Smartphone Microphones

Smartphones are so common that no matter where we go or what we do, we always have a high-tech computing device at our fingertips. Fortunately for musicians and content creators, our smartphones can also double as convenient and advanced audio recording devices.

If you’ve ever tried to record audio with your smartphone’s internal microphone, you may have discovered that most smartphone mics aren’t well suited to the nuances of audio. They can capture conversations for phone calls, but if you’re looking for rich, interference-free audio, a smartphone microphone is a great accessory to add to your recording kit.

Recording Audio With a Smartphone

You can use any type of microphone with your smartphone if you invest in an adapter, but a smartphone-specific microphone streamlines the process. Just plug in your mic with the ?” audio jack, USB-C, or other proprietary cable and you can start recording quality audio right away.

Smartphone microphones are compact and portable, too, so you can easily bring them with you anywhere.

Types of Smartphone Microphones

When you want to record audio with your smartphone, you have a few different options. 

Lavalier Mics

Lavalier mics are great for their compact size and mountability. Attach a lav mic to your clothes, plug it into your smartphone and slip your phone in an inner or back pocket, and you’re good to go.

Shotgun Mics

Shotgun microphones are mounted to a small tripod or microphone stand for table top use. You can also attach a shotgun mic to a boom pole if you’re capturing audio for a film but need the mic to be out of the shot.

Plug-in Mics

Plug-in microphones mount to the top or bottom of your phone for a traditional audio recorder set up and work perfectly for recording interviews, dictating notes, and capturing audio during press calls.

Compatibility Considerations

While most microphones are universal for use with iOS and Android devices, some are operating system specific. It’s also a good idea to make sure the cable connection for your intended smartphone microphone will work with your cell phone. Many phones have eliminated the audio jack input, so you’ll need an adapter or alternative connection.

Top Brands for Smartphone Microphones

Smartphone microphones may be small accessories, but they contain plenty of impressive technology and sensitive components. Invest in a top brand like BOYA, Comica,  IK Multimedia, MicW, or Movo Photo to ensure your microphone will work as advertised and capture authentic audio for years to come.