Suggestions for mic for iPad Pro

Bert Sharp

I was told Bluetooth mic for IOS iPad app won’t work, what are the suggestions for a good mic/headphone

for my iPad Pro so I quit sounding like I’m in a tunnel! (Except in my little studio)

David Decoons, wo2x

Hi Bert,

I recently got a iPad Pro 2nd gen. I was looking for a way to use a desk mic remotely. I picked up a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd generation which uses USB-C. I have successfully plugged it directly into the iPad Pro and have used my Electrovoice RE27ND using an XLR male to male cable.

iI also picked up an Inrad DMS629 desk mic and used that mic with success. I was using the PTT button in SmartSDR for IOS.

This setup was not cheap but worked well. Again I wanted to set up a semi permanent operating position remote from the radio. I can also use a USB-C multifunction hub I bought which allows external USB-C power to power the Focusrite and iPad

The iPad Pro allows the external Focusrite sound card via USB while the iPad non-Pro does not.

Next thing I want to get is a Flic button to use as a PTT.

73

Dave wo2x

Alan

I also did a lot of testing with iPad mics and agree with Dave's recommendation. I use the same Focusrite Scarlett, except mine is a one input variety. I use a "Shure" mic with mine.

Other findings were:

There is an "Microphone Volume Adjustment" on the left had pallet, separate from the Flex Audio Gain. I think this is on the IOS side of the audio before it gets to the specific SDR Application. Anyway, I have mine turned nearly full left (-10db). Microphone threshold is "off". Any more Microphone Volume in and the audio is cut off and the Smart SDR app cannot fix the audio, even with a low audio gain setting.

EarPods do not work well with SSB. When I cut out the lows, they just sound "tinny". The EarPods worked very well for FM, where I could expand the highs to 6000 hz and the lows to 0 HZ.

Surprisingly, I found the iPad Pro built in microphone to work very well after setting up separate SSB and FM profiles.

Alan

WA9WUD