Troubleshooting External Microphone for iPhone

This is not an Egypt post, but a tech post. This is to save the sanity of all who have had this problem, and it is A LOT of people.

I spent nearly a year trying to figure out how to get my external lavalier microphone to work with my iPhone 11 so I could use it to film Ancient Lives on the Nile. Like almost everyone else in the world, I couldn't get it to work. I was gifted a GoPro Hero 9 for my graduation and I was elated that I would finally be able to film with decent sound.

However, if you have seen the videos, you have seen that the GoPro sucks when using indoors, coupled with the fact that I need to take a course to figure out exactly how to use it. The crappy sound couldn't be helped because I needed to use a fan since e were experiencing a heat wave both times.

Therefore, I desperately began seeking some way to get my microphone to work on my iPhone because its picture quality just far outdoes the GoPro. After an eternity of googling, I learned the magic letters TRS and TRRS and I fixed the problem. I wrote up this post in case others who are seeking wisdom might come upon this and solve their problem, too. Sharing is caring, and I hope this will help.

First, watch this video by Robi Tanyag, who is a genius and an angel

Key terms: iPhone needs a 3.5mm adapter. Now, he states that the iPhone brand one doesn't work, but in my case I was able to get it to work -- I use a different type and brand of microphone. However, if you want the Opso brand adapter from this video, you can get it from Amazon for $15.30 before tax (at the date of this post).

The 3.5mm adapter only works as a "line in", allowing only headphone types of hardware. This is where TRS and TRRS come in. Microphones made for phones generally are TRS cables -- this means there are two threads/rings on the plug-in part. In order for iPhone to work as an output, it requires a TRRS, which is three threads/rings. In the video, Robi states that only the Opso brand cable adapter works for microphones that have TRRS. So if that's your microphone, no need to read further. His fix should work.

However, I have MOVO brand lavalier mics that have only a TRS connection. So right away I was dismayed yet again. Then, like a miracle, I discovered there is also an adapter for this! There is such a thing as a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS adapter, also made by MOVO (helpful!), which I purchased at $9.95 pre-tax.

Admittedly, I was not confident it would work, but it did! I plugged my mic receiver into the TRRS adapter, and then plugged that into the iPhone 3.5mm adapter, and at last! My iPhone accepts external microphones. My next video will be via my iPhone -- and! I finally got a teleprompter yay!

Best of luck, and I hope it works for you!

Partnership announcement

I am pleased to announce that I am now a partner of Save Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA), joining other partners who are all advertised on Port Ancient. Port Ancient brings together several content creators who focus on the ancient world. Content includes YouTube videos, podcasts, Twitch streams, and databases, all with the aim to improve education in ancient studies for mainstream audiences and for people who would like to enter academic fields in the study of the ancient world.

With SASA, I have been able to co-lead a summer reading group of ancient Egyptian literature in translation, as well as assist in the creation of learning modules for middle school teachers which incorporates archaeogaming as a learning tool. It's a real privilege to be involved in SASA's exciting ventures in digital scholarship.

Be sure to register for their upcoming virtual conference, "Opening the Ancient World", a collaborative event with Digital Hammurabi, that showcases the excellent work of scholars, both independent and institutionally affiliated. Register here.

Premiere of Ancient Lives on the Nile

I have finally completed the first episode of Ancient Lives on the Nile, Egyptianizing and Othering. I've set it up as a premiere if you want to live chat with fellow viewers and enthusiasts. Please see the information below.

JULY 9 at 5:00pm EDT - YouTube Premiere

Episode 1 of Ancient Lives on the Nile

EGYPTIANIZING and OTHERING

Follow this link to the watch page:

https://youtu.be/XCDuCyQ5Jk4

This trailer will play on loop until 2 minutes before the video, when there will be a 2-minute countdown and then the video shall start! You can chat live with fellow viewers. If you miss the premiere, that's ok. The video remains on YouTube just like any other video. You can set a reminder on this video BUT if you prefer something more reliable to remind you via email, I made an eventbrite ticket for you. You can get your "ticket" here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ancient-lives-on-the-nile-egyptianizing-and-othering-tickets-161407093963

Note: it is NOT required to get the ticket...it's only there to remind you of the event.

Ancient Lives on the Nile is a series of 30-minute thematic videos about ancient Egypt. Inspired by television documentary formats, specifically Mysteries of the Bible from the 1990s, this series incorporates narrations, interviews, and readings from ancient sources (in translation). This series aims to interest the general public and scholars alike, as well as to grow and include interviews with other scholars for well-rounded perspectives concerning ancient Egypt. Furthermore, the series intends to present ancient Egyptian personhood, focusing on interpersonal relationships and the Egyptian voice.

Find a list of further reading here.