Your iPhone or iPad is always at your side, and when inspiration strikes, it’s often the best (or only) recording gadget you have handy. With the right mini microphone on hand, you can turn your iOS device into a high-quality electronic news-gathering system, sound sampler, songwriter’s scratch pad, and so much more. There are dozens of iOS-ready mini mics to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics, but here are five you should definitely know about, ranked by affordability.
IK Multimedia iRig Mic Cast
Very simple and straight to the point, the cardioid iRig Mic Cast by IK Multimedia is a noticeable step up from your iOS device’s built-in mic, yet it won’t make a big dent in your pocketbook. It plugs right into the TRRS communications jack (headphone jack), getting its power from the same source that powers the in-line mic in your iPhone headphones but leaving your Lightning connector free for charging. Switchable low and high mic levels let you adjust gain as needed, and a 3.5mm (1/8″) headphone jack allows you to monitor your recordings.
Blue Mikey Digital
The Blue Mikey Digital stereo microphone has a lot of things going for it, not the least of which is its size. At the same time, this tiny, flat microphone offers two channels of low-noise recording (16-bit/44.1kHz) that are great for capturing song ideas or practices. Also hidden onboard this mic is an 1/8″ auto-sensing input, which lets you connect line- or instrument-level sources, making it super easy to plug in your guitar and play with your favorite effects apps.
Zoom iQ7
When it comes to stereo recording with your iOS device, the Zoom iQ7 takes the cake. This mic includes a pair of swiveling capsules that allow you to capture 90-degree stereo, 120-degree stereo, or mid-side stereo for a wide, detailed, and phase-coherent sonic image. The other impressive aspect of this Lightning-connected stereo mic is its impressive 120dB SPL handling (16-bit/44.1 or 48kHz), which makes the iQ7 ideal for capturing band practice, even if you like to turn it up to 11.
Shure MV88
Sleek, compact, and fully adjustable, Shure’s MV88 is a 24-bit/48kHz Lightning iOS microphone with unlimited potential. When you load up the companion MOTIV app, you get full access to the MV88’s configurations, allowing you to choose from several polar patterns, including XY stereo, mid-side stereo, and even figure-8 modes. Additional settings include stereo width, EQ, and dynamics, and there are five application-specific DSP preset modes. The MV88 includes a windscreen, headphone adapter, and carrying case.
RODE iXY-L
Delivering professional-quality 24-bit/96kHz digital audio, RODE’s iXY-L Lightning-equipped microphone provides the pristine sound Sweetwater engineers have come to expect from microphones such as the acclaimed NT4. There’s a software-switchable 72Hz highpass filter onboard, plus the iXY-L comes with a windscreen for outdoor use. If you want amazing sound quality and XY stereo recording for your iOS device, the iXY-L is a total must-have mic.
