Blue Yeti X USB Microphone Quick Start Guide
- October 30, 2023
- Blue
Table of Contents
Blue Yeti X USB Microphone Quick Start Guide
Congratulations on your new Yeti X microphone. Designed for serious streamers, Yeti X is a state-of-the-art flagship USB microphone for professional-level gaming, Twitch™ streaming, podcasting, and YouTube™ productions. Features high-res LED metering, a multi-function smart knob, customizable LED lighting, and Blue VO!CE broadcast effects and advanced software integration with G HUB, Yeti X is the ultimate tool for pro-level streaming and building your audience. Yeti X is a plug ‘n play device, with minimal setup and no drivers required. Here’s how to get Yeti X up and running for the first time:
- Connect Yeti X to your computer with the included USB cable. Insert the smaller USB Micro B connector into the port on the underside of the mic, then plug the larger USB-A connector into any USB port on your computer. Yeti X will power on automatically.
- Plug your headphones into the headphone jack on the underside of the mic. If you don’t hear anything right away, make sure the microphone isn’t muted, and that the microphone gain and headphone volume are turned up. The Blend control should be centered to make sure both mic input and playback are audible. (see the “Multi-Function Smart Knob and LED Metering” section for how to do this).
- Set Yeti X as your default audio device. Go into the audio settings in Windows, Mac OS, Twitch, Skype, Discord, or any other programs you use, and select Yeti X as the default input and output device.
- Adjust the settings to your liking, and off you go! By default, Yeti X is set to cardioid mode, with the smart knob controlling microphone gain. See the Multi-Function Smart Knob, Pickup Patterns, and Blue VO!CE sections to learn how to fine-tune Yeti X’s sound.
QUICK TIP
Yeti X is a side-address microphone, which means that you should speak into the front of the mic (the side with the Blue logo), and not the top of the mic. See the Pickup Patterns section for more information on proper mic placement.
YETI X SOFTWARE CONTROL
Yeti X is compatible with the Blue Sherpa companion app and Logitech G HUB
software, giving you deeper control of your mic and access to Blue VO!CE
broadcast vocal effects* Requires download and installation of Logitech G HUB
(logitechg.com)
BLUE SHERPA
The Blue Sherpa companion app can be used to keep your Yeti X firmware up to
date and control Yeti X’s features like mic gain, pick-up pattern, headphone
volume, mute, and blend right from your desktop. Download Sherpa here.
BLUE VOICE
Blue VO!CE is a suite of real-time audio effects that process your voice for
instant professional sound. Use professional, easy-to-use effects including
EQ, compression, noise reduction, gate, de-esser, and limiter to tailor and
sweeten your voice. With Blue VOICE*, you can make Yeti X sound the way you
want using presets for crisp and modern, warm and vintage, classic radio
voice, or make your own unique signature sound.
Visit bluedesigns.com/yetix for more details
about Blue VOICE. Blue VOICE includes DTS audio enhancements.
LOGITECH G HUB
HUB is a software platform that gives you control of all your Logitech G
products in one place. G HUB is also compatible with Yeti X, giving you access
to Blue VOICE broadcast vocal effects and customized LED lighting features.
Download G HUB here.
LED LIGHT CUSTOMIZATION
Personalize the color of Yeti X’s LED lights to match your on-stream aesthetic
using Logitech’s free G HUB platform. Yeti X features customizable LED light
zones, including the LED rings on and around the Smart Knob, the pickup
pattern LED lights, and more. Each of the zones can easily be set to any RGB
color via the color selector. You can even save different settings to the list
at the bottom of the page so you can switch between different colors.
YETI X AT A GLANCE
-
FOUR-CAPSULE ARRAY
Yeti X features an all-new four-capsule condenser array, which delivers four pickup patterns with greater focus and clarity than ever. -
MULTI-FUNCTION SMART KNOB
Controls key features including microphone gain, mute, headphone volume, and Blend balance. See the Multi-Function Smart Knob section for more information. -
11-SEGMENT LED METER
Visualize your voice level with the Yeti X microphone’s 11-segment LED meter. At a glance, you can check if your voice level is too high or too low and adjust accordingly. See the Multi-Function Smart Knob and Logitech G HUB Integration sections for more information. -
PICKUP PATTERN SELECTOR
Cycles between Yeti X’s four pickup patterns. Simply press the button to cycle through each setting in this order: stereo, omni, cardioid, and bidirectional. -
USB CONNECTION
Allows Yeti X to connect to your computer. Compatible with USB 1.1, USB 2, and USB 3. -
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
3.5mm (approx. 1/8”) headphone jack. -
MOUNTING OPTIONS
Standard 5/8” threading, compatible with any standard microphone stand as well as accessories like the Compass broadcast boom arm and the Radius III shock mount. -
INTEGRATED DESKTOP STAND
Provides a sturdy base and allows you to tilt the mic up or down toward the sound source for optimal sound quality. By unscrewing the thumb screws on the side, Yeti X can be removed from its base for use with mic stands and accessories.
MULTI-FUNCTION SMART KNOB AND LED METERING
One of Yeti X’s most powerful features is its revolutionary multi-function smart knob, which gives you instant control of essential functions, right at your fingertips. The 11-segment LED meter around the knob displays important information at a glance, helping you maintain professional sound while recording or streaming.
SMART KNOB CONTROLS
- Turn the knob to adjust gain, headphone volume, and Blend settings.
- Press the knob once briefly to mute or unmute the microphone signal at any time.
- Press and hold the smart knob for one second to switch between modes
FACTORY RESET PROCEDURE
To reset Yeti X to factory default settings, press and hold the smart knob and
pattern selector buttons while plugging in the USB cable. Continue holding the
buttons for 10 seconds and the mute light will flash, indicating Yeti X has
been reset.
DEFAULT SETTINGS:
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Gain: 50%
- Headphone volume: 50%
- Blend: 50/50
- Sample rate: 48 kHz
- Bit depth: 24
MODE 1:
MICROPHONE GAIN AND METERING
When the microphone symbol on the left is lit, the smart knob will control
Yeti X’s microphone gain, and the meters will show the peak level of the
signal in real time with green, yellow, and red LEDs. When you move the knob
to increase or decrease gain, the meter will temporarily change to blue,
showing the gain level you are setting. For the best sound, set the gain so
that your loudest speech peaks at the first or second yellow light. Stay away
from the red light, but be sure you are regularly filling up all of the green
lights. When muted, the green ring on the face of the knob will change to red.
Muting and unmuting work in all modes. Press the Smart Knob for one second to
get to Headphone Volume mode. Mode selection is ‘sticky’, meaning Yeti X will
remain in the mode you select until you change it again.
MODE 2: HEADPHONE VOLUME
When the headphone symbol on the right side is lit, the smart knob will
control the volume of Yeti X’s headphone output, with white LEDs displaying
the current level. When you move the knob to adjust the headphone volume, the
LEDs will brighten, then dim two seconds after you release the knob. Press the
Smart Knob for one second to get to Blend.
MODE 3: BLEND
When both the microphone and headphone symbols are lit, the smart knob is set
to adjust the blend between the microphone signal and the sound from your
computer in your headphones. By default, the Blend control is set to 50/50
with the white LED centered and the other LEDs unlit. As you turn the knob
towards the appropriate icon, magenta LEDs will start filling in from the
center. This is useful when you need to hear yourself clearly above the audio
from a game, for example.
PICKUP PATTERNS
CARDIOID
Perfect for podcasting, game streaming, Skype or Discord calls, vocals, and
instruments, the cardioid setting captures sound sources that are directly in
front of the microphone with a rich, full-bodied sound. The cardioid setting
rejects sound coming from directly behind the mic, reducing background noise.
OMNI
Short for ‘omnidirectional’, the Omni setting picks up sound equally from all
around the mic. It’s best used in situations when you want to capture the
ambiance of ‘being there,’ like a conference call or a podcast with multiple
people around a table. Yeti X can be used in four different settings, called
pickup patterns (also known as polar patterns). Pickup patterns represent the
directions that the microphone will (or won’t) pick up sound from, and each
has its own uses.
BIDIRECTIONAL
The bidirectional setting records from both the front and the rear of the
microphone, which is ideal for podcasting or streaming interviews between two
people. The bidirectional setting produces narrow areas of sensitivity and
minimizes noise coming from the sides.
STEREO
The stereo setting uses both the left and right channels and is ideal for
capturing a realistic sound image when there are multiple sound sources in
front of the mic. This is useful for multi-person podcasts and immersive
experiences like ASMR.
YETI X SPECIFICATIONS
- Power Required/Consumption: 62mA – 203mA
- Sample/Bit Rate: 48 kHz, 24-bit
- Capsules: 4 Blue-proprietary 14mm condenser capsules
- Polar Patterns: Cardioid, Omnidirectional,
- Bidirectional, Stereo
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Max SPL: 122dB
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
- Impedance: 13 Ohms min, 16 Ohms typical
- Power Output (RMS): 72mWrms per channel Frequency
- Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Signal to Noise: 100dB
- Dimensions (extended in stand):
- 4.33” (11cm) x 4.80” (12.2cm) x 11.38” (28.9cm)
- Weight (microphone and stand): 2.8 lbs (1.28kg) Weight
- (microphone only): 1.14 lbs (.519kg)
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- WINDOWS
- Windows 7, 8.1, 10
- USB 1.1/2.0/3.0
- MACINTOSH
- macOS (10.10 or higher)
- USB 1.1/2.0/3.0
PRODUCT REGISTRATION
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT AND REGISTER YOUR PRODUCT WITH US. IT’LL ONLY TAKE A
MINUTE AND WE GUARANTEE YOU’LL SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT. PLEASE REGISTER AT:
BLUEMIC.COM
2019 Blue Microphones. All rights reserved. Blue Logo Oval is a registered trademark of Blue Microphones, LLC. Mac and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 and Skype are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Inc. TWITCH, the TWITCH Logo, the Glitch Logo, and/or TWITCHTV are trademarks of Twitch Interactive, Inc. or its affiliates. YouTube is a trademark of Google LLC. Discord is a trademark of Discord, Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel, Inc). All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Blue VO!CE includes DTS audio enhancements.
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