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.
Power Phantom 48 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −29.5 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 94%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 96%
- Self-noise
- 5.5 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 96%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 97%
- Max SPL
- 133 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 32%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 29%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2001
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 97% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 93% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 35% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 3. Approximate
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
From the manual, p. 3. Approximate
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.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | large 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-noise | 5.5 dB(A)IEC 651. "Noise Level: 5.5dB-A (IEC 651)". | |
| Max SPL | 133 dB SPL2.5 kohm load, 0.5% THD. "Maximum SPL: 133dB SPL (2.5k Ω, 0.5% THD)". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 87 dBA-weighted, IEC 651. "S/N ratio: 87dB-A (IEC 651)". | |
| Dynamic range | 127.5 dB2.5 kohm load. "Dynamic Range: 127.5dB (@2.5k Ω)". | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohm"Output Impedance: 50 Ω". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmprinted "<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 range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz"; tolerance not stated. | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V"Power Requirement: +48V Phantom (IEC 268-15)". | |
| Weight | 350 g"Weight: 350g". | |
| Dimensions | 222 × 45 mm"Dimensions: 222mm x 45mm" (presumably length × diameter; not said). | |
| Supplied accessories | wood storage box; custom pop filter; custom shockmount"Included Accessories". | |
| Amplifier | Class A discrete, transformerless, solid-state | p. 2 |
| Phantom power caution | Some supplies rated at 48 V give too little or unstable power, causing distortion; switch phantom off and wait 30 seconds before disconnecting | p. 3 |
| Shock mount | Vintage-style shockmount included | |
| Recommended accessories | Kiwi, Cranberry or Blueberry mic cable; Robbie Class-A tube mic preamp | p. 4 |
| PlacementBlue | 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 rim | p. 3 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2001 | |
Documents
- Baby Bottleuser manual
- Blue Microphones Baby Bottle | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.