CAD U37 vs Blue Yeti - Comparison and Review
Jan 9, 2022
Looking for a comparison and review of the CAD U37 vs Blue Yeti? If so, you've come to the right place.
There are a lot of microphones on the market. Two of the most popular are the CAD U37 and the Blue Yeti. But which of these microphones is the best option, and what makes one better than the other?
In this article, you will learn:
Blue Yeti vs CAD U37
Which One Should You Purchase?
Read on and learn everything you need to know about the Blue Yeti and the CAD U37 USB microphones.
Blue Yeti vs CAD U37
The Blue Yeti and CAD U37 are often compared to each other because they're both microphones with USB outputs. With this said, this is essentially all they have in common with each other- they're different in many ways.
Blue Yeti
The Blue Yeti has been a popular microphone among YouTube content creators for many years. In the past, it was the go-to choice for individuals looking to record high-quality audio. Nowadays, people are curious- is it still a good option?
Specifications and Features
- Capsules: 3 Condenser Capsules
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Dimensions (In Stand): 4.72" x 4.92" x 11.61"
- Weight: 1.2lbs (0.55kg)
Is It Good?
This microphone sounds great in the right environment. The cardioid polar pattern is the one you'll be using the most, but the other options can also be useful for in-person podcasts or conference calls.
One of the best features of this mic is the native gain adjustment. By turning the gain adjustment knob, you can adjust how loud or quiet the microphone is. Combine this with zero-latency monitoring, and you'll have no problem capturing audio at the ideal input level.
Speaking of volume knobs, the headphone volume and gain adjustment knobs are a little loose. This is unfortunate because the polar pattern selection knob is nice and sturdy (as is the rest of the product). So, be gentle when using these two knobs.
The biggest problem with this mic is the poor noise reduction- it captures background noise. Also, if you use it with the stand it came with, it will pick up the vibration from your computer fan. However, these issues can be fixed by using this mic in a quiet area with a boom arm.
Pros
- Build quality
- Native gain adjustment
- Zero-latency monitoring
Cons
- Loose volume control knobs
- Poor noise reduction
CAD U37
When budget-friendly microphones started becoming more popular, the CAD U37 attracted more attention. With a low price tag, it's an attractive option for those who need a microphone. Even with the low price, however, many wonder if it's worth purchasing.
Specifications and Features
- Capsule: Condenser Capsule
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Dimensions: 7" x 9" x 2.50"
- Weight: 2lbs (0.90kg)
Is It Good?
Upon testing this microphone, it became apparent quickly that it is very loud. Meaning, audio had to be captured with no gain. Also, the -10db switch present on the front of the microphone was a must-use.
You see, the reason why the loudness of this mic is an issue is that it causes it to have a high noise floor. In other words, it captures a lot of background noise. Yes, noise can be removed through editing software, but the quality of the captured audio will decrease.
Another issue that popped up was the lack of zero-latency monitoring- it's not a feature. So, combine a highly-sensitive microphone with no monitoring, and you can see how it would be hard to record audio that does not become distorted.
With all of this said, it is an incredibly affordable product and is beginner-friendly. All you need to do is plug it in and press the record button. But, if you want to maximize the audio quality, you'll need to adjust the recording levels carefully and edit the audio.
Pros
Cons
- Very loud
- No zero-latency monitoring
- High noise floor
Which One Should You Purchase?
At this point, you're probably wondering- which product should you buy? Should you purchase the more affordable U37? Or, should you bite the bullet and spend the extra money on the Yeti?
All in all, the Blue Yeti is superior to the CAD U37. It captures higher quality audio, possesses more features, and is more future-proof. If you were to purchase the U37, you'd most likely need to purchase another microphone in the future to improve your audio quality.
Of course, price is a big factor when deciding which product to purchase. So, if you're looking for a microphone that can capture decent-sounding audio for under $100.00, the U37 might be worth purchasing.
No matter which microphone your choose, whether it be the Yeti or U37, it's important to remember that you must still follow recording best practices. Every mic needs to be used in a quiet environment with the right setup to capture the highest quality audio possible.
Conclusion
You now know everything you need to know about the CAD U37 vs Blue Yeti. While the CAD U37 is the cheaper option, most content creators will be better off spending more money and purchasing the Yeti. The Yeti is a better product and is worth the cost compared to the U37.
