Topic: Re-configure mics and NBOX to use on iPhone 17 ProMac with USB-C

[JoeRay]

I asked a stupid question three days ago and I thought it would be best if I refined my question and asked you wonderful folks again..  I have been taping since March 26, 1968 when I first taped Jimi Hendrix in Cleveland.  I have used many different mics over the last 58 years from an AKG D1000E with a Philips and then Sony cassette recorder to my current setup which uses a matched pair of Schoeps MK4>Nick Box mini> Sound Device Mix Pre 3ii.  I also shoot 8K video using my Canon R5 MK2.
I have recently found that the quality of my iPhone 17 Pro Max with a Blackmagic Can App produces pretty good video results, especially for intimate concerts when I sit in the first row or two and I wouldn't have to lug a 50 lb box of cameras, lenses, monitors, media  and batteries.
 
Consequently, I would like to build a rig that uses my iPhone 17 ProMax along with Lexar 2TB SSD and doc.  This gives me an extra USB-C input for a microphone along with a USB-C for an external battery.  I have used DBA mics and Schoep mics for the last 20 years but I realize I would need a pre-amp or battery box to do so.  Also, not sure if I could use an XLR out to a USB-C coming off the NBOX.

My question to all you wonderful tapers and/or electronic experts is:  Instead of using the IPHONE internal mics or some of the wireless mics such a Rode, DJI, Holland Lark 2, Smallrig, etc, can anyone suggest a high-end mic rig for an iPhone 17 premix that has the quality of Schoep or DBA mics that I could connect via USB-C input?  I am hoping to record using 32 bit 96 or 192 sampling that would allow a simple yet quality rig that would produce sound that I am use to with my Schoep mic or DBA 4060 of better. From my experience, most lavaliere mics cannot not produce results like my Schoeps mics. If anyone has any suggestions to educate this old taper, I would appreciate any suggestions you might offer... I am open to putting the iPhone into a Smallrig to build upon. Also, I realize that there is constant advancements in gear.  I am open to trying anything that can improve to audio quality over the internal mics or wireless mics...  I bet some of you have tried doing this and since I live in Kenai, Alaska, there aren't many brother tapers up here to bounce ideas off up.  Thank you in advance for any of your ideas...
Peace,  Joe Ray Skrha joeray_muse@mac.com

[morst]

That's a cool setup with the hub, but unless you can find a mic system you like, it might be more limiting than recording the audio separately.

I record videos with my iPhone (pro max 13) and simply use the audio track from that to sync up my stereo audio from my mic rig, in post production.


Lucky for me, my new phone seems to be synchronous with my MixPre6 (v1) and with my Zoom F3 so i don't have to compensate for drift.


My workflow involves using Final Cut Pro (or perhaps iMovie if I am not needing 4k60) and adding titles as well as start and/or end padding (if I got a late start or early finish).
Once I render the video, I drop it onto the Audacity session with the stereo audio, then line it up, add fades to the stereo track, and export the replacement.
Then in Quicktime, I remove the audio track from the processed video, and add my exported FLAC2496 to the video, and then save under a new name.
Presto!
Here's an example of the results:
https://archive.org/details/MotherHips2024-12-21-VIDEO

[Top Hat]

Is there a reason why you want such a high sample rate?  i would highly doubt you would tell the dynamic diff in the audio between 24/48 and 24/196. Secondly 24/48 is much easier for transferring and downloading and much easier for the end user..Most social media these days is limited to mp3 1080p 60fps. Also there is the issue with power. I do not know if you can use the USBc port to interface audio, record video, and charge at the same time. There have been reports of overheating and even some who have not been able to do these simultaneously. Even with my SOny A7iii professional camera I am limited to 30 min of 4k video by default. The Sony F3 is designed with an internal fan and will record 4k until you hit stop. Price tag for the body only is around $3500 new but this is pro level stuff here. But, If you demand that high of a quality audio and you are using an i phone for your video I would maybe rethink your strategy and cap at 24/48 unless you want to level up your video capture device.

THat being said using your mixpre (Prosumer level Recorder) and a cheap $20-30 USB interface (Prosumer level interface) would do 24/48 .wav to an i phone (CONSUMER level capture device). Only limitation would be charging the phone while recording and/or doing so and not smoking the i phone.
This is LIVE all RAW no post production using a Samsung s24 ultra 5g with a Prism Studio app. Plugged into my phones USBc port is my Mix pre 6ii Aux Out > Berringer UCA222 Interface > USB to USBc cable
The end user hears MP3 audio, which is capped by YT and 1080p 30 fps video capped because i went live. Without the live aspect I could have went much higher res but there was really no need since it was on social media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1SyYOwuaTM

[grawk]

Sonosax sx-m2d2 and any mics you want

[beatkilla]

Sonosax sx-m2d2 and any mics you want

I agree at your level this is probably what you'd want.

Here is a youtube video showing this setup(skip to around 5 minutes into the video)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZnElbB31vQ

[JoeRay]

Hello Friends,
        I reviewed over all of your suggestions and may have come across a setup that really works.  I am using the IPHONE 17 Pro Max with the Blackmagic Camera App.  I plugged in a Lexar SSD and dock that allows me three USB-C connections.  One is for an extended battery, the second is for the Lexar 2TB SSD, and the third allows me to plug in my Sound Device Mix Pre 3ii, which is connected to my NBOX and a matched pair of Schoeps MK4 Microphones.  I will try this out this weekend at The Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland even though I usually get a patch off the board.  Assuming this works, it should reduce my carrying load from 80 lbs to about 3 pounds... I will report back to all of you how well this works...  Again, thank you for the wonderful suggestions.  You sure got me thinking...  Happy New Year,  Joe Ray Skrha