Shure MVi Digital Audio Interface with USB and Lightning Cables

I purchased the MVi to use as an audio interface with my iPad 2017 model that is running Steinberg's excellent Cubasis multi-track recording app. I wanted something that was compact without needing external power to operate, and the MVi fits the bill perfectly.The audio quality is excellent and there is plenty of gain for most any mic, including a +20db boost for an SM7B or a ribbon mic. It also has switchable phantom power that supplies 12v from an iOS device, or 48v on usb power. I found that the 12v phantom power had no problem powering the Shure SM86, Beta87A, and AKG C1000S hand held small diaphragm condenser mics. It also easily powered a Shure KSM32 and an AKG C214 large diaphragm condenser on 12v phantom, but my Audio Technica AT4050 was noisy with low gain, so full 48v phantom power would be needed in that case. I was also able to play my guitars with no noticeable latency through the Amplitube app.I have always been a fan of Shure products because they are well engineered, built to high quality standards and generally just get the job done. If you need an easy to use, quality interface for your iPad, look no further!

As someone who works as an audio engineer, I have consistently found Shure products to be one of the most durable and highest quality of audio products out there and the MVi continues the tradition. Easy to connect... easy to operate... quality of sound is decent when you consider the application of the intended interface. Just make sure that you realize this does not work on any IPad that has the 30 pin connection ... only the "Lightning" connector. It also works great for our PC computers with USB 2.0 or higher ports. The chassis of this unit is built like a small tank... it is sturdy and quite heavy for it's size... that is not a complaint... only validates the ruggedness of the chassis. Don't think you can go wrong with this unit if you buy it for the use in which it is intended.

This little interface is great and suits my home recording needs perfectly. The front panel is completely digital with no physical buttons. It's heavier than it looks and feels solidly constructed.I bought a Behringer interface that was half the price and crapped out after a month. I have much greater faith and get better sound quality from this digital model. My only complaints are that there are only 7 volume levels and the headphone jack is only 3.5mm with no 6.35mm option. I had to buy an adapter for my studio headphones.

I have a drawstring bag in which I keep this unit and an AmazonBasics dynamic microphone. That, a desktop microphone stand, and my iPhone make for my grab-and-go recording kit. The presets are handy (vocal preset brings in compression), and the MOTIV app is intuitive and easy to use. Works well on a desktop PC too. The unit is made heavy, presumably by its thick metal enclosure. This is nice, as it keeps it from being pulled off your desk by the microphone cable, but that same weight is kind of a drawback when, like me, you want it more for a grab-and-go kit. Overall though, I am happy with my purchase.

This works great! I actually have two now because I liked it so much. One for me and one for my wife. We record in different rooms. I do use a Cloudlifter with mine and need to get another for my wife, but this really is quite a nice machine. Especially when it’s on sale. I do wish there was an option to have multiple lines in though.

Pros: Easy to use and setup.Free video app with input level meter.Cons: Cord from unit to iphone could be longer.This thing changed everything when it came to the video recordings I was doing on my iphone. Super easy to use, just plug it into your iphone with the provides cord. Choose your type of import (voice, instrument, etc). You can use whatever setting you like but I did find the voice setting was better then the flat setting in my usage. You can have a headset plugged in so you can monitor the vocals as you record or for playback. It has phantom power for mics if needed, and you don't need an extra power source, it uses he power from the iphone. BEST PART - it comes with an app you can download to use to film! This is important for one major thing. IT SHOWS VOLUME INPUT LEVELS SO YOU CAN SEE IF YOU'RE PEAKING! What this means is you can see if you're in the sweet spot of volume impute so you don't get crackles, breaks, or crapy sound. You can also see if your volume is too quiet. Now, I still use the iphone photo app for videos do to the auto focus facial tracking and the fact I can start and stop it with my apple watch, but I first check the sound levels in the Sure app and then go to apples photo/video app to film. The sound quality difference is amazing since using this little device with my head worn mic or shotgun mic. It has made setup a breeze! Plus it gives me the confidence that my recordings are good. I'm telling you, it changes everything for the better. Also, It's nice that I can keep my headphones plugged into the unit and get no feedback loop like I have gotten using other similar units or "y" splitter cords with a mic input. If you do a lot of instructional or Youtube videos, this thing is great to have.