Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Shure MV88 iPhone Microphone


A Professional Microphone For Your iPhone.

© 2016 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BOB SKIDMORE

CORRESPONDENT


Recording, like a pro, use to be quite the challenge. Not only did you need an extensive list of costly equipment, you also need the knowledge to go with it. Since the introduction of the iPhone with a lightning connector and Shure’s MV88 iOS Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone, professional recordings by the novice are even achievable.

The MV88 is a small stereo condenser microphone that plugs into your iPhone’s lightning connector.

(TIP: The iPhone 5 is the first iPhone to incorporate a lightning connecter. It replaces the previous thirty-pin connector found in older models used to interface various accessory items. Thirty-pin to lightning connector adapters lack the proper contacts to make adaptation possible.)

The MV88 rotates for flexible positioning making it easy to mount on a stand or camcorder and retain a proper pickup angle. Since iPhones do not include any mounting capabilities, I found the Arkon Tripod Adapter with phone holder the perfect companion. 


This adapter features a female quarter-twenty threaded interface making it easy to affix to a mic stand, or shoe adapter for camcorder mounting. http://bit.ly/2du9Jh4 . You might also find a small tabletop tripod such as the Targus 6˝ TG-CT7, a useful tool. http://amzn.to/2eBtRMe

The MV88 will work with most recording apps, however, Shure offers the ShurePlus MOTIV mobile recording app at no cost through the App store. 


What’s nice about this app is that it’s configured around the MV88’s features. You can select various pickup patterns that are totally adjustable in stereo widths of 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, and 135 degrees. 


A low-frequency cutoff filter is included to eliminate the rumble caused by environmental noises such as wind. Left-right channel swap is possible. It flips the left and right audio channels to match video that is recorded when the microphone is reversed in certain phone/tablet positions. You can record uncompressed audio at multiple bit sample rates. The MV88 also works well as a back-up audio recording when shooting videos. Placing the iPhone closer to the sound source may result in better sound quality. Since these recording are all digital in nature, syncing to video during postproduction editing should be a snap.

Other features include: 36 db adjustable gain; presets to automatically adjust gain; eq, and compression; 5-band equalizer; limiter; compressor and much more. Editing and saving to a camera roll, iTunes and Dropbox are all possible.

(TIP: Be sure to put your iPhone into the “Airplane Mode” prior to making a recording to avoid having the ring and other data notifications from being recorded. It’s also advisable to shut down all other apps so as to conserve battery life.)

The MOTIV product line is extensive and includes other microphones and accessories. I was certainly impressed with the MV88. I used it to record a jazz artist’s memorial service and jam session in a very poor acoustical venue surrounded with glass panels. The results were outstanding and gave the sound of a multiple microphone pickup making it possible to master a CD for distribution. The design is so simplistic that this microphone easily satisfies the needs of both the novice and the professional. You simply use as many or as few of the features as you understand or require, and the results will still be outstanding!

(TIP: When you upgrade to a new iPhone you might consider holding on to your old iPhone as long as it is lightning connector compatible. It could make the perfect stand-alone recorder with all the MOTIV features.)

GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★

MSRP:  MV88 $149.00 ~ Arkon Tripod Mount $14.95

For more information go to: http://bit.ly/1U4fsFu

Graphic credits: Shure; Amazon; Google Images

Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings.
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