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tep up to the mic.
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Blue Microphones
5706 Cor
Westlake Village, CA 91362
www.bluemic.com
TM
sa Avenue, Suite 102
Warranty
This Microphone or related part is warranted under the conditions outlined below to its original,
registered owner, provided the purchase was made from an authorized Baltic Latvian
Universal Electronics (BLUE) dealer. This Micr
free from operating defects for three years from the date of purchase. In the event that service
is required, all necessary parts and labor will be furnished free of charge during this period
except for tubes, which are guaranteed for 90 days against defects. This warranty is void if
the serial number has been altered, removed or defaced. The warranty is void if the equipment
is altered, misused, mishandled, maladjusted, or is serviced by any parties not authorized by
Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics (BLUE). The warranty does not include transportation
costs incurred because of the need for service unless arranged for in advance. Baltic Latvian
Universal Electronics (BLUE) reserves the right to make changes in design and improve upon
its products without obligation to install these improvements in any of its products previously
manufactured. This warranty is in lieu of any or all expressed or implied.
In keeping with our policy of continued product improvement, Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics (BLUE)
reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice.
©2007 Blue Microphones. All rights reserved.
and
other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Blueberry
, Cranberry
&
Kiwi Cables
ar
ophone or related part is guaranteed to remain
Blue Microphones, Blue Logo Oval, Baby Bottle, Robbie the Mic Pre,
ademark
e tr
ed trademarks of Blue Microphones, LLC. All
er
t
egis
s or r
Baby Bottle
Baby Bottle
Congratulations on your purchase of the Baby Bottle, a classic modern
microphone made the old-fashioned way, without compromise. Following
in the footsteps of our flagship Bottle mic system, the solid-state class A
discrete Baby Bottle is truly a chip off the old block. In order to familiarize
yourself with this microphone’s specialized and unique features, please
take the time to read this manual. And be sure to try the suggested
recording tips. With proper care and feeding, the Baby Bottle will reward
you with many years of recording enjoyment.
The Baby Bottle is a pressure-gradient cardioid condenser microphone
that employs our edge-terminated single-membrane large diaphragm
capsule. Enclosed within a spherical grille, the side-address capsule can be
positioned in the smallest of spaces. Please note that, unlike some Blue
microphones, the Baby Bottle capsule is not designed to rotate, swivel, or
move in any direction.
The Baby Bottle features a Class A discrete transformerless amplifier.
The Baby Bottle’s character is especially rich in midrange response, making
it an ideal choice for recording vocals, drums, electric guitar, and most
acoustic instruments including difficult sources like saxophones, flutes,
and stringed instruments.
o get the most out of any quality microphone, it is essential to pair it with
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Baby Bottle frequency and polar responses
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a good microphone pre-amplifier. We recommend Blue’s
Robbie,
a singlechannel Class A discrete vacuum tube mic
and instrument preamp. To maintain the
integrity of your signal, we suggest using our
Kiwi, Cranberry
or
Blueberry
high-definition
microphone cables. And whenever possible,
connect the mic preamp output directly to
our recorder or A/D converter, bypassing
y
any unnecessary components.
The Baby Bottle includes a vintage-style
shockmount designed to isolate the microphone body from low frequency
vibrations when mounted on a stand. To attach the mic to the stand, you
may find it easiest to 1) loosen the boom stand arm or threaded end of the
mic stand, 2) grasp the mic or shockmount assembly in one hand, and 3)
screw the mic stand threads into the mount. This procedure eliminates
any possibility of dropping or damage to the mic.
NOTE: Forceful positioning of the shockmount without loosening
of the thumbscrew can result in damage not covered by warranty.
The Baby Bottle requires +48 volt phantom power, which is provided by
most mic preamps, mixing consoles, or separate phantom power supplies.
It is important to note that some units, though rated at 48 volts, may supply insufficient or unstable phantom power, which can result in distortion
and/or degraded performance when used with this microphone.
To avoid damage to audio components when connecting phantom power,
follow this simple procedure: 1) turn down the mic preamp gain, headphones, and your studio monitors, 2) connect microphone cable to the
Baby Bottle and microphone input jack, 3) turn on phantom power, 4) turn
up the mic preamp gain, etc. To disconnect or re-route the Baby Bottle, 1)
turn down the mic preamp gain, headphones, and your studio monitors, 2)
turn off phantom power and wait 30 seconds before disconnecting the mic.
So, now that you’re familiar with the mic, here are some recording tips
that will allow you to get the most out of your Baby Bottle.
Vocals
Here’s a little-known secret — vocalists love singing
into unique and impressive mics like the Baby Bottle.
Put it in front of any singer and you are guaranteed to
get a 110% inspired performance. For a “big” vocal
sound, get the vocalist within one to four inches of the
capsule. There is no need to worry about overloading
the microphone, but be sure to use the pop filter
included with the mic to protect the diaphragm. Tilt the microphone up
(toward the forehead) for more projection and head tone, straight on at
the mouth for maximum brightness and intelligibility, or down toward the
chest for more robust full lows and smoother highs.
Electric Guitar
Because of its full midrange response, the Baby Bottle is an
excellent mic for any clean or distorted amp sound. Orient the
capsule toward the center of the speaker to capture more
highs, or toward the edge of the cone for a fuller sound with
more low end. For overdriven or distorted tones, move the mic
towards the outer edge of the cone, or back it away from the
amp a foot or more to add a little room sound and soften the
extreme high end. Give the Baby Bottle a try on electric bass,
blues harmonica, and organ too!
Acoustic Guitar
Large diaphragm mics require careful placement when
used on acoustic guitar, but the Baby Bottle’s rich tone
and hot output is well-suited to this job. For a balanced
sound with plenty of sparkling high end, place the microphone facing the guitar neck, right where the neck joins
the body (usually around the 12th – 14th frets). For
starters, keep the mic as close as possible, and tilt the
capsule toward the soundhole to capture a blend of low
end and pick sound. If you need more lows, move the
microphone closer to the soundhole. For more high end
detail, move the Baby Bottle farther from the guitar, either at the same
neck position, or above the instrument up by the guitarist’s head.
These frequency charts are only a beginning. It gives the recordist a b
sound source (proximity), tuning of the instrument and mic cabling are only a few of the interacting issues. For an artist or an engineer, how the microphones are used creates the basis of the sound.
asis of the sound provided. How the
microphone reacts in a particular a
pplication
will differ greatly because
of many variables. Room acoustics, distance from
Strings
Because of its high output, natural highs and abundant
midrange characteristics, the Baby Bottle is an excellent
choice for miking all members of the bowed string family.
In general, the capsule should be oriented toward the
instrument’s bridge to pick up a blend of resonance and
bow sound. On bass and cello, placement from 3 to 6
inches in front of the bridge is usually ideal. For violin and
viola, it is preferable to position the microphone 1 to 2
feet above the instrument. Angle the capsule toward the
bridge for more bow sound and low tones, or move the
microphone toward the tuning pegs to capture a more diffuse, bright, and
blended sound.
Drums
The Baby Bottle’s slim profile and fast transient
response offer numerous advantages when
recording drums. For kit and hand drums, begin by
placing the microphone two to four inches above
the rim or hoop (where the head is secured to the
shell). Angle the capsule toward the player’s stick
or hand to pick up more attack and definition.
Orienting the capsule toward the shell will soften
the sharp attack of a hand drum, or pick up more of the bright, crackling
buzz from a snare. Moving the microphone closer to a drum generally
increases the low end, shell resonance, and separation from other sound
sources, while more distant placement emphasizes the interaction of the
drum and the environment, producing a blended, airier sound.
Saxophones, Flutes, and Reeds
The smooth, natural high end response of the Baby
Bottle makes it an ideal choice for miking saxophones
and other wind instruments. For soprano sax, clarinet,
and related instruments, position the capsule directly
above and in front of the keys between the middle of the
horn and the lowest pads. Try moving the mic up or
down along the length of the body to adjust the balance
of airy highs (toward the mouthpiece) and cutting
midrange (toward the bell). On flute, start by placing the
Baby Bottle above the middle of the instrument, and
move the capsule closer to the mouthpiece if more
highs and breath sound is desired. For other members of the saxophone
family, start by placing the Baby Bottle two to six inches in front of the lip
of the bell. Angle the capsule up toward the mouthpiece to capture more
air, brightness, and high notes. For a mellower sound, orienting the capsule
toward the floor emphasizes the low range of the sax, and tames the biting
upper mids that project straight out of the bell.
Technical Specifications
Transducer Type: Condenser, Pressure Gradient
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
Sensitivity: 33.5mV/Pa at 1 kHz (1 Pa = 94dB SPL)
Output Impedance: 50Ω
Rated Load Impedance: <1kΩ
Maximum SPL: 133dB SPL (2.5kΩ, 0.5% THD)
S/N ratio: 87dB-A (IEC 651)
Noise Level: 5.5dB-A (IEC 651)
Dynamic Range: 127.5dB (@2.5kΩ)
Power Requirement: +48V Phantom (IEC 268-15)
Weight: 350g
Dimensions: 222mm x 45mm
Included Accessories:
• Wood storage box
• Custom pop filter
• Custom shockmount
Recommended Optional Accessories:
•
Kiwi, Cranberry
• Robbie the Mic Pre
or
Blueberry
Class-A vacuum tube mic preamplifier
high-definition mic cable
Enjoy your Baby Bottle!
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