For cell creators, having a devoted microphone is important to boost the standard of your content material. Whether or not you are recording a podcast, streaming dwell, making movies, or capturing a jam session, utilizing a high-quality cell microphone can considerably enhance your audio. From wi-fi microphones to cellular phone microphones to condenser mics and charging circumstances, the suitable tools could make your recordings stand out, no matter your location.
Fast Overview
-
Rode Lavalier II
Finest 3.5mm cellphone mic
-
Sennheiser Professional Audio Condenser Microphone, XS Lav USB-C (509261),Black
Finest USB-C cellphone mic
-
Rode VideoMic GO II Digicam-Mount Light-weight Directional Microphone,Black
Finest funds shotgun mic
-
IK Multimedia iRig Stream Mic Professional
Finest cellphone mic for multi-platform creators
-
Samson Applied sciences Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack (Consists of Mic Clip, Desktop Stand, Windscreen and Cables), Silver
desktop choice
-
Tula Mics USB C Microphone – Cellular Recording Microphone for Podcasts, Zoom, Dwelling Studio & Extra – Moveable, Noise Decreasing Exterior Microphone with Flip Stand – iOS/Android, Mac & PC Mic
desktop choice
-
Audigo
Finest cellphone mic for musicians on the go
-
CEntrance MicPort Professional 3
Finest cellphone mic for journalists and area recording
-
Shure MVX2U
Finest low cost cellphone mic for area recording
Selecting the perfect microphone for iOS or Android units will differ relying in your particular wants. Whether or not you are making a TikTok, recording a podcast, or capturing music, our prime picks cowl a variety of use circumstances. We have included all the things from wi-fi lavalier microphones to complete microphone programs, guaranteeing you have got the instruments to report high-quality sound at any time, even once you solely have your cell phone.
The very best cell microphones give attention to recording audio on the go, free from the constraints of a studio. We spotlight two standout varieties of exterior microphones: lavalier (lapel) and shotgun, which cowl most cell recording wants. Moreover, we’ll discover different sorts and equipment that will let you use USB mics and even heavy-duty studio classics (XLR) together with your cellphone. We’ll additionally present tips about utilizing USB mics together with your cellphone and connecting studio-grade tools to your cell machine by way of equipment. However first, let’s begin with the basic clip mics.
Lavalier mics
The plain good thing about a lapel microphone is dimension. Their small profile makes them good for presenting to the digicam with the pliability to maneuver round whereas sustaining constant audio high quality. For those who’re a budding TikTok or vlogger it’s undoubtedly value having one in every of these mini microphones in your bag. And for those who don’t need to be tied all the way down to cables, there are many nice wi-fi lavalier microphone choices with handy adapters.
The primary trade-off, nevertheless, is that they’re solely good for recording the individual they’re connected to. In case you have two folks speaking and just one is sporting the mic, you’ll solely get good audio for one half of the dialog, so for multi-person recordings you’ll want a mic for every visitor and a option to report them on the similar time, so prices can go up rapidly.
Thankfully, lapel mics have turn into a really aggressive market with good, viable choices costing as little as $14.95. For an absolute discount with an extended twine and a few connectivity equipment, the Boya BY M1 is difficult to argue with. However, whereas these funds decisions are nice worth, if you’d like one thing that ought to both last more, is extra versatile or simply sounds higher it’s value paying a bit bit extra.
Rode
Rode’s Lavalier II iis a slick-looking low-profile lavalier that sounds nice. Whereas it’s not a wi-fi lavalier microphone, at $99, it’s someplace within the candy spot between funds and higher-end clip-on choices. It’s straightforward to suggest the Lavalier II simply on its sound alone, however it comes with a rugged case and a wide variety of equipment. For much more flexibility you’ll be able to pair this with Rode’s AI Micro interface ($79) which offers straightforward connection to an iPhone or Android cellphone (and even PCs) and provides help for a second mic – good for recording podcasts or interviews.
Sennheiser Professional Audio
At $60, Sennheiser’s XS (USB-C) lav condenser mic is pretty inexpensive, sounds nice and plugs proper into your cellphone (or laptop computer) with no need an adapter. This not solely makes it handy however reduces the general price as you don’t want a headphone adapter to your cellphone. What’s extra, the XS has a 2-meter lengthy cable which supplies you loads of scope for motion or framing.
A phrase on wi-fi mic
Not too long ago there was an explosion in cellular phone microphone programs, however there’s one wi-fi mic we actually like. DJI’s Mic 2 system offers some vital upgrades from its predecessor. Notably, it may join on to your smartphone by way of Bluetooth, and it sports activities improved AI noise discount and an even bigger touchscreen.
Adapters
So we’ve already touched on this with the AI Micro, which is an adapter of kinds. One of many first stuff you would possibly bump up in opposition to when coping with cell audio equipment is TRRS vs TRS connectors. Merely put, 3.5mm TRS is what you would possibly know because the age-old basic headphone jack whereas TRRS grew to become frequent for its help for headsets and inline mics. You’ll be able to simply inform them aside as TRS connectors have two black bands on them whereas a TRRS has three.
For you, the budding creator, it may be a little bit of an annoyance as many 3.5mm lavaliers are going to be TRS and received’t work when plugged into your cellphone’s headphone adapter. Typically your lavalier would possibly embody what you want within the field, however in any other case, you’ll need to choose up a TRS to TRRS adapter like this. After all, some smartphone-specific mics have TRRS connectors already – for these, you’ll desire a cable that goes the opposite approach do you have to need to use it with different units like a DSLR.
Shotgun mics
Chances are you’ll be extra conversant in shotgun microphones on the subject of video recording. It’s the model of microphone most frequently discovered atop a DSLR or mirrorless digicam, however they make nice companions for different moveable units too, your cellular phone included.
The advantage of a shotgun is that they are usually extremely directional, which makes them good for podcasts, recording devices, foley sounds and far, far more. For us cell recordists, one other profit is that they are usually gentle and moveable, good for slipping right into a backpack or perhaps a laptop computer bag. Even higher, there are some nice mobile-specific choices.
Rode
Once we examined the VideoMic GO II we had been stunned at simply how good it sounded proper out of the field. At $100 it rivals many desktop microphones that price 3 times the value. You’ll want a companion app to alter settings, in any other case this performs effectively throughout the board.
Desktop and USB mics go cell
Cellular-specific mics are nice, however there’s nothing stopping you from utilizing your cellular phone microphone or one other you would possibly have already got (if it’s considerably moveable). You’ll undoubtedly have to do some dance with some adapters, however that’s half the enjoyable. Beneath are a few suggestions for “regular” microphones that pair effectively with a cellphone after which the cables and adapters that you simply’ll have to get setup. There are even some wi-fi programs that make it straightforward to report on the go.
IK Multimedia
If there was an audio “penknife” then the iRig Stream Mic Professional could be it. It’s a chunky condenser microphone, however you’ll be able to join devices and even different mics to it by way of a 3.5mm enter. In case you have background music in your cellphone or PC, it’s also possible to pipe that into the combination by way of a loopback mode. In brief, whether or not you’re busking, podcasting or acting on the go, the Stream Mic Professional has all of the core options you must flip a primary recording into knowledgeable one.
Cellular connectivity is a major function with choices for Lightning and Sort-C/Android included within the field. The mic itself presents 4 polar patterns that ought to cowl most recording situations — be that recording a singer, two folks talking nose to nose or the final atmosphere round you in a TikTok or Instagram video. The Stream Mic Professional may not be essentially the most pocketable on this record, however it’s probably essentially the most versatile.
Samson
This dynamic mic is a favourite with podcasters, with many manufacturing corporations utilizing it as their normal mic to ship out to distant company because of its glorious high quality to worth efficiency. The Q2U options each USB (sadly not Sort-C) and XLR connectivity making it versatile for each desktop and cell functions, however it’s the previous we’re enthusiastic about right here as that’s what lets you join it to your cellphone with nothing greater than a USB cable and an adapter (see beneath).
What’s extra, the Q2U is strong sufficient to endure a bit little bit of tough and tumble, so will fortunately dwell within the backside of your backpack prepared for once you want it. In the meantime, the hand-held design is flexible sufficient it may flip its hand to singing/devices, podcasts, interviews and extra.
Tula Mics
You will not be conversant in the title, however Tula snuck into our hearts with its versatile, classic impressed debut microphone. From a cell perspective, the Tula connects to Androids straight over USB Sort-C or iPhones with the suitable USB-C to Lightning cable (extra on this beneath) or a USB “camera kit” adapter. What makes the Tula particular is that it’s additionally a desktop mic and moveable recorder with lavalier enter and 8GB of storage and even options noise cancellation – good for chopping down on outdoors background sounds. With the Tula you might theoretically have one mic for residence, cell and standalone recording. Due to its moveable design and as much as 12 hours of battery life, the Tula can act as a wi-fi microphone once you want it, too.
A phrase on cables
Connecting USB microphones on to telephones is never so simple as only one cable, though that’s beginning to turn into extra frequent. Normally, Android makes this less complicated, but additionally, because of the wide selection of producers and software program variations you’ll be able to’t at all times assure issues will work easily.
The iPhone is a complete different state of affairs. USB microphones have a very good likelihood of working by way of the USB digicam package we talked about earlier, however that’s nonetheless inelegant typically. Frustratingly, some USB-C to Lightning cables will play good with microphones, however sadly most won’t – together with Apple’s personal. One confirmed choice is this cable from Fiio or this generic different. These are cheap sufficient that it’s value having a pair round for those who work with audio rather a lot (they after all can be used to cost your cellphone as a bonus).
Different cell microphones to think about
Audigo
A lot of the microphones on this information will do an honest job of recording musical performances, however some are particularly constructed for it. Based in 2019, Audigo places artists and performers entrance and middle. At time of writing, it solely presents one mannequin and all its focus goes into that. For those who’re a musician on the go, or need one thing you’ll be able to maintain in your pocket for each time inspiration strikes, the Audigo is likely to be for you.
The sq., puck-like Audigo mic is mainly a pocketable rival to iZotope’s (now discontinued) Spire moveable studio, proper all the way down to the companion app. The Audigo is much extra moveable than the Spire ever was and you may mix a number of units for multitrack recording. When you’ve recorded your monitor, you’ll be able to add reverb, delay, equalize and extra to present it some polish earlier than exporting it out to your most popular platform. There’s a video mode, too, so it’s good for sharing edits to TikTok and Instagram.
This wi-fi microphone requires the app (iOS just for now) to work, which isn’t perfect and we’d love to have the ability to use it over USB to increase its performance, however for performers on the transfer Audigo presents options which can be laborious to seek out with out having to buy round for numerous completely different apps.
CEntrance
With the iPhone 15 becoming a member of the USB-C household, there are tons of gaming and podcasting microphones that may merely plug straight into your cellphone. However if you wish to use nearly any professional microphone system for recording area interviews, foley sounds, podcasting on the go and something for broadcast, then an interface just like the Centrance MicPort Professional is a should.
With its XLR-combo connection, the MicPort Professional works with all the published normal microphones like Shure’s SM7B or the Electro Voice RE20 — together with mics that want phantom energy. Not like different, cheaper XLR interfaces, there’s virtually no self noise (hiss) and there’s a built-in battery that ought to final for round 5 hours of area use. You’ll be able to cost it whereas in use by way of a USB-C ought to you must.
Centrance has stored issues easy, however you’ll nonetheless discover vital instruments like real-time monitoring, a high-pass filter to fight wind or dealing with noise and there’s even a limiter that ought to cease any sudden loud noises from ruining your recording. For shotgun mics, the MicPort Professional may even double as a deal with. As cell as this factor is, it’ll fortunately function a easy audio interface when you’re again within the residence workplace too.
Shure
This information is about cell recording, and formally, Shure’s MVX2U XLR to USB interface doesn’t help telephones. However you already know what? It undoubtedly does work with the telephones we’ve tried, together with a number of Androids and the iPhone 15. The excellent news is that it’s half the value of the Centrance. The dangerous information is that the settings can solely be modified by way of Shure’s desktop app, so if you must alter one thing out within the area, you’re out of luck. Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic worth choice for those who can dwell with its limitations.
