Rode Smartlav Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones

• Frequency Range:20Hz - 20kHz
• Acoustic Principle:Pressure Gradient
• Polar Pattern:Moni

(Disclaimer: I've reviewed more than fifty audio adapters for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and compiled all my discoveries in an article on my website, Life is a Prayer--if you want to read more, search for it on Google :).

For a long time, I've carried around an Audio-Technica ATR-3350 lavalier mic and a special adapter (TRS to TRRS) that allows the 3350 to be plugged into my iPhone, and this works pretty well, but doesn't give me the audio level I would like for a radio-quality audio recording, and it's slightly inconvenient, since I need to carry the 3350, the adapter, and some spare batteries.

The smartLav is pretty much exactly what I've been looking for since I first started recording videos and podcasts on the iPhone. It is well-built, matches the input impedance of the iPhone's headset jack (~600 ohms) well, and it fits in the pocket without requiring a little bag to hold any extra adapters/batteries.

** Sound Quality **

The sound is very good--as good as I get with any other mic through the headset jack. Listening to a recording with this mic and a Shure SM58 through a VeriCorder XLR adapter cable yields almost no discernible difference (from 6-8" from my mouth). It's much better than the built-in iPhone mic (which is only useful if you're within a couple inches of the iPhone... which is awkward if you're giving a speech and holding the iPhone right by your mouth!).

** Build Quality and Physical Characteristics **

The cable feels solid, as does the mic capsule and connector. The only downside to the cable is its length; it's only really long enough for recording with the iPhone in your pocket, or, for video, being pretty close to your iPhone. I like how other lavs have longer cables that let me mic talent on-camera 5-10' away, comfortably.

If you want to extend the length of this mic's cable, you can use the StarTech 2m TRRS Headset Extension Cable. (There are different lengths available on Amazon. I've used one, and it causes no degradation in the mic signal quality.

** Software **

I use FiRe 2 (Field Audio Recorder) for most of my audio recording, and either FilMic Pro or the built in Camera app for video recording. This mic works with all of these apps, as well as Rode's own recording app (which is just a derivative of the FiRe app), equally well (though some apps don't allow you to change the input level). Since it uses the headset jack, you should be able to use the mic with pretty much any audio/video recording app. You don't need any special kind of recording software or hardware to use it.

One note: If you don't want your recording interrupted by a phone call, make sure you switch your phone to airplane mode before you start recording!

** Price and Recommendation **

Finally, the price. It's a little high, I think, for a microphone that can only really be used with certain smartphones (especially since the headset jack's input has a reduced range, compared to what you can get through the dock/lightning connector). But it's not outlandish, and for the convenience, I'm fine paying $60. If the mic were closer to $40, this would be a no-brainer.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's trying to mic someone with a smartphone for podcasting, interviews, at a wedding (have each of the main participants clip one on and record with the iPhone), etc.

Buy Rode Smartlav Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones Now

Best $60 I've spent lately! The Rode app that goes with it should be free, but there is a free lite version if you don't want all the bells and whistles the paid version has to offer.

Read Best Reviews of Rode Smartlav Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones Here

I REALLY wanted to love this mic. I'm using it with an iPhone 4S and the Rode app (paid version). The mic is just so tiny and perfect and looks well-built... but I have to return it because the sound quality is not good at all. YES of course it's better than the phone's mic without a doubt but in a completely silent room recording dead air, the recording sounds like rain. I've tried the 'hiss reducer' option on the app as well as most of the other settings, but the hiss reducer makes me sound like I'm talking underwater. SO SAD this doesn't meet my needs... would have been a brilliant product if the sound quality was decent.