Blue Microphones
Blue Kiwi
Large-diaphragm solid-state condenser, multi-pattern (nine positions, omni to figure-8), dual-backplate B6 capsule, transformerless
Power Phantom +48 V DC (IEC 268-15).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −34.4 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 8.5 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 89%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 89%
- Max SPL
- 138 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 53%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 49%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1999
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 77% 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 52% 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.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 3.
"Kiwi • Cardioid" graph; dB scale +20 to -20, relative. Irregular (not logarithmic) frequency axis. 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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 3.
Polar plot in the "Kiwi • Cardioid" panel; rings labelled 5 to 25 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | B6: dual backplate, two single-backplate large-diaphragm capsules acoustically matched; a multi-pattern version of the B6 Bottle capsule"At the heart of the Kiwi is a multi-pattern variation of Blue's B6 Bottle microphone capsule ... two single backplate, large diaphragm capsules are acoustically matched ... a handcrafted and hand-tuned dual backplate capsule". | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −34.4 dBV/Pa (19 mV/Pa)Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from "19.0mV/Pa at 1kHz" (20 log10 0.019 = -34.4). Pattern not stated. | p. 4 |
| Self-noise | 8.5 dB(A)IEC 651. "Noise Level: 8.5dB-A (IEC 651)". | |
| Max SPL | 138 dB SPL2.5 kohm load, 0.5% THD. "138dB SPL (2.5kΩ, 0.5% THD)". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 85.5 dBA-weighted, IEC 651. "S/N Ratio: 85.5dB-A (IEC 651)". | |
| Dynamic range | 129.5 dB2.5 kohm. "Dynamic Range: 129.5dB (@2.5kΩ)". | |
| 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"Frequency Range: 20Hz – 20KHz". | |
| Powering | phantom +48 V DC (IEC 268-15)"+48V DC Phantom Power (IEC 268-15)". | |
| Weight | 880 g"Weight: 880g". | |
| Dimensions | 220 × 60 mm"Dimensions: 220mm x 60mm"; not said which is which (length × diameter, presumably). | |
| Supplied accessories | cherrywood storage box; The Shock shockmount"Included Accessories: Cherrywood storage box; The Shock, custom shockmount". | |
| Electronics | Solid state, transformerless | p. 2 |
| Pattern switch | Nine positions, at the rear of the body: omni, cardioid and figure-8 marked, with sub-cardioid steps between omni and cardioid and super-cardioid steps between cardioid and figure-8 | |
| Transport screws | Three brass set screws lock the capsule for shipping; remove them before use ("The Kiwi will not work properly if the security screws are not removed") | |
| Recommended accessories | The Pop (brass mesh pop filter); Kiwi, Cranberry or Blueberry mic cable; Robbie the Mic Pre (Class-A tube preamp) | p. 4 |
| Warranty | Three years from purchase (to the original, registered owner) | p. 1 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1999 | |
Documents
- Kiwi manual
- Blue Microphones Kiwi | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Blue Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.