How to Set Up the Blue Yeti for Rap Vocals

The Blue Yeti is one of the best-known USB mics. You plug it straight into your computer, no interface needed. But with the wrong settings your rap quickly sounds far away and echoey. Here's how to set it up properly.

1. Rap into the front, not the top

The Yeti is a side-address mic. So you rap into the front of the mic, the side with the logo and the mute button. Not into the top. That's the mistake most people make.

2. Pick the right pattern: cardioid

On the back there's a knob to choose the pickup pattern. The Yeti has four: cardioid, stereo, omni and bidirectional. For one voice, choose cardioid. Then it mostly picks up what's right in front of it, and less of your room. Omni and stereo pick up a lot more of the space, and you don't want that on a rap vocal.

3. Set your gain

The gain knob is on the back. Start low. Rap your loudest part and turn the gain up until your signal comes into your DAW nicely, without hitting the red. With the gain too high, you'll hear your room and all the sounds around you much louder.

4. Up close, with a pop filter

The closer you are to the mic, the less your room plays along. Use a pop filter against hard P and B sounds, though. Stay at the same distance for every take. Read how to set up your mic for rap recording at home.

5. Hear yourself without delay

The Yeti has a headphone jack. Through it you hear your mic directly, without delay. The knob on the front sets your headphone volume. Hearing yourself twice? Turn off monitoring in your DAW.

6. Watch the mute button

On the front there's a mute button with a red light. Press it and the mic is muted. Check the light before you hit record, or you'll record silence.

7. Choose the Yeti in your DAW

Choose the Yeti as the input in your DAW and create a mono audio track. Step-by-step guides:

Choosing between USB mics? Read how to set up the RØDE NT-USB+, how to set up the AT2020USB-X and how to set up the Samson Q2U. Done recording? Read the rap vocal chain for Ableton Live or FL Studio vocal chain: the perfect plugin order.

FAQ

Which pattern should I use on the Blue Yeti for rap?

Cardioid. It mostly picks up your voice and less of your room.

Why does my Yeti sound far away?

You're probably rapping into the top instead of the front, or the pattern is set to omni or stereo. Set it to cardioid and rap into the front.

Why is my Yeti not recording anything?

Check the red light on the front. The mic might be muted. Also check that you selected the Yeti as your input.

Source: Blue Yeti product information.

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