Finally, there is a wireless microphone system that is designed to use with a smartphone. The Samson Go Mic Mobile is a 2 channel digital wireless system, that means you can connect two microphones at the same time. You can connect the receiver to your phone (or other device) via Lightning, USB (micro or C), or 3.5 mm audio jack. It uses 2.4 GHz wifi as a connection between microphone(s) and receiver. It’s easy to mount to your phone.

All this sounds so great, doesn’t it? So I tried the Go Mic Mobile for about a week. Watch the video to see what I found out.

For some audio examples of the lavalier mic in action, watch this report by Wytse Vellinga. To see (and listen to) the handheld microphone in action: the interviews in this report are done with it, and this interview is also recorded with the wireless handheld microphone.

Pros:

  • It’s the first wireless system that’s made to use with a phone. Whoohoo!
  • The handheld microphone is not the best in the world, but it perfectly fine for most situations. But please, use a windshield. 
  • If you use it with a gimbal that doesn’t block the Lightning port (like the Steadicam Volt or Snoppa M1) you finally can have handsfree audio, even when using a phone without a headphone jack. So in many cases, you don’t need a tripod anymore. And it’s ideally for live streams.
  • It’s a two channel receiver, so you can connect two microphones simultaneously. And you can choose to mix the signal or pan it left and right (so you can use it as dual channel audio on your phone, yay!).
  • It works with iPhone (via Lightning cable) Android devices (via included Micro USB or USB-C cable, when using an app that supports USB audio), and also via any device via 3.5 mm headphone jack.
  • Pairing is very easy. Just hold the buttons and you’re good to go.
  • Various mounting options are included.

Cons:

  • You can monitor the audio output via the 3.5 mm headphone jack on the receiver. But this only works for the microphone audio, not for audio that comes out of the iPhone. So if you recorded something and want to playback on your headphones, you have to plugin the headphones into your phone (when using a phone without a headphone jack that means unplugging the receiver’s Lightning cable). Also if you want to use the Go Mic Mobile at a live broadcast, you can’t use the 3.5 mm jack on the receiver to communicate with the studio.
  • To change the receiver mount, you have to unscrew two tiny screws with a small screwdriver. Those screws are not that durable, so it’s wise to buy some spare ones at a hardware store or online.
  • To get the Lightning port on the receiver at the same side as the phone, you have to mount the receiver upside down.
  • The handheld microphone has a lot of handling noise. So you really shouldn’t move your hand during recording. Also, there is some rumbling sound when you quickly move the microphone, for example between question and answer during an interview.
  • The standard gain level of the handheld microphone is too high. I had to lower the gain inside the microphone (there’s a knob near the battery compartment, including a screwdriver) to avoid distortion.
  • The range is not great, especially when there are concrete walls in between the microphone and receiver. Inside, I wouldn’t risk going more than 5 meters away.

Pricing:

  • Receiver + handheld microphone transmitter: 249,99 euro/USD
  • Receiver + lavalier microphone transmitter: 249,99 euro/USD
  • Extra handheld or lavalier microphone transmitter: 99,99 euro/USD

The receiver + transmitter sets start getting in stock in some places. The separate microphones are still hard to find.

If you have any questions or comments about the Samson Go Mic Mobile or this review, please leave them in the comment section below or send a tweet to @mobilejourna.