Best iPhone Microphones For Smartphone Filmmaking
A few years ago, shooting a movie on a smartphone was unheard of. However, after directors such as Steven Soderbergh and Zack Snyder (shown below) shot outstanding films with a smartphone, filmmakers are taking notice. The iPhone is an excellent filming smartphone.
It’s no surprise that the smartphone is the ideal filmmaking camera for any filmmaker, with different attachment lenses and video camera programs like Filmic Pro available. However, regardless of how good the footage on an iPhone is, the iPhone’s built-in microphone is unreliable for video footage.
The importance of sound in filmmaking cannot be overstated. You could potentially damage even the best video captured if you rely on your built-in camera microphone to capture sounds in your film.
Why? Because modern smartphones are designed to record excellent video footage rather than sound, they are not suitable for filming. An external iPhone microphone is used for this purpose.
Keep in mind that while Apple’s newer iPhones have a lightning port, some external microphones for smartphones may require an additional adapter for connection. If you want to improve the audio quality of your iPhone movies, here are some of my favorite iPhone microphone options.
Best iPhone Microphones For Smartphone Filmmaking - 2023
As smartphone technology has advanced, more and more people are using their phones to create professional-quality video content. If you’re an iPhone user who is looking to take your smartphone filmmaking to the next level, one of the key pieces of equipment you’ll need is a good microphone.
In this post, we’ll introduce you to some of the best iPhone microphones for smartphone filmmaking, and help you choose the one that’s right for you. Whether you’re looking to record high-quality audio for vlogs, documentaries, or any other type of video content, these microphones will help you achieve professional results.
There are several good options for microphones that you can use with an iPhone for smartphone filmmaking:
- Rode VideoMic Me: This is a compact shotgun microphone that plugs directly into your iPhone’s lightning port. It has a directional pickup pattern and is designed to reduce background noise, making it ideal for use in noisy environments.
- Shure MV88+: This is a versatile microphone that can be used with a range of smartphones, including the iPhone. It has a built-in preamp and a range of recording modes, including stereo, mono, and mid-side, making it ideal for a variety of different recording scenarios.
- Sennheiser MKE 200: This is a compact shotgun microphone that is designed specifically for use with smartphones. It has a directional pickup pattern and is designed to reduce wind noise, making it ideal for use outdoors.
- Zoom iQ7: This is a stereo microphone that plugs into your iPhone’s lightning port. It has a directional pickup pattern and is designed to capture a wide stereo image, making it ideal for recording music or other audio with a lot of spatial detail.
- Movo Photo LPM100: The LPM100 has a directional pickup pattern that helps to reduce background noise and improve sound quality, making it ideal for use in a variety of different recording scenarios. It also has a built-in windscreen that helps to reduce wind noise, making it ideal for use outdoors.
Ultimately, the best microphone for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. I would recommend doing some research and reading reviews to find the microphone that is best suited to your needs.
RØDE VideoMic Me-L
The Rode VideoMic Me-L is worth considering if you’re shooting mobile iOS video and want better audio than what your phone provides—or if you need to record VO or ADR on the fly. This is a shotgun mic that connects to iOS devices through a lightning port and uses the connection point as a mount.
The directional polar pattern of the mic focuses audio capture on what’s right in front of the capsule. It’s designed primarily for users with iOS devices, although it does include a 3.5mm TRS connection that can be used for monitoring or backup analog recording if the mic is connected to a lightning port.
Despite the fact that the mic can be mounted simply on top of your iOS lightning port, it also comes with a specific mic clip and a fuzzy windshield for better sound in windy conditions.
The mic is ideal for mobile iOS video capturing due to its simple plug-and-play design. When studios are unavailable, the mic’s quality is good enough to be utilized for VO or ADR; the mic has been used in a few television episodes in this capacity.
The mic captures audio in a broadcast-quality 48 kHz sample rate when connected to the Lightning port, making it suited for usage in professional settings. The cardioid polar pattern, which is very directed, will aid to reduce undesired room noise and ambiance.
One of the greatest iPhone microphones for creating content in general!
Shure MOTIV MV88 Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone
The MOTIV MV88 Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone attaches straight to any Apple iPhone, iPod, or iPad equipped with a Lightning connector to capture high-quality recordings on the move, thanks to its novel mid-side construction for clean, clear stereo sound.
The iPhone microphone element on the mid-side is fixed on a unique 90-degree hinge with built-in rotation, allowing for extremely flexible microphone positioning, especially in video applications.
The Shure Plus MOTIV Recording App, a free download from the Apple App Store, has five built-in DSP preset settings (Speech, Singing, Flat, Acoustic Instrument, Loud). For optimal results in nearly any scenario, the MOTIV app also enables for real-time modifications like microphone gain, stereo width, and high-quality 24-bit/48 kHz recording. The all-metal, Shure-tested construction ensures reliable operation in any climate.
One of the best iPhone interview microphones!
Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier
The Rode SmartLav+ is the microphone for you if you’re searching for a small, easy-to-use lapel mic that plugs directly into a phone’s TRRS socket. This mic records to various phones and devices with 3.5mm TRRS interface and provides broadcast-quality sound in a small package.
Because there are no controls on hand, the method is streamlined: simply attach the mic to your subject (or yourself), plug the mic into the phone, and start recording.
The mic will operate with any app that records audio, including the built-in iOS Voice Memo app, but pairing it with the iOS Rode Reporter APP gives you access to a variety of mixing, editing, and exporting options.
The mic comes with a windshield, a sturdy clip, and a Kevlar-reinforced wire, making it ideal for electronic field production, run-and-gun news reporting, or simple mobile vlogs. To connect to the more modern iPhones, you’ll need an Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter, but this microphone works with other smartphones as well.
Zoom iQ7 Mid-Side Stereo Microphone
With the Zoom iQ7, a microphone that plugs immediately into an iOS smartphone owing to its Lightning connector, you may record high-quality Mid-Side stereo recordings straight to your iOS device. The mic is ideal for music-video recording, video-based podcasts, and more, thanks to its naturalistic stereo depth of field.
The iQ7 records broadcast-quality digital audio and has a stereo-width slider that lets you control how “wide” the recording feels. The width control and gain settings are simple to master.
The iQ7 comes with a removable spacer that allows it to be used with most iPhone, iPad, and iPod cases, and is optimized for the Zoom Handy Recorder App. It also comes with a windscreen made of foam.
Not all phone speakers are made equal, and most are unsuitable for recording on the move or at home. With ultra high-quality audio recordings, the Zoom iQ7 takes your lightning-equipped iPhone to the next level. This is something I would recommend to anyone who wants to record audio onto their iPhone for music or voice recordings.
Related Article: 3 Best Ways To Stabilize Smartphone Video – Smartphone Filmmaking
Movo Photo LPM100 Directional Stereo Microphone
Connect the Movo Photo LPM100 directional stereo microphone to your Lightning-enabled smartphone or tablet to capture sound with greater clarity than the built-in mic on your device.
It has dual cardioid capsules in an X/Y stereo configuration, resulting in a large sound pickup zone in front of the mic and lower response behind the mic, which is great for reducing reflections and room reverb in your recordings.
Switch to the furry windshield for greater wind noise reduction during outdoor shooting, or use the foam windscreen to block out noise from fans, air conditioners, and light breezes.
The LPM100 is the ideal iPhone microphone for travel vloggers, and it comes with a travel case for easy portability.
Comica Audio SIG.LAV V05 MI Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone
The Comica Audio SIG LAV V05 MI is an omnidirectional lavalier microphone that allows you to record crisp and accurate digital voice directly to the lightning port of your iPhone or iPad while monitoring your sound.
The cable includes an in-line module with a volume-adjustment thumbwheel for altering the recording level of the microphone. With a 3.5mm audio output, you may plug up a pair of headphones and listen to the mic in real-time.
The omnidirectional pickup pattern of the SIG.LAV V05 MI collects sound from all directions, providing for a multitude of location options and freedom of movement—even when the subject turns away from the mic.
The microphone is powered by a CR2032 battery, which is shown by an LED indicator when the battery is low. A foam windscreen protects against wind noise, while the metal design shields against radio frequency noise.
Movo Photo EDGE-DI-DUO Digital Wireless Omni Lavalier Microphone
The Movo Photo EDGE-DI-DUO is a tiny digital wireless microphone system with two microphones and only one receiver, designed for vloggers, mobile journalists, and videographers.
It provides a practical option for recording dialogue, interviews, and speech with two persons talking simultaneously—directly to an iOS smartphone or tablet—and it’s simple to use with plug-and-play operation. The EDGE-DI-DUO is a pair of ultralightweight bodypack transmitters, each with its own lavalier microphone.
The mics include an omnidirectional pickup pattern that ensures that even when the talent’s head turns away from the mic, speech is captured consistently. Both mic and line-level signals are accepted by the transmitters, which have battery indicators.
The solution also includes a small dual-channel receiver that mounts on your iPhone’s Lightning port and plugs straight into it.
Audio level control and a status LED are included on the receiver. You can choose between mono and stereo recording modes. You may monitor your mics via the receiver’s headphone output during recording to ensure that you’re capturing a clear signal.
At a distance of up to 200′, the EDGE-DI-DUO provides dependable transmission with clear sound. Two AAA batteries power the transmitters, while your phone powers the receiver. Your system comes with a protective case to store and travel safely.
Vlogging Kits
If you haven’t noticed, everyone these days is vlogging.
Why not acquire an all-in-one vlogging kit to get you up and running now, especially when a whole new generation is living their lives online through video streams, vlogs, TikToks, YouTubes, Twitches, and Snapchats?
Vlogging kits are small enough to transport your home studio; however, some vloggers may want to preserve their home setup and add an ultra-lightweight action kit for easy setup and mobility when they’re out in the field.
Here’s a popular vlogging/filmmaking package to get you started shooting right away!
Rode Vlogger/Filmmaker Kit iOS Edition
The Rode Vlogger Kit iOS Edition, a complete solution developed exclusively for hassle-free, high-quality audio and video recording to a smartphone with a Lightning connection, can help you stand out from the crowd of vlogs, live streams, YouTube videos, and social media posts.
The Rode VideoMic Me-L ultracompact condenser microphone, as well as an on-camera light with a diffuser and eight colored filters, are included in this bundle.
A tripod, a phone holder, and the necessary attachments, such as a clip mount, a fuzzy windscreen, and a USB-C cable, are all included.
The mic is great for content creators who don’t want to be slowed down by a complicated setup. You can turn your smartphone into a portable, convenient production system with the Vlogger Kit iOS Edition, which will significantly increase the quality of your sound and picture.
Summary
It’s difficult to choose a top option from this list of the finest iPhone external mics. The RODE VideoMic Me-L is the most popular iPhone microphone due to its high quality and low price.
The iPhone microphones described above, on the other hand, improve sound quality and help minimize background noise, allowing you to concentrate on the subject directly in front of the mic.
Now get out there and make some movies!
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About the author: Trent (IMDB | Youtube) has spent 10+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. He writes about his experiences to help (and amuse) others. If he’s not working, he’s either traveling, reading or writing about travel/film, or planning travel/film projects.
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