Plug in 2 Lightning Mics to iPhone at once/track Multi Stereo tracks recorder app, view mics connected and ajust all independently

By mcox, 17 December, 2022

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hello All,
I've acquired the Sennheiser Ambio Smart Headset, and the Zoom IQ7 Multi-pattern mic for iPhone.
My thought is to use it to record concerts from several sepret folk groups that I play in.
I have used both, plus the Sure MV88, one at a time.
Sometimes set to mid-side or XY depending on roomed acoustics, and while the mid-side does give me a much grater degree of control over imaging, using the Sennheiser on an additional 2 channels as binaural omni's, will add an extra sence of depth.
I have tried just the Ambio smart and it's fantastic, I love it, but...
Any ideas on how I can use two lightning-connected mics at the same time would be welcomed
The voice memos app is wonderful for on-the-go recording and as plug-and-play goes, it does exactly what it should, when it should, and with which ever mic I want, I don't even have to thinkg about it.
That being said, there is no control over gain, apart from the smart slider on the Ambio, and the gain control on the Sure and the IQ7.
Both the Sure (Motiv+) and the IQ series (Zoom Handy Recorder) do have there own apps, and I use them but I can't seem to find a multi-track recorder that is simple enough to cue up in about 30 seconds.
Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Thank you in advance.
Regards:
Melissa Cox.

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Comments

By OldBear on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 06:17

As far as I know, there is no way to do that with multiple lightning devices. Which ever device is plugged in last becomes the mic on an i device. Now, if you were using a mixing console of sorts with non-app-dependent mics and sending that signal to the phone, it would be fine because the console becomes your mic. I remember back when Mid-Side was an arrangement of separate microphones (a bidirectional with a faze-reverse and a cardioid). There was also the ORTF arrangement, along with the XY and Spaced Omni.

By mcox on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 06:17

LOL I remember that, when I was first recording in 2009 my school had a giant analogue 24-channel mixer with individual inputs, no gain linking and the hole thing wrote onto an adat machine, and from there to PC...

By mcox on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 06:17

What about if I used the recorder as per normal and then plugged the line out/headphone into the headphone port of my adapter with lightning nd 3.5 headphone adapter?

By OldBear on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 06:17

Don't think that would give you two mic devices at the same time, much less the ability to mix two stereo mics. But who knows until you try it.

By Igna Triay on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - 06:17

Your best bet is to use a audio interface for the iPhone. The one I se has 2 xlr inputs, s as long as your dealing with something that's not a stereo microphone and doesn't require 2 xlr inputs to plug in, you should be good, then again you could use the single cable for the stereo microphone.Here's the one I use myself,
https://www.amazon.com/Saramonic-2-Channel-Microphone-Compatible-Smartphone/dp/B08G4NNYZC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=35ROFMPQYOQU7&dchild=1&keywords=saramonic+smartrig&qid=1635199192&qsid=138-9217621-1984161&sprefix=saramonic+smart%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-3&sres=B08G4NNYZC%2CB0788FNBN4%2CB07GS41ZX7%2CB0719KPL7W%2CB07BGF9N15%2CB07C5D7D9W%2CB078HK2ZBY%2CB075HZ8RTK%2CB01LBS52YI%2CB07BW8GPZC%2CB01NAM0BT9%2CB081MRZGM3%2CB01N6P80OQ%2CB07YY988NQ

By mcox on Friday, November 3, 2023 - 06:17

What about a 4-in-1 USB-C hub and Garageband for iOS? set up agrigate devices and send for example Shure MV88+ configured to record in raw mid-side and a metre away sonic presence omnie's recorded into a seperat stereo file all in one Garageband project?
PS:
I remember using a 24 channel desc and ADAT to PC too...

By Igna Triay on Friday, November 3, 2023 - 06:17

In theory that would work, however /'D still recommend buying a audio interface for your phone and using ferite recording studio as the recording app. From first hand experience, I can tell you its probably the best option you'll have, and it'll give you the most control over your stuff. Remember, while garageband is and can be used on ios, it is primarily meant for use in laptops, not so much phones. In either case ferite is free, so you lose nothing by trying my approach, but I do believe the audio interface and xlr microphones are the best solution for you.

By mcox on Friday, November 3, 2023 - 06:17

I'm trying it now and will post afterwards.
Does anyone know why there appear to be no audio interfaces that support connecting of USB-C microphones when there are tonnes and tonnes of them, mono and stereio...
Thank you all for the responsed

By Igna Triay on Friday, November 3, 2023 - 06:17

Because xlr microphones have a better audio quality, and this can offer phantom power to microphones that need it, such as condenser microphones. Also, usbc microphones do not usually have good enough preamps, compared to audio interfaces, and xlr microphones and audio interfaces tend to be more flexible as far as monitoring, independent volume control, etc.