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Is there a microphone that records a tuba reasonably semi-decently, yet plugs into my laptop or iPad jack (1/8" headphone jack I believe)?

Enquiring minds want to know.

@York-aholic, do you have an open USB port?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytime ... phone/amp/

If the iPad is a lightning port...

https://www.smartphonefilmpro.com/what- ... crophones/

Basically, if you can power the microphone, response will be much better than a fully passive unit.

Lots of people have really good luck (and frequency response) with the better USB microphones.

I use an old stereo Audio Technica AT-822. It’s a stereo mic, and comes with two unbalanced 1/8” phone plugs. Those can be combined into a single stereo phone plug easily to go into your microphone input, if you have one. It’s a condenser mic with a battery, but it’s allergic to phantom power so be careful what you plug it into in the mixer department. The output level is not particularly hot, but it reaches well into the bottom octave. Only available used and even then not a cheapie, but a really excellent location recording mic for devices that need unbalanced inputs.

I’m using a separate USB sound interface, for this a Presonus Studio 24C. That uses balanced inputs (to get the most preamplification), so I’m adapting the separate phone plugs to balanced XLR connectors. The balanced inputs are fine with pins 2 and 3 tied together. The Presonus is particularly good for laying tracks—it has a headphone output (also line outs) that will play a mix (on the device—not the mix in the DAW) of mic inputs and stuff already recorded.

But the mic would work fine straight into a computer with a single stereo mic input.

Edit: I read the question again. The audio socket on an iPad or older iPhone is a combined headphone/mic plug with tip, two rings, and a sleeve. But it only takes a mono microphone.

Rick “who recorded a duet last night and is truly disgusted with the playing, but not the mic’s fault” Denney

For plugging into an iPad or iPhone lightning port, I’ve been happy with a Shure MV88. I got a 2 meter lightning extension cord, too, for more placement options.

I really enjoy the Zoom iQ7 with my iPad. Anything I've recorded in regards to music has always been clean and of good quality. Reasonably priced (around $100), though you need a lightning connector.

Thanks everyone. that certainly gives me a place to get started. Much appreciated.

One additional question:

Should I be looking at a directional mic or something more omni-directional to record myself practicing/playing in our living room?

York-aholic wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 7:17 pm Thanks everyone. that certainly gives me a place to get started. Much appreciated.

One additional question:

Should I be looking at a directional mic or something more omni-directional to record myself practicing/playing in our living room?

Depends on the room acoustics. If you have a room with favorable acoustics, then omnidirectional is better. If you’re looking to ignore room reverb, then directional is better. For most tuba stuff in a decent room, omni is likely your best bet.

York-aholic wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 7:17 pm Should I be looking at a directional mic or something more omni-directional to record myself practicing/playing in our living room?

One cool thing about the Shure mic is that it has two sensors and you can configure it with software to be directional or omni, stereo or mono, and in between.

Thank you for the guidance.

I personally use an apogee DUET connected to either an iPad or iPhone, and then plugin a Blue Baby Bottle. And this is "ok"-ish.

But mic technique for a tuba well, there's a lot of ins and outs to that as in micing any instrument. Given that middling 300-1000 dollar mics really don't give much benefit, I would find a good room, and get a cheap usb mic and experiment with placement.

BUT::::

I do want to say that I did coach someone who was making a tape for the military using this gadget here.
And I was very impressed with the result.



(ignore that price its actually $199)

The sound quality is good, and unlike dragging around mics and iPads and break out boxes, this is simple to use and you dont need a "helper" to run your sound when making a tape.

The video quality is even decent (4K), but I was surprised how good the audio came out in a moderately live setting.