the city or planned to record on the beach.
Overall Performance
What We Like:
- The small Size Makes It Very Portable
- Highly Versatile
- Can Be Used With Desktop & Mobile Devices
- Offers Incredible Clean & Clear Sound
- Stand Is Detachable
- Retro Design Is Great For Those That Love It…
What We Do Not Like:
- The Design Itself Is A Bit Flimsy
Blue Raspberry Microphone
See on AmazonBlue Raspberry Microphone: The Verdict
There are a lot of microphone options available on the market today. Most people don’t realize, however, that the type of microphone you get (and what you get it for) does impact how you sound on devices as well as when performing.
By getting a cheaper and less efficient mic, you run the risk of coming across as less professional and more difficult to hear.
The Blue Raspberry Microphone is able to provide a solid plug-and-play experience while also offering impressive sound recording quality. The mic is super easy to use, and whether you’re planning on running a podcast, using it for recording songs, or planning to go into radio DJing, it doesn’t disappoint.
