Should You Plug Your Headphones Into Your Blue Yeti?

It might be tempting to use your Blue Yeti microphone directly without plugging headphones since, after all, the device is well-reputed for its quality audio output. While some might record directly, others prefer monitoring their audio by connecting headphones to the device. So, should you plug your headphones into your Blue Yeti? 

You should plug your headphones into your Blue Yeti‘s 3.5-millimeter (0.04-inch) jack for several reasons. Connecting a headphone ensures you listen in real-time without latency delays, allowing you to make modifications and necessary adjustments without the need for major edits later on.

In this article, I’ll discuss why you should plug your headphones into your Blue Yeti and how to go about it. Ready? Then let’s get straight to business. 

Reasons To Plug Headphones Into Your Blue Yeti

Below are four of the most compelling reasons you should plug your headphones into your Blue Yeti microphone. 

Headphones Will Improve Your Mic Technique

Plugging headphones into your Blue Yeti will allow you to monitor your audio in real-time. This helps you detect potential flaws and make the necessary changes. For instance, you’ll know if you’re speaking too close to the Blue Yeti or if the overall volume is low through headphones. 

This immediate feedback will help you change settings or move further from the device, which goes a long way in improving your recording experience. 

Headphones Help Reduce Editing Work

Editing usually requires close attention to detail to achieve desirable outputs. However, editing to fix errors makes the whole process more challenging and time-consuming, which can prove overwhelming if you’re relatively new to the task. 

Plugging headphones into your Blue Yeti will allow you to monitor the audio quality and make changes immediately as you detect flaws. Slight noises and errors can leave you with poor quality audio that’s hard even for the most experienced producers to correct. 

But with a high-quality headphone by your side, you’ll be well-placed to detect potential flaws such as popping sounds, low recording volume, or even ambient noise. Once you notice the flaws in real-time, you can easily pause the recording and make the necessary changes before picking up where you left with crisp, clean audio. 

Headphones Are Ideal for Interviews 

While you might have good mic technique, you could end up with many takes when dealing with guests who have little mic experience. The guests might pay little attention to the microphone, thus leading to poor quality audio. 

Plugging in headphones to your guest’s microphone will allow the guest to hear their recording and respond accordingly.

You won’t need to constantly advise your guests to move closer or further to the mic as they can hear themselves and how they sound. Not only will a headphone improve the quality of recordings, but it will also make your guest a lot more comfortable and confident throughout the session. 

Blue Yeti Comes With a Standard Headphone Jack

Blue Yeti also comes with a standard 3.5 mm (0.04 in) jack that’s compatible with most professional and amateur-grade headphones, meaning you won’t need to search around.

Another great reason to plug headphones into your Blue Yeti is it won’t impact your recording negatively. 

If anything, it’ll help improve your outcomes as you’ll be more aware of how you sound instead of waiting to hear the recorded version.

It is designed to make recording easier as you’ll be in complete control of the recording you’re making.

How To Set Up a USB Blue Yeti on a Computer

Not sure how to set up your Blue Yeti and make the most of your device? If so, then you’ll find this section helpful. Below are the steps to observe when setting up your Blue Yeti on a computer. 

1. Download drivers: The first step is pretty straightforward as you’ll need to head out to Bluemic.com and download the Blue Yeti USB 2.0 driver. 
2. Plug the Device into Your Computer: Plug the USB cable on the USB port at the bottom of the microphone. Complete the connection by plugging the cable into your computer’s USB port. 
3. Go to the Control Panel: Once you’ve accessed the control panel, you’ll need to click on the sound icon and select the Yeti Pro Stereo Microphone option to activate your Blue Yeti. 
4. Click on Output Tab: You’ll need to click on the output tab on your computer and select the Yeti Pro Stereo Microphone option if you want to use headphones through your Blue Yeti. 

Why Your Blue Yeti Headphone Jack Is Not Working

It’s normal for your Yeti’s headphone jack to misbehave once in a while, especially if you fail to set the device up correctly. Below are the leading causes and fixes of headphone issues in Blue Yeti.

Sound Source

As mentioned in the previous section, you’ll need to select your microphone as a sound source on your computer. 

Connecting a USB cable won’t be enough to record and listen to audio through your Blue Yeti. You’ll still need to head to the control panel and set up the device as your preferred sound source. 

Wrong Connection

Although the Blue Yeti is easy to set up and use, you’ll still need to be careful to ensure the device connects perfectly to your computer’s USB port. 

And if you plan to use headphones, it’s also crucial to check the connection as you won’t be able to monitor audio if you don’t fully insert your headphone’s plug into the Yeti’s jack. 

If you’ve already set the Blue Yeti as your PC’s sound source, and it’s still not working, then check beneath the device to confirm that the plug’s appropriately inserted.  

Volume Settings

Another common mistake preventing you from monitoring audio when recording on a Blue Yeti is volume settings. It could be that the volume is set too low, or the device is on mute. 

Therefore, if you’ve done all the steps mentioned above (choosing it as an audio source and checking connections) and you still can’t hear the audio through your headphones, try turning up the volume knob. 

You’ll also know the Blue Yeti is set to mute if the indicator light keeps flashing. 

Loose USB Port

Sometimes the problem isn’t with the Blue Yeti but with your computer. If you haven’t been using your USB port for a while, chances are it might be loose or damaged, meaning your USB microphone won’t be recognized. 

While it is possible to fix the damaged USB port on your own, it’s advisable to consult with experts if you’ve never done it before. 

Damaged Device

On infrequent occasions, the problem might be with your Blue Yeti. If your device is faulty, chances are you won’t be able to put most if not all of its features to use. 

The trick with Blue Yeti is to check the indicator light to see if it’s working in the first place. If it’s working well, then the problem could be with the headphone port.

Check if the port is clean or has some debris that might prevent the jack from fully going in. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to plug your headphones into the Blue Yeti mic?

There’s no need to plug headphones into the Blue Yeti. The Yeti has a headphone output jack that allows you to listen to your recordings without having to use external speakers. If you want to use headphones while recording, you can simply plug them into the headphone jack and they’ll work just fine.

Can you plug headphones into a Blue Yeti mic?

Yes, you can plug headphones into a Blue Yeti mic. The headphone jack is on the front of the mic. Simply use the included 3.5 mm audio cable to plug the headphones into the headphone jack on the front of the mic.

Can you use wireless headphones with Blue Yeti?

Yes. Blue Yeti can be used with wireless headphones by using a Bluetooth transmitter.

A Bluetooth transmitter is a device that plugs into the headphone jack of your device and sends the audio signal wirelessly to your headphones. There are many different Bluetooth transmitters on the market, so you can find one that best suits your needs. Some popular Bluetooth transmitters include the Anker Soundsync A3352 Bluetooth Receiver.

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Wrapping Up 

Although not mandatory, plugging headphones gives you more control when recording with the Blue Yeti and different types of microphones. 

You’ll need to set up the device as the sound source in your PC and check to confirm that you’ve correctly plugged in the headphone jack.

If there are any issues with listening through the headphones, check the volume settings as there could be a chance the Yeti is on mute or low volume.  

Sources

• Bluemic: Blue Yeti Products
• Help Wiki.evergreen: Yeti Pro USB/XLR Microphone
• Bluemic: Yeti Support
• My New Microphone: How Do Usb Microphones Work And How To Use Them
• Gaming Asylum: Any Downside To Plugging In Headphones To Blue Yeti 
• Indie Panda: Why Do Musicians Wear Headphones When Recording