When it comes to capturing high-quality video on your phone, having a microphone for video recording on phone is essential to ensure clear and professional sound. While smartphones, like iPhones, can now shoot impressive 4K video with multiple lenses, their built-in microphones often fall short of delivering crisp audio.
In this article, we'll answer key questions such as:
- Why is high-quality audio important for phone video?
- SYNCO microphone is a good choice to upgrade video recording on a phone
- How to choose the right one?
- How to use it to record video on a phone?
Why is high-quality audio essential for phone video?
For creators using mobile devices, mastering the art of recording high-quality audio is crucial. Poor audio quality can lead to viewers quickly losing interest and can significantly damage your credibility as a creator. Research has indicated that high audio quality is a key factor in 75% of videos that viewers rated highly and chose to continue watching. Additionally, subpar audio can hinder your revenue potential through content monetization on platforms, as well as limit opportunities for brand partnerships and sponsorships. This is why you need a high-quality microphone for phone video.
Upgrade the audio with SYNCO microphone for video recording on the phone
SYNCO provides a variety of microphones that connect directly to your phone via USB, enabling you to capture studio-quality audio right on your device. This transforms your phone into a portable, professional setup, helping you elevate your content effortlessly.
Wireless microphone for video recording on phone: It captures audio from a distance and ensures free movement
Our PX series and G2 Max wireless microphone systems are ideal for capturing audio from a distance, making them perfect for video podcasts, street interviews, and any content creation where you or your subjects are further away from the camera. By attaching the transmitter with its built-in microphone to your subjects, you'll achieve consistent, clear audio, even if they move closer to or farther from your phone. Additionally, the 1-trigger-2 version allows you to record multiple audio sources, such as in a two-person interview, providing you with greater flexibility in post-production editing.
The SYNCO PX lineup comes with Type-C or Lightning connectors for easy plug-and-play use. Its automatic pairing technology simplifies setup by eliminating complex pairing steps. With four volume levels that go up to 50dB, you can quickly adjust the recording quality by pressing the volume button on the microphone. Plus, it features a one-touch mute option for convenience during use.
The SYNCO G2 Max offers a range of professional features, including 8GB of memory for audio backup, 6 levels of fine gain control, a safety channel to prevent audio clipping or spikes, and a TFT screen for real-time monitoring. It is an ideal choice for ensuring stable recording and high-quality audio.
Shotgun mic: Microphone for video recording on phone to block unwanted sounds from the side
If you want to record audio in the direction your phone camera is facing while minimizing side and rear noise, a shotgun microphone like the SYNCO U3 is an ideal choice.
The SYNCO U3 is lightweight and compact, with a long battery life of up to 40 hours. It automatically adapts to TRS devices and connects to other devices via a Type-C to TRRS cable, allowing you to monitor audio in real time with headphones plugged into the 3.5mm output. The adjustable low-cut filter and continuous gain control ensure clear sound quality, while the magnetic back allows it to securely attach to metal surfaces.
To gain a deeper understanding and comparison of these three models, you can click on this article about microphones for phone recording.
Consider five factors to decide which to buy
When selecting the best microphone for phone video recording, keep in mind several important features to ensure you find the right one for your needs.
Directionality: Do you want to capture audio from all directions or a specific direction?
Directionality refers to how a microphone captures sound. Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from all around, while unidirectional mics focus on sound from a specific direction. If you're recording in a noisy place, a unidirectional one, like a cardioid or super-cardioid model, is ideal as it can help reduce background noise and isolate your voice.
Sensitivity: It determines how well the microphone for video recording on phone picks up sound
Sensitivity indicates how well a microphone can pick up sound. Higher-sensitivity models can capture sound from further away and detect quieter sounds, while lower-sensitivity models are limited to closer sounds and might miss subtle details. For quiet environments, like ASMR recordings, a high-sensitivity one is often better.
Frequency response: The range of sound frequencies captured
Frequency response is the range of sound frequencies a microphone can pick up. Some mics can only capture specific frequencies, while others have a wider range that allows them to record more sounds. Generally, microphones with broader frequency response provide a more natural and realistic audio quality.
Connectivity: How the microphone connects to devices
Consider how the microphone connects to your devices. For simple recordings directly to a computer, a USB microphone may be sufficient. If you plan to use an audio interface, ensure that it is compatible with your existing audio and filming equipment.
Additional Features: Do you need certain extra features that enhance performance
Look for useful extra features, such as noise canceling, built-in preamps, and shock mounts. Noise-canceling helps eliminate background sounds for clearer audio. A built-in preamp boosts the audio signal before it reaches your computer, while shock mounts protect your recordings from vibrations that can create unwanted noise.
Five tips on how to record video on phone with microphone
After choosing the microphone for video recording on phone that suits your needs, it's time to connect it to your smartphone. Here are five tips to help you effectively record video on your phone with it.
Connect your microphone
To connect it to your smartphone, you may need an adapter or connector, depending on the type of microphone you have. Some models can plug directly into the headphone jack or charging port of your phone.
Properly position the microphone for cell phone video recording
For optimal audio capture with a Lavalier microphone, proper placement is key. Here are some tips for positioning it:
- Proximity to the speaker: Ensure the microphone is close enough to the speaker's mouth to pick up their voice clearly, but not so close that it captures breathing or popping noises. The best placement for a lavalier is typically on the chest, positioned a few inches below the chin. For shotgun types, the distance significantly affects sound quality: maintain at least 4 inches for a warm and intimate sound, 12 inches for a more airy quality, and 6 inches for the best results with cardioid models.
- Avoid noisy items: Keep the mic away from noisy objects like jewelry or clothing that may rustle during recording.
- Consider directionality: Take the microphone's directionality into account when positioning it. Ensure it is oriented to capture the desired sound, whether it's the speaker's voice or ambient noise.
- Wired vs. Wireless setup: In a wired setup, connect the microphone's cable directly to the audio recorder or camera. For wireless systems, you'll need to discreetly attach a transmitter pack to the speaker, which has become smaller and easier to conceal in recent years.
Adjust your phone's audio settings
For creators looking to record high-quality audio, adjusting the settings on your device is essential. Your device offers a variety of audio settings depending on how you're recording sound.
On Android, you can optimize your audio by using the standard Voice Recorder app. Simply tap the Options icon to access Settings and find Recording Quality. Here, you can choose from various options to enhance your audio recordings. If you're using an external microphone, you may also have the ability to adjust its settings for improved clarity.
On iPhones, navigate to the Settings menu and select Voice Memos. From there, choose Audio Quality and set it to Lossless to prevent file compression, which is especially beneficial for voiceovers that you'll layer over video. Similar to Android, you can adjust the settings for any external microphone you’re using to further enhance audio clarity while recording.
Minimize background noise to ensure better outcomes when using phone microphone for recording video
When using an external microphone, it's crucial to prevent picking up unwanted sounds, such as background noise. First, ensure it is positioned correctly—not too close to the mouth—to avoid capturing harsh consonant sounds like "P".
If you're recording outdoors, using a windscreen can help reduce wind noise hitting the microphone.
Another significant source of interference comes from other devices. Every phone in the vicinity acts as both a receiver and transmitter, which can disrupt your wireless lavalier system. To minimize this interference, it's best to set all phones in the area to airplane mode or turn them off completely. Ensure that your subject, camera operator, and sound technician keep their phones off, as they are closest to the recording equipment and more likely to cause disruptions.
Test your recording
Before you begin your actual recording, it's important to do a test run. This helps ensure that the microphone is functioning correctly and that the sound quality meets your expectations.