GEAR
MINI TESTS
Mobile phones are often pressed into action for vlogging and streaming content, and as run-and-gun cameras in their own right, but sound quality froma phone’s mic is usually lacking, just as it would be froma hybrid camera’s built-in pickup. Shure previously launched the MV88 condenser mic with a Lightning connector for Apple phones, but that was purely aimed at audio and didn’t have a 3.5mm jack for monitoring. The ShureMV88+ Video Kit gives youmore possibilities for video, has a 3.5mmout, and works with both Apple and Android devices. The kit comes with the MV88+ condenser mic and removable windshield, a phone holder, mini mic clip and aManfrotto Pixi mini tripod, all wrapped in a neoprene case. Set up is easy. The phone holder’s rubberised jaws held the caseless iPhone 8 I used for testing securely, even when shaking it around. The phone holder screws to the Pixi tripod. On the opposite side of the holder is a cold shoe for themic clip, and theMV88+ presses neatly into that. Then you connect to your phone using the includedmicroUSB-to- Lightning or micro-to-micro cables. The set-up allows different configurations. Themic can be reversed in its shoe for vlogging, or added with the phone held vertically. When free- standing via the tripod, it’s very stable, and the Pixi’s legs fold in to forma comfortable handle for handheld work. The combination of phone, holder, legs andmic weighs a little over 500g, so is light enough for extended shooting. As a condenser, theMV88+ draws power from the phone it’s plugged into, and while it would’ve been good to have the option of a separate SHURE MV88+ VIDEO KIT £194/$249 shure.co.uk
RIGHT The mic, phone, holder and tripod only weigh 500g together
power input, it doesn’t leechmuch. You’d want to start with a full battery if you’re recording for a decent stretch, but if power fails, recording is automatically saved. Though themic can be used with the regular video app, Shure advises using its Motiv Video app, and there’s a separate audio-only app, too. Both are easy to use, well laid out and have built-in instructionmanuals so you can’t go wrong. Most importantly, they allow full control over themic, not only setting gain and preset recording styles, but also changing the polar pattern between adjustable stereo, mono cardioid, mono bidirectional, and rawmid-side. You can also add a limiter, use a compressor when dynamic range is high, set a high-pass filter and use a five-band equaliser. Livemonitoring is excellent. The level in earphones can be controlled in the settings, but you also get visual levels, a waveformand the LED on the rear flashes red to show clipping. Within themain recording screen, the audio format can be set toWAV, ALAC, AAC 96, AAC 128 and AAC 256, and the sample rate from44.1Khz to 48Khz. There was an improvement from the iPhone’s mic quality, and even at the lower end of the settings, amuch richer signal. The real advantage is the professional level of control via the app. Handling noise was picked up by the mic, so watch out for this. Yet great sound is no use without decent video control, but theMotiv app delivers plenty with 720, 1080 and 4K options at 24, 30 and 60fps, although the 720 and 1080 options have a slight crop. Manual focus and exposure settings are also possible through the app, and files are shared as you normally would from the phone. KS.
SPECIFICATIONS MV88+ MIC Type: Condenser Capsules: 1 x cardioid, 1 x bidirectional Sensitivity: -37 dBFS/Pa at 1 kHz (1 Pa = 94 dB SPL) MaximumSPL: 120 dB Connections: 3.5mmheadphone andmicroUSB Dimensions (HxWxD): 1.1x1.1x3in /27x27x77mm Weight: 2.78 oz/79g iOS: 11.3 and higher, iPhone 6 and higher; Android: Marshmallow 6.0 and higher, USB power host requirement of ≥100mA. USB audio class 1.1 support Audio resolution: WAV, AAC, ALAC, 16 or 24 bits at 44.1 or 48 kHz Polar pattern selection: Stereo (60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135°), cardioid, bidirectional, raw mid-side Video resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K (device dependent) PROMOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 A nice kit that lets you combine excellent video and audio quality from a smartphone, it’s perfect for travelling light, vlogging or live streaming. Pros: Light, easy to use and great results SHURE MOTIV VIDEO APP Systemrequirements:
BELOW The MV88+ allows for
different set-up configurations
Cons: Some minor handling noise, limited by phone power
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AUTUMN 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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