By Full Compass LiveThese days, expert reporting from globetrotting journalists is the norm. So is the fact that they find themselves conducting interviews on location, with gearDefinition:
Musical or performance equipment. small, convenient and powerful enough to fit into a backpack. Given the ever-rising need to captureDefinition: To acquire audio and/or video, and convert it to a file. off-the-moment interviews to an iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac or PC, seamless control is key. Fortunately, that goal is within reach — and on budget.
Check out our top suggestions for polished, pro-quality microphone and lighting gear to use anywhere and at any time.
Microphones We Recommend
In our minds, there’s no better time for the plug-in-and-go convenience and the stereoDefinition: A two channel signal simulating a sound space, typically played through two speakers. capability of the Shure MV88, or hands-free recording with Shure’s MVL iOSDefinition:
Apple proprietary operating system, primarily for mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch). Current Apple TVs run on tvOS, which is similar to, and based on, iOS. lavalier. Complemented by the ShurePlus™ MOTIV™ mobile app, you’ll benefit from enhanced recording and editing, with additional presetDefinition: 1. (verb) Ability to set parameters in advance, and recall those parameter values as desired. 2. (noun) A collection of parameter values stored within a device, or externally. modes for gainDefinition:
The amount of amplification provided by an amplifier circuit, expressed in dB or numerically as in "3X" = "3 times"., compressionDefinition: 1. Reducing the dynamic range of an audio or video signal for consistency, to keep it from exceeding the available headroom, or providing a special effect. 2. With data, using a process to reduce the amount of data. Compression can be lossless, where decompressing replicates the original signal, or lossy, where compression occurs by judging some data as unnecessary, and can therefore be discarded from the file., stereo width settings and EQ.
The Shure MV88 iOS digital stereo condenser microphoneDefinition:
A microphone with a charged diaphragm over a stationary plate, with an internal amplifier that requires power (battery or phantom power). offers mobile journalists crisp, clear, professional-quality digital audio on the flyDefinition: To hang or hoist, for example, a loudspeaker.. Simply plug the TRRS connector directly into the headphone jackDefinition: A connector, normally female, that works in conjunction wit a plug. Usually located in a piece of equipment, or as part of a cable. on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod and hit record using your favorite audio or video recording app. The reward? Life-like stereo recordings without the fuss (or background fuzz).
By contrast, you can clip Shure's MVL omnidirectionalDefinition: A pattern describing a microphone, radio antenna, or loudspeaker that radiates or picks up in all directions equally. condenserDefinition:
An archaic term for Capacitor. lavalier 
microphone onto your collar or lapel. Then, plug it into your mobile device to capture clear, pro-grade audio with an exceptional signal-to-noise ratioDefinition: Abbreviated SNR. The ratio in dB between the noise floor and a nominal signal level (not the maximum level, which instead defines the Dynamic Range. See Dynamic Range.) for interviews, lectures, public speaking and videography purposes. Once captured, edit your recordings using the free ShurePlus™ MOTIV™ iOS app, and share your sound files via text, email or any file sharing service — no matter where a story leads you.
Must-Have Mobile Lighting
There are also small, powerful and rugged lighting solutions that can be attached to your camera or phone with separate accessories. Ideal for tight spaces and challenging lighting situations, they’re essentials you definitely want on hand.
Take, for example, the impressively light, the indispensable, mini Eye-Lite series from Aladdin. It lets you effortlessly fine-tune color and output. That includes color temperatures between 3000K and 6000K, with dimmability from 5 to 100 percent and a built-in Lithium Ion battery offering up to two hours of power. Plus, it features a 6061aircraft aluminum body so it can survive light drops.
We also dig the Aladdin A-Lite, a premium, variable, bi-color, on-boardDefinition:
A Sound or Lighting Control Console. LEDDefinition:
LED (Light-Emitting Diode): A semiconductor light generator used in displays, television, pointers and for general illumination. It is a low-power replacement for incandescent lamps. light (the slimmest and lightest on the market, coupled with an integrated, quick-charge battery). Offering CRIDefinition: CRI (Color Rendering Index): Measures whether a light source can reveal an object's colors naturally, compared to an ideal or natural light source. and TLCI ratings of over 95 for tungsten (3000K) and daylight (6000K), a USBDefinition:
(Universal Serial Bus) A standard, bi-directional serial connection between computers and peripheral devices. cable lets you power and/or charge it from a USB charger, camera, laptop or USB port-equipped battery. It also features a removable, hinged plastic diffuserDefinition: 1. A material that scatters light, either by reflection off a matte surface or through a semi-translucent material. 2. An acoustical product that scatters sound, and is used for acoustic treatment of spaces. that lets you soften light further.
Whether you’re interacting with athletes or conducting hard-hitting interviews for newscasts, having these tools in your arsenal will set your story apart. Have questions?
We’re here to help. Just give us a shout.
