Blue Snowball ICE User Manual

Snowball iCE

Versatile USB microphone

The Snowball USB microphone family from Blue Microphones is the number one

selling line of USB wired condenser microphones on the planet. Their unique design
and proprietary condenser capsules deliver legendary sound for everything from
podcasting to recording instruments. The Snowball iCE benefits from Blue’s legendary
professional audio heritage to record at a level unmatched anywhere.

Setting up your Snowball iCE

System Requirements

The Snowball iCE features a unique swivel mount located on the bottom center of the mic body. Be sure to
mount the Snowball iCE on its included desktop stand or on a standard-thread counter-weighted tripod mic
stand. For reduction of low-frequency rumble and additional positioning options, mount the Snowball iCE
in the Blue Ringer, available from your authorized Blue dealer or at our online store: www.bluemic.com/
store. Be sure to position the Snowball iCE over the center leg of the stand to further prevent tipping. Once
mounted, you can gently pivot the Snowball iCE back and forth for optimum positioning in front of the
sound source.

Once safely mounted, connect the Snowball iCE to the USB port on your Macintosh or Windows computer
(the Snowball iCE is USB 1.0 and 2.0 compatible). If you’re using an iPad, you’ll need Apple’s iPad Camera
Connection Kit for USB connectivity. Make sure that the active, on-axis side of the diaphragm (the side with
the Blue logo) is facing the desired source. When connected, the LED just above the Blue logo will glow
red, indicating power has reached the Snowball iCE and it is ready to record. Now you’re ready to set
up your Snowball iCE on either your Mac or PC.

Macintosh

Mac OSX 10.4
or higher

USB 1.0 or 2.0
64MB RAM

(minimum)

PC

Windows 7, Windows
Vista, XP Home Edition
or XP Professional

USB 1.0 or 2.0
64MB RAM

(minimum)

Macintosh Setup Procedure

• In system OSX: in the Apple menu, open

System Preferences.

• Double-click the Sound preference file.

• Click on the Input tab.

• Double click Blue Snowball under

Choose A Device For Sound Input

dialog box.

• Set input volume to the appropriate level.

The mic is sensitive and may require a
very low volume setting.

• Exit System Preferences.

Windows Setup Procedure

Windows 7, Windows Vista:

• Under Start Menu open Control Panel then select Sound.

• Select Recording tab; ensure Blue Snowball is selected

as Working with check mark next to the icon (Disable any
alternate mic if necessary).

• Click on

level, click Apply, then OK.

• Exit control panel.

Windows XP Home Edition or XP Professional:

• Under Start Menu open Sounds And Audio Devices
control panel.

• Select Audio tab; ensure Blue Snowball is selected as

Default Device.

• Click on Vol ume; select appropriate volume level.

• Exit control panel.

Properties; select the Levels tab, set your input

Snowball iCE makes it easy to:

HD audio for podcasting,

narration & voiceovers

Crystal-clear sound on Skype
Windows Live

CommunicateCreate

TM

& Google Talk

Compose

®

,

®

Record vocals, guitars, drums,

— virtually any instrument!

Recording tips

Spoken Word (Conferencing, Podcasting, Voiceovers, Chatting)

Set your Snowball iCE on a flat surface approximately 8-12” away from you (you may need to experiment a
little to find the perfect spot depending on the room you’re in). Speak directly towards the front of the mic. If
possible, eliminate all room noises, cell phone ringtones, the annoying chihuahua barking next door, etc. For
podcasting or voiceovers, speak clearly and try and avoid long gaps between words (you might want to write
out a script or practice a few times before recording).

Music (Vocals & Instruments)

For vocals, the closer you place the mic, the bigger your sound. Experiment with positioning for your
ideal sound. Tilt the microphone slightly upward for more projection or straight on for maximum
brightness and intelligibility. Position the mic facing slightly down (towards your chest) for more robust
lows and smoother highs.

For Acoustic Guitar, place the microphone facing the neck where it joins the body for a well-balanced,
sparkling high-end sound. For lower frequencies, move the mic closer to the soundhole. On Electric Guitar,

position the Snowball iCE toward the center of your guitar amp for more highs, or towards the edge of the
cabinet speaker for a fuller sound with more low end.

The Snowball can also be used with drums, percussion, wind instruments or strings. Try a variety of positions
to find your ideal sound. Trust your ears — if it sounds good it is good!

Software Setups

Spoken Word: Skype

• Open Skype.

• Go to Call -> Audio Settings and select Blue Snowball iCE from the “Microphone” pull-down menu.

• Press “Save” and start calling!

Spoken Word/Music: GarageBand

• Go to Preferences->Audio and select the Blue mic as the input device

(it will only show up when the Snowball iCE is plugged in).

• Create a vocal track and select the Blue mic as the input device for that track.

• Adjust the Snowball iCE’s input level in the control panel if you experience any distortion (crackling).

®

Music: Logic 7

• Open the Audio and MIDI setup program in your Apps->Utilities folder.

• Create an Aggregate Audio Source (Audio menu – open Aggregate device editor).

• Add the devices you want to use to the aggregate device (Built in audio and Blue mic).

• Change the audio device in Logic’s audio preferences from Default to Aggregate.

Music: Sonar

• Select “USB Audio Device” (1, in, 0 out) from an audio track.

• From within that subcategory, there are 3 selections: Left USB Audio Device, Right USB

Audio Device, and Stereo USB Audio Device.

• Select Left or Right for mono audio tracks.

• Press “R” to arm the track for recording.

• Roll disk.

For other programs, please consult your software’s manual, user forums and technical help lines for more
information.

Snowball iCE FAQ

My Snowball iCE sounds like it’s really far away from me. I’m hearing lots of room noise.

• This sounds like your onboard mic is in use. Check both System and Software Preferences to ensure

that Snowball is the Default input device.

Do I need any special software to use the Snowball iCE? Do I need any drivers?

• Technically, no. Depending on your application, your OS may have sufficient features to utilize the

capabilities of the Snowball iCE. But, to get the most out of your Snowball iCE, you’ll want to have some
kind of software that allows for digital signal processing and editing that will accept audio from the USB
port, like GarageBand for music or Skype for conferencing. As long as you are using Windows 7, Vista,
XP or Apple OSX, you will not need any drivers.

My Snowball iCE is plugged in, but I’m not able to see or hear levels.
Things to double check:

• Is the red LED on the front of the Snowball iCE illuminated?

• Is the Snowball iCE connected to a native USB port? USB hubs will not provide the appropriate current to

power the microphone.

• Is the Snowball selected as the default input device in both the System and software Preferences? Also,
make certain you have an adequate amount of volume set and that the recording software you’re using
supports a USB input device.

Is the Snowball iCE compatible with Windows 7 or Vista?

• Yes! it’s also compatible with XP Home Edition and XP Professional.

Can I use The Snowball iCE with a traditional analog audio mixer?

• No. The Snowball iCE features digital output only. It must be connected to a USB port in order to function.

What sample rate and word length does the Snowball iCE use?

• The Snowball iCE’s digital output is set to 44.1 kHz/16-bit, just like an audio CD. But this is something that

only audio geeks really need to worry about.
How can I select a different sample rate?

• Because the Snowball iCE is designed for the greatest ease of operation and setup, sample rate/word

length are not user-definable. Sorry, geeks!
Can I use more than one Snowball iCE at a time?

• Some audio editing software allows for multiple USB connections. Check with your software developer

— they should have technical support staff who can answer all of your questions about their product.

What is The Snowball iCE used for? Is it a vocal mic, an
instrument mic or both?

• The Snowball iCE was designed to provide for a wide

range of applications where a high-quality transducer
(a fancy way to say microphone) is needed. We designed
the Snowball iCE for use with a large variety of sources,
including: musical instruments and vocals, podcasting,
home movie narration, sound effects, internet conferenc­ ing, chatting, recording lectures, poetry slams, spoken
word performances and speeches by your favorite
politician — generally anywhere where you need an
easy-to-use microphone and you have access to a
computer with a USB port. The sky’s the limit.

Happy recording!

Optional accessories

The Ringer: Universal shockmount
for the Snowball family — or any
mic with a standard thread mount.

Technical specifications

Transducer Type

Polar Pattern

Sample/Word

Condenser, pressure gradient with USB digital output
Cardioid

44.1 kHz/16 bit

This frequency ch art is only a start. It gives t he record­ist a basis of the s ound provided. How the m icrophone
reacts in a parti cular applicati on will differ great ly be­cause of many vari ables. Room acou stics, distan ce from
sound source (proxim ity), tuning of the instru ment and
mic cabling a re only a few of the intera cting issues. For
an artist or an e ngineer, how the mi crophones are use d
creates the basi s of the sound.

©2011 Blue Microphones. All rights reserved. Blue oval logo, Snowball iCE and The Ringer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blue

Microphones, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

In keeping with our policy of continued product improvement, Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics (BLUE) reserves the right to alter specifications
without prior notice.

Warranty

Blue Microphones warrants its hardware product against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of TWO (2) YEARS from the date of

original retail purchase, provided the purchase was made from an authorized Blue Microphones dealer. This warranty is void if the equipment

is altered, misused, mishandled, maladjusted, suffers excessive wear, or is serviced by any parties not authorized by Blue Microphones. The
warranty does not include transportation costs incurred because of the need for service unless arranged for in advance. Blue Microphones re-

serves 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. For warranty ser vice or for a copy of Blue’s Warranty Policy including a complete list of exclusions and limitations,

contact Blue at 818-879-5200.

Do not store your Snowball iCE in the freezer.

www.bluemic.com

Designed in USA . Made in China.