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Author Topic: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS  (Read 6471 times)

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Offline voltronic

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Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« on: August 25, 2015, 10:22:48 PM »
Just got home from a rehearsal, and one of our members was recording us with one of these into his iPhone:
http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/motiv/mv88-ios-digital-stereo-condenser-microphone
http://www.head-fi.org/t/749562/introducing-the-shure-motiv-mv88-head-fi-tv
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1115606-REG/shure_mv88_ios_digital_stereo_condenser.html

I usually don't like these plug-into-a-phone mics, but I was immediately struck by how solidly it was built (thick metal and ABS), and how slick and easy to control the accompanying app is.  What I got to hear of the recording was surprisingly good quality also.  The video from Head-Fi details some very interesting features that weren't immediately obvious looking at the app.

I wish they would make one of these that was microUSB / Android - at $149 I would jump on it.  This is kind of like the question, "what's the best camera?" and the answer is, "the one you have with you."  While it's not going to ever replace a full-out recording setup anymore than my phone camera is going to replace a DSLR (although my LG G4 takes stunning photos), the convenience + quality of this little thing is impressive.

Anyone here have one of these?
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

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Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2015, 08:01:06 AM »
Curious that Shure doesn't provide any noise or distortion specs.  Or frequency response plots.  Strange spec for sensitivity too...

Offline acidjack

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2015, 10:28:23 AM »
Yeah, Max SPL would be a key thing to know for "our" purposes.... half-tempted to try one though....
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2015, 10:46:53 AM »
The sensitivity spec is what I'd expect for a microphone that only has a digital output.  The analog level is not relevant.  Schoeps SuperCMIT is specified the same way.

What I found strange was that the sensitivity (-37 dBFS at 94 dBSPL) and the max SPL (120 dBSPL) seem to be incompatible.  If you travel the 26 dB from 94 to 120, the mic would be outputting -11 dBFS and clipping the mic?  Wouldn't it make more sense for the max SPL and 0 dBFS to coincide?

[EDIT:  I looked up that Schoeps mic and their numbers do line up.  Sensitivity of -31 dBFS re: 1 Pa and max SPL of 125 dB...]
« Last Edit: August 26, 2015, 10:51:06 AM by aaronji »

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2015, 12:02:49 PM »
I thought so!

I am also curious about power consumption.  The spec sheet says it is powered through the Lightning connector; presumably that needs to put power to the mics and also the ADC.  The battery life on my iPhone isn't great to begin with, so I wonder how it would fare with this thing hooked up to it.  Generally, the connection looks like a weak point, as those connectors aren't that tight and are quite small, particularly with that mass hanging from it...

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2015, 12:15:57 PM »
I don't know the details on the iPhone battery either, although they are probably floating around out there somewhere.  What I do know is that, although I barely use my phone (meaning probably no calls, no internet, no games, only a text or two and a wake-up in the morning on an average day), it needs daily charging.  I'd be curious to see.  Battery life on the tablet is much better, but, at that point, the pocket-ability is gone...

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2015, 12:26:26 PM »
The antenna is in pretty much constant use, as it always looks for the cellular network.  I know that wastes a lot of battery power, but a phone is kinda worthless if you can't receive a call (however rare they might be)!

Offline rocksuitcase

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2015, 01:39:43 PM »
Interesting design for the price. It looks as if you can't "maximize" the usage/performance without the APP (or the APP increases your flexibility at the least)
kindms has been looking for a dedicated Crossed figure 8 device, this is not too far away from that.
music IS love

When you get confused, listen to the music play!

Mics:         AKG460|CK61|CK1|CK3|CK8|Beyer M 201E|DPA 4060 SK
Recorders:Marantz PMD661 OADE Concert mod; Tascam DR680 MKI x2; Sony PCM-M10

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2015, 01:54:53 PM »
^^ My not-quite-dumb-but-not-that-smart phone that I had prior to the iPhone got much better battery life. Maybe searching for WiFi? I know that on my iPod Touch turning off WiFi makes a big difference in battery life.

I can see this thing being kind of versatile with an extension cable. Super compact backup rig and all.

Offline voltronic

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2015, 06:25:24 PM »
Interesting design for the price. It looks as if you can't "maximize" the usage/performance without the APP (or the APP increases your flexibility at the least)
kindms has been looking for a dedicated Crossed figure 8 device, this is not too far away from that.

The most interesting feature to me might be the ability to store a given set of settings such as the M/S mix ratio in the actual device so you don't have to recall them later, and then that setup can be used in another recording app.

Regarding phone / antenna usage - my past "dumbphones" would have decent battery life even in areas of low signal.  I've owned several smartphones since, and the number one biggest battery drain (when idle and screen is off) is when there is poor or no signal.  This is also the case when I'm out in a rural area and the phone can only find EDGE or GPRS, but it's desperately trying to find LTE. :-[

That said, Jon's advice to always put your phone into airplane mode while recording is very important, even if you're not recording to said phone.  I forgot to do this more than once and had the telltale cell phone interference noise on a couple of recordings.  I was even using all balanced connections with quality Darktrain and Gak cables.  I wonder if it's possible that some interference can get straight into the recording device itself.  I occasionally get this at my computer at home when my phone is on my desk, even though my setup is Comp > FireWire Card > interface > 1/4" balanced > monitors.  My money is on the monitors not being well shielded.
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2015, 06:14:28 AM »
^ Maybe that's it; I have a long commute (2 hours each way) to work through some pretty rural areas.  I have never really checked to see what sort of coverage I get (WiFi on the train, so I am always working on my laptop), but I am going to look into that...

As for going into airplane mode while recording, I don't bother.  Everything is balanced and, even if I turn my phone off, every other person in the venue will likely be using theirs continuously for the entire show.  Plus I never get any calls.  I guess I have just been lucky, because I haven't gotten any interference. 

I think I might buy one of these just for fun.  I usually run omnis on a wide (66 cm) bar and I am thinking I could easily, and pretty inexpensively, run this in the center of that bar.  Almost no extra gear: some gaff tape, the mic, a cable.

Offline voltronic

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2015, 06:41:27 PM »
^ Maybe that's it; I have a long commute (2 hours each way) to work through some pretty rural areas.  I have never really checked to see what sort of coverage I get (WiFi on the train, so I am always working on my laptop), but I am going to look into that...

As for going into airplane mode while recording, I don't bother.  Everything is balanced and, even if I turn my phone off, every other person in the venue will likely be using theirs continuously for the entire show.  Plus I never get any calls.  I guess I have just been lucky, because I haven't gotten any interference. 

I think I might buy one of these just for fun.  I usually run omnis on a wide (66 cm) bar and I am thinking I could easily, and pretty inexpensively, run this in the center of that bar.  Almost no extra gear: some gaff tape, the mic, a cable.

If you're going to do that, check out the Remote Possibilities board on Gearslutz.  Some of the classical guys there have had great results using a center M/S with omni outriggers at around 60 cm.
I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.
- Gustav Mahler

Acoustic Recording Techniques
Team Classical
Team Line Audio
Team DPA

Offline acidjack

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2015, 07:14:17 PM »
I couldn't help myself and bought one. When I use it I will report back. It's the first of these things that seriously interests me.
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2015, 01:16:26 PM »
^ Excellent! I was just poking around for availability and pricing (€159 from Bax in the Netherlands and Thomann in Germany) when I saw your post. Now, I think I will hold off until I hear what you have to say about it. When will you have it in hand?

Offline acidjack

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #14 on: August 29, 2015, 04:04:52 PM »
^ Excellent! I was just poking around for availability and pricing (€159 from Bax in the Netherlands and Thomann in Germany) when I saw your post. Now, I think I will hold off until I hear what you have to say about it. When will you have it in hand?

Should be here by Monday. I'm going to a festival the second week of Sept so I should have lots of opportunities to see what it can do!
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #15 on: August 29, 2015, 04:10:05 PM »
^ Cool. I am really curious to hear your impressions (and maybe a sample or two, if it's not to much bother)...

Offline acidjack

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #16 on: September 02, 2015, 01:41:12 PM »
Mics: Schoeps MK4V, MK41V, MK5, MK22> CMC6, KCY 250/5, KC5, NBob; MBHO MBP603/KA200N, AT 3031, DPA 4061 w/ d:vice, Naiant X-X, AT 853c, shotgun, Nak300
Pres/Power: Aerco MP2, tinybox v2  [KCY], CA-UBB
Decks: Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom F8, M10, D50

My recordings on nyctaper.com: http://www.nyctaper.com/?tag=acidjack | LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/acidjack | twitter: http://www.twitter.com/acidjacknyc | Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/acidjacknyc

Offline aaronji

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Re: Shure Motiv MV88 - M/S mic and app for iOS
« Reply #17 on: September 02, 2015, 03:59:12 PM »
Cool...Headed there right now!

 

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