Most of the USB mics we test connect to computers, though some can connect to mobile devices with the aid of a cable.
The Rode i-XY is a stereo mic that connects to iOS devices via the Lightning port.
At $199, it's not cheap, but it's an exceptionally useful tool, particularly for reporters or anyone who wants to capture accurate stereo audio on the go.
For the price, the i-XY delivers excellent clarity, but we find the Rode's app—required for optimal recording quality—to be somewhat frustrating to work with.
Honest, Objective Reviews
Daxdi.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services.
Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
Design
Measuring 1.8 by 2.2 by 1.6 inches (HWD) and weighing 1.4 ounces, the tiny i-XY ships with three sizes of clamps that help keep the mic stable and affixed to your device.
(There's also a small tool included to help you remove the clamps.) Since the mic attaches close to the home button on certain iOS devices, the clamps also include a button topper that allows for easier operation without accidentally dislodging the mic from the Lightning port.
As mentioned, the i-XY is designed for use with iOS devices.
Though compatibility doesn't reach backward forever, it should work with products from the last four years.
The mic utilizes the Lightning connector, and it clips onto the edge of your iPhone or iPad.
In most scenarios, this means you'll almost definitely need to remove any protective case so the connector can reach.
Because one of the obvious uses of this mic is field recording, that might be a hard fact to accept for some users.
And, of course, Apple recently switched the connections on its latest iPad Pro to USB-C, which means you'll need an adapter for the mic to even connect.
As its name suggests, the i-XY utilizes a fixed XY stereo mic pattern to pick up audio.
Dual 0.5-inch condenser capsules are pointed in opposing directions, with their cardioid patterns overlapping in the middle, resulting in a "near-coincident" alignment.
If some of these terms are unfamiliar to you, the basic idea is that two matched mics (in terms of build and specs) can be placed at the same point, facing opposite directions at an angle, and their overlapping patterns will combine to create a stereo image.
There are several methods to creating stereo images, and the XY pattern is common on small portable recording systems because of its fairly compact structure.
Other than the clamps, the mic ships with a very useful windscreen that fits onto both capsules at once, essential for most outdoor operation.
Along with the windscreen, there's a compact hard shell zip-up case with a carabiner attached.
The case houses the mic and all of the aforementioned accessories.
In order to use the mic as intended, you need to download either the paid Rode Rec or the free Rode Rec LE app.
As long as you use it with a Rode app, the i-XY can record up to 24-bit/96kHz audio.
The paid version, which isn't included in the cost of the mix, adds features like MP3 export, direct export to Dropbox, a wider selection of sample rates to choose from, and EQ presets.
The i-XY will work with various other recording apps if you prefer to use something else, but you might not be able to record at the same quality settings.
What's missing? An app that allows for video sync would be nice.
That's an area in which the Sennheiser Memory Mic offers a huge advantage over the i-XY.
If you're a reporter trying to capture video footage and quality audio, the Memory Mic can not only go wireless to get closer to the sound source, it will ensure that all audio and video stay properly synced.
You can make the argument that the mics themselves are fairly evenly matched in terms of quality, but the Memory Mic tops out at 16-bit/44.1kHz, and it's a single capsule omnidirectional mic, not a stereo mic, while the i-XY specs allow for higher sample rates and resolution.
Performance
Let's start with the app.
I tested with the LE version, which crashed when I attempted to select 96kHz.
This forced me to record in 48kHz, which is still high quality, but the not advertised sample rate.
Secondly, connecting headphones that have a built-in mic while using the i-XY is tricky.
You have to make sure the app is choosing the i-XY as the preferred mic when both are connected, or you can end up recording with the inline mic on your headphones.
With headphones connected, there is also notable latency when recording, which will be distracting to many users.
On the positive side, setting mic gain is easy, but there's no great visual to help you know when you're peaking out, which is more or less essential if you're not also monitoring with headphones.
Beyond monitoring mode, the mic records quality audio.
Whether recording foley type sounds, field recordings, or instruments, the audio is crisp and clear, with the capacity to pick up some solid lows and low-mids richness.
In testing, a large marching band drum, from a close distance, was conveyed with solid depth through the i-XY, as were the lower register notes on a piano.
As for the stereo image the i-XY captures, it's not quite as wide as you might guess.
You can certainly tell when something like a car moves from the left to the right ear, but more subtle stereo sound location is not going to be as obvious.
Regardless, the mic is excellent in terms of clarity, and the windscreen does a solid job in moderately windy conditions.
It also acts as an effective pop filter when closely recording someone for an interview.
Generally speaking, i-XY also works well as a vocal mic, but you'll either want to make sure the speaker is positioned directly in the center of the two, or use the mic channels in mono mode—this can be adjusted in the app.
Otherwise, when the vocalist moves from one capsule closer to the other, the audio will travel from ear to ear.
These are pretty much stereo recording basics, but the point is, the stereo aspect of the mic can be defeated and it can record as dual mono mics when desired, or you can even choose to use only one of the two capsules as a single mono mic.
Conclusions
It's almost not fair to compare the Sennheiser Memory Mic with the i-XY—they are actually quite different in how they work and what they offer.
The Rode can be viewed as the higher-quality audio option, and the Sennheiser as the more versatile field tool for reporters or anyone looking to sync audio with video.
The Sennheiser app isn't without its annoyances, too, but generally speaking, it's more graceful than Rode's.
So we give the Rode i-XY high marks as an actual stereo mic, and lower marks for its app.
If you're more interested in a traditional USB mic, consider the Blue Raspberry and the Sennheiser MK 4, both of which can record directly to iOS devices via included USB-to-Lightning cables.
Pros
Excellent clarity in stereo or mono modes.
Can record up to 24-bit/96kHz.
Includes various clamps, a windscreen, and a portable case.
The Bottom Line
The Rode i-XY mic clips onto your iOS device and delivers high-quality stereo audio, but its companion app can use some work.
Most of the USB mics we test connect to computers, though some can connect to mobile devices with the aid of a cable.
The Rode i-XY is a stereo mic that connects to iOS devices via the Lightning port.
At $199, it's not cheap, but it's an exceptionally useful tool, particularly for reporters or anyone who wants to capture accurate stereo audio on the go.
For the price, the i-XY delivers excellent clarity, but we find the Rode's app—required for optimal recording quality—to be somewhat frustrating to work with.
Honest, Objective Reviews
Daxdi.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services.
Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
Design
Measuring 1.8 by 2.2 by 1.6 inches (HWD) and weighing 1.4 ounces, the tiny i-XY ships with three sizes of clamps that help keep the mic stable and affixed to your device.
(There's also a small tool included to help you remove the clamps.) Since the mic attaches close to the home button on certain iOS devices, the clamps also include a button topper that allows for easier operation without accidentally dislodging the mic from the Lightning port.
As mentioned, the i-XY is designed for use with iOS devices.
Though compatibility doesn't reach backward forever, it should work with products from the last four years.
The mic utilizes the Lightning connector, and it clips onto the edge of your iPhone or iPad.
In most scenarios, this means you'll almost definitely need to remove any protective case so the connector can reach.
Because one of the obvious uses of this mic is field recording, that might be a hard fact to accept for some users.
And, of course, Apple recently switched the connections on its latest iPad Pro to USB-C, which means you'll need an adapter for the mic to even connect.
As its name suggests, the i-XY utilizes a fixed XY stereo mic pattern to pick up audio.
Dual 0.5-inch condenser capsules are pointed in opposing directions, with their cardioid patterns overlapping in the middle, resulting in a "near-coincident" alignment.
If some of these terms are unfamiliar to you, the basic idea is that two matched mics (in terms of build and specs) can be placed at the same point, facing opposite directions at an angle, and their overlapping patterns will combine to create a stereo image.
There are several methods to creating stereo images, and the XY pattern is common on small portable recording systems because of its fairly compact structure.
Other than the clamps, the mic ships with a very useful windscreen that fits onto both capsules at once, essential for most outdoor operation.
Along with the windscreen, there's a compact hard shell zip-up case with a carabiner attached.
The case houses the mic and all of the aforementioned accessories.
In order to use the mic as intended, you need to download either the paid Rode Rec or the free Rode Rec LE app.
As long as you use it with a Rode app, the i-XY can record up to 24-bit/96kHz audio.
The paid version, which isn't included in the cost of the mix, adds features like MP3 export, direct export to Dropbox, a wider selection of sample rates to choose from, and EQ presets.
The i-XY will work with various other recording apps if you prefer to use something else, but you might not be able to record at the same quality settings.
What's missing? An app that allows for video sync would be nice.
That's an area in which the Sennheiser Memory Mic offers a huge advantage over the i-XY.
If you're a reporter trying to capture video footage and quality audio, the Memory Mic can not only go wireless to get closer to the sound source, it will ensure that all audio and video stay properly synced.
You can make the argument that the mics themselves are fairly evenly matched in terms of quality, but the Memory Mic tops out at 16-bit/44.1kHz, and it's a single capsule omnidirectional mic, not a stereo mic, while the i-XY specs allow for higher sample rates and resolution.
Performance
Let's start with the app.
I tested with the LE version, which crashed when I attempted to select 96kHz.
This forced me to record in 48kHz, which is still high quality, but the not advertised sample rate.
Secondly, connecting headphones that have a built-in mic while using the i-XY is tricky.
You have to make sure the app is choosing the i-XY as the preferred mic when both are connected, or you can end up recording with the inline mic on your headphones.
With headphones connected, there is also notable latency when recording, which will be distracting to many users.
On the positive side, setting mic gain is easy, but there's no great visual to help you know when you're peaking out, which is more or less essential if you're not also monitoring with headphones.
Beyond monitoring mode, the mic records quality audio.
Whether recording foley type sounds, field recordings, or instruments, the audio is crisp and clear, with the capacity to pick up some solid lows and low-mids richness.
In testing, a large marching band drum, from a close distance, was conveyed with solid depth through the i-XY, as were the lower register notes on a piano.
As for the stereo image the i-XY captures, it's not quite as wide as you might guess.
You can certainly tell when something like a car moves from the left to the right ear, but more subtle stereo sound location is not going to be as obvious.
Regardless, the mic is excellent in terms of clarity, and the windscreen does a solid job in moderately windy conditions.
It also acts as an effective pop filter when closely recording someone for an interview.
Generally speaking, i-XY also works well as a vocal mic, but you'll either want to make sure the speaker is positioned directly in the center of the two, or use the mic channels in mono mode—this can be adjusted in the app.
Otherwise, when the vocalist moves from one capsule closer to the other, the audio will travel from ear to ear.
These are pretty much stereo recording basics, but the point is, the stereo aspect of the mic can be defeated and it can record as dual mono mics when desired, or you can even choose to use only one of the two capsules as a single mono mic.
Conclusions
It's almost not fair to compare the Sennheiser Memory Mic with the i-XY—they are actually quite different in how they work and what they offer.
The Rode can be viewed as the higher-quality audio option, and the Sennheiser as the more versatile field tool for reporters or anyone looking to sync audio with video.
The Sennheiser app isn't without its annoyances, too, but generally speaking, it's more graceful than Rode's.
So we give the Rode i-XY high marks as an actual stereo mic, and lower marks for its app.
If you're more interested in a traditional USB mic, consider the Blue Raspberry and the Sennheiser MK 4, both of which can record directly to iOS devices via included USB-to-Lightning cables.
Pros
Excellent clarity in stereo or mono modes.
Can record up to 24-bit/96kHz.
Includes various clamps, a windscreen, and a portable case.
The Bottom Line
The Rode i-XY mic clips onto your iOS device and delivers high-quality stereo audio, but its companion app can use some work.
