Did you know that your AirPods Pro can double as an external microphone when paired with your iPhone? In this guide, I’ll show you how to make it happen, plus we’ll compare its performance with a budget-friendly external microphone. Let’s dive in!
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Using AirPods Pro as an External Microphone
Last year, I explored how to use AirPods Pro with an iPhone to capture quality audio, particularly when filming from a distance. Although I previously recommended a pro video camera, its recent watermark addition requires a payment of ₹300 (about $2.50) for removal. If you’re not keen on paying for an app, let me introduce an alternative: Black Magic Camera.
Created by the developers behind Da Vinci Resolve, this powerful, free application can be found on the App Store. Though primarily designed for cinematic video creation, we’re more concerned with its functionality of using AirPods as an external mic.
Head to the settings menu. The app won’t automatically record vertical videos, even when held upright, as it defaults to landscape to suit cinematic needs. But for our purposes, the audio source is key. Scrolling down reveals three options: none, your iPhone’s microphone, or AirPods Pro. After connecting my AirPods, I recorded a sample to see how it works in action.
In sample recordings with the Black Magic Camera app, all audio captured through the AirPods Pro held up impressively. This solution shines when filming in noisy environments, ensuring your voice remains clear and undistracted despite ambient noise. With AirPods always at hand, they’re a convenient choice.
Comparing Audio Quality: AirPods Pro vs. Budget Microphone
Let’s pit the AirPods Pro against a cheap external microphone I purchased for my iPhone. Available on my YouTube channel, this video gives you a side-by-side comparison.
For older iPhones like mine, the external mic utilizes a lightning adapter, though newer models support USB-C. It’s a plug-and-play operation, with the receiver clipping onto your shirt. Charging is via USB-C, and successful pairing is indicated by constant red and blue lights on the receiver and transmitter, respectively.
In newly recorded samples using the external microphone with my iPhone 12 Pro Max, it’s evident that the audio quality is slightly superior to that of the AirPods Pro. However, in terms of convenience, the AirPods Pro win out—always accessible, unlike an easily forgotten separate microphone.
This external microphone excels in scenarios where superior audio is necessary, such as Instagram stories or other on-the-go recordings. Nonetheless, decide for yourself which option delivers the audio quality that meets your expectations.
AirPods Pro as an external microphone presents a simple yet effective solution for capturing audio on-the-go. Though alternative mics may offer audio quality enhancements, the ubiquitous nature of AirPods means you’ll never be without a usable option.
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