Parabolic Phone Mic (1 Viewer)

[anormalbirder1]

I use a short cable that is 1/8" female for mini plug to a iPhone thunderbolt connector so I can use any self-powered microphone. I already have two Telinga dishes so no need to add a third dish. Quite a few parabola and mic setups for sale on Amazon for under $50.

I have found that I need to crank to volume all the way up on my iphone to be able to get an adequate signal for Merlin to pick it up.

Hi,

Birdmic is not only the parabola, we have designed an specific interface that amplifies and modulates the sound (and allows you to hear the birds through the headphones). You don't need an external field recorder.

Anyway, if you have a Telinga dish I asume you have a field recorder, then you don't need a BirdMic, you can use the recorder as audio interface and send the signal to smartphone. It's not as comfortable as Birdmic, but you can do it. Most field recorders are interface (two audio out ports) and you can connect the headphones in jack port and smartphone in USB port.

If you connect the smartphone to field recorder, this amplifies the sound and it will be better for you.

I hope I help you,

 

[Jon.Bryant]

I have found that I need to crank to volume all the way up on my iphone to be able to get an adequate signal for Merlin to pick it up.

This is interesting. Are you saying that even with a parabola attached to your phone, you need to adjust the recording level to full to get Merlin to work?

I did the Attwater Prairie Chicken Auto loop running Merlin on my IPhone 12 Pro without an external mic attached. The in-built mic was pretty good and picked up birds like Grasshopper Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper etc. even over the car engine noise.

I understand a mic generates an electrical current, which is then boosted by the pre-amp, followed by A-D conversion. This makes me think that perhaps IPhones are not designed to 'receive' the electrical input from a standard external mic via a Lightning to Mini-jack adapter - the received voltage would seem too low.

I am a bit confused when you mention self powered mics, but then say you have two Telinga dishes. Are you using the dishes with your own mics? The Telinga Pro-X (with mini-jack connector) is not self powered, but require 5V DC PiP - does an adapter provide PiP?

I think that if you have gone to the expense of purchasing a professional parabola, I would run it to a dedicated recorder. If real-time Merlin is a must, and the internal mic is not cutting it, I would suggest that you may want to run a line out of the recorder to the phone (as suggested by anormalbirder1). With recorders there should be a gain or pad on the line out that you can adjust to suit the receiving device and make sure the input is strong enough.

Birdmic is not only the parabola, we have designed an specific interface that amplifies and modulates the sound

I am not an electrical engineer or phone specialist, but I find that it is interesting that the signal needs to be amplified and modulated. I presume that as suggested above, most phones cannot take the electrical signal from an external mic and apply reasonable amplification.

Not meaning to be difficult, but how much of the difference in the Wryneck recording do you estimate to be low noise parabola gain, and how much is from the BirdMic amplifier you have designed?

An IPhone short shotgun I looked at seemed to offer better directional performance but not to increase the signal level - is it possible that the low level 'line-in' needs to be compensated by additional amplification, even to match the signal level of the in-built mic?

 

[anormalbirder1]

I am not an electrical engineer or phone specialist, but I find that it is interesting that the signal needs to be amplified and modulated. I presume that as suggested above, most phones cannot take the electrical signal from an external mic and apply reasonable amplification.

Not meaning to be difficult, but how much of the difference in the Wryneck recording do you estimate to be low noise parabola gain, and how much is from the BirdMic amplifier you have designed?

An IPhone short shotgun I looked at seemed to offer better directional performance but not to increase the signal level - is it possible that the low level 'line-in' needs to be compensated by additional amplification, even to match the signal level of the in-built mic?

The signal no need to be amplified, in fact I use Birmic connected to camera with no interface (watch the beginning of the video below, wire is directly connected to capsule). But our interface amplifies the signal too. When you use headphones, amplifies the signal and when we say that "modulates" is because you can switch on "BOOST" botton for amplifie all the range or "CUT" botton to minimize bass sound. That functions are common on field recorders, but our interface only have 2 positions "BOOST - NO BOOST" and "CUT - NO CUT". You cannot adjust more, but it is very useful in some situations.

We made it thinking in people to enjoy birds and begin to experience with recording equipment with a reasonable price. If they like it, can do the next step and acquire a "professional" gear, but they are larger and more expensive.

We are the bridge cameras but with the audio. Well, we pretend to be... 😅

Thank you!

 

[anormalbirder1]

I understand a mic generates an electrical current, which is then boosted by the pre-amp, followed by A-D conversion. This makes me think that perhaps IPhones are not designed to 'receive' the electrical input from a standard external mic via a Lightning to Mini-jack adapter - the received voltage would seem too lo

Hi Jon, at least our microphone works connected directly to the iPhone X ES (without interface) using a jack to lightining adapter. There are lots of microphones on the market with no amplification that works with iPhones. I supose that's not the problem.

 

[Jon.Bryant]

Just noticed that Dodotronics have entered the market with a USB connector, so that you can use your phone with their parabolas, including the hi-sound compact. Presumably the USB interface only works with Android phones, unless there is a USB to lighting adapter that would work.

On the face of it it could be a flexible option. Use the Hi Sound mini for portability and travel, and potentially upgrade to a bigger dish at a later date. The video on the Dodotronics website seems to show pretty good performance for the mini, and a good stereo effect (which birdmic cannot provide) - but it is not that cheap and presumably birdmic will be a more cost effective entry point to recording birds with you phone.

 

[anormalbirder1]

Just noticed that Dodotronics have entered the market with a USB connector, so that you can use your phone with their parabolas, including the hi-sound compact. Presumably the USB interface only works with Android phones, unless there is a USB to lighting adapter that would work.

On the face of it it could be a flexible option. Use the Hi Sound mini for portability and travel, and potentially upgrade to a bigger dish at a later date. The video on the Dodotronics website seems to show pretty good performance for the mini, and a good stereo effect (which birdmic cannot provide) - but it is not that cheap and presumably birdmic will be a more cost effective entry point to recording birds with you phone.

Hi Jon, with Birdmic you can monitor the audio with no external field recorder (hear the sound in real time through the headphones), that's the point. You can use usb, lightning or jack.

Actually, you can record the audio with your smartphone of every parabola on the market (with adapters) but you cannot monitor it without an external field recorder.

That's the special point of Birdmic,

Best regards!

 

[Jon.Bryant]

Hi Jon, with Birdmic you can monitor the audio with no external field recorder (hear the sound in real time through the headphones), that's the point. You can use usb, lightning or jack.

Not sure this is good new for you as I think you have a rival (but perhaps more choice for the consumer). The Dodotronics USB Interface seems to be able to do what the Birdmic can do (see this website USB Interface),

Quoting sections from there website it says

Transform your smartphone into a professional recorder: Say goodbye to the need for an additional recorder! With our interface, your smartphone becomes a powerful recording tool, ensuring convenience and portability....

Automatic bird species identification: Experience the wonders of technology as our interface enables you to automatically identify bird species based on their calls. Discover and learn about the diverse avian world effortlessly.

Mono and stereo microphone support: Whether you prefer using a mono or stereo microphone, the Dodotronic SONG USB INTERFACE has got you covered.

Professional-grade specifications: Capture the finest details with sampling rates of up to 96kHz and 24-bit stereo recording. The Dodotronic SONG USB INTERFACE empowers you to preserve the authentic beauty of wildlife sounds.

and ...Convenient headphone output: Stay connected to your recordings with the integrated headphone output. Adjust the volume level to your preference and dive into the mesmerizing sounds of nature.

 

[anormalbirder1]

Oh Jon! You're right! I didn't see it... Thank you!!

 

[Jon.Bryant]

Oh Jon! You're right! I didn't see it... Thank you!!

Sorry to bring news of a rival, but I suspect that birdmic will be a cheaper entry point for beginners.

I don’t think the Dodotronics device comes with a dish (or mic!) so you need a separate purchase. I think Birdmic is a complete kit - am I right?

I suspect that the Dodotrinics device could be interesting for those who already own a directional mic and want to play with BirdNET or Merlin, but don’t want the hassle (both in terms of setup and carrying extra stuff) of running a line out from a recorder to a phone.

 

[anormalbirder1]

Sorry to bring news of a rival, but I suspect that birdmic will be a cheaper entry point for beginners.

I don’t think the Dodotronics device comes with a dish (or mic!) so you need a separate purchase. I think Birdmic is a complete kit - am I right?

I suspect that the Dodotrinics device could be interesting for those who already own a directional mic and want to play with BirdNET or Merlin, but don’t want the hassle (both in terms of setup and carrying extra stuff) of running a line out from a recorder to a phone.

No, that's good news! It means birdmic is a good idea! I think our public is different. We are looking for new customers with no audio devices. Anyway, they don't have stock yet. I don't see how interface and smartphone is attached and if the support is included or not... I supose they are working now in the new product.

But, dodotronic customers have already a field recorder, and it works as a interface. They don't need a specific interface, but I think could be a good solution to simplify the equipment if you want to use your smartphone.

 

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

Hope can test this on the field soon...