Blue Microphones
Blue Hummingbird
Small-diaphragm condenser (pressure gradient), cardioid, with a head that pivots through 180°; capsule based on Blue's B1; Class A discrete electronics
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom +48 V DC (IEC 268-15).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −36.5 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 8.5 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 89%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 89%
- Max SPL
- 130 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 18%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2015
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 97% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 11% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-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. 4.
Graph in the "POLAR PATTERN" panel; dB scale +20 to -20 with no unit (relative, 0 dB through the mid band). Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 4. Approximate
Five small plots labelled "125 kHz", "250 kHz", "2 kHz", "8 kHz", "16 kHz"; rings labelled -5 to -25 dB, every 5 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB; some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 125 Hz, 250 Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | small diaphragm, based on Blue's B1 capsule (as in the Bottle); pivoting head, 180° of rotation"a premium capsule based on the Blue “B1”—also available for our flagship Blue Bottle microphone"; "A pivoting head allows for 180 degrees of rotation". | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −36.5 dBV/Pa (15 mV/Pa)Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from "15mV/Pa @ 1kHz" (20 log10 0.015 = -36.5). | p. 6 |
| Self-noise | 8.5 dB(A)IEC 651. "Noise Level A-Weighted: 8.5 dB-A (IEC 651)". | |
| Max SPL | 130 dB SPL"Maximum SPL: 130 dB SPL"; condition not stated. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 85.5 dBA-weighted, IEC 651. "S/N Ratio: 85.5 dB-A (IEC 651)". | |
| Dynamic range | 129.5 dB2.5 kohm. "129.5 dB (2.5kΩ)". It does not match 130 dB SPL max minus 8.5 dB(A) noise (121.5 dB). | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohm"Output Impedance: 50Ω". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmnot less than. "Rated Load Impedance: Not less than 1kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom +48 V DC (IEC 268-15)"+48V DC Phantom Power (IEC 268-15)". | |
| Weight | 212 g"212g (7.5oz)". | |
| Dimensions | 27 × 170 mm"170mm x 27mm x 27mm"; stored as diameter × length. | |
| Supplied accessories | rigid carry case with foam lining; mic clip; foam windscreen"Included Accessories". | |
| Electronics | Proprietary Class A, fully discrete circuit, no ICs in the signal path | p. 3 |
| Pivoting head | 180° of rotation; mute the preamp input while turning it | |
| Recommended accessories | The Pop (brass mesh pop filter); Dual or Quad mic cable; Robbie tube mic preamp | p. 6 |
| Warranty | Three years from purchase (to the original, registered owner) | p. 1 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2015 | |
Documents
- Hummingbird owner's manualREV.X2 645-00002
- Blue Microphones Hummingbird | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Blue Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.