Blue Microphones Dragonfly Deluxe

I have been recording on an amateur basis since 1996. When BLUE initially began selling mics in the US, I purchased a Dragonfly (standard). Through a stroke of luck, I was able to acquire 2 Dragonfly Deluxe mics. I would not trade them for a U-87, U,-147, etcetera... Not only do they sound beautiful in so many ways, but their physical appearance (elegant lines and real gold trimming) exudes beauty that INSPIRES MUSICANS to perform better. I subscribe to the philosophy that performance quality outweighs fidelity in making a great recording. My Dragonflies improve both perforamance and fidelity when I record. That's something that most mics, no matter how expensive, cannot touch. Well done, BLUE! Happy Tracking!

-Christopher

I've been a recording engineer for 14 years. I've recorded everything from acoustic to hip hop. My arsenal includes a variety of boutique gear and high end mics, pres, etc. Currently, I record direct to DAW, but not after passing through a slew of only the best tube and solid state gear, with the best mics available. My monitors are Mackie 824's in a room professionally tuned.

This mic is essentially a BLUE Dragonfly with a U67 capsule. DAMN what a difference the capsule makes. The time-tested capsule coupled with the clean, class A elecronics makes this one of the best mics I've ever heard at any price. In fact, before I decided to buy this mic, I auditioned it against the U87, a BLUE refurbished C-12, and a couple of other mics in the $800-$1500 range that were not even worth remembering. I used the Deluxe on vocals and acoustic guitar. On vocals, it was as good or better than the U87, depending on which vocal was in front of it. The Deluxe had a certain sparkle that the U87 lacked on some vocals, but NOT AT ALL HARSH! Passed the key jangle test with flying colors too. I would choose the Deluxe over the U87 on acoustic any day of the week, hands down. The Deluxe, on guitar, sounded like someone had taken the U87 and had the best engineer in the world tweek the console EQ until it was perfect. Oh, by the way, this mic takes EQ like Ali can take a beating. Tweak away! It can handle it, no problem.

I'm 18, I've been recording music for only 2 years now, however I am classically trained in piano, so I have a good ear.

I'm 2 years through a 4 yr audio engineering degree, so my recording experience in limited, however I don't think that affects my opinion on the gear I have used. I've recorded in a professional studio built by INXS (some of Australia's top bands have used this studio in the past). The gear includes Manley Pre's and compressors, Lexicon 480L, SSL analogue console, Studer 2" 24trk tape machine, Protools HD1, and a standard mic collection - U87s, km184s, km140s, AKG D112, sm57s, 421s, and a pair of NT2's and NT1A's.

For my home studio I use Protools 002, using either the digi pre's or TL Audio 5051 preamp.

I have a pair of Alesis Monitors (average), and Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones.

This mic is a special mic. This is NOT the standard Dragonfly mic, IT IS DIFFERENT. It looks identical to the dragonfly, but the the capsule is different.
The capsule used is a Gold Membrane capsule, used in the Kiwi microphone (blue's top of the line solid state mic), and in replacement U87's and U67's. This mic is 1 of 275 available.

It is a condenser, with a cardioid polar pattern, and no other features. This works for and against it. A bass roll off is not really needed, however a pad and multiple polar patterns would make this the ultimate rival to a mic such as a U87, which I'd still regard as a better mic simply because it is more applicable as it has a pad and multiple polar patterns, but it is also more expensive.

The Dragonfly deluxe is perfect for my home recording. It gets used mainly on Vocals, Acoustic GTR, GTR amps, and a 9ft2 Ebach grand piano.

This mic sounds amazing in my opinion. It certainly shows up the Rode NT4 (a stereo mic) on acoustic guitars. The mic capsures everything, and ensures that if it is a quality sound before the mic, then it'll be just as good after the mic. Perhaps not the best mic if you are trying to change a sound. It has a very real sound, slightly enhanced perhaps. I most notice this on vocals. Vocals just sound amazing. Period. I've used this on low male vocals, Mid/high range male vocals, and female vocals, all with great success.

Proximity Effect is no problem in terms of an un-natural boost in the bass response. It provides a nice sound in the bottom range. It doesn't enhance, just rounds off nicely.

As stated before, the fact the mic has no pad and only a cardioid polar pattern does restrict this mic, but it does bring down the price.

The rotating capsule (yes, a capsule that actually rotates) makes it rediculously easy to position the mic, and the shock mount that comes as part of the mic is a bonus as well. It does exactly what a shockmount should do, and you don't have to pay $150 more for it.

I honestly recommend this mic to anyone who will use it in a similar application - vocals, acoustic, bit of piano. In a pro studio it would be a little restrictive on the engineer, but that doesn't take away from the amazing sound you can get using this mic.