Blue Microphones THE KICKBALL, Specifications

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Great, so now I’m ready to go! How do I get the most out of my Kickball?
The following application hints are intended to give you a good starting point to get the most out
of this unique audio tool both in the studio and on stage. As with all applications however, there
are no rules, only guidelines. Trust your gear and trust your ears. If it
sounds good, it is good!
On Stage
These mic placement recommendations apply to the studio as well as the stage
but with one caveat. Due to the lack of acoustic isolation in the live environment,
it is generally desirable to employ “close-miking” techniques to achieve better
separation between instruments and to avoid monitor bleed, which can cause
feedback problems. However, you may want to experiment with The Kickball on
stage as well. Due to its anti-resonant ABS shell and spherical shape, The Kickball
exhibits excellent off-axis rejection and feedback suppression characteristics,
opening up a whole new world of sound reinforcement miking possibilities.
The Kickball utilizes a bass frequency switch allowing three distinct low-frequency
equalization curves. The switch is located directly above the Kickball’s XLR output
jack. This circuit is based on a unique active RC filter that attenuates sub-bass (below
20Hz) frequencies and contours the low end without any noticeable phase distor-
tion. Begin with the switch in the center position. If less bass is required, move the
switch to the left (minus); if more bass is required, move the switch to the right
(plus). We recommend experimenting with these bass settings to find your ideal sound.
Kick Drum, Floor Tom, Tympani, Large Percussion Instruments
The Kickball’s high SPL capability and excellent transient response offer numerous
advantages when miking drums. Floor toms and tympani in particular benefit from