To make great recordings, you've got to have great microphones - but most great microphones cost a great amount of money. That's where Blue comes in; the company has been making excellent-sounding microphones, tailor-made to sound perfect in recording situations. And though some of Blue's mics go for top dollar, they've recently made a real effort to bring their technology down into an affordable price range.

That brings us to , the latest mic from . For less than two bills, you get a cardioid microphone that is quiet, sounds great,and has surprising flexibility. Spark is a medium-diaphragm mic, which means it bridges the gap between large- and small-diaphragm designs and is useful in many situations. It features custom electronics that provide a pro "finished" sound before you even touch an EQ or a compressor. The mic comes in a nice wooden case that also holds the included shockmount and pop filter.

To increase Spark's flexibility, Blue added a Focus switch. When this switch is disengaged (out), the mic has full-range response, with fat bottom end, rich mids, and articulate top end. But, push the Focus button in, and the sound jumps forward with extra presence. There's also tighter bottom end, which allows the sound to sit well in a dense track.

Though Spark works well on many sources - acoustic and electric guitar, percussion, and more - I really enjoyed using it on vocals. There's a nice top end that provides excellent detail on any source, but it doesn't get harsh or overly sibilant.

At this price, you can't go wrong. Spark gives you professional sound, and it's flexible and great looking to boot! Call your Sales Engineer now for more information!