MONITOR AUDIO LIVE with BOYA BY-MM1 Pro/Plus
The BOYA BY-MM1 Pro and the BY-MM1 Plus has a headphone output, but you can only check the audio during playback.
After doing a lot of research and tests I finally found a way to monitor audio with the BOYA BY-MM1 Pro, Plus or basically any other microphone... while recording. That’s right! There is a way to monitor audio live when you’re recording video on your smartphone. Let's dive right in!
Protake
Let’s start with the cheapest way and that is by using this free app called Protake.
Protake app UI
The app gives you the ability to monitor your audio levels. You can’t listen to the audio live, but unlike the normal camera app you can monitor and adjust the audio levels. The setup is pretty simple. You open the app, tap on the audio levels and then tap on microphone. If your iPhone has a lightning port you need a lightning to 3,5mm jack adapter. When the microphone is not plugged in, it only shows Phone, but when I plug the BOYA-MM1 Pro the word External turns on. So, it’s recognizing that an external microphone is plugged in.
Protake microphone settings
Protake microphone settings (external mic plugged in)
If you want to adjust the audio levels select Level, turn off auto gain and then adjust the level to your preference.
FilMic Pro
Another app that you can use to monitor the audio is Filmic Pro. Unlike Protake, Filmic Pro is not free. It costs 16,99 euro at the time of making this video. However, it gives you the possibility to monitor your audio by listening to it. Besides the app there are other things that you also need. You need a splitter that splits into a microphone and a headphone port. Make sure the end that goes into your phone is TRRS, so two rings! This one is from UGREEN, it's quality is good and it's very affordable. For iPhones with a lightning port you also need the lightning to 3.5mm jack adapter.
FilMic Pro UI
You plug your headphone in the headphone port and the microphone into the microphone port. Make sure you use a TRS cable, otherwise Filmic Pro won’t recognize the microphone. For the BY-MM1 Pro you switch the device from phone to camera. When you open the FilMic Pro app it should look like the photo above. If your app doesn’t look like this you need to turn the orientation lock off. Go to settings, audio and choose the external microphone (Headset Microphone).
Filmic Pro microphone settings
Filmic Pro microphone settings (external microphone)
You don’t need to change the audio format unless you’re going to edit in Premiere Pro. Filmic Pro recommends using AAC as audio format, as Premiere has bugs associated with AIFF and PCM audio.
If you want to adjust the audio levels you can drag the white line below the timecode left or right.
And that’s how you can monitor your audio live and adjust your levels with Filmic Pro.
I hope you found this blog helpful. If you did, let me know by leaving a comment! I also have a YouTube channel. Be sure to check it out!
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