Though there are a lot of added features for every smartphone released in a year, the one feature that has never made it to the list is a microphone. If you are serious about getting the right quality audio from the smartphone, then you’ll definitely need to use an external device in 90 percent of the cases.
Or, perhaps, you can also use an external microphone instead of that built-in recorder. There is an abundant number of choices that you can choose from in the market. Your choice depends on the features that you’d want in the microphone, and for what purpose you want the microphone for. Given that your smartphone can take HD quality pictures or videos, the amazing audio with the help of a microphone can give you an upper hand.
With just audio or podcast, you may be able to get through without a microphone. But, if you pair the video with the audio on the same smartphone, you will definitely never be able to strike the right chord. It is impossible to do so, and that’s where the microphones play a huge role to make things right for the smartphone.
Top 5 Best Smartphone Microphones for 2021
Rode Smart Lav+
It is a lapel microphone that is designed for usage in interviews or audio tasks which require the microphone to be close to the subject. The quality of sound is clear and the signal-to-noise ratio is well-defined. It’s known to be a broadcast quality microphone. You can easily adjust the audio level from your smartphone itself.
Saramonic SmartMixer Recording Stereo System
It is known to be a compact audio mixer that includes microphones and input with the power of 48 volts. This has also volume controls and enough comfortable space for keeping the smartphone intact. All these features ensure that you are able to record high-quality sound on your smartphone – iPhone or Android.
iRig Mic Lav
It is a similar microphone to the Rode Smart Lav+. It has a handy windshield attached so that it can reduce unwanted noise, as well as a mounting clip to easily attach it to the subject. This microphone’s long enough for most of the recording tasks and is flexible for you if you are on a location recording. One special feature that this device brings that its socket gives you the flexibility to use two microphones in the same Smartphone. This one’s a great option for you if you want to do a two-person interview.
Shure MV88
The brand Shure has definitely gone way past its competitors in the field of acoustics, and microphones for recording, and radio broadcasts. This brand is known all over the world. The biggest advantage that it has is that it is portable. This one is most commonly used for recording YouTube videos, podcasts, and etc. Its simple to use interface is helpful for even a beginner. You simply need to connect the microphone to your smartphone (or laptop or tablet), install the software, and finally start the audio stream. Integrating with portable devices is easy, and hence is beneficial for all.
Xiaokoa M30
It comes in different colors like gold, black, white, rose gold. Thus, if you are someone who likes to match the gadgets, then this one is your option. It gives you the upper hand on style. Also, the biggest benefit that it gives is of portability. It comes with a mini foldable tripod that you can set up anywhere like you want (desk or table) for hands-free use, and you can keep it at ease.
The acoustic filters give you the highest quality of audio.
Other Smartphone microphones you should consider
Boya BY-M1 3.5 mm Lavalier Microphone
If you are in search of a low budget lavalier microphone, then this one is the best alternative for you. This microphone will give you good quality audio for both sound recordings, and location interview work. It comes with a long cable measuring up to 6 meters. This is good if you want to set your camera far away from your subject. The best feature about this microphone is that it is an omnidirectional microphone, i.e. it will be able to pick up sound from all the sides of the microphone equally.
Apogee MiC 96k
This one is one of the most compact microphones with USB support for Mac, iPhone, iPad, as well as iPod. With this microphone, you can send your recordings to Apple’s GarageBand application. The model is enriched with volume controls, and a rotatory wheel, which is located as per the convenience of the user. It can easily adjust the tone of voice or acoustic sound for any of the smartphones. The great metallic design ensures a long, reliable operation. This microphone is a great choice for people recording vocals, or acoustic performances as well as interviews.
Blue Microphones Blue Raspberry
They are known for being able to capture the stereo sound in all directions. Apart from this, the major feature is that has an acoustic diffuser that helps to focus on the vocals while minimizing the background noise. It comprises of a lightning connector and shock absorbing feet.
Rode VideoMic Me
It has a clip attached with it for hands-on use of the microphone for your phone. The microphone is compatible with both iPhone and smartphones with a 3.5mm socket. It is known as the directional microphone, which means that it can only sense to pick up what lies in front of it. The background noises are removed automatically.
Zoom iQ7
This microphone is compatible with all of the available Apple products. This microphone provides you with exceptional sound quality. It is known as a functional as well as a compact device. You can use this device in any place that is convenient for you, and enjoy the noise-free sounds of concerts, vocals or even karaoke. It has a large controller, which can help you to adjust the level of the input signal. You can rotate the microphone from 90 degrees to 120 degrees.
Shure MV5
This platform has three digital presence of signal processing: flat, vocals, instrument. It is easy to use for beginners and can give high-quality audio. Shure MV5 is one of the best smartphone microphones because has an integrated headphone port, which allows real-time monitoring. It is quite simple to set-up. And, it is compatible with both Android as well as ioS devices.
Rode VideoMic Pro+
This one is the successor to the popular Rode VideoMic Pro. This adds multiple features to the original version of Rode VideoMic. These additional features include a high pass filter (divided into two stages), level control, and also a high-frequency shelf. A power button is also available for ease of access. A detachable cable makes it easy for the cable to be replaced, depending on your smartphone. The best part about this microphone is that it has suspension support which helps it to remain stable even when you are in motion. 100 hours of battery usage is definitely a big boost for someone who wants to shoot a long film.
Blue Mikey Digital
Blue microphones launched the perfect microphone for mobile recording, and it is known as Mikey Digital. You simply need to connect this extra compact microphone to your smartphone, Android or iPhone, to get a very high-quality sound. A unique feature that Mikey Digital brings along is that you can recharge using the pass-through USB connector during its operation. Also, it can automatically adjust the volume levels according to the sensitivity.
Purple Panda Clip-On
This microphone is one of the very few microphones that are compatible with almost all the cameras, desktops and phones. In addition to this, it also brags about a price that is easily affordable by all and thus, makes it everyone’s favorite. It has an attached storage pouch.
And also, this microphone is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Takstar SGC-598 Condenser Microphone
This one’s a cheap microphone with an additional feature of shock resistant mount. It comes with a handy carrying pouch. This one’s compared to more expensive microphones like Rode VideoMic Pro+ which literally costs hundreds of dollars more. Though Takstar is not as good as VideoMic, it is pretty competitive and stands well up to them. It has a pretty decent build quality and good audio quality as well. For a low-cost microphone like this, it definitely justifies itself.
Line 6 Sony Port VX
It can work with multiple Apple products. This one’s good for recording vocals, acoustic as well as electric guitars, and other instruments as well. It’s good for both smartphones as well as desktops. The package includes stands for the smartphone as well as a desktop in addition to the adapter. Mainly powered by the USB bus controller, an AC adapter can be used as well. It provides sound monitoring without any time lag, and this is its biggest benefit. It has two input lines for stereo and instrument that connects various instruments like the drum, keyboards and DJ mixer.
Rode Ixy
It is a top-notch microphone if you are interested in using the microphone for ios devices specifically. This one’s best known for capturing and recording purely saturated sound. There are capsules, which are the primary reason for the high quality as well as detailed sound. It is most suitable if you are interested in recording concerts in stadiums, or singing as well as playing instruments in the home studio. This one has the ability to adjust according to the input signal. The Rode Rec application helps you to upload the recordings to Dropbox within no time.
If you have ever given a try to track live audio with the smartphone, the end result would be a video with utter gibberish and noise. And, that is bound to happen because the audio system of the smartphones are not as strong as what the microphone can do for you. With smartphones, the results will always be disappointing. Background noise, thin sounds, too roomy, and cannot even be heard are few of the complaints of people who have ever used the smartphone to record on its own.
Final words
There are many reasons why the microphones listed above are essential to use, and why they are superior to the built-in microphones of smartphones. The major reason is the size of the diaphragms of the microphones. Small apparatuses will definitely lag in the results when compared to the larger set of apparatuses. It eventually turns out that size actually matters.
Long story short, all of these pens down to one single question: what kind of audio is trying to track?
Eventually, the type of microphone you need depends on your requirements. This is because each microphone can serve different needs, and it is important for you to be sorted with your needs which includes the budget as well. If you are planning to a short interview (which involves the subjects close to the microphone), then the small stereo and shotgun microphones are the best deal for you. If you are looking for the ones with the subject at a distance, then there are more traditional vocal-style microphones. But, these ones won’t do for you if you are trying to film a documentary. For the film work, it is better to use lavs. The size is the biggest benefit, and hence it would be the best bet for you as a host or an interviewee.
Hence, this is all about some of the best microphones for smartphones. In the end, your set of requirements will decide which is the best for you, and which one fits in all your requirements. Some of the mentioned above microphones are way more expensive than the others, while some even if is not that costly can fetch your needed results. It is simply about realizing what you want to track, and how much money are you willing to spend on it. Once you know this, then all of it is easy.
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