Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface
Icicle from Blue Microphones is a simple way to connect a microphone directly to a computer. Featuring a microphone pramp and a USB interface, the Icicle works with both dynamic and condenser microphones.
The preamp has a fully balanced, low-noise front end, provides 48V phantom power, automatic analog gain control, and requires no drivers or external converters to operate.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 28 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Compact (16)
- Lightweight (15)
- Good value (13)
- Easy to use (9)
- Great sound (9)
Cons
- Flimsy construction (4)
- Limited functions (3)
Best Uses
- With my computer (11)
- Amateur recording (9)
- Home audio (8)
- Home studio (7)
- Music (5)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (6), Gear head (4), School (4), Professional musician (3)
- Primary use:
- Personal (8), Business (7)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (14)
Most Liked Positive Review
Not since the IL-19....
Not since the IL-19 became a staple in your live audio workbox has there been a product that is such a multifaceted problem-solver/band-aid. In my case, particularly for corporate event work.
Not since the IL-19 became a staple in your live audio workbox has there been a product that is such a multifaceted problem-solver/band-aid. In my case, particularly for corporate event work.
These days your laptop is as omnipresent at the gig as a Sharpie or a Leatherman from days of yore for the
A-1/Stagehand. And how often do we need just a single channel input for a vocal mic for VOG, presenter introductions, "ladies and gentlemen, please turn off your cell phones- 5 minutes until the presentation begins", etc... for the plethora of virtual pc Instant Replays or audio workstations from Garageband to Digital Performer,etc.
What's the alternative? carry a dedicated mic pre
and mic as well as a USB or Firewire interface (hopefully with phantom power) for the condenser you GOTTA have with often times too many channels and too large a footprint to record these last minute neccesities?
How about a solution that fits in a mag-lite sheath
and costs little more than a Mag-lite itself?
Throw in the A/D interface; the pre; a volume knob; and phantom power!
Personally, mine was less than forty bucks from B&H, and worked perfectly with my $99 dbx RTA mic as a front end for SmaartLive for a fraction of the alternative method's price.
Only complaint--a touch more gain wouldn't hurt, but is not truly necessary.
This little gem is a winner! There's nothing else that fits the bill-especially for the price and the size for solving so many "must-have" issues.
Steve Pfeiffer
Chief ENG-Mix'Em Productions
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
A little finicky.
I use the Icicle as a preamp for my AT 2020. I record mostly trombone excerpts. I love how portable it is and how it is more or less plug and go.
Read complete review
I use the Icicle as a preamp for my AT 2020. I record mostly trombone excerpts. I love how portable it is and how it is more or less plug and go.
It took a while to get the settings right. The control knob is less than exact. Also I find my settings will vary greatly depending on the acoustic I am in.
For the price it was just what I needed, but if you can make the next step up, I would.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 28 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Compact
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Portable Devices
- Traveling
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
I am a radio news reporter and wanted a way to use my microphone on my laptop. It is easy to use and sounds great on FM radio. Can't beat the price either. I have only tried it with a dynamic microphone, so I can't speak for phantom powered mics.
- Primary Use:
- Working out
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Sound
Cons
- Flimsy Construction
Best Uses
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
These work great when they work. I currently have 5 of them in use and once in a while the computer loses connection to them and you have to unplug them and plug them back in. They provide great audio into a computer, and even have an adjustable gain button on them. Its very nice to not have to install drivers either. The XLR end is made of plastic so they are breakable. Overall for the price they do great job.
Pros
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
I use the Icicle to record voice and keyboard tracks with GarageBand one at a time. It's easy to use and sounds great with my condenser and dynamic mics.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Compact
- Durable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
I use this with the Behringer ecm-8000 to record demo songs at home on garage band. Phantom power and inexpensive. For both the mic and icicle you can get a pretty good sound for under 100 bucks.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
- Uncomfortable
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- Portable Devices
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
Windows 7 installed the drivers automatically.
When trying to adjust the volume in Control Panel, it adds a lot of noise. I looked for original or third party drivers but couldn't find any. I used Windows Sound Recorder and also Sony Vegas Pro to test.
In Mac and Windows XP it's perfectly fine.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- Portable Devices
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
This is a cool device. Hook it up to your condenser mic, use the little knob to adjust the recording levels, and if you dont have a mic stand you can hold it using the icicle. It comes with one usb ,and i think its a special usb because i tried it with something else and it didnt connect. Overall good, its worth it .
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Compact
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
Used with windows 7 ... Installation was straightforward. Single channel mic attach at a good price, I am very happy with it.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
- Working
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
i was trying to have a nice and clear audio recording from a MIc to aPC. finally i saw the icicle and do not waste time. cheap item and very handy.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
- Flimsy Construction
- Unattractive Design
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
Used this product for two years about once a month, always at home, never dropped it or even traveled with it. Great concept and great sound for a long time. Eventually, the connection with the microphone starts to break down, introducing a buzzing sound (which increases as you turn up the volume on the Icicle). Finally the sound starts to cut out entirely -- intermittently -- unless you hold mic and Icicle together firmly. Had to throw it away today out of frustration from those ever longer no-sound passages.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
This product does exactly what it says it will do, and it does it well.
My only concern about it is that it is very plasticky. It doesn't feel like it will withstand much abuse or use over the years. For my needs, that's fine, but for those looking for something more durable, spring for the more expensive, metal-made ones. Even the XLR connector is plastic here, except for the actual contacts.
FYI: the most plasticky part is definitely the level-adjust knob, which feels decidedly cheap. Then again, so is the price. Fair is fair.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
This item works exactly as advertised right out of the package. I plugged it in and it was ready to record into my DAW software. It was recognized instantly by Vista - no downloading drivers. The Icicle sounds great with just a mic or taking a mic level feed from a professional mixer. I wish it took a professional line level (+4dB) in addition to the mic level.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
just like ALL BLUE products the ICICLE says what it does and does what it says, quick installation, noise free, a GREAT product!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
- Flimsy Construction
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
The item is light weight and has been able to support every microphone I have tried it with. The recordings I have produced using a mlx 990, shure sm58 and the am57... there was no difference between the traditional interface and the recording in my pc software.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Good Bass
- Slick
Cons
- Seems a little fragle
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
picked this up to use a pro quality condenser mike with sony sound forge on my coumpter. The unit is easy to use and fills the requirement for a pre-amp and as a interface to the usb jack on my coumpter..I purchased it from BH because I knew if it did not work as I hperd it would return/ exchange would not be a problem. So far so good. I need more experence with my setrling mike and the software now..Can't blame the equipment.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Value
- Great Sound
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
Easy to configure and use. Took it out the box and plugged it in. Within 1 minute I was using it to record great sound directly into my PC. Very easy to use. Great product.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
I don't wanna my big mixing desk in my bedroom so I bought this Icicle and it's COOL!!!! No extra software or driver ever needed, plug and go! Great sound quality and automatically detect if the mic needs +48V power(for condenser mics)... Low latency, low noise. Good piece of "must have" overall.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
I use the Blue Icicle with a middle school media class. Truly plug and play (with Mac), no setup, works perfectly, seems durable. We should buy one for every mic we have - turns a laptop into a recording studio!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Good Value
Cons
- Flimsy Construction
Best Uses
- Portable Devices
- With My Computer
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
Although much lighter as flimsier than I expected, the Icicle worked good for me during my initial test runs of the product. There was some ambient noise when I was recording, but I haven't had time to isolate the source, so I can't blame it on the Icicle at this time.
I can't comment on its long-term performance, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. Assuming the product works when it counts, I look forward to the affordable versatility that the unit should provide.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
I am sure you can spend alot more on a mic/usb interface but this one does just what I needed it to do: connect my dynamic mics to my computer for podcasts, powerpoint narrations etc. Easy to use, no problems at all!. Works great with Adobe Soundbooth too. The volume control is a nice feature- let me minimize the noise so it was easy to clean up.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Single track recording
Comments about Blue Icicle - USB Microphone Interface:
I bought this to pair with an SM58 for vocal recordings. I needed an XLR-USB device with a preamp because the Alesis Miclink was not cutting it signal/noise wise.
The blue icicle has a tacky looking white look. Takes a usb mini cable (as opposed to an A-B cable like for a printer). And fails to monitor in real time -- at least with windows 7, it could be an OS thing.
Other than that, it's perfect. There is a ton of gain on this thing and a low noise floor. This is definitely better than going XLR--> TRS to your sound card. To top it off, the icicle is cheap.
If you don't need real-time monitoring it's probably the best and cheapest solution to hook up a dynamic XLR mic to your computer. So much for Karaoke.
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Cables
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- Original: $14.95
- Save: $1.49
- Price: $13.46
Headphones
- Price: $24.95
Monitors
- Price: $75.99
Software
- Price: $49.95
PC computers only.
What's in the Box
- 6' (1.83 m) USB Cable
- Three (3) Year Warranty
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