Microphones for the phone: types and selection rules

It's no secret that modern smartphones in terms of recording quality are capable of giving odds to many models of semi-professional cameras. At the same time, high-quality sound processing is possible only if you have a good external microphone for your phone. It is for this reason that users are interested in the novelties of such gadgets of various types. An equally important issue is the rules for choosing an external microphone. Let's take a closer look at the types and rules for choosing microphones for a phone.

With all the advantages of modern mobile devices, the sound quality during recording, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired. However, advances in technology are changing the situation radically through the use of high-quality microphones for the phone. In this case, we mean external, additional devices. Today, in the corresponding segment of the electronics market, many manufacturers present a whole range of plug-in gadgets for smartphones. It should be noted that most microphones are aimed at pairing with the iPhone.

The design features and performance of the expansion microphones allow them to be used in various fields. Analyzing the main parameters of devices, it is worth paying attention to this. Several custom categories can be distinguished.

• Representatives of the media. Staff and freelance correspondents often record interviews. In this case, the recording is often made on the street in the presence of extraneous noise. In such a situation, you cannot do without a good microphone that can provide maximum sound quality.

• Vocalists, poets and composers who constantly need to record audio files. In some cases, there may be nothing at hand except a smartphone.

• Students. The most important thing is the availability of a high-quality recording device for university students. It is no secret that not all teachers during lectures try to adjust to the recording speed of the audience. In such situations, a smartphone with an external microphone will be the best solution.

Regardless of the specifics of their activities, the quality of the recorded sound is one of the key points when creating content.

Taking into account the active growth in demand for the described digital devices, developers are trying to satisfy the needs of potential buyers. Eventually now on the market, you can choose a USB microphone and other models that best meet the requirements of the future owner.

First of all, you should pay attention to small microphones for mobile devices. This can be the so-called neck model, as well as buttonholes. The second option is a clip-on mini microphone. These "buttonholes" are used most often during interviews, as well as for shooting blogs. An example is the MXL MM160, which interfaces with both iOS and Android devices.

One of the main competitive advantages of this type of additional microphones is their affordable cost. In the same time these gadgets do not belong to the category of directional ones, because of which all extraneous noises will be heard on the recording. In addition, these microphones are not suitable for recording music, since they have a limited frequency range.

This version includes a directional microphone, which got rid of most of the disadvantages of "loops". Any "cannon" records sound directly in front of itself. As a result, the recording contains an extremely useful signal without extraneous noise, which is, as it were, cut off. We are talking about digital devices with the most effective noise reduction. There are a number of important considerations to consider when choosing a directional microphone. The first thing to remember is that guns are not used as vocal microphones for recording songs.

In this case, we are talking about high quality equipment that is used to record voice, music and songs. Stereo microphones are capable of capturing sounds throughout the room. Eventually they "capture" not only the useful signal, but also all its reflections, making the compositions "alive". Despite the existing stereotype, not all microphone models belonging to this category are distinguished by a high price. For example, on the famous AliExpress, you can buy a good device that records sound in stereo, very cheap. Those who are interested in the maximum quality of the sound recorded for recording are recommended to pay attention to more expensive models of well-known brands. These include, in particular, Zoom microphones. It should be borne in mind that, for example, for the iQ6 you will have to pay about 8 thousand rubles.

As already noted, even top-end smartphones are not yet capable of providing the proper quality of the recorded sound. In such situation the best and most rational way out is to use an additional microphone, the choice of which should be approached with the utmost care. Today, the leading manufacturers of the industry present a fairly wide range of their products on the market. It is important to remember that the vast majority of available devices are connected directly and without adapters only to "apple products".

Taking into account all existing nuances and user reviews, ratings of external microphone models are compiled. Several representatives of the lines of famous brands deserve special attention.

• Rode smart lay - a model that is well known to many bloggers today. This microphone is conveniently and securely attached to clothing, while its cable is not visible. The important nuances of operation include the need to control the distance between the smartphone and the microphone itself.

• Mighty Mic - a device characterized by good sensitivity and compactness. One of the main design features of the model is the presence of a headphone jack used for monitoring during recording.

• Shure MV-88. This external microphone has a solid metal housing and an attractive design. In accordance with user reviews, this model effectively copes with the tasks at hand when recording voices, songs and musical compositions. Considering the technical characteristics, the Shure MV-88 can be classified as a more professional gadget. This microphone can even be used for recording concerts.

• Zoom iO6. In this case, we are talking about a high-tech module, consisting of two stereo microphones of the X / Y type. The device connects via the Lightning port. Since the model was developed with a focus on Apple gadgets, the microphone received a removable divider from the manufacturer.This allows it to be connected to all mobile devices of the specified brand. At the same time, the microphone provides the maximum quality of the recorded sound in almost any conditions.

• Blue microphones mikey - a reliable portable device that differs from many of its competitors in its original design. The microphone, due to its performance, is able to process both powerful and muffled sounds with the same efficiency at a volume of up to 130 dB. The gadget has a micro-USB port, which makes it possible to integrate it not only with Apple technology.

• Line 6 Sonic Port VX, which is a multipurpose, 6-way audio interface. This design includes three condenser microphones at once. The line-in can be used to record from musical electronic instruments. According to feedback from users and experts, this device can be safely classified as universal. In particular, it can be connected to both a PC and an electric guitar through dedicated amplifiers for iOS. The package includes its own stand for easy recording of podcasts and blogs.

To correctly determine the choice of a specific model of external microphone for a smartphone or tablet, it is necessary, first of all, to take into account the purposes for which it will be used.

Let's take a closer look at the key selection criteria.

• Length of the connecting wire, if any. This is most important for "loops". Often during the recording process, the distance between the sound source and the smartphone can be from 1.5 to 6 meters. If it is necessary to use long connecting wires, they are wound on special spools.

• Expansion microphone dimensions. When choosing a model, it should be remembered that this is exactly the case when size is of great importance. In this case, the larger the additional device, the better the sound recording will be. So, miniature "buttonholes" will be relevant when filming in a calm environment and without extraneous noise. Reporters and bloggers who record their videos on busy streets prefer guns and noise-canceling stereo microphones.

• Equipment delivery set. If it is necessary to choose a buttonhole model, then you should pay special attention to the presence and condition of the clip, as well as the extension cord and windscreen. As the latter, foam balls and fur linings are most often used. These elements are removable and are made in different forms.

• Compatible with gadgets. As already noted, many models are designed for use with Apple products. Based on this, when choosing and buying expansion microphones for Android, you should carefully study all the characteristics of the device. By the way, such selectivity is not peculiar to microphones-lapel tabs. They connect seamlessly to almost any mobile device.

• Microphone frequency range, which can be determined by examining the technical characteristics of the models in question before making a purchase. It is worth paying special attention to external devices that record sound in the range of 20–20,000 Hz. This refers to the processing not only of the human voice, but also of all perceived sounds. However, it must be borne in mind that this will not be an advantage in all cases. Sometimes models with a narrow range will be preferable.

• Setting the cardioid. The directionality of the recording is shown in pie charts. In situations with unadjustable external microphones for smartphones, these images show that sound is being recorded smoothly in all directions. It is worth considering two musicians nearby as an example. In such a case, the use of equipment without cardioid adjustment will be irrelevant.In addition, the availability of a wide range of settings allows for successful experimentation.

• The sensitivity of the device. In this case, we are talking about the maximum sound pressure threshold, denoted SPL. It is he who is the level of sensitivity of any microphone, at which significant sound distortions appear. In practice, the most comfortable and acceptable indicator is a sensitivity of 120 dB. With professional recording, this value increases to 130 dB, and with an increase to 140 dB, hearing injury is possible. At the same time, microphones with a higher sensitivity threshold allow you to record the loudest sound possible.

Preamps increase the strength of the signal transmitted to the recording device (in the situations described, this is a smartphone or tablet). It is the power of this structural element that determines the range of sound parameters adjustment. Typically, baseline values ​​range from 40 to 45 dB. By the way, it is worth considering that in some situations it is not necessary to amplify, but to attenuate the sound signal coming to the smartphone.

In situations with lavalier microphones, special adapters called splitters are used to connect to a mobile device. It is worth noting that they are inexpensive and can be easily found. The exception is capacitor lugs, for which adapters are not required. The pairing algorithm for a conventional lavalier microphone is as simple as possible. To do this, you need to do the following:

1. connect the adapter to the headset jack and the microphone to the adapter; as a rule, there are corresponding markings near the connectors that facilitate the task;
2. wait until the smartphone detects the external device, which will be evidenced by the appearance of the corresponding icon;
3. fix the "buttonhole" on your clothes, taking into account that the distance from the microphone to the sound source should not exceed 25 cm;
4. activate "Airplane mode" to prevent the recording from being disabled for incoming calls;
5. enable recording on the smartphone's voice recorder.

See below for an overview of popular phone microphones.