High Fidelity iPhone Recording Small Rig 06Jun19

I've been frustrated with the fidelity of live concert recordings on my iPhone. Ultimately I built a complete "small rig," based on my iPhone, for future efforts.

I began by building the hat-mic and recording using my Canon E60; quality is great but that whole kit is too big. I also have tried using just the GoPro Session in a hat-cam but  the GoPro doesn't have aux audio input and the sound is just not good enough.

I was pretty sure I could do much better and set out for audio improvements. When I tried to integrate my (existing) pro condenser mic with the iPhone through the lightning port, I found I needed to get an external pre-amp/DAC... grrr. I chose the iRig HD ($80) and needed a Rode XLR to 3.5mm adapter too. It was all a bit bigger than desired but I velcroed it to my small rig no problem. The iRig HD is also used to get a studio mic into the mac as well.

Once high quality audio, via Sony condenser mic and iRig pre-amp/DAC, was being delivered 24/48 to the iPhone I thought why put up with weak video too. In that pursuit I chose to improve the optics via Sandmarc lenses and filters, which attach directly to the iPhone case. I got a telephoto and polarizing filter especially for outdoor concerts but added wide angle for other video shooting. These lenses will migrate forward with new iPhones with purchase of just a new case. After research I bought the FiLMiC Pro app with add-ins ($30) to enable flatter, more cinematic recording and control on the iPhone - it's great.

With all this stuff (and its weight) I also needed to figure out a rig to easily hold it all so I can concentrate on the recording and composition. It was like a bunch of tinker toys with all (different) manners of interconnect. For self shooting a Manfroto tripod is on the base ($20), for hand-holding a PD grip is next up ($10), to hold the camera I chose a secure Manfroto holder ($15) with connectors on top & bottom for integration, on top via a hot shoe adapter I mounted a mic holder. It came together well and really improves fidelity of recordings. I can make the rig smaller without adding the tripod, but who knows when you might need that (or what I'd do with the iRig without its velcro spot).

What's more, I can get it all into a very small bag (13x11x2) for transport, with the phone in my pocket. I might try to increase audio fidelity through a GoPro-based system too but it'd require post process syncing of audio to video (a weird task), and the live review-ability via the iPhone screen is pretty nice anyway. I don't think I'll be able to sneak this all in to some concert venues but with others I will be OK - either that or I need to pursue press credentials given my awesome reviews and posts on GR9Fish!