USB mics can be convenient, incorporating microphone, preamp and A/D converters in the same package - you just plug them into your computer and get on with recording. The other side of the coin, though, is that you're getting fewer options than with a separate mic and audio interface and possibly less quality in the case of a budget USB mic.

Blue's new Yeti Pro, however, ought to show none of the downsides as it offers high-quality A/D conversion with 24-bit/192 kHz digital recording resolution via USB and also has an analogue XLR output so you can use a separate preamp/audio interface route to your computer if you wish.

In Use

Looking like a miniature R2D2, the Yeti Pro can sit by your computer on its robust stand and swivel through a range of angles for recording, but is equally at home on a conventional mic stand.

Four selectable pickup patterns - cardioid, omni, stereo and figure-of-eight - courtesy of the mic's three condenser capsules facilitate tackling a wide variety of recording tasks such as an ensemble performance in stereo, backing singers clustered around it, and everyday vocal and acoustic guitar duties.

The captured sound is full-bodied, clear and precise and the inbuilt headphone monitoring system offers zero-latency monitoring with instant control over the volume level.