Record Field Podcasts on your iPhone / iPod Touch
In the past, as a podcaster wanting to audio record field interviews, you would have likely paid US$400 – $US500 to purchase a dedicated portable recorder such as the Zoom H2 or Zoom H4. However, if you own an iPhone or iPod Touch, this may no longer be necessary.
As you know there are a variety of third party audio recording apps for the iPhone and Touch, such as Voxie Pro and Griffin iTalk, but until now there has been no quality microphones available that are suitable for recording podcast field interviews (especially for the Touch which has no built in microphone).
But now TouchMic.com have resolved this problem with their newest microphone ‘MityMic’, which has been specifically designed for the iPhone or iPod Touch for recording podcasts and field interviews. At US$34 for the mic and another couple of dollars for a third party recording app, this is a great portable recording alternative for the field podcaster.
I intend to pick myself up a ‘MityMic’, and will post a sample audio recording on a future entry so that we can check out the audio quality.
TouchMic MityMic
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Comments
Hi Brian – good to hear from you. You’re right that the value proposition is best if you already own an iPhone or iPod Touch (or are thinking of getting one). Then you are only paying a little bit more to add a quality audio recording feature on to all of the other features you get with the iPhone or Touch.
I should probably clarify that the mic plugs into the headphone socket / jack and only works with iPod Touch 2rd Generation and 3G iPhone. In addition to providing the headphone sound the socket / jack can also be used to receive microphone input.
It is coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will so get it……………………….
Hi Brendon,
Thanks so much for the review. I’ve been looking high and low for something like this. I’m very curious to know the quality of recording if the recorder ipod is set on a table (as in an interview setting). I produce frequent podcasts and would like not to have to hand the device back and forth during the interview.
Thanks in advance,
Graham
Have you come across anything else that would work as a recorder? I’m also curious to see if I have the right jack and converter if I could hook up a larger or higher quality microphone for even better recordings. Thanks for the research.
Hi Matt
I’m sure that it is possible to hook up a different microphone if you know what you are doing. As I stated in a previous comment on another post you would need to get the right configuration wired up on a 4 terminal 3.5mm jack (1 for the mic, 2 for the stereo headphones, and 1 for ground).
If the mic requires phantom power then it won’t get this from the iPod Touch or iPhone, so you will need to wire in a battery power source with appropriate resistor (at which point it gets well beyond my knowledge).
Hi Lily
There are many audio recording software options that you can download from the apps store which will work on the iPod Touch 3G. I use Voxie Pro Recorder and find it good. I profile Voxie Pro Recorder in some of my other posts.
If you also need a microphone, then I recommend the microphones available through touchmic.com. I use the MityMic which does work on iPod Touch 3G.
I’m a bird-watcher and wondering at what distance can the MityMic still record sound with reasonable quality. For instance, could I record a bird singing at say 40 feet away? Any examples out there?
No comments or examples received on bird song. Still awaiting examples of the MityMic’ quality at a distance of some 40 feet.
I have not recorded bird song, though at 40 feet I would be a little worries at the quality. The mighty mic records everything: wind, leaves, clothes, or any other local sound. In a controlled environment I would think it would come out okay, but would need some post editing to isolate the sound you want. I like to experiment as the challenge is fun for me, but I don’t think the mighty mic is right for what you are looking for.
I have an iPod Touch, 4th generation, and want an external microphone. I know it has an internal microphone, but I want to get better quality (frequency response, etc.). The MightMic or an adapter to allow me to use my existing stereo microphones (which come together into one 3.5mm jack) would be great.
Do you know whether the MightyMic is compatible with the iPod Touch 4th Generation? Thanks so much!
Hi Mark – TouchMic.com are the manufacturers and sellers of the MityMic. Their site does confirm that the MityMic will work with the iPod Touch 4th generation – check out this page of their site http://touchmic.com/products-page/iphone–ipod-touch-microphones–lapel-mics/touchmic-mitymic—voice-recording-and-interview-mic/
Good luck, Brendon
Thanks! I will put it on my list. My next goal is to get some sort of adapter that will allow me to attach my binaural microphones (omnidirectional stereo clip-on mics), which is what I truly enjoy using. Whether through the line in or the docking port, I have not found anything that does that.
What a great idea! Now if only i had an iPhone that costs $34.00, i would be in business!
Great work Mr Livingstone!