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I regularly record live video of bands that play in my hometown. I love capturing a song or two so that others will know what a great experience live music is. The problem is that the music I usually participate in is loud, very loud. Nearly every recording I make when I’m not using a special external microphone sounds overblown and distorted. Sometimes it is so loud that the music is unlistenable, which is unfortunate when the point is to give people something to listen to.
The Mighty Mic is an external microphone that makes audio just a little bit clearer and higher quality. Plus, the included windscreen is perfect for capturing memories on a windy day at the beach.
This is a mini version of a shotgun microphone that fits perfectly on your iPhone or iPad. The high-quality condenser microphone plugs directly into your headphone jack and redirects the internal microphone. It is a little more than 2.5-inches long and the circumference of a Sharpie pen. The audio receiving end features a grate at the front with slots on the sides to allow for a more intake of sound. The back half of the diminutive microphone houses the tech stuff and includes the 3.5mm plug. There is also a 3.5mm jack so you can plug your headphones in and hear exactly what the microphone is picking up.
In addition to the Mighty Mic, the package comes with a handy protective carrying case and a windscreen that fits over the top of the device and protects the captured audio from picking up too much noise from, well… wind.
The tiny little microphone is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It is smaller than a lipstick tube and the windscreen makes the whole thing even cuter.
When it comes to performance, the Mighty Mic pulls through for recording basic audio, like lectures and interviews, as well as moderate levels, like acoustic and pop music. The audio is actually just a tick quieter than using the iOS internal microphone. However, you can tell that the transfer of information creates a clearer, deeper resonance than the iPad or iPhone. The difference is noticeable. You can hear lectures more clearly and it captures a wider range of sound. The iPad’s internal microphone produces tinny, high end audio that can sound abrasive and unnatural. The Mighty Mic is like a leveler. I imagine there is a tiny Gnome inside with a mixing board, getting the sound quality just right.
I mentioned above that I tend to record a lot of very loud bands. I brought the Mighty Mic with me to a show I attended last week. The room had practically zero soundproofing. The walls and floor were made of concrete. The P.A. had trouble keeping up with the room’s incredibly high decibel count. Although the Mighty Mic did not perform to my expectations, I can tell from a comparison video I made without the microphone that it did what it is supposed to do.
In the first video, I used the Mighty Mic. The audio is very distorted and sounds blown out. However, it captured all of the instruments, as well as the vocals, which as I mentioned, the P.A. was having trouble keeping up with. You can hear the drums, guitars, and base about as clearly as if you were in the same room, even if it is distorted.
In the second video, I used the internal microphone and the difference is obvious. The audio is flat and washed out. You can’t hear individual instruments and the entire recording is tinny and abrasive. The drum cymbals are so pronounced that it distracts from the rest of the sound.
So, the Mighty Mic was not quite mighty enough to handle the super loud audio of a hardcore punk band in a concrete room, but it does improve the sound quality, nonetheless.
If you aren’t trying to record the likes of ear-splitting rock-and-roll, but want audio with clarity for your family memories, or need a boost for the 300-seat lecture hall so you can record the day’s lessons, the Mighty Mic is a big win. It works great with interviews and mobile podcasting as well.
What I liked: The size is what drew me into this microphone. It packs a powerful punch in a tiny container. It is small enough to fit in your back pocket or get lost in your purse. Luckily, the handy carrying case makes it easier to find amongst all the lipsticks and pens.
What I didn’t like: I’d love it if there were multiple settings so you could adjust the performance based on the type of audio you were recording.
The Verdict: The Mighty Mic may not have lived up to my expectations when it comes to recording loud music, but it is clear that it made the audio sound much better than it would without any external microphone at all. If you are looking for a device to help you capture family memories, lectures, interviews, or something a little more tame than a blasting hardcore band, this is a great device.
Accessory Name: Mighty Mic
Category: Microphones
Company: Photojojo
Price: $70
Score: 
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