Recording from external Sennheiser Mic to iPhone 3GS?

Question

Recording from external Sennheiser Mic to iPhone 3GS?

Is it possible to record to an iPhone from an external microphone? I've read elsewhere that since 3.0, you can record to iPhone at 128kbps, but this isn't high enough quality for the video-editing I will be using the sound in. *Is anyone else using their iPhone as an audio-recording device?* What are the results like?

DETAILS: I'd like to use my pro-quality Sennheiser Mic (*Sennheiser ME66* with *K6 power module*) to record 320kbps (or similar) mono audio to an iPhone 3GS. *What cable and app would I need if this were possible?*

I haven't bought the iPhone yet, as I'm weighing up whether it's worth it. If I can do this type of recording at a decent bit rate, then this would save me the hassle of buying a separate recording device and definitely merit buying the phone.

Please help!!!!

2008 Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.7), 4GB Ram http://www.thicketfilms.com

Posted on Jul 11, 2009 4:01 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 11, 2009 4:41 PM in response to Thicket Films

I should add that the Mic itself is powered independently by a AA battery and the output is via an XLR cable, for which I have a converter into a TRS connector (which I suppose I could plug into a mini-jack converter).

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Answer 2

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Jul 12, 2009 6:22 AM in response to Thicket Films

Not possible at this time.

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Answer 3

coop42

Level 1

129 points

Jul 15, 2009 12:34 PM in response to deggie

You could always try this: http://bluemic.com/mikey/

It's received good reviews, and at $80, it's cheap when compared with the Sennheiser and associated kit to tie it to the iPhone.

If you plug it in, you get the "i only work on iPod's" warning, but see the last paragraph in the link below. http://www.iprong.com/ipodiphoneitunes/mikey-for-ipod-and-iphone/

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Answer 4

Aug 29, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Thicket Films

After receiving no accurate responses, I decided to do some more research. It IS possible to plug this mic into my iPhone, given the right connectors. However, when you do, there are issues with the Voice Command function repeatedly interrupting recordings.

How to do it:

The crucial part is the first cable - you need a minijack to phono (RCA) cable. However, the minijack MUST have both line in AND line out. The minijack plug should have FOUR, rather than the usual three, sections. These cables are often bundled with digital cameras (I had one lying around).

Plug the minijack into the iPhone's headphone socket.

Attach a female to female phono (RCA) connector to the RED phono plug.

Attach a male phono (RCA) to female minijack/jack connector to the first connector.

Plug your mic into this second connector.

Start up an app for recording input that works through the line-in and not just the microphone (I use Pixi Sound Recorder).

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