There’s all manner of preposterous bolt ons available for iPhones, but we have to say that we’re rather taken with Tascam’s iM2 microphone for iOS devices.
Capable of turning the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a high-quality stereo recorder, the Tascam iM2 packs a pair of condenser microphones which plug directly into the dock connector of Apple devices.
The microphones are adjustable over 180 degrees, with the uni-directional elements arranged in an AB pattern for capturing a detailed stereo image.
The iM2 contains its own microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converter, and can handle sound levels up to 125dB.
There’s also a built in stereo limiter, with microphone levels adjustable via a knob on the side.
The unit is powered through the iPhone’s dock connector, and there’s also a USB input for powering up the device during long recordings, either through a computer or TASCAMs PS-P515U power adapter.
Although we’re pretty sure you could get better sound quality via a dedicated recorder, we could see this $79.99 device being a real boon for musicians and sound recordists.
After all, the ability to get a high quality recording straight on to your phone for editing and sharing makes for quite a compelling purchase in our book.
IM2 SPECIFICATIONS
- Stereo condenser microphones for iPhone 4, iPod Touch or iPad dock connection
- High-quality stereo condenser microphones – same as our best-selling DR-series recorders
- Microphones adjustable 180 degrees front to back
- Built-in analog to digital converter and microphone preamp for low noise recording
- 125dB SPL maximum level for recording loud shows without distortion
- Switchable limiter attenuates high-level signals to prevent recording overload
- Adjustable input level control
- Powered through iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch dock connector
- USB input allows the iPhone or iPad to be charged from a USB connection or optional TASCAM PS-P515U
- CD-quality digital recording (44.1kHz/16-bit linear PCM)
- Compact size ideal for mobile use
- Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4G, iPad, iPad 2
- Dimensions: 2.3″ W x 2.2″ H x 0.75″ D
- Weight: 1.05 oz
[Tascam]
The iPhone can record not-bad-quality audio through its internal mic in certain situations, but mono is always rather lifeless.
This stereo add-on, which presumably consists of two electret cardioid mics, looks like an ideal way for anyone wanting to try a bit of sound recording, but without committing to the higher price of a purpose-made recorder.
Wind noise will be a problem in anything more than a very gentle breeze, so it’d be good if Tascam supplied a furry windshield. Failing that, using a woolly phone sock to cover the mics should work reasonably well.