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
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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