Best Blue Yeti Settings – For Discord, Streaming, ASMR, Gaming, Podcasting & Singing

The Blue Yeti is among one of the most popular microphones available, whether for Discord, live streaming, ASMR, gaming, podcasting, singing, or otherwise.

Blue was especially clever in their marketing, leveraging relationships with2 influencers to get their message out to every corner of the internet.

If you bought into the Yeti, you didn’t just buy into the hype – you did, in fact, end up with a very decent microphone at a very decent price.

But getting optimal results is another matter. If you want to make the most of your new purchase, then you’ll want to use the best possible settings. That’s setting yourself up for success. So, here’s what you need to know:

Best Blue Yeti Settings For Discord

Discord is a popular instant messaging and VoIP (live audio) social platform. Many users were likely introduced to Discord through gaming, as it’s a popular platform for chatting with friends while enjoying a good old fashioned multiplayer session.

It was clear from day one, though, that Discord had far more utility. In practice, it’s like part Slack or IRC chat, part forum, and part audio chat. As result, many communities have formed and operate on Discord, be it musicians, content marketers, live streamers, or otherwise.

There are a few steps you can follow to ensure your Blue Yeti mic is coming across on Discord, and not all of them are settings related. Many users have had issues with their microphone sounding suboptimal on Discord, so if you’re encountering this issue, be sure to problem solve by walking through the following steps.

Note: This section covers fundamentals every Blue Yeti user should know. Study well.

Ensure Your Microphone Is Connected

The Yeti is a USB microphone and isn’t hard to connect to your computer. But even the best of us sometimes forget to connect our mic to the computer using the provided cable.

And even if not for that, you can have a faulty cable, or your computer may not be recognizing the USB device (in which case, restart, reconnect, and try again).

Either way, if your microphone isn’t properly connected to your computer, by default, you’re probably using your laptop or desktop mic (if you have one), and of course, that’s not going to sound anywhere near as good as the Yeti!

Position Your Microphone Correctly

This applies to all types of uses. We probably won’t be going over this again, so regardless of intended use, be sure to peruse this section of the guide.

We see a lot of mistaken information out there about the Yeti, and this unfortunately can only make matters worse.

First and foremost, the Yeti comes with its own stand, which is perfect for desktop use. You do not need to purchase a separate stand (although we will be covering instances where this is helpful later).

If you are thinking about using a boom arm and / or shock mount, however, be sure to purchase from Blue and not another provider. The Yeti is meant to be used in a specific way (which we’ll cover in a moment), and other stands or mounts may not be set up to position your microphone correctly, which of course can lead to bad sound.

Secondly, the Yeti is a side-address microphone (this information is also available on the Blue website). This means the “tip” of the microphone should be pointed upwards, towards your ceiling. Do not attempt to point the tip of the mic at your mouth (sideways), as the Yeti is not a front-address mic.

Thirdly, and finally, pay careful attention to the distance between you and the microphone. Too close, and the mic will likely distort, making the sound unpleasant. Too far away, and it will be harder for others to hear you.

The manufacturer makes no recommendations as to the distance to keep between you and the mic, and this will depend somewhat on microphone gain as well as your voice. Experiment with three to nine inches for the ideal sweet spot.

Set Your Microphone Gain

Generally, there isn’t an exact science to setting your microphone gain, because some voices are quieter, some voices are louder. Some voices have more higher frequencies, some voices have more lower frequencies.

A safe bet is to set your gain to 12 o’ clock and adjust from there. Test your mic with a friend and ask them how it sounds. If they say it’s distorting, turn down bit by bit until you find the right setting. If they say it’s too quiet, turn up bit by bit until you find the right setting.

If you’re not getting a sound, it’s either because your mic is muted (the Yeti has a built-in mute button), your cable is defective, or your computer isn’t recognizing your USB device.

Use Cardioid Mode

For most applications, you will be using cardioid mode a lot (the cardioid pattern setting symbol looks like a heart). Blue says this is the ideal setting for Twitch streaming, podcasting, music recording, instruments, and even voiceovers.

If you’re the only one using the mic, and you’re using it primarily for speech, it should almost always be set to cardioid.

Cardioid mode should also help cut down on unwanted background noise while isolating the sound of your voice, assuming the microphone is positioned correctly (see previous point).

Adjust Discord Settings

Even if your system recognizes your device, there is the chance that Discord doesn’t. To ensure your microphone is set up properly with Discord, click on the gear icon (User Settings), and go to Voice & Video under App Settings.

From here, you can select your input and output device. Check to ensure that the input device being used is your Blue Yeti. If you can’t find it in the dropdown, you may need to restart Discord and try again, or restart your computer and try again.

Summary

• Connect your microphone, ensure your computer recognizes the device, and if necessary, go into your system settings to set it the Yeti as the default input source. Don’t forget to take your microphone off mute, if necessary.
• Position your microphone. The Yeti comes with its own desktop stand, but you can purchase a boom arm and shock mount separately. The Yeti is a side-address mic, meaning the tip of the mic should be pointed at the ceiling, not at your mouth. Ensure you’re sitting close to the mic. Experiment with three to nine inches.
• Set your microphone gain to 12 o’ clock and adjust from there.
• Set your microphone to cardioid mode.
• Check your Discord settings and ensure your Blue Yeti is set to your input device.

Best Blue Yeti Settings For Streaming

Live streaming is only growing in popularity with the proliferation of apps and new platforms where creators can share their gifts and talents with broader audiences.

We’ve covered the basics of connecting your microphone, positioning it, setting your mic gain, and even which mode to use for streaming already (cardioid). If in doubt, refer to the previous section on best Blue Yeti settings for Discord.

Now, there are some additional tips (optional) we can employ with live streaming to ensure you get the best sound possible. Here’s what you should know:

Use a Pop Filter Or Mic Foam

A pop filter is a tool you can use for just about any application (not just for streaming). It’s a physical device (typically screws onto a mic stand) that provides a “shield” between your mouth and the microphone.

In practice, it cuts down on harsh consonants (“b” sounds, “p” sounds, “sh” sounds, etc.), and popping.

A mic foam / windscreen serves a similar purpose, but goes directly on the microphone. I prefer this solution myself.

Pop filters, mic foams, and all similar solutions will remove the harshness from your voice, producing a smoother overall result.

Use A Shock Mount / Boom Arm

You may have noticed that your Yeti picks up vibrations from your desk. Whether it’s setting down an object, typing on your keyboard, or pounding on your desk, these vibrations can have a negative impact on your overall sound.

Shock mounts isolate and absorb this impact, reducing and even eliminating these vibrations from reaching the input of the microphone.

If you’re going to use a shock mount, though, you will probably require a separate stand. The boom arm is a convenient option, as it can attach directly to your desk, or even nearby furniture to reduce vibrational impact.

Take Advantage Of Effects / Audio Filters

Some live streaming tools (such as Open Broadcast Software, lovingly called OBS) come with built-in audio filters you can use to improve your live sound.

There are more sophisticated methods for applying processing to your voice in real time, but they are technical, so we won’t be covering them here.

Either way, there are a few effects that can help improve the sound of your mic, which are as follows:

• Compression. Compression makes louder sounds quieter and quieter sounds louder. As result, you get a smoother, more even sound overall. Whispers should be easier to hear, and screams or shouts should be at more tolerable levels.
• Noise gate. Gates eliminate all sounds below certain levels and make it possible to dial out background noise (like computer fans) entirely. It’s important to note, though, that setting the threshold too high can make your voice cut in and out.
• Noise suppression. Serves a similar function as gating and will help reduce background noise. As with gating, too much wetness can either make your voice cut in and out or eliminate it entirely, so experiment and find the “sweet spot.”

Summary

• Connect your microphone.
• Position your microphone.
• Set your microphone gain to 12 o’ clock and slowly adjust from there.
• Use cardioid mode.
• Optionally, use a physical pop filter, mic foam, or windscreen to cut down on harsh frequencies.
• Optionally, use a shock mount / boom arm to eliminate artifacts resulting from vibrations.
• Optionally, take advantage of audio filters like compression, noise gate, and noise suppression to create a more professional result.

Best Blue Yeti Settings For ASMR

ASMR is exploding in popularity, and its therapeutic benefits are well known.

ASMR creators generally use a mix of different microphones to for different applications. But the Blue Yeti is certainly a favorite go-to, and many even consider it the perfect starting place for ASMR artists, be it brush strokes, whispering, tapping, scratching, or otherwise.

We’ve covered some of the basics of how to use the Blue Yeti earlier in this guide (don’t forget the fundamentals!). If in doubt, refer to the section on Blue Yeti settings for Discord.

Now, there are some nuances to getting the right sound for ASMR, which we’ll cover here.

Set Your Microphone Gain

We still suggest setting your microphone gain to 12 o’ clock and slowly adjusting from there.

But ASMR is usually (but not always) a little different in that you’re generally capturing quieter sounds. This means you will probably be setting the gain higher than with other uses.

Test record as many times as necessary (in your audio or video recording software) until the sound is being captured at a reasonable volume but isn’t distorting.

Use Stereo Mode

The Blue Yeti has four modes in total, but for ASMR (and any kind of immersive experience), Blue suggests taking advantage of stereo mode, which can capture a wider, and therefore more realistic sound.

Now, this isn’t to suggest this is the only mode you can use for ASRM. There are times where you might be better served with cardioid, omnidirectional, or bidirectional. But stereo mode is a good place to start.

Use A Pop Filter Or Mic Foam

As with live streaming, you can take advantage of a pop filter or mic foam for a smoother sound. This is entirely optional, but if you find your sound a little harsh, it’s a good option to keep in mind.

Summary

• Connect your microphone.
• Position your microphone.
• Set your microphone gain. Start at 12 o’ clock and gradually adjust from there. With quieter sounds, you will likely be using higher settings.
• Use stereo mode. As a default, stereo mode is perfect. But you can experiment with other modes depending on what you’re trying to achieve. Just be sure you understand how each mode works.
• Optionally, take advantage of a pop filter or mic foam to cut down on harsher sounds and frequencies.

Best Blue Yeti Settings For Gaming

Voice chat is a function enjoyed by many a gamer. It allows players to interact and communicate with each other, even if they aren’t in the same room, same city, or same country!

This makes it possible to hurl taunts and insults at the other team, while scheming how to defeat the opposing team with teammates (if that’s the kind of game you’re playing, of course).

If you’re a gamer, there’s a chance you’re using Discord, in which case we suggest perusing the section on best Blue Yeti settings for Discord laid out earlier. This section also contains all the fundamentals you need to know to make the most of your mic and even troubleshoot if necessary.

For the most part, if you’re a gamer, you can follow the steps laid out for Discord, and you should be fine. Besides what was covered earlier, though, here’s what you should know:

Adjust Game / Platform Settings

Some games have built-in audio chat functionality, and even video game digital distribution services like Steam have built-in voice chat. If you’re taking advantage of something other than Discord, then there may be additional steps to follow.

To ensure your Blue Yeti is being used as the default microphone device on any platform, it may be necessary to check your input device and levels inside whatever game you may be playing or program you may be using, just as we talked about with adjusting Discord settings earlier.

Summary

• Connect your microphone.
• Position your microphone.
• Set your microphone gain.
• Use cardioid mode.
• If necessary, adjust game / platform user settings to ensure the correct input device / microphone is selected. Also, adjust input levels as necessary.

Best Blue Yeti Settings For Podcasting

Creating your own radio show is an attractive proposition to many, and with the enduring and rising popularity of personalities like Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro, Chris Harrison, and others, many creators are opting to connect with their audiences through the audio podcast medium, and in some cases, the video podcast medium too.

The Blue Yeti has been promoted heavily as a podcasting microphone, and while it can’t compete with mics outside its class, in its price range, it may well be one of the best options available.

Besides what we’ve already covered (especially in the best Blue Yeti settings for Discord section), here are some things worth thinking about.

Position Your Microphone Correctly

If you’re going to be recording solo episodes, conversations with co-hosts over Zoom, or interviews with guests over Zencastr, then reference the section on Discord settings. The same mic positioning will work nicely for podcasting.

You may need to change your microphone position if you’re going to be recording with friends, co-hosts, or guests in the same room, using just one mic. You’d also want to change your pattern mode, but we’ll get to that.

For group recordings, you’d want to set the mic at about equal distance from every speaker.

Set Your Microphone Gain

Again, if you’re recording solo episodes or conversations and interviews over video conference, then you can use the same settings you would with Discord. Set your gain to 12 o’ clock and adjust until levels are ideal.

But if you’re going to be getting together with a group of people to record a podcast using one mic, you’ll probably need to play with gain settings a bit.

Keep in mind that everyone has different voices. Some are quieter. Some are louder. It will be hard to keep things completely even, but make sure you’re setting the gain to accommodate the loudest voice, not the quietest voice. Otherwise, your audio will peak and distort a lot, and you may not be able to fix it in post.

Also, sidebar – I’m surprised how few creators know about automated audio sweetening tools. These tools automatically apply various effects (EQ, compression, limiting, etc.), reduce background noise, and even out the overall levels of each voice, and bring overall levels up to ensure the audio is publish ready.

Yes, it’s an extra step, but if you want to appeal to a broader audience, it’s well worth the effort. Check out a powerful AI-driven tool like Auphonic, which gives you up to two hours of audio processing per month for free.

Choose The Appropriate Mode

Again, if you’re recording solo or over video conferencing, cardioid mode is going to serve you best.

But the other modes can come in handy depending on the situation.

For the most part, I can’t see a situation where you’d use stereo mode, so you can eliminate that one from the running.

Omnidirectional mode, on the other hand, could come in very handy. If you’re in a group, sitting around a table, recording with a single microphone, then omnidirectional mode is ideal.

Keep in mind, though, microphone position matters a lot, and you want to try to position it such that everyone in the conversation is about equal distance from the mic.

Bidirectional mode is great for two-way conversations where two people are sitting opposed to each other in the same room (not next to each other).

Use A Pop Filter Or Mic Foam

Sound matters a lot when it comes to podcasting. After all, unless you’re also capturing video, audio is your only means of communicating with your listeners.

Pop filters or mic foams can help a lot, especially if you find those harsh consonants pop. I have a broadcast mic with a built-in internal pop filter, and even then, I found the audio was a little harsh until I started using a mic foam with it.

Pop filters are optional but can be a lifesaver when you care about audio quality.

Use A Shock Mount / Boom Arm

The Blue Yeti is equipped with its own desktop stand, but as noted earlier, vibrations (from the table, desk, etc.) can easily be transferred to the microphone, leading to unwanted noise and artifacts in the audio.

A shock mount can absorb such vibrations, leading to minimal noise. Shock mounts are generally easiest to set up with a boom arm, which can attach to your desk, table, or another piece of furniture.

Check The Settings In Your Recording Software / DAW

Is your recording software or DAW using your Blue Yeti mic as your input? If not, it’s using your laptop or desktop’s default microphone, which will not sound as good as your Blue Yeti.

Ensure that you’ve selected the right input device for best results.

Summary

• Connect your microphone.
• Position your microphone. If you’re recording solo, you’re aiming for three to nine inches from your face. If you’re recording with a group in the same room, gathering around a table and setting the mic at the center is ideal.
• Set your microphone gain. Again, 12 o’ clock is a good starting point, regardless of whether you’re recording solo or with a group. But you will need to adjust from there for optimal results.
• Choose the appropriate mode. The most useful for podcasting are cardioid for solo shows, omnidirectional for in-person group conversations, and bidirectional for two-way in-person conversations.
• Optionally, take advantage of a pop filter, mic foam, or windscreen to smooth out harsh consonants and popping.
• Optionally, take advantage of a shock mount / boom arm.

Best Blue Yeti Settings For Singing

Whether amateur or professional, one of the attractions to microphones in general is music production.

It just so happens that the Blue Yeti can be used not just for vocals, but also for acoustic guitars, choirs, live performances, and more.

Of course, here, we’ll be focusing on how to get the best Yeti settings for singing and vocals. It could be worth reviewing the basics in an earlier section on best settings for Discord, because the basics don’t change.

But there are some factors worth thinking about for vocals. We cover the key facts here, but you can also refer to the summary for all key steps.

Set Your Microphone Gain

Ever notice how singing can be quite dynamic? By that I mean there can be many peaks and valleys in the recorded audio signal because of differences in volume.

This is normal for vocal performances. But it does represent a bit of a challenge for music producers. If the performance is captured too loud, the audio signal will likely distort, making for unusable takes.

This frustrates both producers and singers because it means they’ll need to capture the same performance all over, and sometimes the first take is the best one!

So, finding the right microphone gain settings is essential to your success. You want to adjust based on the loudest note and check to ensure it’s not peaking. If it is, you’ll want to reduce gain.

Just to be safe, you may want to set the gain on the lower end, because singers can suddenly jump up in volume when they go into performance mode.

Use A Pop Filter Or Mic Foam

This is technically optional, but it’s strongly recommended for capturing vocal performances. Even with skilled vocalists, there will be plenty of opportunities to “pop” the audio if the microphone is bare.

Pop filters and mic foams can help prevent and eliminate this issue altogether.

If it continues to be a problem, though, consider having the vocalist move away further from the mic. The side-address nature of the Yeti doesn’t change, though, so ensure the singer is lined up with the microphone before moving them further away.

Check The Settings In Your Recording Software / DAW

If your DAW isn’t using your Yeti as the input device, by default, it’s using your built-in microphone. This will not sound anywhere near as good as the Yeti. Be sure your recording software is using the Yeti as its primary input device.

Summary

• Connect your microphone.
• Position your microphone.
• Set your microphone gain. This is especially critical for capturing vocals. You don’t want perfect performances to peak and distort at the wrong moments. So, keep tweaking until you find the ideal setting where you’re capturing as loud as possible without distorting.
• Use cardioid mode. Experiment with stereo mode as well.
• Use a pop filter or mic foam. Technically, it’s optional, but it’s strongly recommended for vocals.
• Check the settings in your recording software / DAW to ensure you’re using the Blue Yeti as your primary input device.

Best Blue Yeti Settings, Final Thoughts

Tried everything and still not getting the expected results?

For better or for worse, it could be because you’re comparing your audio to that of more prevalent and experienced personalities who can afford better microphones and processing.

Yes, the Blue Yeti is a great microphone. But it’s not a top-of-the-line mic, and depending on what you’re looking to accomplish, there may be better solutions suited to the application.

Some of the most known podcasters, for example, use broadcast quality microphones for those smooth lows and clear highs.

Meanwhile, if you’re serious about recording music, you should at least have both a quality condenser and quality dynamic mic. Different mics are ideally suited to different applications, and you will be hard pressed to find an “all in one” solution for all your needs.

We hope the above information will help you get your Blue Yeti dialed in and optimized for any purpose. Best of luck!