Mic Archive
Blue Baby Bottle
Photo: Blue Microphones, from its manual, p. 2.

Blue Microphones

Blue Baby Bottle

Large-diaphragm cardioid condenser, solid-state Class A discrete and transformerless, fixed capsule in a spherical grille

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−29.5 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
5.5 dB(A)
Max SPL
133 dB SPL
Impedance
50 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 3. Captioned "Baby Bottle frequency and polar responses"; distance, room and smoothing not stated. The manual adds: "These frequency charts are only a beginning. It gives the recordist a basis of the sound provided." Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 3. Full circle, 0° at the top; rings labelled 5 to 25 (dB down). Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

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All specs

From the manual
Capsulelarge diaphragm, edge-terminated, single membrane; fixed (does not rotate). "employs our edge-terminated single-membrane large diaphragm capsule. Enclosed within a spherical grille ... the Baby Bottle capsule is not designed to rotate, swivel, or move in any direction."p. 2
Sensitivity−29.5 dBV/Pa (33.5 mV/Pa), 1 kHz. Stated as "33.5mV/Pa at 1 kHz (1 Pa = 94dB SPL)"; converted: 20·log10(0.0335) = -29.5.p. 4
Self-noise5.5 dB(A), IEC 651. "Noise Level: 5.5dB-A (IEC 651)".
Max SPL133 dB SPL, 2.5 kohm load, 0.5% THD. "Maximum SPL: 133dB SPL (2.5k Ω, 0.5% THD)".
Signal-to-noise ratio87 dB, A-weighted, IEC 651. "S/N ratio: 87dB-A (IEC 651)".
Dynamic range127.5 dB, 2.5 kohm load. "Dynamic Range: 127.5dB (@2.5k Ω)".
Output impedance50 ohm. "Output Impedance: 50 Ω".
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, printed "<1k Ω"; presumably not less than 1 kohm. "Rated Load Impedance: <1k Ω" as printed; a rated load below 1 kohm would be unusual, so the "<" is probably a misprint for ">" (dealers list "Not less than 1k Ohms").
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz"; tolerance not stated.
Poweringphantom 48 V. "Power Requirement: +48V Phantom (IEC 268-15)".
Weight350 g. "Weight: 350g".
Dimensions222 × 45 mm. "Dimensions: 222mm x 45mm" (presumably length × diameter; not said).
Supplied accessorieswood storage box; custom pop filter; custom shockmount. "Included Accessories".
AmplifierClass A discrete, transformerless, solid-statep. 2
Phantom power cautionSome supplies rated at 48 V give too little or unstable power, causing distortion; switch phantom off and wait 30 seconds before disconnectingp. 3
Shock mountVintage-style shockmount included
Recommended accessoriesKiwi, Cranberry or Blueberry mic cable; Robbie Class-A tube mic preampp. 4
Placement (Blue)Vocals 2.5-10 cm (one to four inches) with the pop filter; strings 7.5-15 cm in front of the bridge for bass and cello, 30-60 cm above violin and viola; drums 5-10 cm above the rimp. 3

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Blue Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.

Recording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

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