How do I record video with external microphone on Android?
Recording high quality audio is extremely important when creating videos. As explained on the Teaching Institute at University of Pittsburgh’s website, “Audio quality is extremely important when creating educational video because 1) you want your students to understand what you’re saying, and 2) we often remember more of what we hear than what we see.”
Most Android phones have built-in microphones that record poor quality audio. As stated in an article on Trend Visuals, “The microphones built into phones and cameras are serviceable in quiet environments. But they’re easily overwhelmed by background noise.” Using an external microphone can dramatically improve the audio quality of videos recorded on an Android phone.
Determine Your Equipment Needs
There are several types of external microphones you can use with an Android device for video recording, each with their pros and cons for different situations:
- Lavalier microphones – These small clip-on mics attach to your shirt collar and provide clear voice pickup while remaining mostly hidden on camera. Great for interviews, vlogs, and videos with a presenter. Examples include the Rode Lavalier GO (https://www.engadget.com/best-mobile-microphones-for-recording-with-a-phone-154536629.html) and Sennheiser XS Lav Mic.
- Shotgun microphones – Directional mics that focus on sound directly in front of the camera. Useful for narration, nature sounds, and isolating voices. Models like the Rode VideoMic GO II (https://www.movophoto.com/collections/microphones-for-android) work well.
- USB microphones – These mics plug directly into your Android device’s USB-C port for high quality audio. Ideal for podcasting, music, and dedicated recording setups. Consider the Shure MV88+ (https://riverside.fm/blog/best-android-microphones) or Samson Q2U.
- XLR microphones – Pro-level mics that require an audio interface or mixer to connect to your phone. Provide the highest sound quality for professional music recording and productions. Need an XLR adapter like the Rode SC6-L.
Look for mics designed specifically for mobile use with integrated phone mounts, long cables, and battery/plugin power options. Read reviews to find the best Android external mic for your particular video needs.
Choose a Recording App
There are several video recording apps available for Android that support connecting an external microphone. Some of the top options to consider include:
- Open Camera – Open source app with manual controls for video settings like bit rate. Supports external mics.
- Cinema FV-5 – Advanced controls and editing tools. Can record video with external mics.
- Filmic Pro – Professional-grade video recording with support for multiple audio sources.
When comparing these apps, Open Camera and Cinema FV-5 offer more basic controls and interfaces. Filmic Pro has higher quality production tools but costs over $10. All three allow connecting external mics via the headphone jack or USB-C port.
Consider what video quality and audio features you need. Filmic Pro is best for skilled videography with external mics. Open Camera is a free option good for casual users. Test recording with your mic setup before choosing an app.
Connect Your External Microphone
Most Android phones have a 3.5 mm jack or USB-C port that allows you to plug in external microphones. If your phone lacks these ports, you will need an adapter like a USB-C to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter.
To connect a lavalier microphone, simply plug the 3.5 mm connector into your phone’s headphone jack. Make sure the microphone is firmly plugged all the way into the jack for proper audio connectivity. If using a phone without a headphone jack, you will need an adapter like the Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter.
For directional microphones like shotgun mics, connect one end of the included audio cable to the microphone and the other end to your phone’s charging port, headphone jack, or microphone jack. Using the microphone’s specific jack or an adapter will ensure the best audio quality.
According to Kent Faith, if your Android device has a headphone jack, simply plug in the microphone’s 3.5mm connector into the jack for instant connectivity. For devices without that port, an adapter is required.
Configure the Recording App
Before recording video with an external microphone on an Android device, you need to configure the recording app to use the external mic as the audio source. Here are the key steps:
First, launch your chosen recording app such as Open Camera or Cinema FV-5. You may get a prompt asking for permission to access the microphone. Make sure to allow microphone access so the app can detect audio sources.
Next, look in the app’s settings for an “Audio source” or “Microphone” option. There should be a dropdown menu allowing you to select different microphones. Choose the option that corresponds to your connected external mic.
For example, on Open Camera you would go to Settings > Audio source and select the external mic. On Cinema FV-5, tap the microphone icon at the top and choose your external mic from the list.
Once you select the external microphone as the audio source in the recording app, it will override the built-in smartphone mic and route all audio through your external mic when recording videos.
Now you can set recording levels, make test recordings, and capture high-quality audio by speaking into your external mic while filming video on your Android device!
Set Recording Levels
One important step when using an external microphone is to properly set the recording levels to avoid distortion or recordings that are too quiet. Most recording apps have some manual audio level controls to adjust the gain or volume of the microphone input. For example, in the Open Camera app you can adjust the audio source volume under the Settings. The Cinema FV-5 app also allows you to set the audio recording levels under the Audio settings.
It’s advisable to do some test recordings first while speaking at the same voice level you plan to record your final video at. Pay attention to the audio levels and whether they are peaking or too low. Adjust the recording level controls accordingly until you are satisfied with the audio quality. Some trial and error may be needed to find the ideal recording levels for your particular microphone and environment. Just remember to leave some headroom rather than maxing out the levels to avoid distortion.
Checking the recorded test footage in your video editor can also help you analyze the audio levels. Make any final tweaks to the recording levels in your camera app as needed. Properly setting the gain levels ahead of time will ensure you capture clean audio when recording your final videos.
Record Test Video
Before recording your final video, it’s important to do some test recordings to make sure your external microphone is working properly and you are getting good audio quality. Start by monitoring the audio from your external mic with a pair of headphones connected to your smartphone. This will allow you to better gauge the mic levels as you speak into it from different distances and angles.
Try different mic placements like having it clipped to your shirt collar, below the frame pointing up at your face, or above the frame pointed down towards your voice. Move around as you would in the final video and note where the audio starts to drop off or become overly sensitive with plosives and breath noises. Check the recording playback and adjust the microphone levels in your video recording app if the audio is too low or clipping and distorted when it is too loud. Finding the optimal recording level usually requires some experimentation.
Ideally, you want the microphone as close to your mouth as possible without being in the camera frame. The audio from test recordings can indicate the best position that balances good sound quality with an unobstructed video shot. Review your test recordings not just for audio but video framing as well to ensure you will stay properly in focus and framed how you like during the actual video shoot before moving to record your final video.
Transfer the Video Files
After you finish recording your videos, you’ll want to transfer them from your Android device to your computer for editing or sharing. Here’s how to locate your recorded video files and transfer them via USB:
Go to your Android device’s internal storage or SD card using the Files app. Look for the folder that contains your video recorder app’s footage – common locations are “Movies”, “Videos” or a folder with the recorder app’s name. When you find your recorded videos, tap to open and verify they are the files you want to transfer.
Connect your Android device to your computer using the charging/data USB cable. Select the File Transfer option on your device when prompted. On a Windows PC, the videos will appear in File Explorer and you can simply drag and drop them to your computer. On a Mac, use the Android File Transfer app to locate the videos and save them to your Mac.
Once the video transfer is complete, safely disconnect your phone and you can access the videos on your computer for editing, sharing or backup.
Edit Your Video
After recording your video with an external microphone on Android, the next step is to edit and enhance the footage in post-production. This includes tasks like trimming unwanted sections, adding transitions between clips, inserting text/graphics, and cleaning up the audio.
One key focus area when editing video recorded with an external mic is cleaning up the audio. Even when using a high-quality external microphone, there may be background noises, pops, clicks, or inconsistent levels that need to be addressed. There are editing tools built into most Android video editing apps to help with this.
Some of the top video editing apps for Android include:
These apps provide tools to cut clips precisely, adjust audio levels, apply filters and effects, add background music/voiceovers, and export the final video. Taking advantage of these editing features can significantly improve videos recorded using an external mic on an Android device.
Conclusion
Using an external microphone can greatly improve the audio quality of videos recorded on your Android device. In this guide, we covered the key steps to get set up:
- Choosing microphone equipment suitable for your needs and budget
- Selecting a video recording app capable of handling external mics
- Connecting the microphone properly to your device
- Configuring the app’s audio settings
- Setting recording levels and testing with trial recordings
- Transferring finished videos for editing
With quality external mics, you can achieve excellent sound with minimal background noise. This lets you create professional-grade videos. Experiment with microphone positioning and types for best results.
We encourage you to apply these tips to make engaging videos. Quality sound makes a big difference in production value and viewer enjoyment. Have fun!