Why Get Another Mic For The iPhone?
Let’s face it, if you want to share videos on YouTube, Instagram or any other social media platform, you need great video and audio quality. In this article I’m going to share about a mic for the iPhone that has transformed my social media presence in a matter of months.
Most of us enjoy the convenience of using our iPhones to make our video content but the sound quality of the standard iPhone microphone can be really lacking. Having a high-quality external microphone is a must if you are serious about the sound of your iPhone videos.
There are a number of microphone options on the market but in this article, I’m going to share about the mic I use, the Shure MV88 microphone.
THE Mic for iPhones
A couple of years ago, I was looking for a solid external mic for iPhones. I wanted to use my iPhone to record videos of my drumming at gigs. Drums are difficult to record because of the wide frequency range our instrument projects. So, I knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge to find just the right mic.
Mic input can quickly become distorted by excessive high or low frequencies and volume is always an issue with recording the drums. If you’re looking for an external mic for your iPhone to record drums or live music performances, check out the Shure MV88 iOS Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone.
In the 2 years I’ve been using it, this mic for the iPhone consistently produces clean and balanced audio giving me great recordings every time.
The iPhone Shure Mic That Fuels My Growth
I actually owned the Shure MV88 for about a year before I used it to create YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. I started recording my playing at gigs and then sliced and diced the longer videos into 15-30 second snippets to share online.
To do this, I bought a simple phone tripod stand. I then mount the tripod with my iPhone and iPhone Shure mic, onto a mic or cymbal stand at the gig. It’s that simple.
I have been doing this at most of my gigs and it gives me an enormous amount of video to use for promoting my drumming, online drum lessons and drum practice tracks. It has also helped me reach 10’s of thousands more drummers through social media.
I have seen my YouTube subscribers and Instagram followers grow by the thousands since I started making and sharing performance videos.
If you’re looking to use multiple camera angles in your video production, check out my article about the Atem Mini Pro video switcher.
Shure MV88 Mic Specs
If you’re a recording geek, you’ll like that the Shure MV88 microphone has multiple mic pickup patterns. See the screenshots below.
This mic for the iPhone has a mid-side architecture so you’re never out of phase and always get a clear stereo image. You can also record uncompressed files up to 24 bit / 48 kHz. The width of the stereo image can be adjusted as well to record large orchestras all the way down to an individual singer.
Though this mic for the iPhone is ideal for recording vocals, it really shines with acoustic instruments (including drums). Recording amplified instruments also delivers a clean sound.
The frequency response of the Shure MV88 ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This is an adequate frequency range for most live performance recordings. It can also record in both mono and stereo modes.
Other Features Of This Mic For The iPhone
The Shure MV88 provides excellent sound quality at rehearsal and on stage both inside and outside. One smart feature is a built-in shock mount that protects against accidental bumps and drops.
The Shure MV88 Lightning connector is designed to work with Apple smartphones and tablets. It’s incredibly convenient to connect directly to your Apple mobile or tablet device without having to use an adapter.
Another feature that is a real life-saver is the green LED light on the shock mount. This tells you if the mic is active. Such a simple but extremely important thing to have.
How frustrating it would be to have a great performance, only to find out later that the mic wasn’t active and recording.
This iPhone Shure microphone also comes with a compact hard case for extra protection and a windscreen that protects against wind noise for outdoor recording.
Shure Motiv MV88 Price
I know price is always a consideration when buying recording equipment. I’m here to tell you though, the price of the Shure MV88 iPhone microphone is affordable for almost any budget.
The old saying, you get what you pay for is true but Shure has long been a trusted maker of microphones. The Shure MV88 mic continues in this tradition and delivers a top notch mic without the premium price.
I’m using affiliate links in this article. Buying through me is a convenient way to get your recording products and an easy way to support this blog. Thank you 🤙
The Shure iPhone Mic app
The Shure iPhone mic app for the MV88 is downloadable from the Apple app store. It is well-designed and easy to use. Even if you’re a complete beginner or know nothing about recording audio, you’ll be able to figure things out.
DSP Modes
The mic app also comes with 5 DSP preset modes – speech, singing, flat, acoustic instrument and loud. These will automatically adjust EQ, compression and limiting for you. You can also dial in custom settings if you like.
EQ
Even with no EQ adjustment, the Shure MV88 sounds great. Personally, I like to add a some bass and adjust the other frequencies a bit to save me production time later. To do this, I use the EQ settings in the Shure iPhone mic app.
Compression
The compressor in the app is intuitive and works great. You don’t get that “pumping” compressor sound like when you use the built-in iPhone mic. Instead, you get a consistent, clean sound with no sudden audible compression.
Limiter
I usually adjust the volume input and this makes it possible to avoid unwanted distortion during the recording process. I also use the Limiter built into the Shure iPhone mic app. This is added protection against peaking volume levels.
Presets
I can then save all of these settings as a preset. After I plug in the mic, I open the app and select my preset. It loads and I’m good to go. With the preset settings, I don’t usually need to adjust EQ or compression in my video editing software later.
The Shure MV88 mic and companion app give you a clean and rich recording every time. I have absolutely no complaints about this mic’s performance.
My YouTube Shorts videos
So, I’ve shared a few of my Shorts videos below. They were all taken using my Shure Motiv MV88 microphone. I used the same settings shared in the screenshots above. Judge for yourself if you think the sound is good.
If you want to create your own website and increase your online presence beyond social media, check out my article on the web hosting company I use.
Conclusion
As with all of the products I review, I have used the Shure MV88 microphone a lot. It has recorded dozens of my performances with superb sound quality. This made it easy for me to produce videos and quickly grow my online social media presence.
The combination of this mic for the iPhone and the companion iPhone app make the Shure MV88 a professional grade recording option. The added features of the shock mount and active LED light just increase the value of a mic that is already well worth its affordable price.
Video is such a powerful way to share ideas and connect with others. Having a high-quality microphone is essential for any social media production. The Shure MOTIV MV88 microphone will help you create solid videos from your iPhone every time you press record.
Have fun recording out there and keep swinging my friend!
What mic do you use for your iPhone?
Everything you need to learn Jazz drumming in one place at JAZZDRUMSCHOOL.COM. 100% practical, real-world Jazz drum lessons. All courses are a one-time payment for lifetime access.
Supercharge your Jazz drumming practice. Download high-quality, effective DRUMLESS TRACKS. Improve your time, feel, Jazz comping and soloing. Practice with real musicians too.
Need a some extra help with your Jazz drumming? Book a private ONLINE DRUM LESSON with me and accomplish your drumming goals faster.
