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Mikey (2010) iPod microphone

#1 User is offline   Macworld 

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Posted 10 January 2011 - 06:31 AM

Post your comments for Mikey (2010) iPod microphone here
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#2 User is offline   JeffBiesiadecki 

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  Posted 10 January 2011 - 07:24 AM

Wouldn't "No support for 4G iPod touch or iPhone 4" be a con, not a pro?

I can't imagine no support for a current product being a good thing. It also doesn't work with the iPad either, which is really disappointing.
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#3 User is offline   flybynight 

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  Posted 10 January 2011 - 07:25 AM

Jeff, I was just going to ask the same thing!
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#4 User is offline   Macnutjohn 

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  Posted 10 January 2011 - 08:31 AM

Seems to me that unless you really need to record via line input, there are much cheaper alternatives for audio input on an iPod.
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#5 User is offline   Fixx 

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  Posted 10 January 2011 - 08:33 AM

Or you can get this: http://www.dealextre...ls.dx/sku.20714
For voicememos and interview usage it is ok if your iPod supports minijack audio-in.
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#6 User is offline   Chris Breen 

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Posted 10 January 2011 - 09:16 AM

The tool we use for assigning pros and cons can be a little finicky. The lack of support for iPhone 4 and 4G iPod touch is a con. I've made the correction.

As for the suggested alternative, it's a cheap mic and produces a cheap sound. So, you're comparing apples and oranges. Mikey is intended as a field recorder, not just an inexpensive way to record voice memos.

#7 User is offline   RobLewis 

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  Posted 10 January 2011 - 09:24 AM

Point of terminology: when an audio device is described as "quiet", it normally means that its background noise level (usually electronic hiss) is low. This is considered a good thing.

What you mean might be better described as "insufficient gain."
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#8 User is offline   Fixx 

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  Posted 10 January 2011 - 09:28 AM

Of course. But I think you need either broadcast quality (Zoom H1 or better) or you can do with something quite modest (for interview use, not for broadcast). I do not see there is much middleground, as Zoom is only $99.
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#9 User is offline   Chris Breen 

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Posted 10 January 2011 - 09:35 AM

View PostFixx, on 10 January 2011 - 09:28 AM, said:

Of course. But I think you need either broadcast quality (Zoom H1 or better) or you can do with something quite modest (for interview use, not for broadcast). I do not see there is much middleground, as Zoom is only $99.


I think the target market here is the more casual user who doesn't think he or she needs a dedicated field recorder but rather a device they can shove in a pocket with their iPod when they're off to see a concert or want to quickly record a lecture.

#10 User is offline   2stepbay 

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  Posted 10 January 2011 - 02:53 PM

I've been using the Mikey 2 since early November with my 2G iPod Touch, recording client consultation sessions. Using FIRe field recorder. File size for an hour recording at high quality is about 700mb; 320 mb at medium quality. Wireless upload time via Safari>Bonjour is slow constrained by the iPod's lack of 802.11n circuitry. This would be true for the 3G version too.

Very pleased with the sound quality. However, important to get the sensitivity setting right as this is a very sensitive Mic that easily picks up/amplifies ambient vibration.

There ought to be a port on the Mikey for plugging in earphones, however, there's not. Have to remove the Mikey to listen to what has been recorded, or listen on the Touch's tinny speaker. That seems counter-intuitive.

No USB cable provided - you'll need to purchase a special USB mini B port version. - cable is used only for power transmission. Too bad no provision made for 2.0 data transmission as that would speed up upload time.

The Mic does not seat firmly to the iPod. It can easily become dislodged. Using an iPod case makes the connection even more flimsy. If the connection is disrupted, I have to restart the FIRe app to reestablish recording connection.

Specific upload info: Upload of recorded files is very easy either via iTunes synch or an upload to the computer via Wifi. In the latter instance, simply establish a link between the iPodTouch or iPhone and the same wifi channel used by your computer. Then, either manually or copy/paste the URL provided by the app (either Blue Fire, or Fire), or via Safari, access Bonjour in Safari's Bookmark Manager (set up in Safari Preferences>Bookmarks panel). Double click on Fire in the Bonjour collections. This opens the URL, Listed are all recorded files on the iPod with download file type options. Only 1 file at a time can be uploaded. Given the previously mentioned file size, this can take around 10 minutes or so be 1 hour sound recording.

Help instructions provided by Audio File for their FIRe app. are marginally adequate. Same is true for the Blue FIRe app (scaled down version of FIRe).
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