If you've ever visited our YouTube channel, you know we care about audio quality. Bad audio can make an excellent video a really bad experience for the viewer, so investing in a decent mic can make all the difference. That's why we're checking out the Shure MV88 Microphone Video Kit.
Your smartphone might be good enough to film your vlog or that interview you need, but we're guessing the microphone on it will be rubbish. The Shure MV88 Microphone Video Kit is a compact and convenient pack designed to solve your mobile videography woes, as well as solving other problems, too.
Included in the kit is the small and tough Shure MV88 Microphone. This thumb-sized mic is designed for smaller, closer-up recording jobs, and features connections that lean towards the world of phone photography. Along with the foam wind sock, the mic boasts a Micro USB connector and the all-important headphone jack - so you can monitor your audio as you record it.
Using the included USB cable you can hook up the mic to your phone, then lock your phone into the included smartphone clamp. This allows you to attach the mic to the top using the grip, and then screw the whole tech combo onto an included Manfrotto PIXI tripod. So lots going on here.
The Shure MV88 Microphone Video Kit therefore features everything you need to transform your phone in a mobile film studio - all you need to add is optional headphones. The one-stop shop nature of the bundle means you can instantly start recording broadcast-quality audio in mere minutes. There are no apps you need to use, and as it's a USB connection, it will work with all modern phones.
Shure have also placed emphasis on the recording of pure audio, too. The microphone grip can be screwed directly onto the PIXI tripod, to use it independently of a phone's camera. You still have to hook it up to your phone, to make the actual recording, but now you can use your sound recording app, again with headphones plugged in to monitor, to record clear and crisp sounds.
The quality of those sounds is very impressive considering the size (and price) of the Shure MV88 Microphone itself. There really is no comparison to any phone's built-in microphone - the MV88 blows all phones out of the water. It's smooth, rich and detailed, perfect for picking up ambient sounds for a wild track, or a more focused interview.
There are batter microphones out there, but none that offer so much versatility, in such a small package, for so cheap a price. Well, relatively cheap a price. Currently weighing in at a quid under £200 the Shure MV88 Microphone Video Kit is still a considerable investment for a freelance or fledgling videographer. However, until phone makers start paying particular attention to improving their products' microphones, kits like this will always be essential. And this is a very good one.
Recommended.
£199
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