Sennheiser, Apogee Introduce Digital Clip-On Mics for iOS Devices

Sennheiser (Booth C2055) and Apogee have released the ClipMic digital and MKE 2 digital mics, combining Apogee’s A/D-conversion expertise with Sennheiser’s microphone design to provide optimum sound quality for recordings. Designed especially for iOS devices, both microphones feature a Lightning connector to directly connect to iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, creating high-quality, ultra-portable solutions for recording speech.

“We are proud to launch the first digital clip-on microphones designed to connect directly to your iPhone,” says Betty Bennett, co-founder/CEO, Apogee Electronics. “Simply clip on the mic, connect it to the Lightning port on your iPhone, and begin recording. Apogee’s award-winning preamp and A/D-conversion technology paired with Sennheiser’s superior clip-on microphones ensures the highest-quality digital-audio recording on a mobile device.”

Adds Wolfgang Fraissinet, director, audio recording, Sennheiser, “Capturing audio with a high-quality microphone directly at the source will add a new dimension to your videos. Speech intelligibility will increase tremendously — and will retain this quality when the speaker is moving. The fact that we feed the mobile device with a professionally converted digital signal results in the best possible sound quality.”

Analog clip-on microphones require a mic preamp and audio interface to be able to record the signal. While all iOS devices are equipped with a built-in analog input and mic preamp, they are optimized for telephone calls and not for professional-quality audio recording. Apogee’s mic preamp and A/D-conversion circuitry are built into ClipMic digital and MKE 2 digital. This special circuitry provides maximum gain with minimal noise. The A/D converter provides a resolution of up to 24 bit/96 kHz.

As the microphones plug directly into the Lightning adaptor on an iOS device, the headset socket can be used to monitor the audio being recorded.

A companion to the clip-on mics, Apogee’s MetaRecorder is the first audio-recording app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to offer intuitive multi-take recording, tagging, and file organization for any field-recording scenario. MetaRecorder features 24-bit/96-kHz recording quality plus software control of the mic-input level and recording presets.

Metadata tags like Keywords, Favorites and, Markers can be added to audio files during recording in the field, and the recorded audio and Final Cut Pro XML files can be shared to Dropbox directly from MetaRecorder. When imported into Final Cut Pro on a Mac, the captured metadata simplifies the process of organizing and parsing media, accelerating postproduction workflow.

Essential features of MetaRecorder can be controlled from Apple Watch: start and stop recording, add a take to Favorites, add Markers, or set microphone input level.

The free version of MetaRecorder is available immediately from the Apple App Store. Users are limited to 60 seconds of continuous recording until the full version is unlocked, either by connecting a compatible Apogee or Sennheiser audio interface or by purchasing from within the app.

The MKE 2 digital was designed for the professional who wants to record speech in the field and demands a wide, natural frequency response, extended dynamic range, and excellent transient response.

The industry-standard MKE 2 is at the heart of this package. Featuring a high maximum-sound-pressure level and superior signal-to-noise ratio, this clip-on microphone is fitted with Sennheiser’s Umbrella diaphragm. In this design, an acoustically inactive membrane stretches across the active acoustical diaphragm, impeding moisture ingress into the high-performing acoustics of the capsule, creating a rugged construction for years of reliable service.

All-in one audio for video solutions

“The Apogee/Sennheiser digital lavalieres cover a wide range of applications,” Fraissinet explains. “They can be used for recording audio only — for example, for producing audio podcasts, recording seminars and lectures or as a sort of modern dictaphone. They also enhance your videos with great sound, be it for YouTube or for journalistic or ENG purposes. And the mics can be used for audio-for-video purposes by anyone producing a separate audio track for their videos, such as budding filmmakers or reporters.”

ClipMic digital will be available in mid May; its pro counterpart, the MKE 2 digital, a month later.