Greetings mate and Welcome aboard!
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear) all over again, so…
In this article, we’ll review the Blue Yeti Nano and delve into various aspects, including its sound quality, distinctive features, overall value, and a comparative analysis against the original Blue Yeti.
Additionally, the review will offer sound samples showcasing the microphone’s performance to provide a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities in various settings and scenarios. I will also list the specs at the end!
By the end, you should have a clear idea of which will be best suited for your needs.
With that, let’s get rolling!
Blue Yeti Nano
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check B&H!
In The Box
Blue Yeti Nano Multi-Pattern USB Condenser Microphone (Blackout)
Custom Base
USB Cable
1/4″ to 5/8″ Adapter
Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Introduction
My, how time flies.
I’ve had an original Blue Yeti since 2017 and don’t regret a single moment with it.
- Recommended: Blue Microphones Yeti Review [With Video]
Well, I will say the original chord it came with broke, but it was a small price to pay for such a great mic.
I simply bought another cable and all has been well.
I had ignored the newer models for quite a while until recently when I decided it would be fun to just randomly buy a Blue Yeti Nano and see how it sounds.
Let’s start with the build.
Build
Right off the bat, the Nano is super compact and small but feels rugged and durable.
Instead of a matte finish, it’s now glossy and looks really sharp in the studio.
It’s actually much smaller than the original Yeti, which, if you’re familiar with my blog, I jokingly referred to as an industrial-sized dildo way back when.
That sentiment still remains, but the Nano is simply much easier to handle and I love the updated design choices they made here.
Hoo boy, GOOD LUCK.
The reason is that it came with like, a bajillion washers, and fitting it back in while trying to screw everything together was a colossal pain in the ass.
The Nano?
It’s basically 2 screws and that’s it. Super easy to assemble and disassemble.
Take a look at the image below if you don’t believe me. And you better thank me for doing this.
This is all for YOU, dear reader.
That’s right, I’m going to take the original Yeti apart just so I can show you how ridiculous it is.
Which one of these looks easier to put back together? I’ll give you a hint: it AIN’T the first image. Lol.
Why does this matter?
Well, if you’re anything like me, you may prefer a scissor arm instead of the supplied desktop stand.
In this case, it’s super easy to disassemble and reassemble the Nano from its stand.
As far as scissor arms, it’s much easier to record a guitar/vocal take at the same time instead of having to try and record with it on your desk.
A scissor arm is also super convenient. Just push it out of the way when you’re not recording.
- Helpful Tip: Position the Nano roughly halfway between your guitar and mouth, angling it slightly downward. Now sit away from the mic around 10-12 inches. You can play around with this, but this placement will give you a super great recording with minimal post-processing required.
In any event, let’s take a look at Nano’s features.
Features
Admittedly, it’s not quite as versatile as the original, and I’m not entirely sure why they didn’t include some more polar patterns since the Nano is essentially the same price as the Yeti (around $100).
The Yeti had 4:
- Cardioid
- Stereo
- Omnidirectional
- Figure 8
The Yeti also had a gain knob on the back which was super useful when trying to achieve proper levels.
The Nano does have a gain function, but you’ll have to use their Sherpa app which may be a bit of an annoyance depending on who you are.
Still, you can always adjust the levels inside your DAW (I use both Reaper and Audacity).
That said, you’re still getting Cardioid Mode and Omnidirectional, and instead of a Volume Dial + Mute Button on the front, they’ve opted for an all-in-one button this time around.
Adjust the volume with the dial, and press it to mute (Red). Nifty.
The underside of the unit contains your micro-USB jack and 3.5mm headphone jack for live no latency monitoring.
Rounding out the package is some literature as well as a thread mount.
This is a great benefit for those, like me, who have random scissor arms lying around.
Just screw the adapter on the arm and then screw the Nano onto the adapter.
Doesn’t get much easier!
Sound
This is where things get rather interesting.
The sound of the original Yeti was super clean and sterile. It sounded fantastic but had a couple of caveats:
- It picked up quite a bit of ambient/background noise.
- It leaned a tad too sterile in some instances and could come across as a bit cold and empty/hollow sounding.
You’ll be able to hear this in the recordings below, but what I found with the Nano is that it rectifies these issues.
It’s still super clear and articulate but has just a smidgen of warmth and body that enables it to sound a little more natural and less cold.
So in my estimation, it adds a bit of low end while also smoothing out the voice a tad and giving it some radio broadcast warmth.
I find it to be a fantastic compromise.
The other cool thing about the Nano is that it records simultaneous vocal/acoustic takes with ease.
I was able to get a really good recording with it using the tips I shared earlier.
I was shocked at how well both came through, and I didn’t have to use a windscreen either.
Yeah, there were a couple of pops that I cleaned up in post, and I certainly did EQ out some unnecessary low-end from the acoustic (something you should do anyway) while also giving it some presence in the mids and a bit of air up top.
But for $100?
The sound here is rather remarkable.
Demos
Blue Yeti Nano
All of these takes were recorded in Audacity (free), No post-processing, No EQ, no gain boost, no pop filter. These are raw recordings approximately 6-8″ away.
Cardioid
Omnidirectional
Classic Original Yeti
(Blackout Version)
Cardioid
Omnidirectional
Stereo
Figure 8
Impressions
As you can probably hear very clearly (no pun intended), the Nano is a lot warmer sounding but still retains that clarity we’ve come to know and love from the OG Classic Yeti.
The original presents a somewhat cold, industrialized sound (that’s the first thing that came to mind) and doesn’t come across nearly as professional in my opinion. You may or may not agree here.
The Nano is detailed but not harsh, and also sounds more intimate; as if I’m speaking to you rather than through a capsule.
By contrast, the Yeti sounds very brash and almost soulless – as if it were just another product in a mass-produced factory of them. In other words, it tends to pick up a lot of unwanted noise/sounds, but also kind of sounds like you’re recording in a big hall.
Now that’s not to say it sounds bad – quite the contrary. It’s just exposed and its flaws are almost immediately apparent.
Let me know YOUR thoughts down below in the comments.
Final Verdict
The Blue Yeti Nano is a welcome upgrade from the original.
Its tight, compact package is much easier to use in the studio, and I appreciate the fact that they rectified the design flaw inherent in the original.
No longer will you be fiddling with washers trying to screw it back onto its original stand, and the sound, to my ears, is an improved, refined version of its predecessor – it adds a touch of broadcast warmth without sacrificing that wonderful sense of clarity and articulation.
Not many other microphones in the USB category that I’ve tried compare to the crisp, clean, detailed sound you’re getting here.
For that, and for everything else we’ve discussed today, I think it’s a rather easy purchase.
Learn More:
Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Blue Yeti Nano Review.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
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What are your thoughts on the Nano? Does it seem like an excellent value? What are you looking to record? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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Specifications
Microphone
- Primary Applications: Broadcast, Podcast, Web-Streaming
- Form Factor: Desktop
- Intended Sound Sources: Vocals
- Sound Field: Mono
- Operating Principle: Pressure Gradient, Pressure Operated
- Capsule: 0.55″ / 14mm
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional
- Pattern Selection: Switched
- Orientation: Side Address
- Circuitry: Solid-State
- Pad: none
- High-Pass Filter: None
- Gain Adjustment: Yes, via Sherpa app
- On-Board Controls: Headphone Volume / Mic Mute
Performance
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20kHz
- Maximum SPL: 120dB SPL (1 kHz, .5% THD)
- Sensitivity: 4.5 mV/Pa at 1kHz
Connectivity
- Output Connectors (Digital): 1x Micro-USB
- Headphone Connector: 1x 1/8″ / 3.5mm
Digital Audio
- A/D Conversion: 24-Bit
- Sample Rate: 48kHz
- Operating System Support: Windows, iOS, macOS/OS X
- OS Compatibility: Windows, iOS, macOS
- Available Port: USB 2.0
Power
- Operating Voltage: 5V
- Operating Current Consumption: 150 mA
Physical
- Color: Black
- Mounting: Tabletop (Included Hardware), Shockmount (with Optional Hardware)
- Mounting Thread Size: 5/8″- 27 Female (1/4″ – 20 Female With Included Adapter)
- Included Case: None
- Included Filters: None
- Dimensions: H: 8.31 x W: 3.78 x L: 4.29″ / ø: 10.9 x H: 21.11 x W: 9.6 x L: 10.9 cm
- Weight: 1.39 lb / 0.63 kg
Packaging Info
- Package Weight: 2.21 lb
- Box Dimensions (LxWxH): 8.8 x 5.6 x 5.5″
Blue Yeti Nano
Pros
- Incredibly crisp, clear sound
- Great for recording acoustic guitar
- Fantastic for voiceover/podcasting
- Ease of use an upgrade over the Yeti
Cons
- Lack of polar patterns may bother some
- Still uses micro USB
