Has anyone found a decent external mike for those devices? And what app seems to work best for the actual recording function?
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An easy upgrade would be plug-and-play smartphone mic like these:
https://www.shure.com/en-ASIA/go/motiv-mic/en/overview/
There are also choices of better mic which connect to your smartphone by appropriate audio interface or mixer. Some are sold in package like this:
https://www.musicshop.sg/product/live-streaming-bundle-with-focusrite-2i2-gen-3-audio-interface-and-audio-technica-at2020-w-floor-mic-stand/
People say, it's 80% about your recording environment and 20% about your mic and iPhone mic can be quite decent or you have a acoustically decent room or inside your wardrobe (proven in the youtube community). And the app really doesn't matter in your situation.
As a former music recording engineer in studios in Chicago and L.A., mic placement and room placement will make a HUGE difference. For example, the reason why you hear so much bow noise in Heifetz recordings (Itzahk calls this his zzzht sound) is because he liked a very close mic placement. Invest in a floor mic stand with a boom arm so you can experiment with mic placement.
To get a good setup, try talking to the mic while moving around the mic to narrate what position you are playing from. Start at about 3 feet up from your violin at about 45 degrees from the violin facing squarely at the top/bridge/bow.
For room placement, try the mic in different places around the room. You will find different reflections at the microphone can make a huge difference.
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