Best Microphones For Smartphone Filmmaking
Why are microphones so important for smartphone filmmaking?
“Poor sound can ruin an otherwise spectacular production. Understanding the importance of quality sounds in movies, games and songs is a crucial part of understanding what it means to be a successful – and memorable – filmmaker, music producer and game designer.” Los Angeles Film School.
Good audio in your films is a priority, especially if you are intending to record live voice, either from actors, documentary and/or interview subjects.
But with smartphone filmmaking, we are also trying to minimise the cost and bulk of our equipment. So what are the best microphones to add to our smartphone filmmaker’s kit? Below we have listed a few affordable mics for an “on location” set up. In other words, we’re not looking at the best mics for studio recording.
Rode VideoMic Me
Pitch: “The VideoMic Me is a compact and lightweight, high-quality directional microphone that connects directly to an iPhone/smartphone’s TRRS microphone/headphone socket. Its flexible mounting bracket accommodates a wide range of smartphones and allows the microphone to be fitted for primary camera or front camera (‘selfie’) use. A 3.5mm headphone jack on the rear allows for play-through of audio while recording (app dependent) as well as easy playback of your videos without having to remove the microphone. The VideoMic Me includes a deluxe furry windshield for shooting outdoors or in adverse weather.”
Review: “The sound quality out of this little thing is impressive. I’ve used it to record in everything from wind to a friend’s food vlog in a crowded diner and it performs amazingly well.”
“For most vloggers, the Rode VideoMicro has really become the standard. It’s great for run-and-gun and it has really great quality. It does everything I need to do, certainly, with one important exception – the ability to mic the person holding the camera, but also the person that we’re filming.” Denae & Andrew, vloggers.
Comica CVM-VS08
An alternative to the Rode VideoMic is the Comica CVM-VSo8. Essentially does the same thing, but is it as good or better? They’re almost the same price. But freelance filmmaker, Nic Pachunka, believes the Rode edges it for build and audio quality.
“The Rode VideoMic cuts out background noise much much better. Especially if you’re in a public space.” Nic Pachunka
Check out Nic’s great video below. About halfway through he puts both mics to the test in various environments.
Saramonic SmartMixer
Pitch: “Compatible with iOS and Android Smartphones.
Features one mini XLR input for balanced microphones, and two 1/8″ (aka 3.5mm) microphone / line inputs for use with the included condenser microphones, or with your own user-supplied microphone that can run on 5V power.
Also supplies 48V phantom power to the single mini-XLR input making it suitable for any condenser microphone.”
Review: “Works really well for bi-directional vlogging. The only out of box solution I’ve seen for that. I just wish it came with dead cats and that the 9 volt battery compartment was easier to get open.”
Rode SmartLav+
Pitch: “Wearable microphone designed for use in a wide range of film, television and broadcast scenarios, or wherever broadcast quality audio is required in a discreet, portable format. Connects to a smartphone or tablet headset jack and records via the rode rec app for ios, or any other audio app of their choice. Omni-directional condenser capsule the smartlav+ picks up sound equally from all around the microphone.”
Review: “Great for general use and good sound quality, but too expensive. A Boya mic for £15 offers similar quality and has a very long cable.”
BOYA BY-M1 3.5 mm Lavalier Microphone for Smartphone
Pitch: “BOYA BY-M1 is an Omni-directional lavalier microphone, designed for Smartphones, DSLR, Camcorders and Audio recorders. Full 360° coverage. 6-meter (20″) cable with 3.5mm 4-pole gold plug.”
Review: “Good value, but quality of audio suffers from background hiss.”
Hear what it sounds like:
Purple Panda Lavalier Lapel Microphone Kit
Pitch: “Clip-on Omnidirectional Condenser Lav Mic for iPhone, iPad, GoPro, DSLR, Camcorder, Zoom / Tascam Recorder, PC, Macbook, Samsung Android, and other Smartphones.”
Includes:
- 9.8ft (3m) Extension Cord
- Mini USB Adapter
- TRS Adapter
- Fuzzy Windscreen
- Drawstring Pouch
- Extra Clip
- Filmmaking for Newbies E-Book
Check out the test video below, where the mic is connected to a Zoom H1 Audio recorder.
Read Next: Best Smartphone Filmmaking Kit 2019.
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[…] Best Microphones For Smartphone Filmmaking October 11, 2018 […]
Hi,
What sound range does the Rode Me-L have when using in an iPhoneX. I want to know does it pick up better sound when you are around 3 metres away from the iPhone? What’s the best microphone for an iPhoneX that would pick up sound from this distance?
I need to produce golf instruction videos so I need to be far enough away to see the whole body performing an action.
Thanks
hi Troy, you might want to consider a clip on mic, perhaps a wireless one. If you want to record voice, the Rode Me-L will help you a bit but won’t compete with more expensive shotgun mics. This is because of the components but also because the length of the barrel of the mic is what helps to focus the audio from a specific target. These little Rode mics have pretty short barrels. If it’s for voice, then the Rode will improve your audio. If it’s for background ambience, the inbuilt mics on the iPhone X will be better.
Which mic will be good for making short movie on drum group, i want to get best sound from drum. Please advice
The theme will be mostly drum sound and music , my concern is about drum sound quality
Hi there,
I came across this article and have found it helpful so thanks for the info. Would you have any suggestions on what mic to use if I wanted to capture natural sound (ie water or birds singing). I am using an iPhone12 Pro.
Thanks in advance.
for ambient sound I would say your iPhone 12 should do a great job – what is your experience?
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