When you want to record audio outside a studio location there’s a whole host of great tools and devices, but in a smartphone dominated world there’s really no reason not to use that powerful computer in your hand to do just that – as long as you’ve got the right microphone for it.
I’ve tried a couple of great iPhone connected microphones. The Rode IXY is sensational, but the one I have is the 30pin connection version, now well outdated by the lightning connection – and more recently I’ve used primarily an iRig handheld.
The issue with that device is the cable that connects it to the microphone and the iPhone seemed to wear at the microphone end and has become unreliable.
So I purchased the Shure MV88 from an Apple Store.
Shure microphones are top class, I use the SM7B’s in my studio so it felt logical to try their portable option.
At $249.99 it’s not the cheapest option, but sometimes quality costs.
A snug fit assuming you don’t have a case getting in the way.
The microphone is adjustable through 90 degrees, which is useful depending on how you use it.
Motiv is the name of the app that accompanies the microphone and it is well designed, simple to understand and offers a reversible screen so even when holding the phone upside down with the microphone pointing up you’re getting levels and such on the correct angle.
You also have a wide customisation capabilities over the Stereo Width of the microphone depending on your circumstances.
While the levels may make you think you need to pump the gain to get solid levels, my recordings have proven that’s not required and the quality has been exceptional.
Shure have proven their capabilities with this portable microphone, and I think it’s perfectly suited to Podcasting, or Radio Journalism in Newsrooms – high quality recordings, easy to playback and easy to share.
Available at Apple online or retail stores
[schema type=”review” rev_name=”Shure MV88 Motiv iOS iPhone lightning microphone” rev_body=”Lightning connector for iOS devices, the MV88 is a high quality stereo microphone perfectly suited to podcasting and radio newsrooms on the road” author=”Trevor Long” pubdate=”2016-07-31″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]
