Blue’s Bottle Rocket Stage Two was formerly known as the Red Mic Type A. It is a tube condenser microphone with a bayonet mount that accepts a variety of detachable capsules.
The tube is an ECC88, a dual-triode tube. The output circuit is transformerless; three transistors are used for impedance conversion.
Blue’s B0-B8 capsules were formerly branded as Red’s R1-R8 but are believed to be identical. Violet Design’s VIN series of capsules, and Neumann bayonet-mount capsules are also compatible.
The mic’s self-noise level varies from 9dbA to 14dBA, depending on the capsule used.
For more information and reviews, see the Red Type A profile.
Electronic Musician, 2009 This kit has a decidedly upscale presentation, with a lavish ATA flight case sporting heavy-duty metal hardware. When opened, the case practically glows with regal-looking blue velvet. Cutouts are provided for the mic body, three capsules and the tube electronics’ power supply. A blue-velvet door lifts to reveal a five-conductor mic cable, shockmount and power cable.
With its glossy finish, the Stage Two is particularly prone to slipping down in the mount until it comes to rest on the raised logo or one of the end caps. Although there’s no danger of the mic body falling out or getting damaged, this is a design flaw that goes against Blue’s reputation for aesthetics and precision.
Neither the Stage One nor the Stage Two compromise on the sound quality and excellent specs for which Blue is known.
Blue Microphones B0 Large Diaphragm Bottlecap
24mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20-20,000 Hz
MSRP: $649 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B1 Small Diaphragm Bottlecap
18mm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 35 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $649 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B2 Figure-of-8 Lg Diaphragm Bottlecap
24mm large diaphragm Bidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 35 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $649.95 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B3 Cardioid Mid-Size Diaphragm Bottlecap
22mm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $649 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B4 Perspex Sphere Pressure Omni Small Diaphragm Bottlecap
18mm Omnidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $849 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B5 Pressure Omni Large Diaphragm Bottlecap
25mm large diaphragm Omnidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 35 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $649 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B6 Cardioid Large Diaphragm Dual Backplate Bottlecap
24mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 18,000 Hz
MSRP: $649.95 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B7 Cardioid Large Diaphragm Single Backplate Bottlecap
24mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $649.95 | Still In Production
Blue Microphones B8 Edge-Terminated Large-diaphragm
25mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $595 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN12
26mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $1027 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN26
26mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $1027 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN27
27mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 22 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $1027 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN44
26mm large diaphragm Bidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 28 - 10,000 Hz
MSRP: $1027 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN47
26mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $1068 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN55
26mm large diaphragm Omnidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 24 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $1027 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN67
26mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $1068 | Still In Production
Violet Design Ltd. VIN89
22mm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $1068 | Still In Production