iRig MicCast is a great new tool that makes live performance recording a cinch. I recently purchased the MicCast (mainly due to an overabundance of guitar center gift cards…Thanks sis!).  I immediately liked the small design, and how it fit into my iPhone 4. This device is small enough to use at any concert or live performance and best of all its small enough that it won’t be seen. An extra bonus is that it comes with a handy stand that helps stop vibration which could lead to a distorted clip.

I found that the low setting worked best when recording my band, as it allowed plenty of volume head room to adjust the levels. It’s also worth noting that the iRig Recorder App was free, easy to use, and an excellent tool as well. I love that the app allows you to adjust the mic gain level for a lot more control.

The mic is fairly versatile and sounds a lot like a Shure SM58, but with a bit more high tin to it. It gets a quality recording without sacrificing lows (which is a major problem when recording with the built in iPhone mic). It also has clear highs without that “swooshy” sound that you get when recording cymbals digitally. Out of curiosity I also tested the device with my friends HTC android phone. It worked like a charm and made an astounding difference in the quality compared to his built in mic.

The Lo Hi Setting is used for volume gain (if needed). I found that the low setting was more than enough for my band recordings (4 piece with drums). However, when I switched to recording my piano at home, I did switch to the high setting to capture a bit more gain with less noise. (The noise level is really low anyhow, but I am a purist!)

Overall I find this mic to be a necessity for any concert goer with a iOS or Android smart phone. Its easy to bring with you, easy to use, and sounds excellent for the price. It’s definitely better than the built in mic on any phone and the size makes it a very versatile mobile recording tool. It works with all the apps I’ve tested it with so far, and even works great to sample sounds with Garageband or SampleWiz.

Overall, I am a big fan of the iRig products. I own an iRig, an iRig MicCast, and an iRig Midi. All 3 have provided me with a lot of mobile ability, and excellent practice recordings. It’s perfect for someone who travels to band practice and still wants a nice audio recording without dragging a lot of equipment around.