Blue Icicle XLR to USB Converter for Dynamic & Condenser Microphones
Brand | Blue Microphones |
Item Weight | 0.1 Kilograms |
Connector Type | USB, XLR Connector |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 8 x 5 x 8 inches |
Output Voltage | 48 Volts |
About this item
- Built-in mic preamp with analog mic gain control
- 48V phantom power
- Fully Balanced, low noise front end
- Driverless operation
- Usb cable included
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Product information
Item Weight | 3.52 ounces |
---|---|
Product Dimensions | 8 x 5 x 8 inches |
ASIN | B001EW5YQS |
Item model number | ICICLE |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #44,387 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #78 in Microphone Preamps |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | May 13, 2007 |
Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
Connector Type | USB, XLR Connector |
Color Screen | No |
Power Source | Corded Electric |
Voltage | 240 Volts |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
What's in the box
Product Description
Product Description
ICICLE is an all-in-one professional quality USB converter and mic preamp that allows you to connect any XLR microphone directly to your computer. ICICLE works with both dynamic and condenser microphones, providing high quality and hassle free connectivity on Mac or PC. Plug and play - no driver install required.
Amazon.com
The Icicle is Blue's new stylish USB converter and mic preamp combo that allows you to connect any XLR microphone directly into your computer via USB. The Icicle features a studio quality microphone preamp, 48V phantom power, fully balanced low noise front end, analog gain control, and driverless operation.
Connect any XLR microphone directly into your computer via USB. Click to enlarge.
Use with dynamic and condenser mics thanks to 48V phantom power.
Make Any Mic a USB Mic
The Icicle works with both dynamic and condenser microphones, providing high quality and hassle-free connectivity with Mac or PC. Whether you're using a microphone for digital recording, podcasting, voice messaging, or voice recognition applications, the Icicle is the quick and easy way to get connected.
Plug and Record
Simply plug in the USB cable and your mic will be live--no special driver installation is required.
Quality and Simplicity
The Icicle features a built-in, studio-quality mic preamp, along with a fully balanced, low-noise analog front end to send a clear signal via USB.
It also supplies 48V Phantom Power for condenser mics.
On the control front, the Icicle keeps it simple, with a single analog volume level control.
What's in the Box
Blue Icicle, 6-foot USB Cable
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, ease of use, and value of the power supply. For example, they mention it works well, is easy to figure out, and is a true plug-and-play solution. Some appreciate the phantom power. That said, opinions are mixed on quality, sound quality, weight, and cord.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the power supply. They say it works well, is effective, and is a perfect tool for musicians. Some mention that it's a great little piece of hardware and is portable.
"...If it didn't work, I was going to return it. So far, it works like a charm. I do online training development and do LOTS of voice work...." Read more
"...owned this product for about a year already and it is still working completely fine; although, there was a few technical issues I had to figure out..." Read more
"...The results were great. There was little noise and a clearly audible waveform...." Read more
"...And the price is right for me.It did NOT work on the first computer I tried, running Windows 7 Home Premium, with Windows showing some..." Read more
Customers find the power supply easy to use and figure out. They mention it's simple, plug-in setup, and a quick and easy solution. Customers also say that the interface is simple but efficient. They say it'll set up in seconds and work right out of the box. Customers appreciate the tech support.
"...It worked immediately -- true plug-and-play -- on Windows Vista.I wrote up the Windows 7 problem using the Blue Microphones web site...." Read more
"...It set up in seconds and worked right out of the box. I had to work on the levels both within Windows and on the device itself...." Read more
"...Pros:-It works-The adjustable knob for the gain is very handy and makes it easier to adjust the volume on the fly...." Read more
"Simple to use just plug it into your computer and plug your XLR mic into the other end and you are set...." Read more
Customers like the value of the power supply. They say it is a fantastic product for its price, works well, and is good for someone on a budget. Customers also mention that it has a clean sound and decent quality for the price. They also say it's a great tool for low budget home recording.
"...And the price is right for me...." Read more
"...What I can safely say is, for the cheap price, the unit manages to produce an output that has a very high gain and runs virtually flat while..." Read more
"...3. It is cheaper than most of the competition and has better sound than anything in the same price range.4. It has a built in gain dial5...." Read more
"...Other than that, this is a fantastic product for its price, and the quality really is second to none in its price range." Read more
Customers like the phantom power of the power supply. For example, they say it provides the best phantasm power for their AT2020 and powered mice. The quality of the product is great and it works well as a phan tom power source for their condenser mic. The 48 volt power supply powers the mic amazingly and provides an efficient amount of power.
"...Works well with Condenser Mics. Has 48v Phantom Power. Runs solely off USB (No need for a wall wart).Cons: Very plastic...." Read more
"...even the least sensitive dynamic microphones, and it provides phantom power for condenser mics...." Read more
"...You cannot get a better deal. The phantom power works like a charm. I LOVE THE PRODUCT!" Read more
"...I suspect it is providing a low phantom voltage too, its gain is very weak...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the power supply. Some mention that the overall build quality is ok, the plastic body feels durable, and the microphone works fine. However, others say that the case is made of thin flimsy plastic, the body seems fragile, and takes a beating.
"Let's get this out of the way, first: Yes the case is made of thin flimsy plastic, and it doesn't look like it can handle drops to the floor...." Read more
"...after using the little pre-amp knob to boost the input, the microphone has worked great...." Read more
"...you will likely need to buy one every year or so as the plastic chassis takes a beating." Read more
"...The Blue Icicle contributed no noticeable noise and the preamp was adequate for my purposes. Some users have commented on the lack of gain...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the power supply. Some mention that the sound is clear, and the recordings are good. The audio output sinewaves show up very clean and accurate under an oscilloscope. However, others say that it wasn't as loud as they would have liked, and that the noise introduced a ton of it. They also say that the product makes the sound a wee bit less clear sounding, but not super muddled.
"...Sound quality is broadcast-acceptable.Previously, I had used an XLR to 1/4" adapter, coupled with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter...." Read more
"...that have had this same problem, but there was a noticeable hissing noise coming through...." Read more
"...Audio output sinewaves show up very clean and accurate under an oscilloscope, with peaks at 90 degrees (which is a good sign)...." Read more
"...It worked with every app and the sound is great...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the weight of the power supply. Some mention it's very light, not bulky, and extremely portable. They also say the plastic design makes it light, but it'll be impractical for heavy use. That said, some say it'd be better if it was made of metal.
"...I found the Blue Icicle unexpectedly light in weight...." Read more
"...Build Quality: 5/10 ~ Cheap and flimsy material. The item feels very light and is kind of off-putting when you first pick it up...." Read more
"...-It's light weight, and the big glowing Icicle logo lets me know it's getting the proper power.Cons:..." Read more
"...It does feel light weight and the signal was a little lower than i thought (as many reviews said) and that is the only reason i didn't give it 5..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the cord. Some mention it's a great USB converter to XLR mic preamp with phantom power to power a condenser. However, others say that it occasionally doesn't register as a USB device and requires a driver to work. The USB input is a Mini.
"...I actually got the idea when the Icicle began losing its USB connection (with the original cable) whenever I moved it around a lot...." Read more
"...Works well with Condenser Mics. Has 48v Phantom Power. Runs solely off USB (No need for a wall wart).Cons: Very plastic...." Read more
"...The build quality isn't the greatest since its plastic. The usb port moved a little when you shook it slowly, and the XLR port is also made of..." Read more
"Great price for what you are getting. Recording via a USB port ROCKS!!!! The only thing that could maybe be improved is the durability...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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It did NOT work on the first computer I tried, running Windows 7 Home Premium, with Windows showing some confusion about the driver.
It worked immediately -- true plug-and-play -- on Windows Vista.
I wrote up the Windows 7 problem using the Blue Microphones web site. I received a quick reply (within a day), with step-by-step instructions for installing the mic. (I had to deviate slightly from the instructions as I followed them. That didn't bother me -- I'm used to unexpected changes in Control Panel navigation over time.) Here's the instructions I received -- they're close enough:
1. Go to your Start menu and open up your Control Panel
2. In control panel open up “Hardware and Sound”
3. In “Hardware and Sound” menu, open up the “Device Manager” under the “Devices and Printers” menu.
4. In “Device Manager” open the “Sound, Video, and Game controllers tab.
5. There should be a device that says “USB Multi-Channel Audio Device”. Right click it and select “Update Driver Software”
6. Select “Browse my computer for driver software”
7. Select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer”
8. Select “USB Audio Device”. Hit Next
9. You should get a prompt that says installing driver.
10. Then you should see the message “Windows has successfully updated your driver software”
11. Your mic should now be showing up under “Control Panel/Hardware and Sound/Sound” in the recording tab as “USB Audio Device”
In a followup email, the support tech added: "Yes, there’s some glitch in Windows 7 specifically that causes the Icicle sometimes to be recognized as a multi-channel device instead of a single channel device, and that causes the firmware to malfunction because it’s looking for more than one channel of audio for some reason."
Anyhow, after using the little pre-amp knob to boost the input, the microphone has worked great. Unlike some other reviewers, I like the simplicity of the control -- there's only one thing you can do, and that's all I need. I'm a news reporter for an independent FM radio station, and I work from home a lot, using Adobe Audition as my recording software. Sound quality is broadcast-acceptable.
Previously, I had used an XLR to 1/4" adapter, coupled with a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. But that put too much strain on a computer's mic input, and had to be propped up, if it worked at all. This has been a great alternative.
I'm using it with a Behringer ecm8000 mic and Real Time Analyzer (RTA) software (on my laptop running WindowsXP PRO SP3) to precisely tune notch filters and speaker crossover networks and it works perfectly. Audio output sinewaves show up very clean and accurate under an oscilloscope, with peaks at 90 degrees (which is a good sign). No hissing sounds at all, it's very quiet with a mic connected, high frequency-spectrum wise. For the record, I bought a usb to Toslink output adapter to connect to the amplifier because integrated laptop/PC sound cards are usually noisy as hell.
I think some people are using mics with very low sensitivity or crappy output sources (e.g. cheesy soundcards, amps, receivers or multimedia speakers), or even lousy, improperly shielded mic cables and blaming the unit, but who knows. What I can safely say is, for the cheap price, the unit manages to produce an output that has a very high gain and runs virtually flat while covering the entire audio spectrum.
WINDOW7 FUNCTIONALITY(updated):
At first, it didn't work with WINDOWS7 x64 Ultimate. I kept getting a message about not being able to find a driver. And at the time the Icicle website made no mention of Windows 7 compatibility (2 months later, they are saying it's compatible with XP, VISTA and Windows 7). After nearly giving up, I found my old USB motorola cell phone charger cable lying around and noticed it had a similar mini-usb header to the that of the Icicle's. I connected the Icicle using the motorola cable into my Windows 7 PC, and to my surprise it was recognized. I actually got the idea when the Icicle began losing its USB connection (with the original cable) whenever I moved it around a lot. Could it be the dinky looking USB cable included with the Icile causing intermittent disconnects or driver problems with Windows 7? I'm really not sure at this point. What I can say is that the Blue Icicle seems 100% reliable when used with the old Motorola USB cable. Perhaps the Motorola cable makes better contact or has better shielding--who knows. (I'm inclined to cut away the white insulation of the original Icicle cable just see if it's shielded to the USB's electrical ground source. It wouldn't be the first time I find an unshielded USB cable. Then again, it might be the mini-USB header causing the problem.)
I heard that the device may wear over time. I am guessing that this is isolated to the users who throw it into a back pack with their Macbook or laptop. I am using it on a desktop. Once I set it I placed it behind the CPU and I don't imagine it will ever "break" or "wear out" back there.
I highly recommend this device and have been very happy with its performance.
I do not recommend throwing it into a laptop bag on a regular basis. It is mostly plastic and does not seem wildly durable. If you do have this application need, you will likely need to buy one every year or so as the plastic chassis takes a beating.
Top reviews from other countries
As other reviewers have noted, the Blue Icicle preamp looks and feels rather plasticky (it is!), but the connectors are sound, the basic gain control works (I've got it turned right up to +40db) and it loads up easily in Windows10 through a powered USB port, and appears under the Sound control of Control Panel. That's a good place to test that it's working as it has a little recording sound level widget.
It comes with a 2m mini-USB-USB line: the mini-USB is somewhat dated (re micro-USB), but I think actually is a better fitting connector that doesn't work itself loose.
Very pleased with the end results: accurate measurements!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2019
As other reviewers have noted, the Blue Icicle preamp looks and feels rather plasticky (it is!), but the connectors are sound, the basic gain control works (I've got it turned right up to +40db) and it loads up easily in Windows10 through a powered USB port, and appears under the Sound control of Control Panel. That's a good place to test that it's working as it has a little recording sound level widget.
It comes with a 2m mini-USB-USB line: the mini-USB is somewhat dated (re micro-USB), but I think actually is a better fitting connector that doesn't work itself loose.
Very pleased with the end results: accurate measurements!
I have Universal Audio Apollo Twin MK2 interface...which has good preamps but its not alway possible to lug around an interface thats not bus powered u see...enter the Blue Microphones Icicle...now after looking for USB mics which can match my Aston Spirit Condenser mic, and being utterly disappointed in their Price to performance area (AT2020 mic 8k....AT 2020 USB mic 15k) i came across this solution ... and though i was skeptical, i went with my intuition and ordered it...and boy...has it made my life easy.....recording a scratch at 2 am in my bedroom was never easier...or even recording in my car!!! Yes...is not amazing in the preamp department...but its still relatively very low on noise compared to a shit budget interface... besides you just need to record a scratch urgently ... not put stuff on radio ... it does its job well and although its not built like a tank, and has a plastic build...but its non fussy... plug n play. just got it running out of the box in less than a minute on logic pro X and mac book pro. Go for it i say!
Gute Qualität, schönes Licht bei Nacht und sehr gute Tonqualität! Empfehlenswert, solange man nicht auf bestimmte Einstellungen aus ist.