If any company knows mics for the Mac, it’s Blue Microphones. The company’s latest design is Nessie Adaptive USB Microphone ($100), currently available exclusively through Apple. As we’ve come to expect, the USB-based mic is a great-looking peripheral, and it has some unique functionality that makes it ideal for whatever kind of audio you’re recording. It packs a single cardioid condenser capsule inside a shock mount with a pop filter, eliminating or reducing unwanted sounds.
The “adaptive” in the title refers to the fact that Nessie automatically detects the audio it’s picking up, and adapts the recording to the instruments, vocals, or whatever else it might be hearing. It also does automatic sound processing and enhancement. And just like most USB microphones we’ve previously seen for Macs, if you’re using an iPad, Apple’s Lighting to USB Camera Adapter will let you use the mic with GarageBand and other audio apps.
