Do Blue Yeti mics work on Android?

The Blue Yeti is a popular USB microphone known for its excellent sound quality and versatile recording capabilities. With its multiple polar pattern settings, built-in headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring, and plug-and-play operation, the Yeti has become a go-to choice for podcasters, YouTubers, streamers, and other content creators.

Despite their reputation as high-end mics, many are wondering if Blue Yeti microphones will work properly when connected to Android smartphones and tablets. This article examines the compatibility between Blue Yeti mics and Android devices, the necessary cables and apps needed, audio quality considerations, and alternative microphone options for Android users.

Blue Yeti Mic Specs and Requirements

The Blue Yeti is a USB microphone that connects via a standard USB-A port. It requires 5V 150mA of power, which it draws directly from the connected USB port, so no external power source is needed [1].

The Blue Yeti works with Windows 10, 8 (including 8.1), 7, Vista and XP, as well as Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher), so no special drivers are needed. It is plug-and-play compatible with these operating systems [2].

However, the Blue Yeti mic does require the Blue Sherpa companion software to access some of the mic’s advanced features like voice filters. This software is available as a free download for both Windows and Mac operating systems [3].

Connecting to a PC vs Android Device

The Blue Yeti X microphone connects seamlessly to a PC or Mac computer via a standard USB cable. Once plugged in, it is recognized as a USB mic and works with various recording software and operating systems without needing to install drivers. This plug-and-play connectivity makes it extremely simple to connect the Yeti X to a desktop or laptop computer.

Connecting the Yeti X to an Android device is more complicated, as Android cannot recognize USB mics natively like Windows or Mac OS can. The Yeti X requires a special OTG (On-The-Go) cable to connect to an Android device. OTG cables allow you to connect USB accessories, but the Android device must specifically support OTG connectivity. There are also additional driver or app requirements to get the mic working properly on Android.

So while the Yeti X works seamlessly when plugged into a PC, getting it connected and working properly with an Android device involves some extra steps and compatibility requirements. Not all Android models support using large USB mics like the Yeti X, so connectivity issues are common if your device lacks OTG support or the proper drivers.

Required Drivers and Software

The Blue Yeti microphone requires specific drivers and software in order to function properly with a computer. However, this driver support is limited on Android devices.

On Windows and Mac computers, users need to install the Blue Sherpa software to control settings like gain, mute, headphone volume, and pattern selection on the Blue Yeti [1]. This software is not available for Android.

There are no official drivers for the Blue Yeti microphone on Android. Some users have reported success using unofficial OTG drivers like [1] USBAudioREC PRO to interface with the mic and provide basic functionality.

Without the Blue Sherpa software, Android users lose control over gain levels and other settings. The mic’s core recording capabilities still work, but the experience is limited.

Using OTG Cables

OTG cables, which stands for “On-The-Go,” are USB cables that allow you to connect USB devices like microphones directly to Android devices. OTG cables have a micro USB connector on one end that plugs into your Android device, and a regular USB port on the other end where you can connect your USB microphone.

OTG cables work by tricking the Android device into thinking it’s a USB host, rather than a peripheral. This allows the Android device to power and communicate directly with USB accessories. So with an OTG cable, you can use your Blue Yeti or other USB microphone to record high quality audio straight into audio apps on your Android phone or tablet.

One consideration with OTG cables is that not all Android devices support USB OTG functionality. So you’ll want to confirm your Android phone or tablet supports OTG before buying a cable. Most modern Android devices do have OTG support, but it’s worth double checking. There are also different types of OTG cables for micro USB vs USB-C, so match the appropriate cable to your Android device.

Compatible Android Models

The Blue Yeti X microphone has been reported to successfully connect and work with many modern Android devices that have USB-C ports and support USB On-The-Go (OTG) technology. This allows the phone or tablet to act as a USB host for external peripherals like microphones.

Specific Android models that users report the Blue Yeti X working well with include:
– Samsung Galaxy S21 series
– Samsung Galaxy S20 series

– Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series
– Google Pixel 4 and newer
– OnePlus 8 and newer

The key requirements seem to be having Android 9 or newer, USB-C with OTG support, and enough power delivery over USB-C to adequately power the Blue Yeti X. Many newer flagship and mid-range Android devices meet these criteria.

Older Android models, particularly those with micro USB ports rather than USB-C, may have difficulties providing enough power over USB OTG for the Blue Yeti X to function properly. So compatibility is hit or miss with older phones.

Recommended Apps

There are some useful apps that can help you get the best performance from your Blue Yeti microphone when connected to an Android device.

The most recommended app by users is WO Mic. This app allows you to connect your Blue Yeti to your Android device via USB and use it as a microphone. Some key things about WO Mic:

It’s free and easy to set up
Provides clear, low-latency audio streaming over WiFi or USB
Includes configurable settings to adjust gain, noise reduction and more

To get the best quality, adjust WO Mic’s audio settings like bitrate, channels and sampling rate. The key is finding the right balance between audio fidelity and lag/latency. Some users recommend settings like 16-bit depth, 44.1KHz sampling rate, and 128kbps bitrate.

Additionally, using wired USB connections instead of wireless can improve audio quality and reduce lag. Make sure to use a quality OTG adapter cable as well.

Finally, confirm that microphone boost is enabled in your Android device’s sound settings menu. This helps normalize lower mic volume levels.

Audio Quality Considerations

When connecting a Blue Yeti microphone to an Android device, you may notice the audio quality isn’t as pristine as you’d expect based on the Yeti’s stellar reputation as a premium USB mic (The Podcast Host, 2023). The built-in preamps and components are tuned for 48V phantom power that most audio interfaces provide, not the lower 5V power from a phone’s USB port.

That said, with some adjustments you can still achieve decent audio quality:

Enable microphone mode in your recording app settings

Turn off any background noise reduction features
Experiment with placement to find the Blue Yeti’s sweet spot
Consider adding a USB power booster/battery for cleaner power

If quality remains an issue, you may want to consider mics designed for mobile use like the Shure MV88+ or Rode VideoMic Me-L. While convenient, the Yeti X isn’t fully optimized for on-the-go recording. An external audio interface like the iRig Pro Duo I/O can also help provide proper phantom power.

Other Options for Android

In addition to the Blue Yeti, there are some other quality USB microphone options for Android devices. These include:

Samson Go Mic Mobile ($40) – Compact USB mic designed for mobile devices with integrated stand.

Shure MV88+ Video Kit ($250) – High quality condenser mic with video accessories and recording app.
Rode VideoMic Me-L ($60) – Lightning and USB-C versions available for iOS and Android.

There are also some microphones made specifically for Android devices such as the Boya BY-MA1 ($20) which connects via 3.5mm headphone jack. Using Android-friendly accessories like the Rode SC4 TRRS to TRS adapter cable ($20) can allow more mics to work properly.

Overall the main things to look for in an external Android mic are USB-C or 3.5mm connectivity, compatible TRS/TRRS wiring, and apps or drivers that work well for external mic input. Doing research on mic and phone compatibility helps find the best audio recording options.

Conclusion

In summary, the Blue Yeti microphone, while an excellent USB mic designed mainly for PC and Mac, can connect to and work with Android devices, but has some limitations.

Mainly, the Blue Yeti requires access to drivers and special software to enable advanced controls and audio processing that aren’t natively available on Android. Using OTG cables and certain audio recording apps, basic functionality and audio capture are possible, but may lack quality and control options compared to PC.

So while technically yes, you can connect the Blue Yeti to Android smartphones and tablets, doing so loses out on some of the key features that make the Blue Yeti such a renowned USB microphone otherwise. For serious Android-based recording, there may be more specialized microphones and equipment to recommend instead.

In the end, ambitious amateur users may find ways to unlock more of the Yeti’s potential using Android, but there will be challenges. For plug-and-play performance specifically with smartphones and tablets, consider alternatives designed for mobile use.