iPad Pro iPad Pro - but what mic setup?

[cameron326]

Hi all. I'm upgrading from a 2017 iPad and looking at getting an iPad Pro. I use my iPad for work - recording video (front camera) and sound. Although the video recording of my 2017 wasn't the best clarity wise it was sufficient - and for sound quality I just popped in a Shure MV88 mic which got a pretty decent voice sound - no wires, no mains connection. Super simple and neat and pretty decent sound.

I'm worried because the iPad Pro has done away with the lightning port, so something like the purpose built Shure mic (lightning port) is now off the table. I know the iPad Pro is supposed to have pretty good inbuilt speakers but I expect it won't be quite as good/clear/professional sound wise as the 2017 iPad + Shure MV88? Or is it really that good?

I know you can use something like the Blue Yeti Mic with the iPad Pro - but that requires adaptor + wire going into speaker + wire connecting to mains ... so messy compared to my 2017 setup.

I'm really keen on the iPad Pro but its almost like from the sound recording aspect it could be a backward step, given my requirements - good sounds + simplicity. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[LogicalApex]

I don’t own that mic, but I wonder if you could save a lot of hassle with an adapter.

Anker USB-C to Lightning Audio Adapter https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07R6MKJZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_M8RM4HV98YMHRRYNRVHV

 

[Kierkegaarden]

It sounds like you prefer portability and ease of the connection over other factors (sound quality, etc.). Have you checked out Zoom mics? They have a usb-c mic, but I’m not sure how it compares to the Shure mic you have.

Røde has good options, but the connections are dated. As you said, you can use an adapter, but you might as well go with a table stand mic at that point — and these should all offer a headphone Jack for monitoring.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Have you checked out Zoom mics? They have a usb-c mic, but I’m not sure how it compares to the Shure mic you have.

Zoom video conferencing?

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Zoom video conferencing?

No, the Zoom that came before Zoom 🙂. Zoom is a company that has been making audio equipment — effects processors, interfaces, etc. — for decades. My only Zoom purchase was a mobile guitar effects that was a modern version of the Rockman from Tom Scholz.

I’m sure if the NAMM show happened in January that we would have seen some new usb-c mics. Maybe these are being pushed to the summer?

 

[DoghouseMike]

I’d do some digging into compatibility before committing to anything! USB-C to lightening adapters probably *wont* work for audio things, as the newer iPads handle audio over USB differently to how the old MFI gadgets “just work”. I found this out the hard way with my Apogee ONE.
More standard USB things seem to do ok though via an adapter though.