Microphones are the basics of sound processing because they are needed to capture your sound, be it human voice or instrument. Different microphones are delivering a different result as well with huge or small differences. Blue Spark Vs Baby Bottle are two amazing options for your vocal recording and they are also quite affordable compared to many similar models. If you are interested to choose one of them, see below about their possible differences so then we can shop better.
In this article, we are going to give you information about:
- Which Microphone to Purchase
- What are Blue Spark and Baby Bottle
- What Blue Spark and Baby Bottle Look Like
- How are the Specification of Blue Spark and Baby Bottle
- How are the Sound Quality of Blue Spark and Baby Bottle
- What else Blue Spark and Baby Bottle can offer
- Blue Spark Vs Baby Bottle
Shopping for a New Microphone
Sound processing is very complex and editing them is time consuming which is why every step is important to make sure we are getting the final result that we want. For example, video content makers may want to improve their sound quality using an external microphone rather than relying on their built-in mic in their camera. This can be a lavalier microphone or a shotgun that can be mounted on top of their camera or used in a boom or any type of microphone that fits for the recording.
You can start with popular models like Sennheiser MKE 600 Vs Rode VideoMic Pro Plus as they are designed for the application which also makes them more likely able to deliver a better result, at least compared to not using any external hardware. But, since the type of microphones need to be matched with your activities, it can be very confusing when it comes to selecting the most ideal option. However, it is not impossible even though sometimes we also need to try various models first.
If you are here then it means what you look for is a microphone meant for the studio or at least in a stationary setup. In our opinion, the first thing you may want to consider is what sound we will be recording with the microphone. For example, electric guitar is probably the easiest to pair with as mostly any dynamic model can handle them such as the extremely popular SM57. For acoustic instruments small diaphragm condenser models are probably better as they can capture the realistic nuance of space.
On the other hand if you only have a limited budget and want to have something that can cover everything, large diaphragm models with selectable polar patterns are the best as we can tailor them to match different recording situations. The second factor we recommend considering is your style of singing in case this mic is meant for vocals. Just like what everyone has said, there is no way to tell specifically which model for which singing style as we may have different preferences too.
However, some of the microphone characteristics may help you pick one. In general, females with breathy vocal needs a mic with smooth top end and doesn’t get sibilant, baritone male vocal need a warm microphone with good low to mid, and if you will be screaming into your microphone then a model with high SPL as well as intense transients will be the best. For Hip Hop musicians, a model that is not too sensitive to loud plosives from spoken syllables will be a very great option.
| Blue Spark | Baby Bottle | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
|
| Product Dimensions | 1.77 x 1.77 x 8.68 inches | 2 x 3 x 8.7 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 11.5 ounces | 1.1 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
About Blue Spark and Baby Bottle
Now when we already get an idea on what to see in a microphone and which seems to fit in our application the most, it is the time to see what the market has to offer. You won’t find any scarcity when it comes to microphone because there are tons of options out there but personally we tend to stick with well-known names or those popular just to keep everything simpler. It doesn’t mean that their products must be better than the less known one but their products quality will most likely be more reliable.
Almost any audio equipment manufacturer has their own microphone to offer and one of the best choices when it comes to this sound capturing tool is Blue. We are sure most people are familiar with this brand because they are everywhere from the type of models recommended for streaming to those meant for music recording and sometimes in between. Among many others, we love their products’ quality especially those in the affordable range as they are not only working well but also long lasting.
For those who are looking to find a microphone meant for their vocal or voice, and want to keep the budget low, Blue Spark and Baby Bottle from this company are two amazing choices to consider. These two are not new models anymore especially the Baby Bottle which is almost two decades old already. If you are familiar with the older Bottle then this one will probably be more interesting to check out since it is far cheaper than its original microphone.
Spark on the other hand is about 9-10 years old today and what makes it interesting is the fact that it comes in entry-level price point while following the character of Blue’s more expensive designs. Both Blue Spark and Baby Bottle are very similar but also different and you can already see it from opening the box or checking their specification but for the same vocal or voice usage, we do think they are very good so you can go well with any of them.
Blue Spark and Baby Bottle Design
Now let’s check the microphone’s physical quality first and starting with Blue Spark, this model is very interesting as it comes in a wooden box. In the box you will find a very long XLR to XLR cable and microphone, pop filter, as well as shock mount. This one is black but there is a red limited edition version if you can get one. The microphone is very compact but the built quality is substantial since the unit is made from all metal.
For the Blue Baby Bottle, it comes in the same wooden box but, this is much smaller than what you get from Blue Spark as it is only containing the microphone and shock mount so there is no cable here. Talking about the microphone, it has the same built quality but in comparison it seems the Baby Bottle is slightly taller with slightly smaller tube than Spark. It also has this matte finish instead of the shinier Spark in which if you get the red, it will be a reflective type of glossy.
Blue Spark and Baby Bottle Specification
These microphones are very standard when you look into the sheet as they are what most similar models are offering. The overall quoted frequency response is the same from 20Hz to 20kHz while the microphones sensitivity are a bit different at 28mV/Pa compared to 34mV/Pa. They can tolerate SPL up to 128dB and 133dB respectively. They provide a general imagery of how the microphone will act and for the Blue Spark, it seems that this model is mainly flat with slight mid-range dip without any dramatic presence peak.
On the other hand, the Blue Baby Bottle’s graph seems to indicate that the unit is also mostly flat between 60Hz and 15kHz, similarly with peaks at the mid area extending at around 1.2 and 2.2kHz with 2dB high.
Blue Spark and Baby Bottle Sound Quality
Moving further, now let’s see how they are different in sound quality. Personally, we do think if your purpose is to use these for streaming or making video content in a fixed setup or streaming, any model can do well. The sound result however, is pretty different between the two because in comparison we heard Blue Baby Bottle as a better option, one of the reasons being low noise. On the ear the latter is better especially on the top as they are less grainy.
On Spark, it is better for instruments like electric guitar for example because it is more pronounced on the low and top end. But, when it comes to talking or singing, Baby Bottle just sounds more pleasing, it is clean, and the top is airy to give your vocal enough brightness. For the pattern, they are the same cardioid model and they do reject the source in a very similar manner.
Blue Spark and Baby Bottle Features
Both of them are very basic as well when it comes to features as they only come with the most important function. You will find the same switch at the front of the unit; one is a low cut filter which will roll off frequencies at 100 Hz at 12dB while the latter is a 20dB pad that will be very useful if you will be recording something loud. Being a condenser microphone you will need to plug them to a phantom power as well so make sure to have an interface or phantom to power them up.
Blue Spark Vs Baby Bottle
These microphones are almost like a sibling with various differences but also similarities; one being equally affordable. Spark is newer and in comparison also has a shorter tube than Baby Bottle in terms of design but they pack a long, good XLR cable in the box for this model. When it comes to sound quality, Baby Bottle is better in our opinion as it has clear highs and overall more pleasant to listen to whether you will sing or speak into the microphone.
Conclusion
All in all it is nice to consider which seems to fit your application the most. If this microphone is meant for instruments, we do think Spark is more ideal but if you will be singing or speaking to it then we highly recommend to go for Baby Bottle.