Whether you’re a vlogger or podcaster, you need high-quality audio to record your videos. And that’s where a microphone comes in. Fortunately, there are plenty of external mics available that work with iPhones and iPads. But how do you connect one?
Most of the most popular external microphones work with an iPhone’s headphone jack, but some don’t. For example, lavalier microphones that have a TRS jack don’t work with iPhones because the electrical connections don’t match up. You can also use a professional XLR microphone with an iPhone, but you’ll need to get an adapter to do it.
First, it’s important to understand that most iOS devices only have one input jack. The headphone jack is used for headphones, but it doesn’t work for recording audio directly. You’ll need to connect a microphone through the Lightning port or USB-C port.
Before we get started, it’s worth mentioning that most iOS devices have an internal microphone, which is not designed for recording audio. It’s good enough for basic voice memos and recording audio for personal use, but not so great for professional uses.
If you need to record audio on the go, you might want to consider using a wireless lavalier microphone. These typically connect to a receiver that’s connected to your iPhone or iPad, so you can move around without losing quality.
There are many different types of wireless lavalier microphones on the market, so you should choose one that best suits your needs. Some models offer a wide range of frequency bands, while others only have a few channels and require minimal setup.
You’ll also want to look for a model that offers low-latency. This can make a difference to your audio quality, especially in noisy environments.
Another option is to choose a mic that has a directional pick-up pattern, like the Shure MV88. This microphone offers both a directional pickup pattern and stereo capability, which makes it easier to position the mic for accurate recording.
The MV88 also comes with the ShurePlus MOTIV app, which lets you control many of the features and functions of your microphone from within the app. It includes a headphone monitoring feature and lets you change gain levels, alter EQ settings, and more.
Some of these apps will even let you record sound from a microphone that’s hooked up to a speaker, which can help you capture audio in noisy environments or on the go.
If you’re recording video, it might be worth getting a dedicated video microphone, which can be more expensive than a general-purpose lavalier mic. It’ll also come with a specialized recording application that’s more tailored to your needs and the type of content you’re creating.
If you don’t need to record video, then a lavalier microphone is probably the best option for most people. They’re easy to connect and offer good audio quality for most purposes. They’re also discreet and are perfect for recording on the go. However, if you’re looking to get a little more professional sound, then a studio-quality condenser microphone is the way to go.