Logitech Launches The New Blue Sona XLR Microphone And Litra Beam Key Light

One tech company, above many others, has managed to innovate its way through the pandemic. If anything, the pandemic has proven to be a driving force for Logitech as it propelled the company that serves a whole new market of hybrid-working manufacturers who need enterprise-quality devices that are easy to use and easy on the eyes.

Logitech’s latest products for creators are the fantastic new Logitech Blue Sona dynamic XLR microphone and Litra Beam, an innovative light source designed with live streamers and homeworkers in mind who want to look their best while streaming or attending meetings.

The new Logitech Blue Gold is a standalone product for Logitech’s Blue Microphone division. In my opinion, this premium active dynamic microphone is a potential rival to Shure’s iconic SM7B microphone with its professional XLR connector, which seems to be the choice of almost every podcaster, especially those who film their podcasts.

Blue Gold is a reinvention of the traditional broadcast microphone. Its stylish and modern design with nicely rounded corner radii is an attractive-looking device, especially its side-slung yoke, which gives the blue gold a contemporary feel. The Blue Sona is unusual in that it is a dynamic microphone, requiring 24 or 48V phantom power from an audio interface to function properly like a condenser microphone.

Phantom power is used to drive the Blue Sonar ClearAmp technology. This technology means the microphone does not require a cloud lifter or other gain booster and offers +25dB gain boost. It’s refreshing to be able to use a mic without dialing maximum gain. The extra gain results in a fantastically low noise floor and a gorgeously rich tone ideal for broadcast.

Besides being an easy microphone to drive, Logitech has provided Bass Cut and Presence Boost switches on the body of the microphone behind a magnetic cover with the Logi logo. As a result, there can be little doubt that Logitech is slowly transitioning from the Blue to Logi brand.

Other advanced features of the Logitech Blue Sona include a dual-diaphragm capsule and supercardioid pickup pattern for a precise front-address performance. This polar pickup pattern brings the voice into close focus while cutting out unwanted vibrations, keyboard clicks and general background noise. Additionally, the capsule is so well isolated that a shock mount is not required.

Logitech has included a black windshield and an orange version for Creators Color, which makes the microphone look great on camera. Blue gold is available in off-white or graphite finishes. The contemporary and modern design looks stunning and different from other microphones in the market.

Positioning the Blue Sonar is easy as it comes with a side-mounted 290-degree swivel that allows for plenty of positioning. The blue gold connects Logitech’s Compass boom arm nicely and the XLR socket is mounted on the microphone body, creating a much clearer effect on the screen than the Shure SM7B. If I had a criticism, I’d like to see that the XLR socket is positioned so that a right-angle XLR cable is aligned vertically instead of at 90 degrees.

According to Søren Pedersen, senior product manager at Logitech for Creators: “Blue Gold is designed specifically for creators. From its built-in preamp to its elegant camera-ready design, Blue Gold stands out from other XLR mics on the market.”

Verdict: The Logitech Blue Sona Dynamic Microphone for Creators is probably the best blue microphone ever. Rich and deep sound, easy gain levels and low floor noise make it an ideal microphone for voiceover, live streaming and broadcasting. I think it’s a worthy competitor to Shure’s SM7B and if you want a different look, it’s good to see the same great audio quality and dynamic microphone features. Highly recommended.

Litra Beam Premium Streaming Desktop Key Lite

The new Litra Beam desktop key light has been introduced alongside the blue gold microphone. This innovative lamp follows on from Logitech’s Litra Glow which was released in early 2022. Litra Beam is a three-way adjustable desktop stand with height, tilt and rotation functions, providing endless positioning flexibility so the user can shape and direct the light with precision.

Because it’s a physically long light source – rather than the more common ring design – the Logitech Litra Beam covers a large area and can create mood and tone by placing and adjusting one or more Litra Beams in a studio setup for a range of professional lighting techniques. .

Manufacturers can adjust their lighting using the buttons on the back of the Litra Beam. The buttons provide a full range from 2700K-6500K in five brightness and five color temperature levels (warm candlelight to cool blue) and continuous, stepless adjustment. Greater control of the lighting is also possible using the Logitech G HUB desktop app, which enables further adjustments.

“Digital content is becoming like cinematography,” said Arnaud Perret-Gentil, senior global product lead at Logitech for Creators. “We designed the Litra Beam not only to provide balanced LED lighting but also to enable desktop streamers and creators to shape and direct this light to control the mood and expression of their content.”

Streamers and creators can fine-tune their lighting using the buttons on the back of the Litra Beam. They allow quick access to five brightness and five color temperature settings (from warm candlelight to cool blue) in the full range from 2700K-6500K.

For even more control and convenience, Logitech also offers the Logitech G HUB desktop app, enabling greater brightness flexibility using percentage values ​​and color temperature in Kelvins. The software can control one or more litra beams by storing and recalling light presets.

The Litra Beam uses Logitech’s proprietary TrueSoft technology, which delivers full-spectrum LED lighting with no flickering and cinematic color accuracy. TrueSoft delivers a great natural color balance across all skin tones. I notice that, for once, my face doesn’t look like a tomato on screen, so I’ll get one.

Litra Beam’s frameless diffuser diffuses light widely, eliminates harsh shadows, and is certified safe for all-day streaming by passing strict UL testing guidelines. The Litra Beam’s LEDs can be powered by plugging into almost any computer with a USB-A port or a USB charger.

Some smart cable management is built into the Litra beam and the compact footplate keeps the lamp perfectly stable despite the length of the light source. However, since the light has three tripod threads, it is possible to mount the Litra Beam on almost any stand.

Verdict: The Litra Beam Lamp is a versatile lighting solution for live streamers, podcasters or attending video meetings. The control buttons on the back of the light source are easy to find and use. The light quality is excellent in terms of flicker-free and color accuracy. This high quality light source is an excellent alternative to a harsh ring light. The fact that it can be used and controlled with Logitech’s G HUB software means livestreamers can set up a variety of lighting effects with multiple Litera units, all of which can be controlled with the click of a mouse using presets stored in the G HUB.

Price and Availability: Logitech’s Blue Sona Active Dynamic Microphone is now available And Price $349.99 / £349.99 / €349, while the Litra Beam It will retail for $99.99 / £119 / €119 and is available from September 21.

More information: Blue Gold and Litra Beam

Technical Specs:

Logitech Blue Gold

• Transducer Type: Dynamic.
• Polar Pattern: Supercardioid.
• Frequency response: 40Hz – 18kHz.
• Sensitivity: 20.97mV/Pa at 1kHz.
• THD+N: 0.06% at 1kHz, 94dBSPL.
• Signal-to-noise: 69.9dB A-wt.
• Maximum SPL: 129 dB SPL at 1% THD, 138 dB SPL at 5% THD.
• Power required: +48V or +24V phantom power.
• Dimensions: 185 x 165 x 67 mm.
• Weight: 615 grams.

Logitech Litra Beam

• Color temperature range: 2700K – 6500K (Kelvin).
• Output: 320 lumens max output.
• Color rendering index: 93 CRI with high R9 values ​​for skin tones.
• Lens: Precision Optics lens.
• Diffuser: Frameless.
• Compatible with Logitech G HUB software.
• Desktop Stand: Three 1⁄4-20 mount points.
• Arms extended: 37 to 61.5 cm.
• Dimensions: 400 x 30 x 30 mm.