External Mic for iPhone

[Colonelperson]

I am trying to record a theatre production for my school, and I did a test run the other day on my phone. When I went back to watch it, the audio was not what I was looking for. I was hoping to find a half-decent mic for my iPhone. I need it to record decently across the room (my guess is that it is about 60ft wide by 40ft deep). Ideally, I'm thinking around the $100 price point, but I want to get something that will work. I had been looking at something like the Rode VideoMic, but I don't know too much about audio and wanted to see what people who actually know things would say. Thanks in advance!

[Electronics Wizardy]

Does the theater have mics on the actors or ambient mics on the stage already? Seems like a better idea

 

Next mext idea would probably be to put a mic near the front of the stage(or another phone). Having the mic where the camera is is likely gonna lead to bad results.

[Colonelperson]

34 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Does the theater have mics on the actors or ambient mics on the stage already? Seems like a better idea

 

Next best idea would probably be to put a mic near the front of the stage(or another phone). Having the mic where the camera is is likely gonna lead to bad results.

The leads all have mics, but not the ensemble. If I had more time, I would try and figure something better out, but this is all coming up relatively last minute, and I am just trying to get something decent enough for the actors (especially my friends) to be able to watch the production afterward and actually hear it okay. My phone did fine, but there were some issues with the lower vocal ranges coming through. I think it is likely a combination of my phone not liking lower pitches, as well as the fact that the actors with lower voices tend to be pretty far from the camera compared to the rest of the cast.

 

As for having a mic close to the stage, my initial run was with the mic right in front, and that is where I had issues. I added a rough drawing of the stage to my original post, and marked where I was initially recording from, and where I am going to try and set up to get the best view of the stage.  

[Electronics Wizardy]

7 minutes ago, Colonelperson said:

The leads all have mics, but not the ensemble. If I had more time, I would try and figure something better out, but this is all coming up relatively last minute, and I am just trying to get something decent enough for the actors (especially my friends) to be able to watch the production afterward and actually hear it okay. My phone did fine, but there were some issues with the lower vocal ranges coming through. I think it is likely a combination of my phone not liking lower pitches, as well as the fact that the actors with lower voices tend to be pretty far from the camera compared to the rest of the cast.

I'd get an additional phone or audio recorder and put it next to the stage. That will give you pretty good quality, and most NLE's make it easy to sync in post.

 

Try to get a recording from the mixer if possible.

[Colonelperson]

14 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

I'd get an additional phone or audio recorder and put it next to the stage. That will give you pretty good quality, and most NLE's make it easy to sync in post.

 

Try to get a recording from the mixer if possible.

Ok. I can see if I can get a second device closer. I was planning on pulling a recording from the mixer, but I am figuring out some of the logistics. With a mic close to the stage, how would you avoid the noise from things like stomping (part of the choreo) and furniture movement? Is that something I should just worry about for post-production?

 

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what is an NLE? I am not very familiar with post-production software outside of generic video editors. I was just going to throw everything in my video editor and try to figure it out.

 

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it! I just started diving into the world of filming and audio recording recently and have been pretty lost with how much is involved with it.

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, Colonelperson said:

With a mic close to the stage, how would you avoid the noise from things like stomping (part of the choreo) and furniture movement? I

Put the mic on something squishy so its not shaken by vibrations. Do some test recordings at dress rehersals to see how they sound.

 

2 minutes ago, Colonelperson said:

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what is an NLE? I am not very familiar with post-production software outside of generic video editors. I was just going to throw everything in my video editor and try to figure it out.

NLE=non linear editor, basically video editing program.

[Colonelperson]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Put the mic on something squishy so its not shaken by vibrations. Do some test recordings at dress rehersals to see how they sound.

 

NLE=non linear editor, basically video editing program.

Alright. Thanks again for the help! Hopefully, this all turns out well.