IK Multimedia iRig Mic Cast HD

As “smart” as today’s smartphones may be, they’re still not all that great at capturing audio.

Maybe if narcissism was as easily satisfied by posting phone-captured MP3s to social media sites as it is via selfies, manufacturers would spend as much time on improving microphone performance as they do on the built-in cameras (It’s a “triple camera!” It can take photos in the dark! Panoramas! Timer! Expanded field of view!).

Until that time, however, there’s this absolutely genius dual-sided digital voice microphone from IK Multimedia. Connecting via the lightning port on an iPhone (it also comes with USB-C and Micro-USB cables), the iRig Mic Cast HD represents a massive improvement over the built-in mic.

You get selectable front/rear/bi-directional recording and the unit features snap-on magnetic mounting that works even with a case an (even managed to connect through my chunky, rubber Vans case). So far I’ve used it on recordings captured both inside and outside (there’s a windscreen included) and haven’t had any issues at all. Additionally, there’s a headphone-out with selectable direct/processed signal.

At roughly $80, this represents an affordable means by which to create podcasts, songs, vlogs, or to record events or interviews. Anyone aiming to improve mobile recordings without breaking the bank would be well served to give the iRig Mic Cast HD a shot and nearly any MI retailer could do way worse than stocking this very cleverly designed and executed audio accessory.