External microphones for smartphones - 5 good models
With an external microphone for a smartphone, you can make audio recordings with good sound quality where built-in microphones have long since failed. We show you five good models:
Two external microphones for iPhone, iPad and iPod
The Tascam iM2 stereo microphone and the Blue Mikey Digital are well suited for audio recordings:
- Both microphones are characterized by high sound pressure resistance. According to test reports, they survive hard rock sound without distortion and can therefore be set very well for loud music in small rooms. Price: 70-100 euros.
- The Tascam iM2 is particularly suitable as a microphone with an integrated converter for iPhone 4 & 4S and iPad 1 & 2. The conversion of the audio signals takes place in the microphone, not only in the Apple device. The Blue Mikey Digital with integrated interface can be plugged into an iPhone, iPod or iPad.
- Both devices have a USB port for external power supply. Furthermore, Tascam iM2 can be swiveled by 180 ° and its adjustment can be set much finer than the Blue Mikey Digital.
Two clip-on microphones for the Android smartphone
The iMicrophone EIM 004 and the iRig Cast are also suitable for Android as clip-on microphones:
- According to test reports, the iRig Cast with stand distorts despite the built-in filter option even with medium-loud music and is therefore less suitable for recordings. For the price, however, you can no longer expect: You can get this microphone from Amazon for 29 euros. The iMicrophone EIM 004 allows usable recordings of medium-loud music. Here, too, test reports agree: the microphone does not always produce good results when recording with high sound pressure. Voice recordings succeed without distortion. The price is around 70 euros.
- Both microphones are compatible with both iOS devices and Android.
Directional microphone: MicW iShotgun
The MicW iShotgun is a good choice as a directional microphone for voice recordings:
- Reviews of this directional microphone complain about the poor sound quality of music recordings, but you can still use this microphone primarily for conversation recordings and interviews. Of course, this is also reflected in the price: at Amazon about 200 euros.
- As a miniature clip-on microphone, you can use it primarily for Apple's iPhone / iPad and, with its 4-pin connector, is also suitable for other mobile devices.
If you have not lost interest in external microphones, there are other good external microphones that you can use to make high-quality audio recordings.