Wireless microphone: how it works, how to use, review of the best

Recording videos, music, podcasts or other audio content using the built-in microphone of a smartphone is already a thing of the past. As a rule, such a sound is filled with interference, breathing, wheezing and other extraneous noise. Fortunately, you can solve this problem by using an external microphone. Read more about what these devices are for, how to learn how to choose them, and which models deserve attention in 2021.

Why do you need a microphone for a smartphone?

There are special built-in gadgets. The user can actually buy one for himself and simply get rid of the constant settings, which later need to be edited due to a bad device. Modern smartphones rarely actually have a high-quality microphone. Most often, devices are equipped with a very good camera, you can even download a semi-professional one. But they are simply lost against the background of the fact that the sound recording sags greatly.

To record high-quality sound on video, save the moment and not constantly adjust the microphone and sound on your phone, you simply need a high-quality microphone, which can now be purchased as an additional one.

Such devices will be of great help to people such as:

• Journalists;
• Musicians;
• Students, because there is often a need to record a lecture;
• Bloggers.

All these people simply cannot live without devices that produce high-quality sound. For example, for journalists, it may be necessary to conduct some kind of interview at any time. It’s clear that he won’t always carry a high-quality camera or a large voice recorder, but a small, high-quality built-in microphone is what he really needs.

Musicians can record their creativity directly on their phone. You don't have to go to a recording studio for these purposes. You can always use your own microphone. It saves money.

In general, it is worth noting that the built-in microphone is a very useful invention that will help many users forget about bad sound on video. A high-quality device will help to completely suppress any noise, sounds and other interference that will not need to be adjusted later in the settings.

Easy Voice Recorder

Multifunctional voice recorder that allows recording in automatic mode, according to a schedule, or using the Record button. The advantages of the application are its intuitive interface, support for tags, and the presence of a built-in editor where it’s easy to trim off excess, level out the volume, or reduce the amount of noise.

Separately, the developers allow you to work with third-party devices - as an option, you can record sound through Bluetooth headphones or microphones, and listen to the result through a smart watch.

What is a Bluetooth microphone for karaoke?

In simple terms, a wireless karaoke microphone is a device that already has a speaker built into it. That is, it is a full-fledged device that is completely ready for use.

No additional acoustics are required here. It independently reproduces the voice signal received by it in real time. It also has its own settings. This:

• Adjusting the volume of music and voice.
• Bass adjustment.
• Full equalizer.
• Terrestrial radio.
• Ability to switch playing tracks.
• Voice improvement.

Evernote

Price: Free / $3.99 per month / $5.99 per month.

Evernote is a notes app, but it can also record voice. Suitable for musicians, students and anyone who needs to take audio notes and caption them with text. The cross-platform nature of this application is convenient, as is the choice of one of two types of subscriptions.

Evernote - Note organization system

Evernote Corporation

Price: Free

Download

Price: Free

How does a wireless microphone work?

Data transfer from this device is carried out as with any other wireless accessories. For this purpose, radio waves or infrared rays are used. Radio waves are more popular because they have a fairly large coverage radius and various obstacles do not interfere with them. The operating principle itself is very simple. The audio signal received by the microphone is transmitted to a special sensor. This sensor converts incoming sound into radio waves. After which the radio signal is sent to the receiver, which outputs the sound to the speakers. If a manual version is used, the radio wave source will be mounted inside. If the microphone is wired, then it is equipped with a special unit that is attached to the belt. Whichever of these two wireless microphone options you use, they both come with an antenna. The antenna can be built into the device, or external. To ensure operation, microphones use batteries, these can be either batteries or rechargeable batteries.

Through the engineering menu

Now let's talk in more detail about how the adjustment is carried out. First, let’s consolidate the information regarding how to launch the engineering menu:

• Open the dialer.
• Enter the USSD request relevant for your smartphone manufacturer, or use the universal command *#*#36.
• Press the call button.

Important. Some smartphones do not have an engineering menu.

After launching the menu, you just need to take a few simple steps to access the options you need:

• Open the “Hardware testing” tab.
• Go to the “Audio” section and then “Normal Mode”.

• In the “Type” item, indicate for what type of calls you want to configure the microphone. Select “sip” for conversations via instant messengers or “mic” for regular calls.

• In the “Level” item, set the sensitivity level of interest (it is recommended to use “Level 6”).

• In the “Value” line, enter the volume value.

After clicking the “Set” button, the new parameters will take effect. Do not rush to set maximum indicators on all fronts. For example, in the “Value” line it is recommended to set the value to “64”, and only increase it if the volume is insufficient.

Connecting the microphone

There is no particular difference in whether the device is connected to a personal computer or to karaoke. To get started you need:

• Take it out of the package.
• Connect it to the power cable.
• Fully charge the device.
• When the device is charged, you need to turn on the power button on the case.
• The product is ready for use.

Then you need to ensure that the microphone and other components are properly connected.

On Windows 7 and 8 operating systems, the connection is as follows:

• In the lower right corner of the screen, right-click the volume menu icon.

• In the menu that opens, you need to find the “Recording devices” item.
• A list of all devices appears. You need to find the right microphone.
• You need to double-click on the microphone icon, after which the “Device Application” window will open. You must set the value to “Use as default”.
• Then you need to click “Apply” and “Ok”.

REFERENCE. Before you start connecting, you need to check whether your laptop or computer supports this function.

To enable wireless mode on the microphone, you need to:

• Turn on the device. A special indicator light should light up, indicating that BlueTooth is ready for use.
• On the receiving device, you need to find “BlueTooth Search” and use it to detect the microphone. Then make the connection.

REFERENCE. Sometimes the device may ask you to enter a password. As a rule, the manufacturer sets the default value to 0000.

• Next, you need to enable the required audio file on the external device.
• Make the required volume, bass and treble settings.
• You can enjoy singing.

Do not forget that all products are intended for different purposes. There are ordinary ones, and there are also professional ones. The second option provides better sound. You also need to pay attention to the time the device operates without recharging or replacing batteries.

If the microphone is of high quality, and all settings and connections are made correctly, then you can enjoy karaoke at home or practice professional singing without any problems.

Rode SC6-L Mobile Interview Kit

Best Microphone for Two-Party Recording

8.5

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Connector: Lightning Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional Dimensions: 127 x 31 x 177 mm Weight: 75 g

pros

• Has great flexibility
• Lots of accessories
• Durable cable

Minuses

• Expensive

Do you need a microphone primarily for interviews? Then let us point you to the Rode SC6-L Mobile Interview Kit as it contains everything you need for dual audio recording using your iPhone. The kit is centered around the SC6-L breakout box, which connects to your iOS devices via a Lightning connector. You can connect two smartLav+ omnidirectional microphones to it, as well as your own headphones for direct monitoring and playback.

You also get two noise filters, two clips, and a storage bag. There's also a dedicated Rode Reporter app that lets you turn direct monitoring on and off, change gain, and choose between summed stereo and dual mono. The Kevlar reinforced cable is also very durable.

4

What types of external microphones are there?

External microphones are also divided into several large categories, namely 3:

• Lapel;
• Guns;
• Stereo (these are more suitable for creative individuals, including musicians).

It is worth considering each in more detail.

Lavalier

Lavalier devices attach perfectly to any clothing. They differ in small dimensions. Lavaliers serve to record a person's voice, so this type is great for bloggers and journalists who constantly need to regulate such an object as excellent voice quality.

As a rule, such microphones have one main drawback - non-directionality, that is, extraneous noise is clearly audible when recording from such a device. In addition, lavaliers are not suitable for recording musical compositions, since their frequency range is limited.

Guns

The second type is cannons. They were called that because they are directed in one direction, that is, they cover the minus of the loops and do not create noise in the background. Recording from such microphones takes place ahead of the user, that is, it is necessary to constantly monitor the process so that the voice clearly enters the microphone. If you hold the sound directly away from the source, then when recording music you can find that the voice is suppressed, that is, the device has removed extraneous noise.

Guns are not suitable for recording songs, that's why they are directed. It is impossible to create a full sound with such a device. But for those who want to achieve a clear voice when recording an interview or video, this is the best option.

Stereo

The last type is stereo. Stereo devices are ideal for musicians, because they not only capture sound throughout the entire room, but also play it out beautifully and make it voluminous. It is worth noting that many models may have a high price, but this is far from true. You can buy them in different price categories, but the sound quality may be poor.

Microphones can also be wired or wireless, but this classification does not stand out as the main one. The difference is the connection method. Wireless devices are synchronized with Android using simple Internet or Bluetooth, while wired ones must be connected through special wires.

Blue Microphones Mikey

This reliable and beautiful device is capable of handling both powerful and muffled sounds. The Mikey microphone can receive sound volumes up to 130 dB. To give you a clear understanding, the sound volume of a rock concert is 120 dB, so the user will feel very comfortable while recording with this unit. The microphone is equipped with a micro-USB port, which allows it to be used not only on the iPhone.

How to use a wireless microphone

A wireless microphone is a device that performs all its functions without a cable connection to other devices. Therefore, it always has an independent power source. Before starting operation, you need to make sure that the battery is in its place and the battery is charged. Next, depending on the external device, you need to select and activate this type of microphone in the sound settings. If you are using a Bluetooth voice device, it is turned on as follows:

• Power on the micro to activate its functions
• On the external device, enable Bluetooth “Search”
• Select the desired voice device from the list and turn it on

In some cases, the operating system may prompt you for a password. By definition this is 0000. After this, the remote Bluetooth connection will be established. If the micro will be used for karaoke, you need to install any sound file and set the volume level, high and low frequencies. How to use a wireless microphone. You should not bring the micro too close to the sound source, as this will cause wheezing and distortion. It may be difficult or impossible to operate wireless devices in areas with strong electromagnetic fields. The quality of the broadcast sound largely depends on the choice of voice device. If it has a circular diagram, then the position of the sound source does not affect the quality of the transmission. A directional micro should be oriented towards the sound signal, so its sensitivity from the sides and behind approaches zero and the sound will be almost inaudible.

Line 6 Sonic Port VX

This multi-purpose six-way audio interface. A stereo line-out allows you to record keyboards, drum machines, and more. Equipped with three built-in condenser microphones. This device can be called “all in one”, because it is suitable for recording music on a PC at home, it can be connected to a guitar and used with many guitar amplifiers for IOS. The microphone comes with its own stand in case you want to use it for podcasts or vlogging. Buying a good microphone is a serious investment. If you don't want to feel uncomfortable while recording, give preference to high-quality equipment.

How to connect a wireless microphone

This is a device equipped with a receiver; it does not come with a cable. It has built-in speakers and a battery. You can connect it to a TV (techniques with a Smart TV function are best), a computer or a mobile phone with any Android or iOS operating system using bluetooth. You need to turn on Bluetooth and the device itself, and then the function on the paired device.

On your phone, the settings can be made in the “Sound and Audio Devices” item. It increases or decreases the volume.

All karaoke programs have a clear interface, it is possible to change the sound, connect the “echo” effect and other functions, but you need to make sure once again that bluetooth on your smartphone will be active.

Rode smartLav+

These devices are well known among video bloggers. The Rode smartLav+ microphone can be attached to clothing, usually in the chest area, while hiding its cable. Obviously, there are limitations, for example, the speaker cannot be too far away from the smartphone.

Either way, a lavalier microphone is an excellent choice that combines modest size, ease of use and sound quality.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• lack of connecting wires;
• versatility - you can connect the device via cable;
• range of about 10 m - you can sing not only indoors, but also outdoors;
• battery power provides up to 8 hours of operation (depending on volume level and model);
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• budget models do not have built-in speakers;
• Depending on the type of device, battery consumption may vary - there is a need to have a spare set;
• Not everyone has a direct connection to the recording device - some require a mixer;
• Wireless devices operating in the UHF range (300 - 3000 MHz) have a shorter signal range, so it is better to use equipment with a VHF range (30 - 300 MHz).

Audio monitoring and playback

It's always good to play back the result and listen to everything you recorded. Audio problems are incredibly difficult to fix after the fact. If you want to monitor your recording, you'll need that headphone splitter we mentioned earlier. This device allows you to connect both a microphone and headphones at the same time.

But let's say you don't want to film yourself wearing headphones. If you don't have a friend or colleague, you can listen to the audio yourself, the safest option is to play back what you just recorded. If in doubt, make another note to be sure. Also make sure that you are using good quality headphones for your project.

Setup instructions

Each device has different settings depending on the model. In order to start using the device, you need to complete the following steps:

• turn on the device, then the indicator will appear and show that the bluetooth function is enabled;
• on the paired equipment, find the model identifier in the search bluetooth menu and connect to it;
• open any karaoke APP or select a music file on the device’s player;
• adjust volume, frequency and bass.

RecForge II

Price: Free / $3.49.

RecForge II is another powerful application. It has many functions: control of tempo, voice pitch and recording volume. This is one of the best apps for long recordings such as music or lectures. This application has a built-in post editor, you can cut out the necessary parts. To remember, you can enable loop playback of the file.

appbox fallback https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dje073.android.modernrecforge&hl=ru&gl=ru

Rating of popular models

Portable devices with a speaker and complete with a receiver are distinguished.

Portable with speaker

The leader is the Tuxun (MicGeek) Q9 model. It has bluetooth 4.0 and supports ios and android, there is a usb and microusb slot. There are stereo speakers, supports Bluetooth connection at a distance of up to 10 m, and operates for up to 9 hours.

Magic Karaoke YS-86. The brand is used as a speaker or plays songs. There is a slot for memory cards, aux-in, usb, LED backlight, battery life up to 6 hours.

IK Multimedia iRig Mic Cast HD

High-quality pocket microphone for iPhone and Android

7.3

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Connector: Lightning, Micro-USB, USB-C Polar pattern: Cardioid Dimensions: 50 x 27 x 50 mm Weight: 68 g

pros

• Tiny and light
• Wide Compatibility
• Magnetic mount

Minuses

• Not the cheapest

"Pocket-sized" is a term that is often overused by marketers, but this fantastically compact device truly lives up to that definition. Measuring just 27mm wide, the two-way microphone comes with Lightning, Micro-USB and USB-C cables, allowing it to be used with all types of phones, tablets and PCs, including the latest iPhones.

There's also a headphone jack so you can keep an eye on your recording too. And it's easy to attach to your iPhone, thanks to a snap-on magnetic mount that even works with a case.

10

How to choose an external microphone for a smartphone

Choosing a microphone is one of the important steps that must be overcome by anyone who wants to record high-quality sound on their device. In fact, there are several criteria that are the basis for selection:

1. Wire length;
2. Goals;
3. Micro size;
4. Equipment;
5. Device compatibility;
6. Frequencies;
7. Cardioid regulation.

It is worth examining each point.

The length of the wire is how far the user can move away from the smartphone and the sound will still be good since the microphone is connected. A wire that is too long is just as inconvenient as one that is too small. It is worth finding a middle ground.

Purposes are what the device is used for. It is necessary to decide on the type based on the purposes for the device.

With the size of the microphone, everything is simple: the larger, the higher the quality. Video bloggers are advised to purchase fairly small devices, but musicians should pay attention to larger models.

It is important that the microphone comes with additional equipment in the form of an adapter or wind protection.

Not many appliances can be combined with devices. This is also worth paying attention to.

Frequencies are an important point. If a microphone has a range of more than 20,000 Hz, then this device is clearly of poor quality. The equipment must be of high quality. The ideal range is 60 – 15000 Hz. If it is higher, the ear simply will not catch it, the device will concentrate on extraneous noise. For example, for a blogger, a low indicator is an advantage, since basically the microphone will only pick up the person’s voice, and not extraneous noise. For musicians, it is important that all sounds in the room are heard in order to create a high-quality picture, which is why the maximum range is an excellent solution for them.

The last point is unclear - this is a cardioid. In fact, this is a circular diagram of the microphone, that is, its regulation. Setting this indicator means that the user has the ability to completely adjust what the device will hear. This can be just the voice itself, or you can also set it to capture the entire room. This is a great opportunity to regulate the recording process.

Weight, these characteristics must be indicated along with the device, in its settings.

Necessary adapters for every mobile

We start by talking on the phone with an audio jack, which, although they are integrated and can make the process easier, are not always the TRRS type . This is what we need to recognize the microphone, not just to introduce headphones. There is no model on iPhone that is compatible with this connector, which is mostly the same on Android and which we can only check manually. That's when adapters like the one we're showing come out, allowing us to connect a compatible microphone.

Mobile adapters with USB Type C

It is possible that our Android mobile does not have an audio jack input, in which case we need an adapter like the one we showed you. This time the input for the smartphone will be type C, but in the input of the adapter it must be saved and remain TRRS type, otherwise we will not be able to use the external microphone on the mobile phone .

Adapters for iPhone

On the iPhone, the Lightning input forces us to also need a special adapter to connect an external microphone, and we will again need TRRS type compatibility.

TOP best external microphone models

To make it easier for the user to choose a high-quality microphone model, it is worth looking at the rating table, which is formed not only from reviews, but also from the experience of many users from different fields: musicians, journalists and many others.

This way you can easily and simply not only connect an external recording system, but also select it.

Shure MV88

Best microphone for iPhone overall

9

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Connector: Lightning Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional Dimensions: 35 x 24.9 x 67.1 mm Weight: 40.5 g

pros

• High quality sound
• Lasting
• 5 preset modes

Minuses

• Not the cheapest

We won't beat around the bush. The Shure MV88 is our clear choice for the best overall iPhone microphone. It is omnidirectional, making it suitable for interviewing multiple people or recording any event where sound needs to be received from multiple angles. The sound quality is excellent, and the included foam windscreen ensures clear sound in windy conditions. There are five preset modes (Speech, Singing, Flat, Acoustic Instrument, Loud), and the included app gives you plenty of options to further fine-tune your recording.

The Shure MV88 connects directly to your iPhone via the Lightning connector. Made from metal and hard plastic, it's durable yet quite lightweight and portable. It's also flexible: you can tilt, flip, and rotate the microphone 90 degrees to position it exactly where you want it. Comes with a zippered carrying bag and a headphone adapter cable. All this at such a reasonable price is truly impressive.

2

Connecting an external microphone to a non-Android smartphone

The algorithm for connecting a sound recording device to any smartphones running on other systems is similar to the methods described above. Almost all modern phones are equipped with a standard jack (3.5 mm). To connect an external device, there are a large number of adapters and various adapters. Every smartphone must have a Bluetooth connection. Therefore, wireless switching of various products is quick and easy.

It must be said that the newest iPhones do not have a miniJack connector, so it is impossible to use headphones. For switching, you can use the Bluetooth function, or special adapters with an iPhone connector.

Important! Several adapters affect the recording quality. It gets worse as the signal undergoes multiple conversions.

Where to record sound

The first thing we're going to discuss is where you'll be filming. Ambient sound can compete with your voice and distract the audience. Where possible, try to record your video in an area where you can control the ambient noise.

In the office, fans, air conditioners and computers generate a lot of sound. Turning off or switching to low power operation may reduce the overall background hum.

Another thing to watch out for is large empty rooms. If you walk into a professional recording studio, you'll notice how small they are. This is because sound bounces off the walls, causing an echo. When looking for a recording space, stay away from large rooms with high ceilings, hard floors and no furniture. These spaces produce a terrible echo that is difficult to get rid of.

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to create an acoustically isolated studio. Sometimes simply adding a rug to a room can significantly reduce echoes. As a general rule, the smaller the room and the more furniture it has, the better the sound recording will be.

There are various challenges that come with shooting outdoors. A bit of ambient sound is fine, in fact the viewer will expect some natural background noise. But strong winds are a nightmare for audio recording. Covering the microphone or hiding it in clothing can mitigate the effects of the wind, but if it's really strong, you may need to consider a different shooting location.