Before captioning videos for easy social media viewing became popular, good audio was universally recognized as a crucial aspect of quality video, perhaps even more important than image clarity. Many still agree that audio remains essential, even with the recent trend of captioning. But how can you get good audio when you are using an Android smartphone to record video? An external microphone for Android video is the key.
Why to use: Using external microphone for recording Android video ensures getting close to the sound source
How can you capture great audio for your Android video? It's simple: position your microphone as close to the sound source as possible! In most cases, a budget microphone placed near the audio source will outperform a high-end mic that’s positioned too far away. So, how can you get that close? Using an external mic (instead of your phone’s built-in mic) is a great solution, as it avoids having to place your phone or camera directly in front of someone. And the good news? There are external microphones working with virtually all Android phones and tablets!
How to record video with external microphone for Android?
To use an external microphone for Android video properly, here are some tips to follow:
- Connect it to your Android device
- Place it properly to clearly capture the audio source
- Find or build a good recording environment to avoid noise
- Use recording app with external microphone for Android video
Connect the external microphone to your Android device
The specific steps may differ based on the type of connection your Android phone microphone uses. Here are the options:
Option 1: Through 3.5mm TRRS Headphone Jack
This is the easiest solution if your phone includes a headphone jack. You’ll need a microphone with a 3.5mm TRRS plug, or an adapter to change a TRS plug to TRRS.
- Simply connect the microphone directly to your phone’s headphone jack.
- If you're using a TRS plug, attach it to the TRRS adapter before plugging it into the phone.
Option 2: Through USB-C Port
Recent Android phones have replaced the headphone jack with a USB-C port. To use a mic, you'll need one compatible with USB-C, or a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
- Plug the microphone directly into your phone’s USB-C port, using the cable that comes with the mic if necessary.
- If your microphone has a 3.5mm plug, connect it to the USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, then plug the adapter into the phone.
The Moman CP2, for example, is a wireless external microphone for Android video featuring a USB-C plug. You can directly connect the receiver to the charging port of your smartphone, turn on the mic, and start video recording. It includes two clip-on transmitters, allowing for more dynamic content creation, such as interviews or collaborative videos. The noise-canceling function ensures clear audio capture, and the charging case makes it ideal for continuous recording. Despite this, the CP2 is quite affordable, at $65.99.
Option 3: Via Bluetooth
Bluetooth microphone for Android video recording can connect to your phone wirelessly. Before proceeding, ensure your mic and phone are compatible.
- Power on the mic and make it discoverable (refer to the manual for details).
- Open Settings, then tap on Network and internet.
- Select Bluetooth and enable the toggle.
- Choose your mic from the list of available devices.
- If required, enter the pairing code for your mic.
- Finally, switch the toggle on.
Place it properly to clearly capture the audio source
The placement differs by the types of external microphone for Android, here are the tips for two commonly used types.
If you use a lavalier microphone for Android video recording
To get the best sound from your lavalier microphone, here are a few tips:
Chest mount adds bass: Mounting the mic on the sternum typically provides a good balance between proximity and natural sound.
Mount the mic upside down: When attaching the lavalier to your chest, try positioning it upside down inside the clip. This can help reduce plosives (such as harsh T, P, and B sounds) that lead to distortion or clipping.
Avoid fabric rubbing: One common issue with lavalier microphones is the noise of fabric rubbing against them. Position the mic where there’s minimal movement of clothing.
Wind guard: Using a wind guard helps minimize wind-induced distortions. In strong wind, consider a furry microphone cover. While it may slightly alter the sound, it’s much better than the noise caused by wind!
If you use an Android shotgun mic
To achieve the best sound from this external microphone for Android video, consider these techniques:
Point it at the sound source: Ensure the microphone is directed toward the source of the audio.
Position it close, but not too close: Keep the mic within 3–10 inches (75mm–20cm) from you, without placing it directly in front of your mouth.
Mount it above or below if possible: Detach the mic from the camera and aim it at your chest from either above or below for optimal positioning.
Choose a soft-furnished environment: Record in a room with plenty of soft materials, like a bedroom with carpet and curtains, to minimize echo. Avoid recording in kitchens or bathrooms, as hard surfaces can increase echo and produce poor sound quality.
Monitor the VU meters: While recording, keep an eye on the volume unit (VU) meters. They should peak around 0dB during the loudest part of your sentence, but stay below 0dB otherwise.
Find or build a good recording environment to avoid noise
Recording high-quality audio on Android devices relies on optimizing your environment. To avoid multiple takes due to disruptions or noise, consider:
- Unplugging noise sources like air conditioners or refrigerators.
- Soundproofing your recording space.
- Choosing a quiet outdoor location.
- Reducing ambient noise in the area.
- Adding a windscreen or pop filter to your mic. A windscreen shields the microphone from air gusts that can cause popping sounds, ruining your audio. Indoors, a pop filter helps eliminate sharp noises like breaths or pops when recording speech.
Use recording app with external microphone for Android video
In most cases, you will need to rely on third-party apps since many default camera applications don’t support external microphones. For better audio quality when recording videos, consider using third-party apps such as FilmicPro, Cinema FV-5, Open Camera, Cinema 4K, or Footej Camera. If you’re interested in live video streaming, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube also allow you to connect external mics through their mobile apps.
It’s generally advised to connect the microphone before opening the app, as some apps may fail to recognize the mic if it's plugged in after the app is launched. Once your external mic is connected, you might need to adjust the settings within your recording app to select it as the audio source instead of the built-in mic.
- Launch the app you plan to use for recording.
- Navigate to the settings and locate the audio input section. If an option to choose your input is available, select the external mic.
- If the app has an automatic input feature, it will switch to the external mic once it's plugged in.
