awful concert audio

[mediaseth]

I ditched iPhone and I'm 98% glad I did. The 2% is that the audio for concert recording is much worse. My old phone would automagically handle the loud levels and audio would come out reasonably clear. The S5 sounds like a limiter working way too hard and 10 wool blankets over the mic. I'm disappointed and hope that it can be fixed in firmware/updates..

Anyone else have this issue?

 

[OJsakila]

I ditched iPhone and I'm 98% glad I did. The 2% is that the audio for concert recording is much worse. My old phone would automagically handle the loud levels and audio would come out reasonably clear. The S5 sounds like a limiter working way too hard and 10 wool blankets over the mic. I'm disappointed and hope that it can be fixed in firmware/updates..

Anyone else have this issue?

Try recording with a mic plugged in. (Headphones w mic attached work great

 

[mediaseth]

Thanks. I'll try it - though I would think different earbud mics would have different results. Which ones did you use?

I would also expect a top end phone to have a top end phone mic or audio processing. Maybe when it's been out for a while, they'll address it.

 

[Rev2010]

I would also expect a top end phone to have a top end phone mic or audio processing. Maybe when it's been out for a while, they'll address it.

Top end phone mic? You're trying to record a concert, they are loud as hell, I personally wouldn't expect a phone to give me awesome sound quality in such an environment. That said, what are you recording it through? I'm a musician and I use RecForge on my phone for musical note taking. It also has automatic gain control and you can also turn it off to set gain manually. Maybe give that app a shot, it's free.

Rev.

 

[mediaseth]

I never would have expected great quality from a phone, either, but the iPhone pulled off much better quality without having to fiddle with anything or use a special app. I figured Samsung would keep up, if not surpass the iPhone on that, but I was wrong.

I'll try RecForce, though. It looks like it's the right answer for me. I dont' want wires dangling from my phone and I don't like earbuds attached, as the other person suggested.

Thanks!

 

[AZgl1500]

I "used to be" a horn player in the high school band. does that count?

That said, I would never attempt to use my phone as the recording device for a concert unless an external quality mic and leveling control is provided.

I have a couple of digital pocket recorders that I have used in meetings. The quality on those is not good at all. Just barely acceptable for use as a legal log of what went on.

 

[mediaseth]

But I think you misunderstand. I have a Zoom H2 for somewhat reasonable sound, plus mixers and PA equipment. I'm not going to drag my mics, racks of gear and bins of xlr's to a concert I'm going for fun. The point I'm trying to make is that my iPhone, though not the last word in sound quality by any means, did a far better job of capturing concert level sound than the Galaxy S5, and we're comparing it with a couple generations old iPhone 4s! That's why I used the word, "automagically" in my first post, because I don't know what sort of compressor/limiter/processing is going on in that phone for it to work as well as it does.

When I shoot with my dSLR, I have a Tascam recorder than has all the ins and outs and settings I'll ever need. When I'm seeing The Feelies at the Sinclair, I just want to hold my phone and grab a few clips for my wife, who couldn't make it, without it sounding like crap. My iPhone didn't sound like crap nearly as much at those SPL's and it didn't muffle the high's.

It's clear, that since I like this phone very much otherwise, that I'm going to have to compromise with some sort of tacky add-on phone mic. I'll ask a buddy who uses his android (an HTC) to EQ rooms with a calibration mic.

 

[Calla lily]

Did you come up with any way to get better sound recording out of the phone. I'm not expecting a miracle, it is a concert and a phone after all, but I'm pretty disappointed. I think we should be able to get better out of this phone. My old phone (much cheaper Samsung Galaxy Reverb from Virgin moble) sounded better. Here are 2 examples. The Filter video is with the s5 and The Cult was shot with my old phone. Same venue, similar stage distance. I guess I can't post links yet, so put the youtube.com in front if you want to see.
/watch?v=Qf1t0FBtaPo&list=UUUaqzXWn0z98w0nkX1IjY9A
/watch?v=fhPhBRtRtvo&list=UUUaqzXWn0z98w0nkX1IjY9A

 

[Calla lily]

I came across what they call BootlegMIC (you'll have to google it as I can't yet post links). Sounds like a possible workable solution (for my use of recording a few songs at concerts for fun). My husband got all the parts (except for the jack) locally for $2 and we'll reuse a jack from a set of earbuds (with mic), and is building one for me today (they also sell a kit). I'll be going to a couple concerts this weekend so will report back. It sounds like a better plan than using earbuds and trying to manage wires that could get pulled or snagged in a crowd while also trying to hold this giant phone steady, although I may bring a pair also to try. I'll be way back in the lawn for the first show so sound won't be as much as an issue as the second, where I'm in the 7th row.

 

[Jake9768]

Sad to see Samsung hasn't done anything about their crappy audio recording. My S3's audio recording is complete and utter crap. IPhone's are great at it. There have been good things said about the G3's audio recording. Next time you come around to upgrading your phone, check out the other droid options if the audio recording is a big deal to you. I am getting a G3 tomorrow over an S5 for a myriad of reasons, this being one.

youtube.com/watch?v=_8wCq6Me5ew <-- recorded with a G3.

 

[dhsc19]

I'm so glad I came across this thread. I've spent almost $100 on several external mics and attenuators and adapter cables no to avail. The bootlegMIC was the solution I was looking for. Now, I have stuff I need to sell. LOL!

 

[webvan]

Too bad the bootlegMIC doesn't seem to be available for sale assembled for soldering challenged concert fans.

It's surprising no company has gone after that market too. Amazon or AliExpress list some small mics like that but none are for loud music according to the reviews.