Reddit reviews IK Multimedia iRig Pre Microphone Preamp For Smartphones And Tablets

/u/xavikthx - with a $200-$300 budget, the best camera for getting started as a filmmaker is probably your cell phone.

If you have an iPhone, you can get started by downloading FiLMiC Pro ([$9.99 from iTunes] (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/filmic-pro/id436577167?mt=8&at=1000l8mT)).

If you have an Android phone, you can download [FiLMiC Pro for $9.99] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.filmic.filmicpro&hl=en) or [Cinema FV-5 for $2.49] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flavionet.android.cinema.pro&hl=en) on Google Play..

These apps will allow you to control aspect ratio, white balance, exposure, resolution and frame rates - turning your phone into a pretty good approximation of a camcorder.

FiLMiC Pro was used for this feature film shot entirely on iPhones:

• • [Tangerine - Red Band Trailer] (https://youtu.be/ALSwWTb88ZU) (NSFW)
    
    This one used FiLMiC Pro, iPhones and a jib:
    
    
• ["ALL UP TO YOU!" - iPhone 5 Movie] (https://vimeo.com/50438974)
  
  This was shot with a Nexus 5 and Cinema FV-5:
  
  
• [Cinema FV-5 demo reel] (https://youtu.be/b4vQdo0Me9k)
  
  You can get an [Amazon Basics video tripod for $74.96] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CEH7VG8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CEH7VG8&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$6.95 phone to tripod adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OS9E6AO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00OS9E6AO&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) to steady your shots.
  
  Without a tripod or stabilizer, handheld cellphone video can be hard to watch.
  
  You should also invest in a [$39.99 mic boom] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=262085079253&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg), an [$18.50 shock mount] (https://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-Universal-Microphone-48MM-54mm-Condenser/dp/B00H40VBVQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20), [$5 worth of XLR cable] (https://www.amazon.com/CBI-MLC20-Microphone-Cable-Foot/dp/B000VJJQUU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$39.99 iRig Pre XLR adapter with phantom power] (https://www.amazon.com/IK-Multimedia-iPhone-Android-Devices/dp/B007534LFK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) for your AT2020 for better sound than you can get from the built-in mic.
  
  If you don't have a sound person to swing the boom, you can get a [decent lavalier for $28] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZU4TJKS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ZU4TJKS&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20).
  
  You can either plug your mic into the phone you're using for video - or you can download an app (e.g. [Rode Rec, $5.99 for iOS] (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/r-de-rec/id528642521?mt=8&at=1000l8mT) or [Smart Voice Recorder] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andrwq.recorder&hl=en) or [Skyro Voice Recorder] (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.triveous.recorder&hl=en) for Android) to a second phone, record a "scratch" audio track with your camera's internal microphone and sync the audio from the second phone to your camera's audio track in the edit, as seen here (example is for the Rode SmartLav, but it makes the point for the entire lav/phone category):
  
  http://youtu.be/P2RIFZOGMZo
  
  Hope this is helpful and good luck with your films!
  
  EDIT: you'll also need a shock mount to suspend the AT2020 and connect it to the boom

You would likely need some sort of audio interface, such as this, and then an app like Garage Band could work. I do agree with the other guy as to why you would want to do this?

I'm glad to see that you are researching it out and spending some time thinking about it. That's the right first step! I don't have experience with other mics to speak of, but I'm pretty happy with my purchases and what I'm able to do with them. So, some more food for thought:

• MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone $78
  
• Neewer 40037799 Scissor Arm Stand $32
  
• Behringer Q502USB 5-Channel Mixer $60
  
• MXL WS-002 Foam Windscreen $19
  
  I've since also added some additional toys for effects and fun:
  
  
• iRig PRE
  
• XLR Y-Splitter
  
  Here's a video I made showing what I'm doing with all of this: http://youtu.be/PDmhV3079RI
  
  
  And if you have a budget you're trying to work within, just stick to that and don't worry about the little differences between a slightly more expensive setup and what fits within your budget.

Please please don't make the mistake of buying a USB microphone. Read back over this sub. Literally dozens of people who painted themselves into a corner by buying equipment that couldn't be used together or expanded on. Even if you only have 50 dollars, you're better buying a cheap XLR mic (like say this) and run it in with something like this.

See here for my recommendations for slightly more expensive setups.

Honestly, if you're just dipping your toe in the water, you might be better just getting a cheap mic for your ipad / iphone, that you can use for skype etc, than buying a mic that'll be a lame duck for literally anything other than one person recording to software.

I think this is what you're looking for: http://www.amazon.com/IK-Multimedia-iPhone-Android-Devices/dp/B007534LFK

Hi /u/kelhamisland - from your description, it sounds like you have one of three possible problems [Referral Links]:

1. If you're using a straight adapter, you may have an impedance problem. Your low impedance pro mic's output needs to be matched to your medium impedance camera input. I use an [~$18 Hosa MIT-156 line matching transformer/XLR to 3.5mm adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IAJ2O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002IAJ2O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) to solve this problem. [Here's] (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mVcvBM6WRT0/Uz1yVcOzfFI/AAAAAAAAIzw/P81VZu4i7xo/w724-h543-no/P1120703.JPG) a picture of my Audio Technica AT835b pro XLR mic plugged straight into the Panasonic GH3 with the Hosa. It works great.
   
   
2. If you're already using a line matching adapter, you may have a gain problem. If so, you need a clean external preamp. The least expensive is a [$33 (as of this post) IK Multimedia iRig PRE for iPhone] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007534LFK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007534LFK&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) with a [$17 Rode TRRS to TRS adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L6C8PNU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00L6C8PNU&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) to convert the iRig's 4-pole iPhone output to a 3-pole stereo output your camera can handle. This setup will provide you with phantom power and external preamplification for less than $50.
   
   
3. 6 feet may be too far away. Instead of a lav or the hassle of dual system sound - I would put the mic on a [~$100 boom] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ZO5WM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002ZO5WM&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and get it to within 3 to 5 feet of my subject.
   
   Here's a Wistia tutorial on why a shotgun on a boom is a better choice than a lav: http://wistia.com/learning/choosing-a-microphone
   
   Hope this is helpful!
   
   Bill

How important is video at all? If you're okay with the 720p video on the iPhone, then get an irig pre (Which takes AA batteries, but you could probably modify with a DC power supply if you wanted).

From there, you can use any "real" microphone. That device will work on any iPhone model and many androids, so if you decide to upgrade it's still useful.

There are a LOT of options, but what you want is a condenser microphone. Not an electret condenser, either.

Do you have a baby grand/grand, or an upright?
If you have an upright, an AT2020 would be a really good option and it's
the right price. If you've got a grand I'd suggest an MXL V67G or an AKG P220, though it looks like they're more expensive in the UK.

This will get you much better sound than any video camera in that price range.

That said, if you're okay with recording audio and video separately, just use the iPhone for the video then buy a Zoom H4n (about £100 used) then combine them digitally.

I attended the Chicago Toys and Games convention a couple of years ago and used this iRig with my iPhone:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007534LFK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

… I used it with a wired mic (I didn't want to chance having dropouts using a wireless mic):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07348RJXB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Maybe this? http://www.amazon.com/IK-Multimedia-iPhone-Android-Devices/dp/B007534LFK Edit: Just realized this is for XRL mics only.

You would have to get something like this.

This is trying to be part of a busking set up so I need it to be as portable as possible. Right now I'm looking at this https://www.amazon.com/IK-Multimedia-microphone-smartphones-tablets/dp/B007534LFK and an xlr lavalier microphone. My question now is 1, will that work? and 2 is there a better solution?

Unless you're married to the idea of a lapel mic, one of the big recommendations I see for smartphone recording is an iRig Pre (looks like 40 w/o prime?) so you can use a standard mic. For a mic, you could go with a Knox Podcasting Mic, which runs $40 and comes with a small stand and cables, and is also USB compatible so you could record straight into a computer with it. I will say, I hate the stand that comes with it and instead opted for this one, which is a $7 add on item. Other people will recommend other mics, but this is what was recommended for me and it's what I use. There's things like the behringer xm8500 for $20, but it doesn't come with cables or a stand. There's tons of options out there, but here's a couple ideas to look at.

This would be my recommendation (no TRS in):

IK Multimedia iRig Pre microphone preamp for smartphones and tablets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007534LFK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_w9ZADbZ52NEYM

There exist ones with TRS in, but none that I’ve seen that lock. If you’re using sennheiser wireless packs you should be using locking connectors:

Sennheiser CL-100 1/8" Male Mini Jack to XLR-Male Connector Cable for EK 100 Receiver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0067HU3U2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2b0ADbH0W4KG3

I got an iRig pre, it's a small preamp for mobile devices. Saw it posted on here. It works really well and with the iOS audio tools app and I was able to load the calibration file for my RTA mic.

One thing I'm not sure on is where to set the gain on the preamp. I would like to use the SPL features of the app. I guess I should compare it with a standalone SPL meter to find the correct gain level.

I have this model, and I like it a lot. The sound quality is great, definitely worth it for the price.