Recently, again needing to record a Computer Talk Radio segment, but not live with Ben as I typically do, I again searched for a recording app I could love. Apple’s Voice Memos app is unusable without a Mac or PC. Happily, I found Recorder Plus — and I love it. Now I can record, email a segment up to 7mb or use wi-fi to transfer larger segments to a Mac or PC and email it from there. So could I have a great mic again?
Yes! I attached the Apple USB adapter in my iPad and connected my beloved Blue Mic Snowflake, a cardioid condenser mic. I fully expected the same old failure message that every USB device has disappointingly generated on the iPad — but this time I was thrilled to see that I could actually use the Snowflake on the iPad! (Recorder Plus simply saw and automatically used the Snowflake.)
My recordings sound so much nicer with the Snowflake.
I seriously don’t know why I didn’t try this earlier, but at least I know now.
What did I do before the Snowflake on this Mac-less trip?
I simply used a great ear buds with mic, plugged into the audio out. The same kind you use to make calls. It was rather cozy and humous when I used one ear bud and a friend used the other and we sat close together. (I sure wish I had photos of those recording sessions.) But that wouldn’t be appropriate for many of the interviews I am doing.
How the Snowflake normally looks on your desk
This is what the Snowflake normally looks like.
Mine had a metal base. I believe the new ones are all plastic, which is lighter. But metal or plastic, living out of just one bag for a year and having to carry that bag on my back, I did everything I could to minimize weight. My friend Andre kindly cut the mic from the stand and filed the cut for me. So all I travel with is the small, light ball. The USB cable becomes the perfect handle.
An alternative?
Blue Microphones now has the Tiki, a noise-canceling technology that knows when to minimize unwanted, competing background noise. I haven’t tried it yet.