With one of the few impulse buys made with our slim technology lab budget this year, we purchased the Blue Snowball microphone. In looking at the microphone, I'm struck by the power of design. Clearly, this is a microphone that has been put together to address a functional need. The easy switching between uni- and omni-directional mode and the usb output are spot on in addressing the needs of podcasting and other computer-based recording.
But there is also a design feel to the product that adds to its allure. Much like the iPod, the Snowball combines an in-your-face product (something to be seen) with an underwrought design surface. The packaging art is minimal. The microphone itself is smooth and slightly retro. Attention to detail is quite high. I can't help but link to the Microsoft (re)designs the iPod video currently circulating. That video does a better job than I can of summing up what works well about designs that get the functionality right, and then finish the product with hip but tasteful, sophisticated but understated design.

I am still testing out the microphone and having some trouble getting it fired up on the Windows XP machine. It is working great on the Mac. Here is a sample with the audio and some images in case anyone is curious about the quality. (I'm posting this as an m4a file, so hopefully it will work. You may need to play it in iTunes or QuickTime.) I think the product bodes well for prosumer podcasting--it is much simpler than going with a mixing board and phantom-powered microphones, but has a nice sound and more power and features than a basic USB microphone.

UPDATE: To fix the problem of the Blue Snowball not working with audacity on Windows, I downloading the firmware update from the bluemic.com Web site. All is now well. I tested the omnidirectional setting and, while volume does fall off, from about 15 feet away the sound is still acceptable.