Creating your streaming setup can be quite a task, especially if you lack experience in this field and are unsure about the most essential components of a setup.
While most people concentrate on acquiring the best camera, keyboard, and monitor, selecting a good microphone is crucial. If your audio quality is poor, viewers are unlikely to continue watching your stream. The Elgato Wave 3 and Blue Yeti are among the most popular choices, and many streamers use them. Both microphones are excellent, equipped with great features, and deliver outstanding audio quality, so you’ll need to determine which one is best suited for your needs.
Let’s compare the Elgato Wave 3 and the Blue Yeti to determine which one is superior!
Table of Contents
Specifications
While the Elgato Wave 3 and Blue Yeti are quite similar microphones, they do have some differences that may be significant for a professional streamer.
Here are some details and differences between them.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is the most important factor to consider when selecting the right microphone for a streaming setup. Although the sound quality is quite similar between these two options, there are differences that can significantly affect your streaming audio quality.
Blue Yeti is known for having four different patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional, and stereo. This variety immediately makes it appear to be a much better purchase.
While the sound quality on this microphone is smooth, versatile, and effectively eliminates background noise, these features are unnecessary, particularly for a typical streamer.
You won’t have to manage as many different environments and noises that require all of these patterns, which is why Blue Yeti mics are significantly more expensive than others.
However, they are beneficial if you want to record podcasts with multiple people simultaneously, Skype your colleagues or sponsors, and create the ultimate professional content.
Users also report that certain patterns, such as the stereo and bidirectional ones, can sound overly clear and even unnatural, which may create a strange feeling and deliver a sound that you didn’t truly desire.
Conversely, although the Elgato Wave 3 is simpler and features only a cardioid pattern, it is undoubtedly a superior choice for gaming and streaming, and you won’t have to spend a lot of time setting it up.
It features a Clipguard option that prevents saturation or clipping when a signal becomes too high, which is crucial during streams, as people often tend to overreact in certain situations.
Additionally, there is a high-pass filter that eliminates low-end sounds, allowing you to focus on your distance from the microphone while using the Elgato Wave 3.
The maximum bit rate of the Elgato mic is slightly lower, but it offers a much smoother and clearer sound, so don’t be surprised if it ends up sounding deeper than the Blue Yeti.
Its sample rate exceeds that of the Blue Yeti, which is essential for high-quality sound.
Additionally, the Elgato audio recording software offers numerous user-friendly features that enable you to control sound quality, making it more efficient and significantly easier to use than the well-known Blue Yeti mic.
Condenser Capsule
The condenser capsules on these two microphones are quite similar, particularly since both feature a cardioid pattern.
However, the Blue Yeti is slightly more complex because it features three additional patterns that may reduce the microphone’s sensitivity.
The Blue Yeti condenser capsule attempts to analyze a vast amount of information simultaneously, which may lead to issues with the cardioid pattern.
If you have a microphone with a cardioid pattern, such as the Elgato Wave 3, it will only be sensitive to sounds coming from the condenser capsule, delivering impeccable sound quality.
The Blue Yeti microphone can become overloaded with various sounds, particularly during streams. In contrast, the Elgato is much easier to use and significantly more practical, as it eliminates the need to reposition it or adjust different modes to achieve optimal sound.
However, if you frequently record streams or podcasts with multiple people simultaneously, the Blue Yeti is the ideal choice, as it captures all those sounds flawlessly.
Audio Recording Software
The Blue Yeti does not have a single audio recording software that is exclusively compatible with it. Instead, you will need to combine programs such as Audacity, Blue Sherpa, and Adobe Audition to achieve your desired results.
Some of them will manage the audio, assist you in adjusting the volume, eliminate sounds, or mute specific elements, while the Blue Sherpa will enable you to control the microphone.
The entire process is quite complicated, and if you wish to manage these settings during the stream, you will definitely need a considerable amount of time to accomplish it.
In contrast, the Elgato Wave 3 includes the original Elgato software known as Elgato Wave Link, which provides all the necessary settings and enables you to control the sound with ease.
It will enable you to manage audio input and output, adjust the volume on your headphones, and control everything from a single menu, allowing you to use it during the stream with minimal effort.
While the Blue Yeti offers many more options, it may be somewhat more complicated to use. If you lack the necessary skills or free time, you will likely find it challenging to manage all those options.
It enables you to blend sounds and create anything you desire, so if you have sufficient time and motivation, you could also use the Blue Yeti.
Design
Both the Blue Yeti and Elgato Wave 3 feature excellent designs; however, the Elgato is known to break easily, while the Blue Yeti is considerably sturdier. This sturdiness can pose challenges if you need to move it frequently.
The Blue Yeti mic is highly versatile and lightweight, allowing you to easily move it around during the stream.
It is also highly durable, so you won’t have to worry that a single drop to the floor will require you to buy a new mic.
Although the Elgato Wave 3 is impressive, its design presents significant issues, making it prone to damage. Therefore, you must handle it carefully and be mindful of how you move it to ensure its longevity.
Both devices feature LED lights that indicate the volume level and remaining battery life, which is a nice addition and will enhance the appearance of your stream as well.
They also feature detachable stands; however, the Elgato one is not very durable, so you need to be mindful of how you position and move it.
Both of these microphones come with a complete package, so you will receive a stand, boom arms, and everything necessary for an effective setup.
However, in terms of design, I would argue that the Blue Yeti mic is a clear winner and will last you significantly longer.
Connection
The Blue Yeti microphone is a USB microphone, allowing you to connect it to all your devices, whether a PC or a mobile phone, via Bluetooth and other wireless methods.
It functions effectively with all devices, but it offers special support for Mac OS, ensuring seamless compatibility with all your Apple devices.
Conversely, the Elgato Wave 3 is fully compatible with all software options and is a USB microphone, so you don’t need to worry about its compatibility with your device.
It will easily receive the signal, allowing you to hear everything clearly.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Elgato Wave 3 and Blue Yeti microphones are quite similar, with the most significant difference being their price.
Both of these microphones will deliver exceptional sound quality and offer you a flawless streaming experience. However, based on certain minor factors, you will need to determine which one will be easier for you to use.
Carefully read our guide, identify your microphone needs, and then determine which option will work best for you.
FAQ
How big is the difference between Elgato Wave 3 and Blue Yeti?
The difference between these microphones is similar to that betweenu003ca href=u0022https://streammentor.com/wave-1-vs-wave-3/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e Elgato Wave 1 vs Wave 3u003c/au003e, because they have almost the same features and are able to provide you with the same performance, but the latter one has a bit more options and features.
Is Elgato Wave 3 made for plug-and-play?
Yes, Elgato is a plug-and-play microphone, but you will need to install the original Wave link software to connect it and use all of the features.
Do I need a pop filter for Elgato and Blue Yeti?
Although the sound quality is excellent on both of these mics, if you want everything to sound smooth and eliminate any noises, then I would advise you to purchase a special pop filter.
