Reading software feature lists can be exciting if you have a use for all of the features, but if you only need a few of the features of a program, it can feel like all of the extras are just costing you money that you don’t need to spend. You might choose a different piece of software that’s less expensive and hope it does a good enough job, but more importantly you hope that it’s quite a while before you actually do need all of those “extra” features. The Auria DAW for iPad offers the best of both worlds. With the LE version ($24.99) you can later upgrade to the full version ($49.99) instead of having to buy the full version outright.
You can read more about the Auria DAW and compare the features of each version here: http://auriaapp.com/Products/auria
mobile recording
24-Bit Microphone For iPhone and iPad: RODE iXY Stereo Mic
It isn’t quite available yet (thought I’d get that out of the way up front:)), but you can pre-order it! It’s the Rode iXY microphone for iPhone and iPad.It plugs into the 13-pin dock connector of your device as opposed to the headphone jack like so many other iOS mics. This is incredibly cool!
I use a Rode microphone as my primary vocal mic – The Rode NT2-A, and it’s awesome, just like all Rode mics. So I’m particularly excited to get my hands on a mic made by Rode that works with iPads and iPhones. To date, most of the really good mics that work with iPads and iPhones plug into the dock connector like the iXY, but have been rather large mono mics, like the Blue Spark Digital and the Apogee Electronics MiC – see our article about those two mics here: Two New Studio Quality iPad Microphones. This new Rode mic will be an high quality mic like those two, but will be very portable and of course, will be stereo (hence the two half-inch cardioid condenser capsules). By the way, these two capsules are in the “X-Y” stereo configuration, which is why they point out and away and 90 degree angles.
The iXY will turn an iPhone into an incredibly handy and high-quality field recording device. The video recording crowd are already very much looking forward it, since it will allow them to attach the iPhone to their cameras and plug it into the external mic input (not all camcorders have external mic inputs, though – fair warning, fet one that does).
As for some specs, the mic is capable of recording 24-bit 96-KHz (sampling frequency) audio, which is fabulous. And you can record audio using any iOS audio recording app, though I highly recommend using Rode’s new recording app, the Rode Rec Audio – see more about that in our post here: RØDE Rec Audio Recording App For iPhone And iPod Touch.
OK, so you’re convinced and want one now? I know, it isn’t out as of January 11th, 2013. HOwever, you CAN pre-order yours from B&H Pro Audio! Just Click Here to do that, and it will come to you when it arrives, which is projected to be in early March 2013. Good things come to those who wait;).
Record Via USB Mic With Android
Using the USB Audio Recorder PRO app, many Android devices are now able to utilize USB microphones. This feature has been available for iOS for a while, but it’s new to Android functionality. Being able to use your USB microphone for mobile recording can drastically increase recording quality since the integrated microphones are rarely known for producing high quality recordings. The app itself is available for $4, but considering the options that it opens up, it’s pretty inexpensive.
Mobile Recording For Android With iRig Recorder
The iRig Recorder from IK Media is great for mobile recording. There is a free version as well as a paid, full version. The free version can record and optimize volume, while the full version ($4.99) also includes a waveform editor. Depending on your needs, you may be satisfied with using your device’s integrated mic, but the app does support external microphones. Whether you want to record a lecture, dictate a “note to self”, or whatever else comes to mind, iRig Recorder is worth a try.
You can read more about the app and the features of both versions here: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigrecorderandroid/
RØDE Rec Audio Recording App For iPhone And iPod Touch
RØDE, the company that makes excellent microphones (my everyday go-to mic is the large diaphragm condenser called the RØDE NT2-A), has just come out with an audio recording app for iPhone and iPod Touch. And they’ve done it together with another big name in audio recording, iZotope, maker of fabulous mastering (Ozone) and other audio effects and tools.
You can record direct into the device with the built-in mic, or you can use something like the iRig Mic ( see our review of the iRig Mic here – Review of IK Multimedia’s iRig Microphone For iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch) or other iOS compatible mic or mic/interface connection. Then you can use the built-in processing presets, such as Dictation, Interview, Lecture, Office Mode, Live Concert Outdoors, Outside Noise reducer, Rumble Reducer, or Hiss Reducer. You can also apply compression and EQ. When you’re done, you can share your audio in a bunch of different ways, including SoundCloud, Dropbox, iTunes & Browser Sharing, eMail or FTP. You can also save the audio as anyone of a number of formats, such as AAC, Podcast, Apple Lossless, FLAC and Ogg Vorbis.
This is pretty darned awesome even without an external microphone. And with the right microphone connector, such as the Tascam IM2 Stereo Microphone for Apple iOS products, or the soon-to-be available RODE iXY Stereo Microphone for iPhone/iPad (see picture on the right) you can turn your phone into the only field recorder you’ll ever need. Use it for interviews, gathering sound effects, dictation, recording lectures, etc.
It costs $6.99 at the Apple App Store, a pretty amazing value.