Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Apogee , the fellowship responsible for such stellar audio computer hardware products as theJam ( ) iOS guitar interface , One ( ) USB audio recording interface and mike , and GiO ( ) guitar footswitch controller has released the $ 249Mic , a midget microphone that ’s compatible with both computers and iOS equipment . While both portable and pliable , Mic ’s craft - off is sound that ’s good for many , but not all , portable recording situations .
Specs and accessories
As with every Apogee merchandise I ’ve used , Mic is solidly work up and attractive . Mic supports 24 - bit , 44.1/48 kHz audio and can well fit in a pants sack . On the correct side of this condensor microphone you get a Gain bicycle that provide you to adjust input signal volume . Near the middle of the mic you find oneself an LED status luminousness , which indicates when MiC is connected but not ready ( down ) , colligate and ready to go ( green ) , and when the stimulus level is too gamy ( red ) .
Included in the box are a .5 meter loading dock connection cable for relate Mic to your iOS machine ( supported machine are iPhone 4S , iPhone 4 , and the original iPad and iPad 2 ) , a 1 metre ( 40 - inch ) USB cable , and a small background tripod . I would have liked to see a received mike stand adaptor included as well , as the screen background stand is n’t utile in most transcription situations — it ’s too low for voice recording and you ’ll demand a boom stand for recording most other instrument . If you want that adapter you’re able to purchase it separately for $ 10 or you’re able to wait for the $ 249 Mic Pro Kit ( available soon ) , which contains not only the Mic , but the adapter , a Mic carrying case , and two 3 metre connection cable ( a USB cable system and one for join to iOS equipment ) .
Sound quality
As for its recording calibre , it can be quite unspoilt for capturing acoustic instruments if you ’re thrifty about its positioning . I used it to record my grand piano and see that if I placed it in the midriff of the piano ’s collapsed medicine rack and spread out the piano ’s lid , it enter a right overall sound — not as good as using two microphones suspended over the strings as you ’d do in a more professional setting , but that ’s not an option with an iPhone or iPad ’s microphone .
Where I found Mic lacking was with phonation — specifically a speaking voice . It produces very clean termination , but it lacks bottom end . essay as I might , I just could n’t get a baritone voice - FM - DJ timbre out of this mike . When I go within a few inches of the mic ’s space capsule the mic rumbled , even with the increase turned down , and plosive speech sound because a job . When I back off and turned up the gain , the mic ’s sound was bright , but did n’t pick up my voice ’s more sonorous tone of voice . If you ’re accustomed to “ work ” a mic by change the distance between it and your mouth you ’ll line up it difficult to do with this microphone .
Because I use microphones far more often for vocalization work ( podcasts and video narration ) , this is a tone that I want from a mic . give that , for portable podcasting I ’d compact a larger microphone that work with my iPad ( with or without a USB powered hub ) through Apple ’s $ 29iPad Camera Connection Kit . In the sheath of the iPhone , which is n’t supported by this adapter , you have far fewer choices and Mic may be among the best of them .
Macworld’s buying advice
Apogee ’s Mic produces far better results than the microphones built into Apple ’s iOS gimmick . And its aboriginal livelihood for those twist and power to also memorialise solid audio on a estimator make it a very attractive mike . For general purpose voice and instrument transcription it ’s well worth your consideration , particularly if you ’d like to raise the portable recording studio apartment that is your iPhone 4 , iPhone 4S , or iPad . Podcasters looking for a deep and rich strait , however , may find Mic lacking .
