Can I use an external Sony microphone in the iPhone 3G's 1/8" input?

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Level 4

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Can I use an external Sony microphone in the iPhone 3G's 1/8" input?

I need to record some informal rehearsals -- mono recording is fine. There are several apps to do this, among them Griffin's iTalk and Zarboo's SpeakEasy.

I'm hoping to boost the input levels, though, by recording through my old standby Sony microphone:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11035340

It uses a 1/8" miniplug. Will it work as a sound source for my iPhone? Obviously I could just plug the thing in, but since it's powered -- albeit by a single AA battery -- I'm reluctant to try it without some expert guidance, lest I fry my iPhone.

Again, not looking to use this as for telephone calls, obviously, as it's just a mike and not a headset/mike combo. 🙂

Thanks for any help.

MacBook Pro, 15", 2.33GHz Intel, 3GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 23" ACD, 500GB MyBook HDD

Posted on May 16, 2009 10:38 AM

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Answer 1

Eric Westby Author

Level 4

1,829 points

Jun 9, 2009 9:08 PM in response to Eric Westby

Just trying one more time, since I didn't receive any replies when I originally posted this last month.

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Answer 2

Macaby

Level 3

923 points

Jun 9, 2009 9:54 PM in response to Eric Westby

Just curious. What would you be plugging it into? The IP has NO input audio jack.

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Answer 3

Eric Westby Author

Level 4

1,829 points

Jun 18, 2009 3:53 PM in response to Macaby

Macaby wrote:
What would you be plugging it into? The IP has NO input audio jack.

Sure it does: the headphone jack also serves as a microphone jack, since of course most iPhone-compatible headphones include microphones for phone calls.

I've had a bit of third-party confirmation that not only will dedicated external microphones work, but they can even record in stereo. In its discussion of the new Voice Memo app included with iPhone OS 3.0, the iLounge.com review states that:

"Certain stereo recording accessories can be attached as well, automatically triggering stereo recording mode and higher bit rates."

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-secrets-featur es-of-iphone-os-30/P1/

I'll try it tonight and see if I really end up with a stereo file!

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Answer 4

JoeZinVA

Level 2

431 points

Jun 18, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Eric Westby

Possibly since I just read it. You need a 3.5mm jack more than likely.

Sony or whomever may make an alternative down the road. A bottom plugin to turn it into a Kereoke machine would be awesome.

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Answer 5

Eric Westby Author

Level 4

1,829 points

Jul 5, 2009 10:08 PM in response to JoeZinVA

Turns out the situation is more complicated than I was led to believe, at least at present. Some kind of additional hardware interface is required to unlock the higher-quality recording and stereo capability that's built into the machine. Frustrating.

iLounge answered my question in their FAQ column this week. Look for the question submitted by Eric:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/ask-ilounge-7-3-09/

Long and short of it is the powered mic won't work out of the box. Something else is necessary, and I'm not sure yet what. I'll keep trying.

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