Quality is often the issue to consider when capturing audio to iPhone®. A lightning microphone, which enables you to plug it directly to the iPhone® charging port, does a better job than the inbuilt mic in recording audio. If you intend to make iPhone filmmaking, it is the go-to choice. In this article, we will cover some common topics to help you learn more about it so as to get high quality audio.
Who needs a lightning microphone for iPhone®?
iPhone® lightning microphone is for those who are making videos using their mobile phone but are not satisfied with the audio quality of inbuilt mic. iPhone® cameras can capture high-quality video. So utilizing your smartphone to record videos makes a lot of sense. However, the sound quality is not professional. It is difficult to divert your attention to your major subject. As a result, you get an uneven, tinny sound. The wind frequently drowns out this tinny sound, making any sound disappear. It might derail a potentially critical moment.
Lightning connector microphone is ideal for anybody who makes videos on their phones while on the go. It is very useful for vloggers and streamers. It is also ideal for freelance journalists who may cover a story with an iPhone®.
It is also excellent for music recording. The correct microphone enables you to make simple music recordings in a quick, straightforward, and portable manner. The audio quality is inadequate for professional music recording. However, it is far superior to utilizing the default microphone.
Which type of lightning microphone should you use?
Choosing the proper microphone for your recording circumstance is crucial to getting the optimum audio possible. There are many various sorts of microphones to pick from, so let's go through some of the most common varieties that are compatible with smartphones and when they should be used.
Wireless - Offer cable-free recording option to mobile video and audio creation
It is a system that transmits audio signals wirelessly from a transmitter to a receiver without the use of physical cables. The receiver comes with a lightning connector or a lightning cable, which allows you to connect it directly to your iPhone®.
The SYNCO P1L, for example, has a receiver with lightning plug. Tap the charging case to open it, take out the auto-pairing transmitter and receiver, clip the transmitter on your clothing and plug the receiver to the charging port, and you can begin the recording.
Wireless mics are ideal for a variety of film and audio applications that necessitate an unrestricted, cable-free recording option, such as mobile filmmaking and podcasting, interviews, presentations, or video chats, etc.
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Shotgun - Minimize background noises for vlogging, live streaming, etc.
As the name indicates, this kind of lightning port microphone is more sensitive to sounds coming from particular direction while suppressing sounds coming from other directions. It includes microphones that features cardioid, supercardioid, and hypercardioid pickup patterns. That is, it will capture more sounds from the front but minimize sounds coming from the sides.
Directional shotgun microphones are ideal for situations in which particular sound sources must be isolated while external background noise is minimized, such as filmmaking, vlogging, live streaming, or interview/video calls.
Lavalier - Stay unobtrusive in iPhone® interview recording
iPhone® lightning lavalier microphone is tiny, wired microphone that provides a discrete and inconspicuous solution for capturing dialogue. It is mounted on the talents’ clothing with a clip and usually comes with 3.5mm connection so you need a lightning microphone adapter to use it for your iPhone®.
Lavalier microphones are suitable for situations when a discrete solution for capturing conversation is required, such as filmmaking, vlogging, reporting to camera, or interview recording. One of the primary benefits of using lavalier microphones is that they may be placed close to the mouth while staying hidden. They often have an omnidirectional polar pattern for picking up audio from all directions, providing constant audio regardless of where you place it.
How to choose a lightning connector microphone for iPhone®?
Generally, there are 4 important factors that make up a best lightning microphone:
- Physical connection: it's important to have a microphone that can be connected to an iPhone® with or without a cover. How well does it stay attached to the iPhone® and does it move independently of the device?
- Electrical connection: The transfer of audio, whether analog or digital, is crucial for high quality audio. How reliable is it for appropriate signal flow?
- Audio quality: Lightning microphone needs analog-to-digital converters because lightning is a digital connection. Audio quality is crucial both at the digital iPhone® input level and at the capsule (analog) level.
- Frequency response: To record audio that sounds clean and natural, use a microphone with a natural frequency response.
- Build quality: Choose the one that is well-made and will last a long time. The microphone is likely to be subjected to abuse.
- Overall functionality: How simple is it to use the microphone? Does it interfere with the camera(s)? Is there a variety of options to increase versatility. All of these are needed to take into considerations.
iPhone® recording basics: Microphone input explained
Apple has ceased manufacturing iPhone® with the standard 3.5mm (1/8’’) TRRS jack since the iPhone 7. As a result, physically connecting an external microphone to modern iPhone® is accomplished through the Lightning charging connector port. Bluetooth can also be used to connect a wireless microphone.
A microphone with a 3.5mm TRRS (CTIA) connection will function with an iPhone 6S or older model. However, if you have an iPhone 7 or later model, you will have to choose between a hardwired microphone with a Lightning connector and a wireless Bluetooth microphone.
Thankfully, TRRS-F to Lightning-M adapters are available to convert TRRS to Lightning and allow 3.5mm microphones to be connected to the new iPhone®. It's also important to keep in mind that the majority of "lightning" mics for iPhone® are made to attach while the phone is not in a protective case. This is a problem to notice when recording.
FAQ
How to enable lighting microphone in Instagram for iPhone®?
If you record videos directly from Instagram or if others can't hear you when you're going Live, you may need to enable your lightning microphone for Instagram. Chances are that the external mic isn't working properly, but before you make that judgment, see if the methods below help.
- Go to “Settings”
- Tap on “General” and then select “Privacy”
- Go to Microphone
- Switch Microphone toggle to On.
If you still come across issues, try to see if your microphone works in other applications; it might be a hardware issue.