iPhone microphone suggestions for guitar & vocal

Motokid · #1 08-18-2018, 05:45 PM

So I've been recording myself playing and singing on my iPhone. I'm getting tired of the iphone sound quality and hoping for something better without spending large quantities of cash.

I found this on a google search: https://www.micreviews.com/guides/to...os-microphones

Spending $100 wouldn't be bad. $200 would be maximum.

I'm not seeking unreasonable quality, but I am seeking something better than the iphone microphone.

I play acoustic 6 and 12 string, and I sing.

Looking for a single microphone to plug into the lightning port which allows me to record audio while recording video at same time.

Please help me with suggestions for, or against certain products.

Any and all helpful advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

simpl man · #2 08-18-2018, 06:55 PM

I just got a Shure MV88 a couple weeks ago.

So far, so good... but I don't really know much about mic's, etc.

It's pretty easy to use & sounds good to me. Cost is around $150.

Motokid · #3 08-20-2018, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simpl man

I just got a Shure MV88 a couple weeks ago.

So far, so good... but I don't really know much about mic's, etc.

It's pretty easy to use & sounds good to me. Cost is around $150.

Thanks. That's one of the mics I was looking at.

ljguitar · #4 08-20-2018, 11:54 AM

Hi mk

I've owned three iPhones with different charger/connectors for mics. And rumor has it that either this iteration or next Apple will change the connector to USB-C instead of lightning connectors (some Android phones are already there).

If you really want to future proof, I suggest you buy an external digital recorder, like the Zoom H1n ($99 Aug 2018), which would give you far more control than just adding a pricey microphone to an phone.

It's a piece of cake to work with audio in post production. I actually own 2 different antique Zoom recorders (H2n & H4n), and both are easier to setup and use than my iPhone, and bring superior audio results to the mix.

When I shoot video with my iPhone and need better sound, I usually want the mic situated far closer than I want the camera. Using an external recorder brings that flexibility. My H4n allows me to use XLR connected or ¼" mics (simultaneously actually).

It's pretty painless to record the audio separately from the video and combine them in post.

I love my phone but high quality audio (and video) take up tons of memory and it's work with an iPhone of getting that to other devices when you are finished with it.

Hope this adds to the discussion…

Andy Howell · #5 08-20-2018, 03:03 PM

Seconded. I have a Zoom H2n and a H6. Both are superb. I sometimes use a small Sony condenser with my H2 and it’s pretty good!

Motokid · #6 08-21-2018, 04:00 AM

Thanks guys.

I'm not the type to buy new phone. My current iphone is the SE model and it's only 1 year old. I certainly won't be buying new iphone anytime soon. So usb vs. lightening connector isn't an issue for me. Getting into editing and syncing video to audio just doesn't appeal to me.

I was wondering though how much difference there is, better or worse, between a microphone that connects through the lightening connector, or a microphone that connects through the headphone/microphone jack?

Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMic...70_&dpSrc=srch

Compared to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-iQ6-iOS-...one+microphone

How important is the actual connection interface?

KevWind · #7 08-22-2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motokid

Thanks guys.

I'm not the type to buy new phone. My current iphone is the SE model and it's only 1 year old. I certainly won't be buying new iphone anytime soon. So usb vs. lightening connector isn't an issue for me. Getting into editing and syncing video to audio just doesn't appeal to me.

I was wondering though how much difference there is, better or worse, between a microphone that connects through the lightening connector, or a microphone that connects through the headphone/microphone jack?

Like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMic...70_&dpSrc=srch

Compared to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-iQ6-iOS-...one+microphone

How important is the actual connection interface?

Never used an iphone mic : That said I am guessing that the connection difference is likely insignificant enough to not be as important as whether or not you want to be able to record in stereo (Zoom) OR whether you want increased directional and rejection capability ( Rode )

Also you did not mention your intended use for the video/audio recordings which could be important
Because to some extent philosophically speaking the statements

Quote:

" I'm getting tired of the iphone sound quality and hoping for something better
"

and

Quote:

" Getting into editing and syncing video to audio just doesn't appeal to me.

--- are a contradiction in terms

Motokid · #8 08-22-2018, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevWind

Also you did not mention your intended use for the video/audio recordings which could be important

89% of the time I record myself playing and singing to simply self-critique how I'm doing. Then I delete the video/audio and move on.

10% of the time I post my videos to facebook for some friends/family to critique.

1% of the time I put something on youtube.

I don't ever use my recordings to try to book gigs. I don't use them to audition for anything. I've no desire to try to make money from them.

It's all about just having fun, and for hopefully improving both my singing and playing.

SalFromChatham · #9 08-28-2018, 02:01 AM

Apogee MiC works amazingly well with Ios. I have been using it for five years, and love how it records.

Motokid · #10 08-30-2018, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themissal

Apogee MiC works amazingly well with Ios. I have been using it for five years, and love how it records.

Thanks. Which model do you prefer?

Some of them are quite expensive.

simpl man · #11 08-30-2018, 08:12 AM

I bought the MV88 mic for much the same purposes as you.

Nothing serious & didn't want to break the bank.

Using it with GarageBand (free) on the iPhone made sense.

SalFromChatham · #12 09-03-2018, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motokid

Thanks. Which model do you prefer?

Some of them are quite expensive.

I think mine cost $170... I got it 15% off on a sale weekend... yes expensve, but easy for a dope like me...

Al Acuff · #13 09-30-2018, 09:11 AM

The Apogee Mic is a pretty good microphone for recording to iPhone, iPad, etc. I have the first version. I wish it had direct monitoring. It looks like Apogee has included a headphone jack on the current model of the Mic for latency free monitoring. It's a good feature to have so you might want to check for latency free monitoring on microphones that you are considering.