iPhone for recording a concert

[jalaram]

I'm going to a concert next week and the artist's website indicated that personal recording of the show is allowed.

Since I no longer have a tape recorder nor a minidisc, I was thinking of using my iPhone. However, I believe it only has a mono microphone. Looking online resulted in some stereo mics, but they all are attached on the phone.

I don't want to hold up the phone the entire show for multiple reasons. Would it record okay just keeping it at lap level? Has anyone tried recording a show with the iPhone?

 

[effowe]

The sound is usually way too loud at a show to give you any good sound quality. This was done on my iPhone 4 a couple weeks ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl-CbL4684s

 

[SKORPI0]

You'll need to mount it on something, like a tripod.

 

[Paperlantern]

The sound is usually way too loud at a show to give you any good sound quality. This was done on my iPhone 4 a couple weeks ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl-CbL4684s

I disagree, every video I have taken from any concert Ive been to has been great on my old iPhone 4, my wife's iPhone 4s and now my current iPhone 5. The system compensates for overloud situations and the sound always sounds great.

Take a look at this video I took a couple months ago, other than some cutting of the video itself, the audio is untouched. This is the 5, but I had similar results at any show I recorded on my 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y8tFz1K-CE

My channel has a couple other examples as well from the same month of shows at the Columbus Casino. So really if you can get a steady shot, and can get close enough to get the whole stage, it really should come out great.

 

[destrekor]

I disagree, every video I have taken from any concert Ive been to has been great on my old iPhone 4, my wife's iPhone 4s and now my current iPhone 5. The system compensates for overloud situations and the sound always sounds great.

Take a look at this video I took a couple months ago, other than some cutting of the video itself, the audio is untouched. This is the 5, but I had similar results at any show I recorded on my 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y8tFz1K-CE

My channel has a couple other examples as well from the same month of shows at the Columbus Casino. So really if you can get a steady shot, and can get close enough to get the whole stage, it really should come out great.

That does not "sound great."

Sorry to be blunt, but there's no dismissing reality. Granted, it might do a better job than many other integrated devices (I can't say all - I haven't had a chance to compare every mobile device out there), but in comparison, it's rather terrible to any decent recording solution.

 

[Tegeril]

That does not "sound great."

Sorry to be blunt, but there's no dismissing reality. Granted, it might do a better job than many other integrated devices (I can't say all - I haven't had a chance to compare every mobile device out there), but in comparison, it's rather terrible to any decent recording solution.

Moral of the story, live recording anything with a phone creates a subpar final product. I'll never understand holding a phone up in the air to record a concert.

Enjoy the concert while you're there. Not worrying about the phone and having to hold it the whole night will immediately make the experience better and more memorable.

 

[jalaram]

Moral of the story, live recording anything with a phone creates a subpar final product. I'll never understand holding a phone up in the air to record a concert.

Enjoy the concert while you're there. Not worrying about the phone and having to hold it the whole night will immediately make the experience better and more memorable.

As I've said, I don't want to hold the phone up the whole show. I'm not going to record video, just audio.

I plan to just sit back and enjoy the show, but I wouldn't mind an audience quality copy for memory's sake. This is not like a DMB show where I can set up a tripod and attach high quality mics. IMHO, Paperlantern's recording is good for an audience recording. Obviously, it's not soundboard, but I'm not going to be able to get that. What I'm hoping for are tips to get a decent recording.

E.g. is there a decent (hopefully stereo) microphone for the iPhone? Can it be loosely coupled to the phone with a wire so I don't have to hold the phone? Can I keep the phone/mic at lap level? What's a good app to record music?

 

[umrigar]

depending on which model iPhone, Blue's Mikey does a good job

http://bluemic.com/mikey/

 

[Niclasmai]

I disagree, every video I have taken from any concert Ive been to has been great on my old iPhone 4, my wife's iPhone 4s and now my current iPhone 5. The system compensates for overloud situations and the sound always sounds great.

Take a look at this video I took a couple months ago, other than some cutting of the video itself, the audio is untouched. This is the 5, but I had similar results at any show I recorded on my 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y8tFz1K-CE

My channel has a couple other examples as well from the same month of shows at the Columbus Casino. So really if you can get a steady shot, and can get close enough to get the whole stage, it really should come out great.

Yeah, iPhone will do you a good job if there is a good condition.