MusicRadar Verdict
An impressive microphone for your mobile.
Pros
- +
Impressive stereo options. Quiet operation.
Cons
- -
None.
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
The MV88 is a stereo condenser mic that plugs straight into your Lightning equipped iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
It has two 1cm capsules in a mid-sides configuration, with 90 degree hinge and rotation of the overall capsule.
The mic incorporates AD conversion (16-bit/44.1kHz or 24-bit/48kHz) but no headphone output, and needs Shure's free MOTIV app (iOS 8) for proper use. This provides adjustment of mic gain, mic pickup pattern (stereo, mono cardioid, mono figure 8 and raw mid-side) and M/S balance for the stereo option.
There are also five DSP presets (as per MV51), an LF cut to reduce wind noise, L/R channel swap, and basic processing (EQ, limiter and compressor).
The MV88 has a detachable foam windshield, and the whole kit is stored in a super-compact, black zip case. In use you'll notice it's much quieter than your inbuilt mic, and the stereo options are impressive. Nevertheless, basic cardioid operation is there should you need it.
- Best field recorders: top portable recorders for capturing sound on-the-go
"It's loud, in-your-face, and has more punch than a kangaroo at boxing practice": What is OTT compression - and how do you use it?
“It was the B-side that became one of the most important pieces of music ever - certainly one of the most sampled”: How breakbeat took over the music world
“Bono took me aside and asked if I was sure I wanted him to sing this line”: Bob Geldof remembers what the U2 singer said to him before he recorded his vocals on Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?
