Instamic - The Smart, Small, GoPro of Microphones

H

HHL

Veteran
Early days, ....but this could be interesting. Especially if some other groups join the party. Enjoy!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/instamic-the-smart-small-gopro-of-microphones#/story

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"Whether you're a videographer, musician or a family on a video conference, Instamic was made for you."

Well it's about damn time. I can not tell you how many video conferences I've had to do with my family that I needed a self contained, compact mic/recorder system!

And if a company uses the term 'videographer' in their marketing, it's probably not something I'm buying.
 
Run&Gun said:
"Whether you're a videographer, musician or a family on a video conference, Instamic was made for you."

Well it's about damn time. I can not tell you how many video conferences I've had to do with my family that I needed a self contained, compact mic/recorder system!

And if a company uses the term 'videographer' in their marketing, it's probably not something I'm buying.
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Certainly there are few products that are universally for EVERYONE. And fair enough, it doesn't serve your purposes. <--completely fair. Hopefully you'll accept that it may serve a purpose for someone that has an equally valid purpose/perspective. Cheers!
 
As a life-long audio guy I think it's a FANTASTIC looking product PROVIDED IT SOUNDS GOOD.

Specs mean nothing with microphones in the real world.

If it sounds as good as it functions then it will be a great tool.

HOWEVER - the inability to monitor the audio while recording means this should NEVER EVER be your only recording device for anything that "can't fail".
I'm not clear from the video if their bluetooth-to-smartphone app enables real-time monitoring. If it does then that makes this thing even better.

The ability to use it as a "crash-cam" microphone is really really cool.
 
Never said it couldn't be useful. I was making fun of the marketing line. Why would a "family on a video conference" need one? That didn't seem funny or odd to anyone else? And I was being snarky/an @$$ because I loathe the term "videographer".
 
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I've never thought about it... Do the smartphones have recording quality enough for audio acquisition?

Have anyone tried to use anything previously recorded with a smartphone? If so, what model? And what type of production?
 
http://www.gizmag.com/instamic-audio-recorder/38097/

"Users can begin recording either by pressing a button on the device or via the accompanying mobile app (no word yet on about the platforms upon which the app will be available). The app also allows users to monitor and adjust the input signal level and alter the Instamic's settings. The Instamic connects to the accompanying app via Bluetooth 4.0, which gives it a wireless range of about 30 ft (10 m) from the smart device."

Main drawback I see is usb charging battery..and overall size. Have to see what amount of latency there is in monitoring..if that article is right.

Comparison chart above seems a bit odd..apples vs oranges and variables (like iphone interfaces/apps) not addressed. And an H1 with a nice, well placed lav might sound far better..but not able to be remotely/wirelessly monitored. But like others have mentioned, could be a nice option for high risk options.
 
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My main complaint is all the focus on the 48khz & 24bit, nothing on what the mic is other than "omni directional."

Show me a more about the response pattern, signal to noise, dynamic range, etc. I mean, I'm kind of making up words here, but put in more info so a true audio guy can look it over & let us camera slingers know if it is worth it or not.

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Also: Family video conference. Yeah, that was odd.

"Let's Skype Grandma & then sync audio after the fact & send her an audio recording after two days later." Wait, wat?

If you're doing a family video conference, or anything live, you need a mic w/ real time audio. So get a USB mic like one of the Blue Snowball mics or whatever.

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Lastly, is it just me, or will viewers forgive a visible lav mic on a shirt, but might wonder why someone velcro-ed a key fob from their Toyota to their shirt?
 
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Tim Nitsch said:
Lol you say that like it's insult.

If you shoot video, your a videographer. Sorry bud.
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By that logic, Roger Deakins, David Mullen, Art Adams etc. are all videographers, which I doubt many would think of them as. While I appreciate your pride in shooting video, everyone has their own definitions when it comes to titles. Run&Gun is a videographer in your world, he's probably not a videographer in his own. There are reasons to distance yourself from, or embrace the term. I don't think of myself as a videographer, but am introduced as one by people outside the industry, and don't think much of it.
 
Tim Nitsch said:
Lol you say that like it's insult.

If you shoot video, your a videographer. Sorry bud.
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You must hang out with one of my friends I shoot with that lives in FL, too. I'm not sure if I know anyone that's not shooting weddings for a living that likes that term, bud.

You can pretty much call me anything you like except videographer and late for dinner. Cameraman, shooter, 'hey you'... But I'm really kind of partial to what most of my friends call me, @sshole.
 
Considering the response it is getting I'd say no. I'm tempted to get one or two. I don't have a need right now, but if you can't boom and you can't use a wireless lav, then this might be a good option.
 
The physical form factor doesn't look appealing for any kind of video work I can imagine. It's not directional enough to work at any distance from the source, as on a boom, and it's going to be way harder to hide/disguise that boxy shape than a discrete black lav or something like the PinMic. Without a practical handle, it's not even a good substitute for an on-camera interviewer's stick mic.

I can imagine some musicians getting good use out of it, however.

- Greg
 
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