In my previous post about iPhone 4 iMovie exports, a few people have asked about the audio from the iPhone videos. I originally said that I recommend keeping a pocket digital camcorder like the Kodak Zi8 because it has a mic-in jack.
But it made me think. What if I used an external mic on my iPhone. Would the audio significantly improve?
In this video, I compare 2 solutions I have at home. First is the Griffen SmartTalk Headphone Adapter. It’s really designed for conducting phone calls while using your headphones. The second is the VeriCorder Mini-mic which is a directional microphone.
They’re both pretty inexpensive at less than $20 each. So neither will break the bank. In the post, Peter suggested a kV Connection adapter that would allow you to plugin your existing 3.5mm microphones. I don’t have that so I can’t test it.
I also throw in the Kodak Zi8 with the Audio Technica lav mic (but it’s in mono) so you can sort of get a comparison.
As you watch the video, which audio do you prefer? Do you prefer the iPhone by itself, the SmartTalk lapel, or the VeriCorder? Have you discovered in better iPhone audio solutions? Would you use the Kodak Zi8 with mic-in jack over the iPhone? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your opinions.
Hey Scott, good post!
We’ve been quite impressed with the quality of the built-in mic on the iPhone 4. It’s much clearer and more sensitive than the mic on iPhone 3GS.
I’ll be honest with you, you’ve lucked out with the mini mic on iPhone 4. Apple changed the specs for headset electronics in iPhone 4 and it’s caused our mics to be incompatible. There is some variance in the electronics of our mics and so you’ve got one that luckily works. We’re working on a design for iPhone 4 but we’re also in production of an XLR cable with onboard electronics. It’s got a 6dB mic pre-amp and RF noise suppression. It’ll work great with a handheld mic, into a lav or wireless pack, or on a dynamic shotgun mic.
By the way, that’s what the “farting” was; RF interference. You can avoid it by putting your phone into airplane mode before recording. This is usually a good idea anyway. It’ll save your recording from being interrupted by an incoming phone call.
Cheers,
Nick
Nick,
I’m bummed that Apple changed the electronics on you. But I am happy that mine at least works. I’m most excited about your new products though.
I really like the entire concept of adding a directional mic to the iPhone. It make it really convenient to just point and shoot. And to be honest, I think the audio qualities were the best. Now with your tip to put it into airplane mode to reduce RF interference, it should be ideal.
If you introduce your XLR solution, that could solve all these problems. RF suppression with the ability to add higher end gear. I like it.
Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing more when you release them.
Interesting Scott, the nicer a/t powered mic only had audio on the left side in the mixdown you did here. Always going to be a clear difference when using a good directional or omni-dir mic but the mic on the iphone 4 isn’t that bad for on the fly things. The 20.00 adapter was definitely an improvement.
Velvey,
You’re so right. I couldn’t fix the mix down in post so I shot another video so everyone can compare. I also throw in the Audio Technica ATR 55 shotgun mic for good measure.
You can see the new post here:
http://www.macscreencasting.com/iphone-4-video-microphone-comparison-update
I’m really surprised by the increased contrast of the Kodak. I could’ve doctored the iPhone video in post but I’ve left it alone. The video comparison is just as interesting as the audio in my opinion.
Scott – thanks for the great review. I think the iPhone4 sound is enhanced by the microphone based on our testing. I’ve recorded a few videos on my iPhone4 and think the sound could be improved, so I’ve been looking at options. I was considering the VeriCorder Mini-mic, but I’ll hold off on that until its compatible with the iPhone4.
Another question for you — It looks like you are holding the iPhone in front of you. I’m curious about what you are using. I’ve gerry-rigged a mono-pod/bracket/velcro solution. I’m looking for something I can hold that stabilizes the image.
Thanks again for the review.
Bruce – Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I really like the VeriCorder. I’m glad mine is working with my iPhone 4. If you stop by Vericorder you can see they’ve got quite a bit working. I think the Mini Mic is a great product and I can’t wait for the compatible iPhone 4 version. Putting the phone in airplane mode stops the feedback too.
They’re supposed to be working on a more advanced mic solution for the iPhone as well. It’s supposed to permit other microphones to connect to it. It’s something to watch.
As for how I was holding my iPhone, I was using the Xshot camera extender with the iPhone adapter. Here’s a link to the product description over at Amazon (aff link). I bought mine from Adorama thru Amazon. I’ve had no problems with it though they had to ship the parts separately.
This is designed for the iPhone 3GS so it’s not a perfect fit yet. It does work though and my iPhone 4 slides in the holder just fine. It connects to the Xshot extender like a tripod. But what makes this unique is that you can hold it yourself out in front of you as you walk around. That’s what I was doing. You could also use the case and attach it to a tripod as well. Very handy.
So for example, if you were showing a house, you could shot yourself in front of the home. You could walk thru various rooms and describe them. And if you’re using iMovie on your iPhone 4, you could edit the video on site. It’s pretty powerful. I’ll be doing a post on it this week too because it’s really handy.
Hope this helps.
Scott,
Professional MOJOs (Mobile Journalists) are using this low weight / low price setup with their iPhone 4 (item 1) for near “pro” quality audio when doing audio/video interviews. I say near “pro” because the internal iPhone 4 Mic as well as external Mics connected to the Mono 3.5mm iPhone 4 female jack start to cutoff below 200Hz. The iPhone 4 was designed mainly for LOW-FI phone calls versus HI-FI audio recording. This is sad since the iPhone 4 can do HD 720p Video. Also, there is no way to input audio via the iPhone 4 dock connector (but this can be done on the iPad) See this about the iPhone 4 frequency limitations: http://blog.faberacoustical.com/2010/iphone/iphone-4-audio-and-frequency-response-limitations/
1. 5OZ iPhone 4
2. 1OZ ADAPTER: An iPhone 4 3.5mm Mic / Headphone Adapter. KV Connection KM-IPHONE-2TRS at $20.38. See details at http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-2trs.htm This adapter allows the input of a mic with an impedance >800 ohms. Low impedance mics should not be used with the iPhone 4. This adapter also allows you to monitor via earbuds or headphones the audio upon playback without unplugging the adapter. It’s always a good idea to do a test shot and play it back and listen to the soundcheck for things like excessive ambient noise, wind noise, etc.
3. 30Z MIC: Alomost all the mics you have been testing (the AT Lav, Vericorder, etc.) all have an omnidirectional pickup pattern and ARE NOT IDEAL FOR A PRO LEVEL INTERVIEW! The omni mics pickup way too much ambient and wind noise. Go back and listen to your videos with the mic tests. Hear all that ambient noise? What is needed is a Mic with a “long” directional pattern. The best mic in this category is the Azden ECZ-990. With a gold plated 3.5mm connector, there is no need to go more high end with a bulkier XLR connector/adapter and a 48V Phantom Powered XLR Mic. The 990′s impedance is 1700 ohms in the long position, it weighs 3OZ, it is 6IN long and is ideal as a handheld mic (get a 25 ft ext cable) or mounted next to the iPhone 4 (comes with shock mount), or on a boom pole. The 3.5mm male jack plugs into the female mic IN on the above mentioned KV Adapter. This is a 1.5V (AAA bat) condenser Mic. The 6IN length is a key factor VS a longer and bulkier shotgun Mic. It’s $54.99 at
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3646-REG/Azden_ECZ_990.html
4. 11 OZ PORTABLE TRIPOD For a MOJO Journalist it’s all about portability and ease of use. See the ZIPSHOT Video at http://www.zipshottripod.com/ It.s $49.95 at Amazon. It can also serve as a MonoPod and a camera extender like the XShot.
5. 0OZ REELDIRECTOR – iPHONE 4 AUDIO / VIDEO EDITOR. ReelDirector is like a mini FCP – FinalCut Pro on the iPhone 4. It’s much better than the consumer grade editor – iMOVIE. Allows you to bring in external audio and music right on the iPhone 4. $3.99 at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reeldirector/id334366844?mt=8
If you want to work around the audio limitations of the iPhone 4 you will need a secondary audio recorder such as the Zoom H2 or Zoom H4n with external mics connected to these devices. You then merge that “better audio” into your iPhone 4 audio/video in Post using software such as FinalCut Pro and the addon PluralEyes ($149). This is called “Dual System Audio. See example at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUtoPRrkqFs
I welcome comments and questions.
George
George,
Thank you so much for taking the time to help us all understand iPhone audio better. You put a lot of time into your comment and it really helps all of us.
I completely understand the iPhone 4 won’t give us “pro” quality but perhaps it’ll give most of us “good enough” quality. It definitely needs external help to be taken up a notch because the onboard audio in my opinion, doesn’t cut it. External mics help. And speaking of which, I did order one of the kVconnection adapters and I’m waiting for it to arrive. I’m looking forward to using some better mics with the iPhone.
Your assessment of the omnidirectional mics is correct. I’ve gotten better results with the AT 55 in zoom mode but it still isn’t a “pro grade” solution. The Zoom system is nice albeit a tad expensive for a pro-sumer solution. I know others have used digital voice recorders with a lapel mic and then synced the audio in post. I’ve used my iPhone as a voice recorder and synced it with audio as well. The PluralEyes setup is sweet though since it syncs it for you.
And oh, that ZipShot tripod looks awesome.
Again, you’ve enlightened all of us. Thanks so much.
Hey all,
I just picked up a VeriCorder MiniMic for my iPhone 4 (I know it’s not supposed to be compatible, but I figured to give it a shot).
Of course, it didn’t work… there was clicking and cutting in and out… turns out the issue is the difference in impedance.
With that said, I still have some electronics equipment in the garage (I used to be an electronics tech a lifetime ago), and decided to mod the mic by adding a 1.5K resistor in parallel to the mic itself (basically soldering the leads of the resistor to the microphone leads).
It works!!
And i soldered the resistor in such a way that everything was easily stuffed back into the mic casing and it looks completely stock. Just thought I’d share with others looking for a solution.
Ernest, man you’ve got me beat on that one! I’m not an engineer so I could never make that work. If it’s an easy fix, I wish VeriCorder would implement it and just update their mic to make sure it’s compatible with the iPhone 4. I really like having a simple mic to plug into the iPhone.
In the meantime, the kVconnection cables are working well. These allow you to connect other microphones to your iPhone. This way I can use a lav or a shotgun microphone and pickup even better audio. It’s definitely worth checking out especially if you already have a mic lying around the house.
Thanks for sharing the DIY hack though!
Hey Scott,
Thanks for all this useful info. Also LOVE your minimalist site design, and the web font
Can you please tell me which
1) KVconnection I need to buy for my iPhone 4, in order to hook in a generic mic to it (shotgun or otherwise). The link you have display several mic adapters, and I am paralyzed by the choice. don’t wanna get the wrong one.
2) Will the KVConnection adapter record stereo?
3) Can you recommend a shot gun mic for the combo? i.e. I am trying to do professional interview recording, using iPhone 4 HD for video, and a mic (with the adapter, since there are no mics that directly plugin to the iphone)
thanks !
Kumar,
You’re right, the kVConnection page has a lot of adapters on it. It is confusing. I should have been more specific because you want Product Code KM-IPHONE-MIC. The URL to that specific product is http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/km-iphone-mic.htm
Yes, the cable does record in stereo. I’ve have the Audio Technica ATR-55 but I caution you, it’s a mono microphone. On a budget you might consider the Azden SMX-10 [amazon aff link] or the Rode Video Mic [amazon aff link] if you budget can afford it. The Rode is highly rated.
Another consideration might be the Zoom H1 [amazon aff link] because it has a 10-foot cord that comes with it. You can use it to capture good audio and move it closer to the speaker. If you need to, you can also use it as a remote mic and store the audio on its memory chip and sync it with your video in post. Just make sure to “clap” to set a marker on both audio tracks to make syncing easier.
Hope this helps. And thanks for the positive comments!