Shure - MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

Pretty sure it's powered by the phone.

Yep, my band uses this, and it works better than I would have expected.

I use a Shure MV88+ that plugs into my phone. It has an app that lets you adjust input volume so you don't get distortion. I use this setup with a tripod to record our live shows and rehearsals.

You do not need separate power. It may drain your phone battery faster. I have been able to record sets that are 2+ hours long with it.

I really like my Shure MV88+ stereo USB c mic. It was about $250. Behringer makes a copy for $45 if that is better aligned with your budget. Speaking of, OP, what is your budget?

Depending on you budget, on the lower end, I’d do with the Rode VideoMicro with a type connector. Midrange would be a Shure MV88 or MV88+, on the higher end connecting a powered on camera shotgun like the Rode VideoMic NTG. You could also consider a real audio interface with an XLR microphone, but that will take up more space.

I travel a lot and record every day. I use a tiny little USB microphone, the Shure MV88+. It's very small and it's the only thing you need. You can get it with a stand included (indeed, I don't think you have much choice!) and it's perfect for this. [I've written an article about it over here](https://podnews.net/article/record-podcast-on-the-move-shure) - _Disclosure: I wrote this article, but it's got no display advertising on it, and no affiliate deals or anything_ I gather there's a newer version which has USB-C and also has Bluetooth in some form. I can't find a link to it though.

I use Shure MV88+.

90% of the time I'm using my Apple Wired Lightning headphones with the built it mic and it's actually wild good. Obviously limited to close sample of vocals/cool sounds design, but It's gotten me quite far in combination with a soft synth piano. Otherwise I'm using my Shure SV88+ - also awesome and clear, great for guitar and percussion.

The iPhone mic is really pretty good; the problem is probably the room where you're recording (which will sound pretty much the same with any microphone.) Here's a recording I made with whatever iPhone I had 11 years ago (probably an iPhone 4): [https://soundcloud.com/piperbob/iphonerecording2](https://soundcloud.com/piperbob/iphonerecording2) For comparison, here's a recording I made a little later using a CAD M179 mic ($225) with an audio interface: [https://soundcloud.com/piperbob/m179-minstrelboy](https://soundcloud.com/piperbob/m179-minstrelboy) The Cad M179 is probably better than any iphone accessory microphone, and it's definitely better than any microphone on any stand alone recording device. To me, the differences between that old iPhone and the Cad M179 and pretty slight. Unless you're trying to produce commercial video it's probably not worth paying for. Since then I've bought a lot of audio gear, including some really nice microphones, and it really doesn't make that much difference. Try this though: get the Voice Record Pro app (it's free) and make a recording with it. It's audio only, but we're trying to troubleshoot your problem. If a recording made with Voice Record Pro sounds good while your other recordings do not (same location, etc.), then you know there's some software setting you need to adjust. If you are convinced you need an accessory microphone, then the Shure MV88+ is a great option.

If you have an iPhone with a lightning connector then the Shure mv88 is a great mic. Combined with the voice record pro app you can make great recordings. But it’s not wireless. To get good wireless recordings you’ll need a professional wireless system plugged into an audio interface.

Yeah. It’s flat through the vocal range with just a little boost at the top end. You need a good sounding room though.

If you're going to be fairly close to the phone, anything from Shure's MV88 range could work. I think the original MV88 which clipped into an iPhone's Lightning port (which I have) might be discontinued - I still see it on Shure's website but don't see if for sale new in my region; but the MV88+ and Movemic 88 could all work. There are XY stereo mics that plug into smartphones but the advantage of a mid/side stereo mic is that it will also do mono natively, which is better if you're doing a piece to camera. I find it annoying when I'm listening in earbuds and a YT host has recorded in stereo and the voice keeps moving around the stereo field between edits. That said, you're probably better off with one of the wireless lav solutions that works directly into smartphones. I think the Hollyland Lark M2 sounds better than a lot of the competition.

I should add you'll need a 3.5mm dongle adapter for your phone. Being omni, it should capture the environmental sounds you want as well. However if you want stereo, there's a good option that's a lot pricier but still under $300 in the US, the Shure MV88+. I use the earlier Lightning version with an iPhone 14 Pro and it works well, plus the MOTIV app gives lots of preset options for various scenarios - importantly including mono for when it's just a piece to camera. I hate it when presenters use a stereo mic and the voice is moving all over the stereo field, especially jumping from ear to ear across edits.

If you're going to be fairly close to the phone, anything from Shure's MV88 range could work. I think the original MV88 which clipped into an iPhone's Lightning port (which I have) might be discontinued - I still see it on Shure's website but don't see if for sale new in my region; but the MV88+ and Movemic 88 could all work. There are XY stereo mics that plug into smartphones but the advantage of a mid/side stereo mic is that it will also do mono natively, which is better if you're doing a piece to camera. I find it annoying when I'm listening in earbuds and a YT host has recorded in stereo and the voice keeps moving around the stereo field between edits. That said, you're probably better off with one of the wireless lav solutions that works directly into smartphones. I think the Hollyland Lark M2 sounds better than a lot of the competition.

Shure MV88 is a small stereo mic that plugs into the lightning comnector. Should be able to find on Ebay. Has been replaced with the Shure MV88+. [Shure MV88 works well.](https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/mv88?variant=MV88%252FA) [Shure MV88+](https://www.amazon.com/Shure-MV88-Stereo-USB-Microphone/dp/B09BZXP8Y1/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=159407780323&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vTZlYkz9Cm3dQU_GZ9kyPIKbod3PfGGg7sQBZQv2nRVEZMLFbOrrkhVUVHTo7LiMYtRsUA83Onopyc08iS58aYCfjmY5iz9OcU6qjvYretaOdRk-XduQuLUDYlsl_xk0xT-m5X4Wg4z3FHQvUiWSkKhzAfneQ4GKftvZAIUP-86WJsqRIuY3izPKXT5DSRA0wbukXkr24YGLmcbnQ8Oq-w.1O85Ru62B239TWl5HQweFGRbL2MaKw5r00ESRQvcquc&dib_tag=se&hvadid=693139658766&hvdev=m&hvexpln=68&hvlocphy=9027580&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=15260811451870998541--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15260811451870998541&hvtargid=kwd-118490280022&hydadcr=12833_13466098&keywords=shure+mv88&mcid=910801a0bebd36f595556597e15df6de&qid=1756486392&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.5998aa40-ec6f-4947-a68f-cd087fee0848&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1)