Recording Video on iPhone - how?

[Westie9]

Does anyone use the iPhone for recording video? How and what are you using as a mike?

All I'm after is an incredible crude way of recording, basically a mike inserted into the iPhone and let it record a rehearsal for around an hour. The video on the iPhone is ok but the sound isn't great.

Any ideas???

[pendingrequests]

The better idea is to record all of the audio externally. i.e all of the microphones into an interface, recorded onto your computer. Then just slip the audio file under the video, when you are editing in iMovie etc.

Or take the S/PDIF out of the desk, if you's are in a rehearsal room and you'll get a stereo mix, although you will not be able to change any levels in post.

Edited June 18, 2012 by pendingrequests

[dannybuoy]

If you don't mind spending a little bit, try the Zoom Q3 or Q3HD. I have the older H2 sound recorder and it has great stereo sound quality that can cope with very loud volumes.

[url="http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/q3/"]http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/q3/[/url]

[Mornats]

Well, this was recorded just by popping my iPhone 4 on a seat about 8 feet from us. No external mic and it sounds ok. [url="http://soundcloud.com/mornats/whisky-river-money"]http://soundcloud.com/mornats/whisky-river-money[/url]. How much better is a Zoom Q3 than this? (Really curious as I was well impressed by the iPhone in this regard but would love something better.)

[derrenleepoole]

Tascam iM2 is a superb mic option for the iPhone and it works with the video too. The only real downside is because video recording doesn't have metering, it may be difficult to judge levels and clipping.

This is an audio recording made with an iPhone 4 and the Tascam mic. Good quality for what it is http://snd.sc/LBH0hW

[dannybuoy]

Not seen those before, I suppose that would be a great option as long as you were committed to keeping your iPhone/iPad. The Zoom units do have metering and built in compression/limiting however.

[Westie9]

Cheers all, that Tascam im2 looks like something to try. There are some being sold on eBay at the mo for £39.99 so I'll give one of them a go and try it out at the next rehearsal and tell you what I think.

[derrenleepoole]

Things to take into account when using one of the iM2 mics, based on my experience of course.

1. Like all mics, it's prone to handling noise, so if you can mount the iPhone in some way it will help a lot. This is obviously true of the video too. I have an iPhone Glif Plus which costs very little and allows you to secure the iPhone to a camera tripod mount. [url="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/glif-iphone-tripod-mount/"]http://photojojo.com...e-tripod-mount/[/url] - It works well and is quite snug. There are other options too for this, but they might not allow you to connect the microphone.

2. Get a windjammer if you can. They sell cheap ones on eBay.

3. Because you're recording video, the mic will be turned 90º to how you would normally use it if recording audio. So you may or may not get the type of sound separation you're after as the capsules will be sitting one on top of the other instead of side by side. It's not been an issue for me mind.

4. Do some test recordings with it to get a good idea of input level and mark it on the mic with a marker etc, save you guessing each time if the input gets knocked.

5. The limiter works well, but can be quite harsh when the volume is cranked.

Hope that helps

Edited June 20, 2012 by derrenleepoole