NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces the second generation Mikey Portable Recorder for iPod and iPhone. Building upon the award-winning audio technology developed for the original Mikey, the second generation is certified for iPod and undergoing iPhone certification, featuring improved circuitry for superior recording and enhanced new features.

“The second generation Mikey is a natural next step for Blue as we continue to expand our consumer audio line to provide the highest-quality portable audio on the market,” said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. “With the new Mikey and the Yeti, the world’s first THX®-Certified mic, Blue brings portable and USB recording to the next level.”

Like the original, Mikey features two custom-tuned Blue capsules for professional-quality stereo recording capabilities. To accompany its sleek new design, Mikey features an improved acoustic circuit that allows for higher quality recordings of high-volume events, like concerts. This next generation Mikey is pending iPhone certification to accompany the already-achieved iPod certification.

The second generation Mikey also boasts a 3.5mm line-input for direct recording of other sound sources such as a guitar or mixer along with a USB pass-thru connection to allow for simultaneous charging and syncing. The updated case design makes Mikey compatible with most protective cases and now features a 230-degree range of adjustability with seven detent positions for perfect positioning. Additionally, the new Mikey comes with a soft carrying pouch for convenient protection and portability. Blue also provides a headphone extension cable for instant playback monitoring when using iPod Touch and iPod Nano.

To complete the mobile audio experience, Blue recently announced Blue FiRe, a free, high-fidelity field recording app for iPhone and iPod touch that is now available from the App Store. Developed in partnership with Audiofile Engineering, the Blue FiRe App is optimized for the second generation Mikey – enabling users to have a complete, high-quality mobile recording experience.

The new Mikey, MSRP $99.99, will be available in the spring of 2010.

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Flagship condenser mic brings studio quality to the stage. Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces their flagship live stage vocal microphone, the en•CORE 300. This new high-end mic follows the successful September 2009 launch of the en•CORE 100 dynamic and en•CORE 200 active dynamic mics and contains the latest proprietary Blue technology with a unique look sure to enhance any performance.

The en•CORE 300 is built upon Blue’s heritage of crafting top studio microphones, which begins with a custom-tuned condenser capsule. This proprietary capsule is mounted on a rubber suspension system and coupled with a matched, phantom powered preamp circuit. The result is vocal clarity and vibrancy with consistent tone and low noise, regardless of the cable length on stage.

“The en•CORE 300 is the next best thing to bringing our top studio mics on stage,” said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. “When the recording session ends, singers can now enjoy the same Blue sound they get in the studio, gig after gig.”

In traditional Blue style, the en•CORE 300 has a unique look all its own, but the design serves more than just aesthetics. en•CORE’s Arched Airways are comfortable to grip while maximizing air volume in the capsule chamber, reducing the harsh or unpleasant sound quality often resulting from gripping the microphone at different locations. Allowing more ‘open air’ or volume that surrounds the top and bottom of the capsule reduces in-chamber resonances, resulting in a more natural, present, and open sound.

A must in any stage microphone, the en•CORE 300 is built to handle the rigors of the road with a reinforced chassis that doubles as a protective ‘exoskeleton’ for the capsule, a heavy-gauge zinc barrel grip to protect microphone components and reduce resonance, and electro-plated steel parts and hardened paint finishes for maximum scratch resistance.

The en•CORE 300 will be available in February 2010 for $199 MSRP at authorized Blue Microphone retailers.

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, has expanded their en•CORE live stage microphone series with the addition of the en•CORE 100i, a versatile and rugged instrument microphone.

“With the en•CORE 100i, we have taken our stage vocal mic technology and tailored it to instrument applications,” said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. “Now, the entire band and background vocalists can enjoy the quality and capabilities of the en•CORE series, whether it’s in a club, church, or stadium.”

The en•CORE 100i gets its technology and rugged good looks from the en•CORE 100 dynamic vocal microphone, but is designed with a wider and flatter frequency response to capture a variety of instruments and tighter polar pattern to reduce off-axis noise. The mic is built around Blue’s proprietary dynamic capsule with a custom-designed diaphragm and coil windings that are matched to a tuned acoustic circuit, custom-built transformer for low noise, and high-pass filter to reduce stage rumble. These matched components provide an accurate and consistent sound even at high volume levels on stage.

While sporting a smaller grille for easy placement in tight spaces, the 100i shares the same road-worthy build as the en•CORE 100 and 200, with a reinforced guard ring to protect the capsule, heavy cast zinc barrel for incredible strength, and electroplated and hardened paint finishes for scratch resistance. Small side vents add to the unique look of the en•CORE 100i while reducing resonances inside the capsule chamber and aiding in low frequency response.

The en•CORE 100i will be available in February 2010 for $89 MSRP at authorized Blue Microphone retailers.

Westlake Village, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, has hired industry veteran Dino Virella as Director of Global Sales ­ Professional Products. “With our expansion into the live market segment and some exciting things coming on the studio side, the timing for bringing in Dino couldn’t be better,” said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. “His energy and experience will help us deepen our key relationships as well as help in building new ones.”

Virella comes to Blue having served in key sales and marketing roles at a number of prominent professional audio companies such as Digidesign, Focusrite, Harmon International (AKG), and Emu Systems. An excellent presenter and motivator, Virella brings his award-winning multi-lingual sales and marketing expertise to Blue and will be responsible for reseller channel development and management and building a focused sales team as Blue expands into new professional markets.

“I’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Blue Microphones over many years,” said Virella. “Now that I’m officially a team member, I’m looking forward to working with the creative minds at Blue to increase their worldwide presence. Their outstanding reputation for innovation and sound quality has no equal.”

Virella will be based in Blue Microphone’s Westlake Village, California headquarters.

Westlake Village, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — ­ Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces Yeti, the first THX® Certified microphone. The latest addition to Blue’s new consumer line, the Yeti is the ultimate USB microphone for professional recording. The Yeti features:

• The first USB mic to offer Blue’s premium condenser capsules in a proprietary triple capsule array for the highest quality, most versatile audio recording capability
• After rigorous lab testing, THX certification affirms the ultimate in recording and playback fidelity thanks to superior design and quality
• Four patterns (Omni, Cardioid, Stereo, Bidirectional) for incredible versatility and superior results in any situation
• Studio quality performance and features, with zero latency, amplified headphone monitoring, microphone mute, and hardware-based gain adjustment

Yeti is the first microphone to offer the quality and range of versatility to produce the best quality recordings in a wide range of situations, including podcasts, vocals, live or event recording, interviews, broadcasts, instruments, bands and more.

“Blue Microphones recognizes THX as a benchmark within the industry for professional audio production and playback. We are honored to be recognized as their first partner for audio input,” says John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. “Blue strives to provide the highest quality sound for both professionals and consumers alike and we are proud to provide such recognized quality with the new Yeti, the world’s first THX Certified microphone.”

Building upon the technology foundation established by the award-winning Snowball USB microphone, Yeti adds four distinct pattern modes, a zero-latency headphone output with volume control for direct monitoring, adjustable microphone gain control and a mute button. The Yeti’s angle can be adjusted on its custom-designed desk stand. Following suit with the rest of Blue’s desktop products, the Yeti features driverless installation and works with both PC and Mac.

“The THX Certified Yeti from Blue Microphones provides aspiring artists a recording solution that combines quality, usability and convenience for a wide range of audio applications,” explains Matthew Chrispen, director of certification at THX. “THX testing and certification ensures the fidelity of the recording always remains true to its source, allowing artists to accurately capture voice-overs, interviews and other sound elements with confidence.”

The Yeti, MSRP $149.99, will be available beginning December 2009, at Apple, CompUSA, Fry’s Electronics, Guitar Center, other fine pro-audio and consumer electronics retailers and online at Amazon.com. For complete details, visit www.bluemic.com.

About Blue Microphones
Blue Microphones creates and markets award-winning microphones and accessories for audio professionals, musicians and consumers. Founded in 1995, with headquarters in Westlake Village, California, Blue continues to lead the way with cutting-edge design and technological innovation. Our complete line of audio innovation ranges from our flagship recording tool, the Bottle, to our stylish Snowflake, the first professional quality portable USB mic.

About THX Ltd.
From the big screen to your screen, THX ignites your passion for exciting entertainment experiences. Founded by George Lucas and recognized by audiences around the globe, THX is synonymous with the design and certification of world-class cinemas, premium audio systems, HDTVs, and blockbuster movies and games. Products featuring THX defy convention and define quality in their class, whether in the cinema, home or on the road.

Westlake Village, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, has launched enCORE, a new series of microphones that bring their heritage of high-quality studio microphones to the stage. The enCORE 100, 200, and 300 models are designed and priced for any live application from the rehearsal space and coffee shop to the auditorium and stadium.

Blue’s entry into the live microphone market brings modern microphone technology with a proven track record in professional studio recording and combines it with a rugged build, individual style, and quality components to help vocalists and musicians sound and look their best on stage.

The new enCORE series microphones are the result of years of research designed to bring Blue’s legendary studio sound to the stage, starting with their exclusive Aria Capsule. Every element of the Aria Capsule is precisely matched and tuned to achieve a detailed and clear sound. To protect the capsule, the enCORE Series feature the thickest steel grills on the market along with an oversized reinforcement ring. Further adding to their ruggedness are heavy, precision-machined cast-zinc bodies, which have been tested to perform uniformly after dropping, throwing, and even being run over by a 7-ton truck.

When asked about the new enCORE line, Skipper Wise, one of the founders of Blue Microphones said, “We’ve always focused our microphones on the artist and their needs and applications. It’s only natural that we would follow them out of the studio and on the road with a product that will give them that great Blue sound every night on stage.”

The enCORE 100 is a studio-grade dynamic microphone featuring Blue’s custom-tuned Aria dynamic capsule. This is a go anywhere, do anything mic that offers vocalists and musicians great versatility and value as well as the unique style Blue is renowned for in a rugged package.

The enCORE 200 adds Blue’s Active Dynamic circuitry and output transformer, coupling the ruggedness and high SPL handling of a dynamic mic with the consistency and low noise of a phantom powered mic. This best of both worlds approach builds upon a proven Blue technology first made popular by the company’s Ball Series microphones.

The enCore 300 is the flagship of the series and offers vocalists uncompromised performance featuring a hand-selected Blue ARIA condenser capsule with a matched pre-amp and phantom power circuit, a tuned enclosure, and Blue’s proprietary reinforced chassis, which controls airflow around the capsule for unparalleled vocal control and a natural, open sound, no matter how the artist holds the microphone.

enCORE microphones recently made their professional stage debut and are already the mic of choice in notable music clubs such as The Highline Ballroom, The Viper Room and The Troubadour in Los Angeles.

Price and Availability
The enCORE 100 and 200 microphones will be available at authorized music retailers in October 2009. The enCORE 300 will be available in late 2009.
enCORE 100 – $99.99 MSRP
enCORE 200 – $149.99 MSRP
enCORE 300 – $199.99 MSRP.

Westlake Village, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, has hired industry veteran John Maier as Chief Executive Officer. Maier makes the move after nearly 7 years as CEO of TC Group Americas, working with such brands as Tannoy, TC Electronic, Lab.gruppen, TC-Helicon, Dynaudio Acoustics and Linn Electronics.

Maier joins Blue with the charter of building on 15 years of success and recent exponential growth following their acquisition last year by private equity firm Transom Capital Group. In addition to Blue’s well established pro audio product line, Maier will oversee the company’s growing consumer electronics product lines as well as their entry into new markets.

“While recent efforts to strengthen our infrastructure and accelerate product development have really grown the business over the past year, we think we’re just scratching the surface,” said Russ Roenick, Director at Transom Capital Group. “Now is the perfect time for someone with John’s experience and know-how to capitalize on the work we’ve done and lead our growth going forward.”

Maier brings extensive audio industry experience and success to his new position. In addition to his time with TC Group Americas, he has spent time in the retail side of the industry as the Pro Audio Buyer for Guitar Center, the MI industry’s largest retail chain, and gained valuable sales and marketing experience in Director positions at Alesis Electronics and Sound Marketing. Maier holds a Business Management degree from California Lutheran University where he graduated with honors.

“It’s been exciting to watch Blue’s growth and innovation over the years,” said Maier when asked about his new position. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of leading the company through this next phase of growth.”

Maier will be based in Blue Microphone’s Westlake Village, California headquarters.

For more information, visit www.bluemic.com.

About Blue Microphones

Headquartered in Westlake Village, California Blue Microphones is commonly referenced as “the microphone company of today” because of their unique philosophy— to meld the lessons of the past with the technology of today, leading to continuous innovation in the field of audio recording. In short, Blue does not imitate the past— they improve upon it. Blue has an award-winning line of microphones and accessories and is recognized as one of the top brands in the industry.

Recently, Blue launched a new line of products targeted at the consumer mass market, including Mikey, a recording device made for the iPod, and Eyeball, the world’s first HD audio/video webcam. For more information, please visit bluemic.com.

Westlake Village, Calif. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone design and technology, announces the movie debut of its Mouse microphone, which appears in the new Star Trek movie (released May 8). Over 30 Mouse mics were used in the filming of Star Trek, all of which can be seen on the podiums during the key “Academy Probation Hearings” of the film.

Both Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) use the Mouse microphone in the film. The 24th century design of the Mouse especially fits the style of the technology in the Star Trek universe.

“We are honored to have our Mouse microphone named the ‘official mic’ of Star Fleet Academy. It’s heartening to see that Blue will be around in Star Date 2387, and that we will be the official microphone of courtrooms across the galaxy,” said Skipper Wise, President of Blue Microphones.

Here on Earth, the Mouse’s hand-tuned capsule is specifically designed to capture the thundering lows of bass and baritone vocals and low-end instrument sources. Enclosed within a rotating spherical grille, the capsule can also be positioned and adjusted into the smallest of spaces for applications where versatility is paramount. The Mouse is perfectly suited for kick drums, acoustic bass, electric bass amplifiers, snare drums, broadcast and voiceover work, and any other sources where accurate reproduction of low frequency transients is vital.

About Blue Microphones

Headquartered in Westlake Village, California Blue Microphones is commonly referenced as “the microphone company of today” because of our unique philosophy— to meld the lessons of the past with the technology of today, leading to continuous innovation in the field of audio recording. In short, Blue does not imitate the past— we improve upon it. Blue has an award-winning line of microphones and accessories and is recognized as one of the top brands in the industry. Recently, Blue has launched a new line of products targeted at the consumer mass market, including Mikey, a recording device made for the iPod, and Eyeball, the world’s first HD audio/video webcam. For more information, please visit bluemic.com.