We've shown you before how to use your iPhone as a portable audio recorder, but here's a brand new application that's taking things to another level. The AirLinc App once installed on two iOS devices (iphone or ipod touch) allows you to use them as a wireless microphone body pack of sorts.
One iOS device is setup as the microphone and the other is setup as the receiver. A camera operator can remotely adjust gain (levels), monitor audio, start/stop audio recording, and playback audio files - all wirelessly!. Here's a short demo of how to setup the app.
AirLinc is a neat little app especially if you have access to two iOS devices and an inexpensive Lav Microphone that works with the iPhone. It's still fairly new and the company is open to feedback on any issues while they work on further improvements. There are some limitations to this setup of course. Both devices have to be on the same network, or at least on the same Hot Spot. I've tested it with my Verizon Mobile Hot Spot and it works the same as a local WLAN. You'll also need a Lav Mic that works with iOS devices, and I can recommend the AspenMics.com HQ-SPK Kit.
AspenMics HQ-SPK - iOS + Android Lav Microphone Kit
Here's the official YT video from AirLinc with the product description below.
Product Description:
The AirLinc system allows you to record quality audio locally to your iPhone or iPod touch while also providing live monitoring and remote control of that audio from a paired iPhone. Local recording means no dropouts & Live monitoring means less recording mishaps.
AirLinc System Record & Monitor Audio – Wirelessly
Ignacio Artinano
Hi Hogo.
I've to say that with my iPad IOS 8.3 installed and model MD368TY/A i can't download the application AirLinc. Maybe is too old?
Andrew@AirLinc
@earnestreply Yep that's a great question! Currently the latency is 50-80 ms end to end, which is a bit high for direct audio input. It is something we'll be looking at though, as it would be very handy!
earnestreply
The next logical question is can u plug the output of the receiving phone into your camera....so you don't have to sync later.
Also have you ever reviewed the Sony ECM-AW4
and Canon WM-V1
? Two tiny units, transmitter & receiver that use Bluetooth. They cost about $200. The quality and range seem very good. There are some great video demos on YouTube.
Andrew@AirLinc
Thanks so much for reviewing our product! Great to get some detailed feedback on it.
@Yo - iOS apps can't create a hotspot by themselves. But most iPhones should be able to create a hotspot via the phone's Settings menu. And hotspot is quite sufficient for live monitoring.
@J - No Android just yet unfortunately! We've got some major features we first want to release on iOS, then we'll look into an Android release. Cross-platofrm is definitely the vision.
@Luca - Currently just WAV 48 kHz, 32-bit float. We'll add MP3 if there's high demand for it... but given storage capacity these days, we think vast majority will just want lossless.
@Hogo - it does work on iPad, but the UI is a bit zoomed in at the moment. We'll be working on that this week.
Hogo
How about ipad?
Luca
What recording options are there?
WAV? 24/48?
MP3?
planetMitch
wow guys - that's cool - thanks for sharing!
Dan K.
Needs two Apple devices running IOS8 or above.
My old iPod touch can't get there.
My retired AT&T iPhone 4 might work, but it's being recharged at the moment after sitting in the drawer since February when I got the iPhone 6 Plus and moved to Verizon. Also, as the 4 is a retired AT&T phone that was never unlocked, can it even be brought into use if it's currently not on AT&T's network?
I could use my wife's iPhone, but I don't think she'd like me taking it from her every time I went on a shoot....
J ha na
What?!?! That's awesome.
Android?
Yo
If it can create its own hot spot that'd be a big step.