Introduction
The Saramonic SmartMic is a nifty, pocket-sized microphone that packs a punch when it comes to enhancing your audio recording on the go. In this review, we’ll dive into its features, performance, and whether it’s worth adding to your audio arsenal.
Features
The SmartMic boasts several noteworthy features:
- Compact Size: Fits in your pocket, perfect for portability.
- Plug and Play: No complicated setup required; just plug it in and start recording.
- Universal Compatibility: Works with smartphones, cameras, and other devices.
- Solid Build: Durable construction ensures longevity.
- Noise Reduction: Filters out extra background sounds.
- Windscreen: A handy addition for outdoor recording.
- 3.5mm Connector: A versatile choice for most devices.
Performance
Pros
- Impressive Sound Quality: The SmartMic delivers clear and crisp audio, making it ideal for interviews, vlogs, and more.
- Hassle-Free Setup: You don’t need to be an audio expert to use it; simply plug and play.
- Versatile Compatibility: Whether you have a phone, DSLR, or camcorder, it’s ready to roll.
- Sturdy Build: The build quality makes sure it will stand the test of time.
- Noise Reduction: Background noise is effectively minimized, improving your recordings.
- Windscreen: Great for outdoor shooting, reducing wind interference.
Cons
- Short Cable: The cable’s length might be a limitation in some situations, requiring an extension.
- Battery-Free: While convenient, it doesn’t offer options for battery use.
Is It Worth It?
The Saramonic SmartMic is a valuable addition to any content creator’s toolkit. With its compact size, superb sound quality, and ease of use, it’s a step up for on-the-go recording. However, the short cable and lack of battery options could be limiting for some users. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable and efficient microphone.
Surly Wynch –
My phone is a Pixel phone, so the headphone input is on the same corner of the phone where the front facing camera is located. If this mic is tilted over to face me for a selfie, the mic is in the shot. When I tilt the mic just out of view, the mic is pointed over my shoulder, but the sound is still superior to the internal mic on my phone. If I swap out the foam windsock for a fuzzy one for use on a very windy day, the mic will need to be tilted even further away from pointing directly at me for a front facing camera shot. Not sure how detrimental this will be to the sound quality. This is obviously not an issue with the rear facing camera.The moulding on the plug itself is minimal so this can be used with some not so bulky cases, unlike other similar mics I tried. I want to keep my case on the phone as it’s somewhat fiddly getting the phone into either a gimble, or a selfie stick, and prone to dropping. For me, I think the be best practice is to insert the mic only after putting the phone in a mount. I can imagine this mic would break right off the phone if dropped. It will require a bit more balancing with my gimble, but I’d rather do that than dig out the broken off plug with tweezers.The mic itself is isolated (sort of) from the pivoting arm by a rubber vibration absorbing ring. Care must be used when inserting or tilting the mic to grab it at the pivot and not the mic itself. I think long term twisting and turning the mic will eventually break it. I wouldn’t call this a design flaw as much as it is a design sacrifice. It’s a great design to keep the mic isolated from pops and vibrations from the phone itself, but comes at the price of making it a bit delicate. That said, I plan to keep it tiled at an angle to minimize the the twisting and bending of at the pivot point of the mount.The last problem I have, and this is not a fault of this device, but when it is plugged in, the phone speaker is disabled since the phone thinks there is a headset now plugged in. I often review a video before moving on to another shot, and to make sure I get good audio and video, I’ll be unplugging and re-plugging this mic every time I want to review video. The stock camera app on the phone prompts me every shot to “swipe right for external” mic. It’s always enabled when I do swipe right, just seems like a bit of a time waster.I would give this five stars, but I think its a bit too delicate for constant use with a phone. Maybe if I was using it on a DSLR on a tripod, I would feel different. In order to keep the mic out of the front facing camera view, at the same time pointed directly at the subject, would require the pivoting part with the plug end to be longer by 1/2″ inch (13mm) or so. This would protrude out further, and be more off balance in a gimble mount, and make it more prone to twisting and perhaps twisting off. Compared to other similar devices, it’s more than double the cost.According to the descripion, the specs on this mic is: 35Hz ~ 18KHz; Signal/Noise: 74dB SPL. However the box this mic arrived in shows specs of: 50HZ to 18kHz; Signal/Noise: 58dB SPL; Sensitivity: -30dB±3dB(0dB=1V/Pa 1kHz). The specs for the other one at less than 1/2 the cost: 100Hz – 18kHz; sensitivity: -25dB±3dB(0dB=1V/Pa 1kHz); equivalent noise level: >60dB @ 1kHz. The sound quality seems similar, so maybe that rubber isolation ring will be worth the difference in price with less noise?And finally, the first selfie test video I recorded, played back with a black screen. Audio was great, just no video. Not sure if this was just a fluke or what. I can’t imagine how this is related to the mic, but figured it was worth mentioning. I re-booted the phone, and was unable to re-create the problem.
J –
Thank you for SN easy transaction 5+++++
AlphaGeek –
If, like me, you are looking for a small TRRS microphone for your Portapack, this mic is way too hot. I am probably going to have to return it because it just produces over modulated noise on my Portapack (see image). Physically, this thing is perfect. I really wish I could use it. Mostly, this review is for other people who are looking at it for similar purposes.A condensor mic is always going to be more sensitive than a dynamic mic, but this thing is crazy.***UPDATE: I love the case and style of this so much that I changed out the microphone element for one that is less sensitive. The form factor is perfect for my application because I want a one piece microphone and I love the swivel and the size!If you’re handy with a soldering iron, it’s not too difficult to change out the element. Hack on!.
hamilton917 –
I am a birder, which means I go out looking to identify, photograph and document what I find. They are often difficult to see, yet you can hear them. I’m trying to get acquainted with various bird sounds in different seasons. So I downloaded the Merlin app that helps me identify the songs/calls I am hearing.I use a Google Pixel 4a phone and my friend has an IPhone 12. She was picking up more sounds than my phone was. So I ordered this as it was easy to use and take with me in the field.Bottom line: I definitely pick up more sound with this. My phone displays a sound graph and there is more on the graph after plugging it in than without. I am able to identify more bird sounds which was my reason for getting it. It is not fancy or pro quality, but it certainly does amplify sound to my phone app.Very pleased with the performance and price of product and can certainly recommend for this purpose.
rumbo –
clicks and pops in audio. i had it stored away for a while not sure if that affected it
Joe –
Just got this today to help with sound when recording videos on some hikes. I want to keep my gear load light as possible and this thing is under 2 ounces, and is tiny Out of the box, using only the phone video it plugs right in thru my Pelican case and works for both selfie and normal video modes.It’s not a high end mic, so the sound is about fair for the price.I must have my phone in airplane mode or the mic won’t work at all. And then I must unplug to hear the playback.So far it works well enough for my needs. But I can tell if I want higher quality sound, I will need to get a video app where I can watch the gain.I would recommend and buy again.I knocked off a star because I must be in airplane mode, but also was expecting that level of performance.
Louietwoie –
Pretty good micPretty good mic, very good for the money. Didn’t quite fit when using a gimbal, which is what I bought it for, but that’s not their fault.
Jesse –
Does the job when your phone mic is messed upMy phone mic was having problems where it only picks up audio from one side so I felt like I needed an external mic to fix the problem. It fixed the one sided audio problem, but my only complaint is that this mic lacks response in the higher frequencies. Guess you can only ask for so much with a mic of this price.
Amazon Customer –
Ok productI returned this item after finding that my phone speaker didn’t work when the mic was plugged in as I bought it due to my phone mic being broken. Otherwise good quality product.
Customer –
Useless for iPhone SE but works for Android (only in voice recording)Summary: Nice soft touch finish but construction seems rather flimsy and the microphone does not make any difference for recorded audio when plugged directly into an iPhone SE. Audio gain improved for voice recording on an Android tablet, but no improvement for audio recordings when capturing video.The product description claims that the microphone is designed for use with iOS devices, but after several side-by-side tests using an iPhone SE, I found that this microphone made absolutely ZERO difference when compared to the internal microphone. To make sure the microphone worked, I then tried it with an Android tablet. This produced a significant improvement in the gain of the recording (though audio quality was a bit less clear). In a side-by-side test of audio recordings between the iPhone and Android tablet, the two performed about equally with each using their internal microphones, but the tablet achieved significantly more gain compared with the iPhone when using this mic. As per the product description, however, the audio gain for Android improved only for voice recordings, not video.