External Microphones for iPhone 5s, 5, 4S, iPad and iPod Touch Audio input

iPhone 5 with Microphones and Input Adapters
A few of the many microphone options to make your mobile recordings better.

Note on iPhone 5: Right now the only confirmed way to record stereo on the iPhone 5 is with the GuitarJack Model 2 and an Apple 30-pin to lightning adapter. All other headset-jack based solutions work as well as the iPhone 4/4S!

To dramatically increase the quality of the sound you record on your iOS device, you should use an external microphone or mixer, or a direct line input.

You can use external microphones/inputs with any of the following iOS devices:

  • iPad (audio recording), iPad 2/new iPad/iPad mini (audio or video recording)
  • iPhone 3G, iPhone 3Gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 (audio or video recording)
  • iPod Touch (3rd/4th/5th generation) (audio or video recording)

Skip to: Recommendations | Details

Video: iPhone External Mic Comparison

(See also: iPhone 4/4S External Microphone Comparison, listing of mics and adapters used in this video)

My Recommendations

Software - App Recommendations

  • iPad: Use GarageBand. It's not expensive, and is awesome for recording and editing.
  • iPhone/iPod Touch: Use FiRe, FourTrack, or even built-in Voice Memos.
  • Camera/iMovie (Built-in) - Quick and simple to use, can lock focus, but has very few settings/features. Handles different audio inputs, but without much configuration or level control, and no monitoring.
  • For Video: Although the built-in Camera app is pretty good, I prefer FiLMiC Pro, which allows focus, metering, and white balance lock/unlock, and has a built-in audio meter. No audio play-through yet (as far as I can tell).

Simple, one-mic setup (podcasts, one-person interviews)

Buy a RØDE smartLav, and plug it into your iPhone. If you need more than about 5' of cable (so you can record an interview with the iPhone's camera, for instance), buy a 2m TRRS extension cable as well.

Another option, which allows you to have a more flexible mic setup so your mic can be used with other equipment, is to buy a microphone and adapter to use together:

For better quality recordings

This setup will allow you to record a little nicer quality sound, especially since the VeriCorder cable or Tascam adapter boosts the signal a bit so it comes into the iPhone at the right level for more clarity and amplification:

For wireless mobility and great quality

Another option, for more freedom of movement, a perfect recording level, and much more flexibility with one mic (this is the kit I use most often now - plug the line/headphone output on the wireless receiver into the KVConnection line-level adapter):

For multiple-mic interviews/recordings

Buy a Dual 1/8" Microphone to iPhone adapter from KVConnection, and plug one Audio-Technica ATR-3350 into each jack. (If you use XLR mics, get this adapter instead).

Another couple of options include:

  • The GuitarJack Model 2, into which you can plug a stereo input source (or two microphones that go one in left, one in right channel).
  • You can get a Monster iSplitter and plug a lavaliere microphone into each side, then plug this into a KVConnection mic adapter. (See example video).
  • The Fostex AR-4i works great for the iPhone 4/4S (put one lavaliere microphone in on the left channel and one on the right), but doesn't work with the iPhone 5.
  • The Line 6 Mobile In, which also has a stereo input like the Guitar Jack.

For recording loud music, concerts, environmental sound

Right now, there aren't a lot of out-of-the-box options for recording sound in high SPL situations (loud rock concerts) or other environmental sounds. However, there are three solutions I recommend:

  1. The Tascam iM2 - a great stereo mic for the iPhone 4/4S/5 that provides a simple AB-pattern stereo microphone (that can handle up to 125 dB).
  2. The GuitarJack Model 2 (read my review of the GuitarJack Model 2) allows for padding and relatively high sound level input.
  3. A preamp or mixer in-line before the iPhone. This is more clumsy/less portable, but if you simply plug the output of a mixer or preamp into the iPhone (or a product like the AR-4i or GuitarJack), you can handle as loud of sound levels as your mixer/preamp can handle.

For line-level inputs (Guitars, Mixers, Sound Systems)

One option right now is the Apogee Jam, a nice interface for guitars and other 1/4" plug line-level inputs, that works through the Dock connector, and is specifically advertised for use with GarageBand on the iPad. Another simple option (if you want a little nicer build quality than the KVConnection adapters) is the iRig from Amplitube. Another inexpensive option is the iJAM cable from Ampridge.

KVConnection provides two nice adapters, though, which I use because they're cheap and reliable: Line-level 1/4" adapter w/ attenuation ($28), and Line-level 1/8" adapter w/ attenuation ($28)

The Details

I'll run through most of my kit for mobile recording, following along with the picture below:

Mobile iPhone 4 3G/3Gs video and audio external microphone podcasting kit

  1. iPhone 3G/3Gs/4 Tripod (instructions for building the tripod mount)
  2. Crown Sound Grabber II PZM Boundary microphone ($80)
  3. Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Powered Lavaliere Microphone ($20)
  4. KV Connection microphone-to-iPhone audio adapters (read more about them, and about available alternatives below)
  5. Spare batteries - you can never have too many
  6. Sony WCS-999 Wireless Microphone Adapter ($100 - Note: Throw out the included mic, and use the ATR-3350 with this. Only good for 10-50 ft., but nice and cheap, that's why I'm recommending it.)
  7. (NOT PICTURED: The following items have been added to my kit since I wrote this article)
    1. Rode VideoMic shotgun/condenser mic ($150)
    2. VeriCorder XLR Adapter Cable ($70)

One option for easy external audio in a pinch is to plug in your headset, hit record, and voila! You have a much better sound-isolating mic than the iPhone's built-in mic (especially over distance). The disadvantage here is that the iPhone's headset cable is pretty short.

My typical video setup (especially for interviews) used to be a Canon GL/XL series camera with an XLR -> RCA box with phantom power to a condenser mic, or a wireless lapel mic, and it worked great... but it was rather bulky. I now use my iPhone and get set up in about a minute or two.

Recording with a Shure SM58, Lavalieres, Shotgun Mics, Line-Level Inputs

The iPhone basically requires a mic-level, 800Ω or better input through it's headset jack, so you'll need to do one or two conversions: first, you need to get the correct physical connection, and second, you'll need to have your audio at the right input level (otherwise, the iPhone will switch back to its internal mic).

Connections

Whether you have an XLR mic, a 1/8" mic, a line-level source with a 1/4" TRS plug, or an RCA/phono jack, you can likely find a direct adapter for the iPhone's 4-connection TRS plug from KVConnection (read their guide to mobile audio adapters).

Here are the KVConnection adapters I've tried, and my notes on their usage:

I also recommend the VeriCorder XLR Adapter Cable for XLR mics, and the Tascam iXZ for XLR, 1/4" or 1/8" mics or line-level equipment, though both of these products are slightly more expensive.

If you buy any of these, you can almost always find adapters at your local RadioShack, or make your own, to get from any connection to any other connection. I carry a box of about 20 audio adapters in my car for just this purpose.

Attenuation and Impedence-Matching Transformers

In order to get a line-level signal into a mic-level input (like the iPhone's), you need to attenuate (or 'pad') the signal. Some of KVConnection's adapters do this for you, but if you want to try another method, you can find line-to-mic transformers/pads from a variety of sources. Just be sure you have the right adapters to get your audio from source -> iPhone!

You'll also need to be wary of the impedance (measured in ohms or Ω) of the output of your microphone or audio device. It needs to be at least 800Ω before the iPhone will recognize it as a valid audio input.

A few caveats:

  • If you're using an unpowered or dynamic microphone (like the SM58), you'll need a preamp, mixer, or low-to-high impedance transformer to increase the gain, or the iPhone will simply switch back to the built-in microphone.
  • For a good mic preamp, try finding a portable headphone amp like the Shure FP12 (an old, but rock-solid amp with level adjustment - see more on my Shure FP12 here).

Recording in Stereo on the iPhone - Two Inputs

There are two solutions for stereo recording for the iPhone currently available:

One is from Fostex, the Fostex AR-4i for $149. Read my review of the AR-4i. (Note that this product doesn't work very well with the iPhone 5!)

Another is the GuitarJack Model 2 from Sonoma Wireworks. It's a great audio interface (with three inputs and one output) for all iOS devices; it has a stereo 1/8" input that works with pretty much any mic or stereo audio source, and a mono 1/4" guitar jack that also works with a variety of guitars, amps, mixers, and other sources. Read my review of the GuitarJack Model 2.

Note: The Tascam iM2 also looks like a good solution if you simply want a stereo microphone (that can handle pretty good sound pressure levels) for your iPhone (but it doesn't have a separate input jack).

Recording on the iPad - Stereo or Mono

In addition to using the adapters for the headphone jack on the iPad, and recording with a mono input, you can use the iPad's Dock Connector in tandem with the iPad Camera Connection Kit's USB adapter to use most USB-Audio Compliant audio I/O devices with the iPad... meaning you could record two tracks (stereo) sound into the iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad (with retina display)!

First, you'll need to have the USB adapter from the iPad Camera Connection Kit ($32 from Amazon).

Then, you'll need one of the following USB interfaces to translate analog inputs to the USB connection:

Then, you'll need one of the following apps to support multi-channel recording and mixing:

Further reading: USB Audio Devices that work with iPad.

Recording Samples

Recording with Two Lavalieres - through Y-Adapter

If you have two powered lavaliere microphones (or any other similar mics, with mic-level, high impedance connections), you can plug them both into a y-adapter (I use a $5 RadioShack adapter or a little more durable Monster iSplitter), and you will then be able to have two independent mics (both into one mono connection, though) running into the iPhone directly (using the 1/8" iPhone mic adapter from KVConnection)! Click here to watch the video. [Update Jan. 2013: KVConnection now makes an adapter with two microphone jacks, so you wouldn't need the Y-adapter mentioned above. Looks like a good option if you don't already have their other adapter.]

More sample Videos

Audio-only Recording on iPhone and iPad

Here are a few audio samples recorded using the Voice Memos app on both my iPhone and iPad!

A lot of people have asked me to recommend some microphones for use with these KVConnection Adapters. Here are a few of my recommendations:

Related posts from elsewhere:

Further reading

video
articles
iphone
cameras
audio
recording
production
microphone

Comments

Wow, you have just owned this issue. You way have way more useful information that anything else on the web (as far as I've been able to find at least). Thanks!

Could you recommend a good set up to record loud music? I'd be willing to shell out some bucks if it was not bulky and gave good results. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the compliments!

I would recommend a Shure SM58 and a mic preamp (I use an FP12, but that's out of production). This way you could monitor the level through headphones, and you could adjust as you see fit, so the input into the iPhone doesn't clip or distort.

The SM58 has great SPL ratings, and you could basically set the mic in front of a speaker stack with no ill effect (I've done it!).

Thanks for your response! I didn't actually take your advice though :) Instead, in the interest of keeping things simple, I got one of those vericorder xlr adapters. But when I tested it with a SM58 the iphone was still using the phone mic... any idea why? Is there a setting I need to change somewhere? Thanks for any insight!

Great update! Definitely thought the Vericorder adapter gave the best sound with the SM58. Now if only someone would either (1) find a way to bypass the low end filter of the mic input, or (2) gain full line-in access to the iphone4, I'd be a happy camper!

The full line-in input would be preferred, but so far it looks like that won't happen, as they changed the hardware for the dock connector :(

Thanks for turning me on to kvconnection. I wanted to make a setup to use a contact mic with a tuning program on the iPod touch, and am using a kvconnection adapter. One thing I am finding though is that occasionally the program I use looses track of the mic. I wonder if it's the rather sever taper of the edge of the iPod touch at the jack. Seems like at the mic section of the jack is very exposed, perhaps making poor contact if pressured even slightly the wrong way. Just a thought; have not fully sorted out the issue.

I've only recently acquired an iPod touch for testing - so I'll definitely look into this issue. That was one of the things that surprised me most - the edge of the touch is tapered to a very extreme degree, and it just doesn't work as well for a 1/8" jack as the iPhone 4's flush mount.

I don't expect an XLR jack or anything, but the greater the amount of tapering, the more difficult it is to get a solid connection and good contact on each pin.

Great website Jeff, thanks for all the great info! I've been hooking up my Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer to my iPhone 3GS through a stock Camcorder AV TRRS cable. I use the FX send to send a signal to the iPhone's mic input, and I've used an SM58 as well as a condenser AKG, both with great results. I recently got an iPhone 4 and now with the exact same setup and gear there is a fairly loud and steady clicking/staticky sound that's there regardless of my level. My new iPad does the same thing, but when I it in Airplane mode the sound stops. On my iPhone 4 though Airplane mode doesn't affect it. Any suggestions or insight you can share? Thanks

Sounds like it could be a problem of a faulty or flaky connection. I've had this happen with a few connectors I've used, and it's usually a matter of using a different cable to connect to the TRRS adapter.

However, it could also have to do with shielding and grounding—especially if you have your iPhone connected to a charger or a dock connector.

I've tried different stock Camcorder AV cables with a couple of different iPhone 4s and iPads with the same result, a steady clicking static-y sound throughout my recordings, iPhones not connected to a charger or dock. I just got some cables from KV Connection and the problem is no longer there, so it must have something to do with shielding / grounding like you suggested. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this.

Hi - some great info here, and I also posted across on one of the links here, but I've recently realised that (and this would need to be confirmed) having listened to song recordings I made on my iPhone 3gs compared to recordings made on my iPhone 4 (all in 'Voice Memos' using the mic on the phones) the recordings from the 3gs seem to be at 80kbit/s but the recordings from the iPhone 4 seem to be only 64kbits/s.....
Anyone else confirm this?

Just did some informal testing... it looks like in iOS 4.2.x on both the iPod Touch and my iPhone 4, the files put out by the 'Voice Memos' app are 64kbps, mono, 44.1 KHz.

If I record in FiRe (my preferred app), I can do uncompressed AIFF/WAV, grab the files through my browser (instead of syncing to iTunes), and the files are 700+ kbps, mono, 44.1 KHz.

Hi Jeff,

My name is Adam Faze, and I am about to start shooting a feature documentary using an iPhone 4, and I have no clue about any microphones whatsoever. Being a documentary, I would need wireless wearable mics. Could you please give me a list of everything I need to do so, and it is a feature film, so which ever one has the best sound quality possible.

Thanks,
Adam Faze

You'll need to get as many wireless mic send/receivers as you need (there's a link above), as well as one cable to go into the iPhone 4. You'll probably need some sort of mixer to get all the wireless mic receivers into one cable, to go into the iPhone 4.

Might I suggest something like this? AZDEN CAM-3 Mini Audio Mixer

Hi Jeff,

Sorry to bother you again, but Ii have no knowledge in microphones, so could you please just give me the names of the products I need and where I can find them?

Thanks,
Adam Faze

I'm in way over my head...... i have a 4G Ipod Touch, which we are going to use for interviews with some of our product managers. I need a wireless mic, as they don't want to hold anything. Are you able to tell me everything I will need to buy for this. I have the lavelier picked out, but I get confused with the other parts I will need. Thank you for any assistance you can offer.

@Jennifer - you'll need to purchase a wireless mic system (perhaps the Sony one I link to above?), and the KVConnection 1/8" mic input to TRRS adapter cable (see link above).

Hi - I just found this post and wondered whether you know whether I can record calls with my iPhone using an Olympus recorder and an iPhone to 1/8" Line-level adapter.
Thanks so much
Peter

I did not see any mention of the technical difference between using the ipod touch ( 4g) / i-Pad headset(mic) input vs the docking connector input vis-a-vis the sampling rate.I have heard the headset/mic 3.5mm inout only offers lower quality sampeling rate ( and in mono) as compared to a much higher sampling bitrate for the docking connector mic input ( which allwos stereo recording)
Please explain-TNX

Thanks for this very thorough post; I'm glad I found you. Until now I thought my only option for recording audio onto my iPad was through the camera connector kit but I hate the idea of chaining adapters together... the camera connector kit is nice but I'm always afraid it will snap off under duress.

I'm not an audio expert by any means but I've also learned that plugging my mic into my iMac doesn't work very well, and I suspect that I need something like the amplifying adapters you describe here. Can you advise?

Thanks!

Peter

The iMic adapter (and the mic input on an iMac, as well) doesn't have any amplification built in, like a mic preamp would offer. If you are going to use a normal XLR microphone (almost any of them), you'll probably want to use a mic preamp, or use a mixer or audio interface with a built-in preamp (and maybe phantom power if you need it), to get good quality/adjustable-level sound.

Otherwise, the sound is usually very soft, and sometimes even unusable.

what is about condesor mic (usb, like the "t.bone SC 440 USB"), do they work on ipad ???

That microphone looks like it should work, though I'd try to stick to other microphones from name-brand companies. I'd never heard of T.Bone until seeing your comment :-/

Thanks for the super-helpful post! Is there any way to use one of these usb devices (through the camera adapter) and simultaneously be charging the iPad?

Unfortunately, I don't think so. There might be a hackish way to do this, but as of now, there aren't any adapters that allow this dual functionality yet.

The iRig Mic was overlooked. It’s pretty new, and I think is the best mic for the iPhone – and all Apple devices. It’s made to work with the iPhone headset input, and you can even charge your iPhone while you use it.

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/irigmic

I like the set up you have there with the iphone 4 xgrip? I actually have the rode mic. Can you please post a link where i would be able to purchase xgrip? I would like that set up. I really appreciate your help! Thanks!

Jeff, thanks so much for your iPhone recording articles! One question -- do you know of a source for replacement foam windscreens that will fit the ATR-3350? I can't seem to find anything anywhere!

Im curious if any xlr would work ok with the vocal live app, I currently use a crown 311 mic ( phantom powered) or would I have to use that irig mic.?

If you need phantom power, you'll need to use a Mic preamp before going into the iPhone. You might be better off with the iRig mic, in that case.

Hello - Thanks for putting together this great video! You answered my primary question perfectly, which related to how one can / should go about using an external wireless mic with an ipod touch. My purpose is to be able to record video interviews and product demonstrations at industry trade shows. These videos will only be shown on the web. To this end, I am drawn most to the Radio Shack 33-3013 lavaliere mic solution with the KV Connection Cable. Based on your demo (and your use of this solution in your own podcasts), it seems like this solution is more than sufficient for my needs and would also be the most compact to carry around with me. Of course, I would be interested in your thoughts if you disagree with this conclusion. That said, my primary question is whether there is a way to hook up 2 separate lavalieres at the same time with this setup, since I will typically be interviewing someone and it would be nice if both of our voices sounded equally clear. I would really appreciate any feedback you may have on this.

Michael: You should be able to simply use a 1/8" Y-Adapter to plug two mics into one mic input either on a wireless transmitter, or on the KVConnection adapter. I think I did that in one of my YouTube videos. As long as the two mics are the same kind/brand, it shouldn't be an issue. The sound level could decrease a bit, but with most of the mics I mention that won't happen.

That does look like a pretty cool if you need streaming, but I wonder if it uses the Dock Connector for audio input. Additionally, this would be waaaay overkill for anything besides live streaming.

Greaaaaat info Jeff. Thank youuuuuuuuuu for sharing. I searched online and your answer was the best for somebody new to this field, like me. In addition, I have 2 questions.
1. Would this combination work with Iphone 3GS ? - Shure SM58 + 25’ XLR Cable + Vericorder iphone XLR Adapter (I think that was the best quality of the sound comparing to the others)
2. Does this combination also work with video recordings on Iphone 3GS, or is it only good for audio recordings?
Thank you so much,
Lilo

Yes, it would work very well for both. And yes, the VeriCorder cable will give a little better quality than the KVConnection adapters (in my experience).

No matter what app you're using, this combo should work fine.

Awesome info here. Thank you. Just wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives to the kvconnector iphone to mic adapter? With shipping it'll cost me $26. That's a lot for me right now for a tiny adapter. Cheapest thing on ebay was like $15 but I don't know if it's as good quality.

Unfortunately no... I highly recommend paying an extra few bucks for the KVConnection adapters—they're extremely high quality, and the service/support for them is also great.

Hi Jeff, thanks so much for putting such a nice piece of info together.

I'm wondering if I can buy just one connector for my iphone 4 so that I can record by plugging in EITHER a guitar/bass DIRECTLY, OR a microphone (a Shure SM58 or something). Will this work:

http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-43f35f.htm ?

If so, do you think the sound quality will be better than, say, using an iRig mic AND an iRig? If not, what do you suggest?

Thanks.

Unfortunately, unless you have a line-level mic (which usually isn't as nice as an SM-58 for most things), you wouldn't be able to do everything through one adapter.

Also, the iRig mic (which I hope to review soon) promises to be a little higher quality due to the fact that it was built with the input impedance of the iPhone in mind from the start...

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for this helpful post! I yoga videos and I us the Azden Pro wireless system. I have been using a Kodak zi8 to make my videos, but with the new iMovie app I wanted the convenience of doing it all on my phone. So, per your suggestion I got the KVconnection adaptor and did it! I was really excited to be able to do the whole thing on my phone. :-)

Here's a couple questions, problems. First, the volume was a bit low. Is there anything I can do about that? The adaptor I got from KV is the KM-IPHONE-MIC. Also, because I'm moving around I'd love a head mic instead of a Lav. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks a lot for the post - I would have never known about the KV adaptor.

John

For the volume, you can try to increase the level after the fact, but it's mostly due to the fact that the iPhone doesn't have the greatest input in the world. If you have an XLR balanced mic, the VeriCorder cable I mention actually gets a really decent level out of it.

Additionally, here are a couple headworn microphones you'd probably like:

I have an iPhone 4 and I bought the ATR3350 microphone and the recommended adapter. The microphone works when attached to my PC but it is not working with the adapter attached to my iphone 4. Any ideas on how to trouble shoot this?

The best way would probably be hooking up your own headphone amp or headphones straight into the JamHub. Then connect the recording output from the JamHub to the iPhone. You might need a line-level input adapter from KVConnection (it seems that's the output level from the JamHub.

But you'd need to get the specs from JamHub on the output jack; is it mic or line level? Other than that, you just need to make sure you have the right adapters / connectors. If the JamHub has a 1/8" phono output, you'll need to get that into the iPhone using the appropriate level KVConnection adapter.

If you use an iPad or iPad 2, you might be able to just plug the USB straight into the Camera Connection Kit's USB adapter, and record in mono or stereo. However, this won't work on the iPhone 4.

If it's headphone-level audio, in the 1/4" jack, you could just get the KVConnection line-level 1/4" to TRRS adapter.

by the way the 1/4 jack is for headphone - this is for jamhub user manual

Hi Jeff

Wondering if you can help me...

I got everything you suggested - 2 x Azden WM-PRO and y-connector. For some reason the iPhone is ignoring the external mic and using the internal iPhone mic. I tried removing the y connector from the equation but same results. The mic *is* working - i am getting good signal and the headphone jack is responding. Any suggestions?

Do you also have a mic level KVConnection input adapter plugged into the iPhone directly? That has to be plugged into the iPhone (all the way - you might need to remove a case if you have one on you iPhone), and then the y adapter plugs into it.

The KV connection for audio technica 3350 to iphone, should I but the 1/4 or 1/8? Im a bit confused about which one to buy.

thanks a lot

Jeff,

Got the KVM device delivered today... Still no luck. Essentially, it just won't pick up the external mic. Any other suggestions?

Ray

Never mind. Tip to other iPhone users out there... Make sure you don't have your phone set to Vibrate (volume mute)... Otherwise your external mic will not record (but your internal one will). *sigh*. Oh how I could have saved myself a lot of time had I known that. :) Everything is working well now. Thanks.

Glad to see you found the solution—that's really strange behavior, but since I always have my phone on ring, I guess I've never had that problem.

I have access to Shure 58 mics and xlr cables so, is my best option for iPad 2 the Shure 58 microphpone and the vericoder xlr adapter or should I use the Griffin iMic?

If you're just doing one mic, I'd definitely go with the VeriCorder. If two or more, go with the iMic and some sort of mixer or preamp before the iMic.

Hey Jeff great content man.

Quickly, I am not able to get my iPad to record any audio.

I'm using the ipad connection kit and the IMic with a audio technica lav microphone. Why isn't it working?

Thanks, Jeff! Great stuff here. Very well done and easy to understand!

hi could I confirm

does the ipad 2 work the same way as the iphone4 i.e does the ipad2 with kv connection allow mic input to record audio when shooting with the video camera?

many thanks

Jeff you're a great giver. Looks like this and other posts will go on forever. Been a great help on audio for the iPhone.

Here's one for you just in case you have not heard(but you most probably will have)

FILMIC PRO - iPhone app with audio metering and selectable frame rates and the usual focus/exposures and built in slate. Yow!

Enjoy!

David

Hi Jeff.
First off BIG THANKS!!!
I went ahead and purchased the Technica Lavalier recommended set-up BUT realized that although this would be ideal for interviews, I am really looking to capture good quality audio in a club...for DJ sets (I would be in the audience). Being that I check out a lot of bassmusic...Skrillex, Diplo, bassnectar...you can imagine the sub bass in the room. I'm a bit of an iPhone app junkie and no matter how expensive my video recorders are, the audio quality is super distorted. If I use an external MIC, the set-up would need to be more conspicuous than the Technica set-up, because security wouldnt let me in a club with this. None of my recordings are for professional use. I just want the stuff i upload to be high quality. Hope all is well. Please advise. OMwards. DK

Very nice, especially considering most people would have to lug around a laptop and more kit to do SPL and freq response measurements! I'm sure this thing's quality is a smidge worse than most dedicated rigs, but it should help a lot of people who don't need the utmost sonic clarity!

Hi Jeff

Thanks for all the great advice!

Today I spent a few hours trying to figure out why my XLR mic (Rode M3) wasn't working on my iPhone, thanks to you I have learned that I need an adaptor.

We are trying to get a rig together for interviewing people at music festivals, so two microphones are required. I see two possibilities here:

1. Get a 3.5mm male to two 3.5mm female adapter (http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-mic2.htm) and then 2 x 3.5mm to XLR adaptors (http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-micx.htm).

2. Take both mic's into a mixer then out using a 1.4" jack and into the 1.4" to 3.5mm adaptor (http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-mic42-a22.htm)

Which would way would you recommend (and if I have made a mistake please feel free to correct me)? The interviews will happen on a couch so we can have a mixer as we wont be walking around. In your experience is it required to monitor the mic levels or is it ok to plug straight into the iPhone.

Many thanks

Kavan

Either way *should* work okay; however, you'd probably be better off (if you have a mixer and are willing to take it with you) going the mixer route, as that will let you manually control the levels of each mic, and also enable you to monitor the signals in real time via the mixer's headphone out.

I've tested this adapter, and I can say that it does not work at all with the iPhone 4. It does work with iPhone 3G and 3Gs.