Can I Use An External Mic With My IPhone?.
Boost Your iPhone Audio with an External Microphone: A Beginner's Guide
Whether you're a budding podcaster, aspiring filmmaker, or simply want to improve the sound quality of your video calls and voice memos, an external microphone can be a great investment for your iPhone. But with so many different mics on the market, it can be tough to know where to start.
In this beginner's guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about using an external microphone with your iPhone, from choosing the right mic to setting it up and recording your first audio.
Why use an external microphone with your iPhone?
The built-in microphone on your iPhone is fine for basic tasks like making calls and recording voice memos. But if you want to produce high-quality audio, an external microphone can make a big difference.
External microphones typically have better sound quality than the built-in mic, and they can also be more directional, which means you can pick up less background noise. This is especially important if you're recording in a noisy environment.
Here are just a few of the benefits of using an external microphone with your iPhone:
- Better sound quality: External microphones typically have larger diaphragms and better-quality components than the built-in mic on your iPhone. This results in better sound quality, with richer bass and clearer highs.
- More directionality: External microphones can be more directional than the built-in mic, which means they can pick up less background noise. This is especially important if you're recording in a noisy environment.
- More control: External microphones often come with features like gain control and low-cut filters, which give you more control over your audio recordings.
- Versatility: External microphones can be used for a variety of tasks, such as recording podcasts, making videos, and streaming live audio.
What types of external microphones are available for iPhone?
There are two main types of external microphones that you can use with your iPhone: wired and wireless.
Wired microphones connect to your iPhone's Lightning port using an adapter. Wired microphones are typically less expensive than wireless microphones, and they offer the best possible sound quality.
Wireless microphones connect to your iPhone over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Wireless microphones are more convenient to use than wired microphones, but they may not offer the same level of sound quality.
Another important consideration is the type of connector that the microphone has. Most external microphones have a 3.5mm TRRS connector, which is the same type of connector that headphones use. However, some microphones have a Lightning connector or an XLR connector.
If you have an iPhone with a Lightning port, you'll need to use a Lightning to 3.5mm TRRS adapter to connect a microphone with a 3.5mm TRRS connector. If you have an iPhone with a headphone jack, you can connect a microphone with a 3.5mm TRRS connector directly to your phone.
If your microphone has a Lightning connector, you can connect it directly to your iPhone. If your microphone has an XLR connector, you'll need to use a Lightning to XLR adapter to connect it to your iPhone.
How to choose the right external microphone for your iPhone
When choosing an external microphone for your iPhone, there are a few things you need to consider:
- Budget: External microphones can range in price from around $20 to several hundred dollars. It's important to set a budget before you start shopping.
- Type of microphone: Wired microphones are typically less expensive than wireless microphones, but they may not be as convenient to use. Wireless microphones are more convenient, but they may not offer the same level of sound quality as wired microphones.
- Connector type: Make sure to choose a microphone with a connector type that is compatible with your iPhone.
- Features: Some external microphones come with features like gain control and low-cut filters. Consider which features are important to you and choose a microphone that has them.
- Sound quality: Ultimately, the most important factor to consider is sound quality. If possible, try out a few different microphones before you buy one.
How to set up and use an external microphone with your iPhone
Once you've chosen an external microphone for your iPhone, it's time to set it up and start using it.
- Connect the microphone to your iPhone using an adapter, if necessary.
- Open the Voice Memos app.
- Tap the red record button to start recording.
- Speak into the microphone.
- Tap the red record button again to stop recording.
To listen to your recording, tap the play button.
You can also use an external microphone with other apps on your iPhone, such as the Camera app, GarageBand, and