[Updated] How to Choose the Best Microphone for Your iPhone?
iPhones manifest as potent tools for constructing content. Yet, capturing audio in superior quality often poses a hurdle.
The simplest solution? Plug an external microphone into your iPhone.
The question that now arises is - how to select the right microphone.
Let's embark on this journey to uncover the secrets of opting for a microphone for your iPhone.
Benefits of an External Phone Mic
Enhanced Video Audio Quality
An external microphone guarantees superior audio quality when stacked against the in-built microphone of your phone. Without it, iPhone recordings could sound coarse, be filled with ambient noise, or plagued by echoes.
Sidestep Recording Ambient Noise
Good sound quality is more than just noise reduction - it's influenced by the polar pattern of the recording and other internal configurations. Modern microphones often come armed with CVC or DSP noise reduction technology that discerns and isolates the human voice from background commotion, like the hum of an air conditioner indoors or vehicular noise and wind outdoors.
Broadened Range Allows Free Movement
Using a wired headset or the iPhone itself restricts the speaker's mobility, confining them to the immediate vicinity of the device. With a wireless lapel microphone, the transmission distance can stretch to many meters, leading to richer and more diverse video content.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Wireless Microphones
Before settling, it's crucial to consider the following elements when picking out a wireless microphone for your iPhone:
Sound Quality
Wireless mics typically offer two sound qualities - digital and analog. Digital microphones transmit signals continuously, promising high recording quality. In contrast, analog wireless mics employ a compander to shrink your dynamic range of sound into a narrower frequency.
Frequency
Microphones with 400MHz or above UHF are generally regarded as powerful and optimal. If you can't spot these numbers, seek out the 2.4GHz frequency band to ensure top-notch voice capture.
Recording Range
The broader the recording range, the handier the wireless microphone. Ideally, you should look for a mic that offers double the range you need. For instance, if you're vying for a 100ft range device, select one that caters to 200ft.
Reliability
Lastly, opt for wireless microphones built from top-quality components. While cheaper mics might seem budget-friendly, they often lack durability and adaptability. Therefore, it's wise to choose less noisy, low-static, and low-dropout microphones with noise-reduction features and sturdy construction.
How to Use an External Mic on iPhone 16
Apple devices have consistently featured viable ways to connect external microphones. Here’s a quick rundown on how to use an external microphone with an iPhone 16:
Identify the microphone's connection – a 3.5mm jack needs a Lightning (or USB-C) to 3.5mm adapter, while a USB microphone will need a Lightning (or USB-C) to USB adapter. Both Apple and third-party manufacturers provide these adapters.
Connect the microphone to the adapter, then plug the adapter into your iPhone.
Ensure the application you're utilizing (Camera, Voice Memos, third-party recording applications) can access the microphone. Permissions can be reviewed and granted under Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
Some apps will automatically recognize and utilize the external microphone, while others may compel you to manually assign the external microphone as your input source within the app’s configurations.
Before embarking on any important recording, conduct a swift test to confirm the sound is being accurately captured through the external microphone.
FAQs
Can I Use an External Microphone for Facetime on My iPhone?
Yes, you can. Just ensure the microphone is iPhone-compatible, and it can enhance your FaceTime audio quality.
Can My Wireless Headphones Work as a Microphone on iPhone?
Absolutely. Most wireless headphones feature a built-in microphone that can be used for calls or recording on your iPhone.
How Can I Test My iPhone Microphone?
To test, use the Voice Memos app to record a brief clip and play it back to assess the audio quality.
Do All Lightning Microphones Work with iPhone?
Not necessarily. It's critical to check for compatibility with your specific iPhone model.
Can I Use My iPhone as a Microphone for My PC?
Certainly, with suitable apps like Wo Mic, you can convert your iPhone into a PC microphone.
