Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

The camera and audio modules that mobiles are equipped with have greatly evolved in terms of quality. Now, thanks to them, phones, tablets and others have become efficient work tools . The only problem is the audio quality which does not yet meet expectations.

Fortunately, solutions exist to compensate for this. It is possible to equip a mobile with an external microphone . Among the most popular microphone models today are those from Shure, including the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone.

Compatible with iOS and Android, this USB microphone supports classic Mid-Side stereo recording technique. It is equipped with two capsules , one cardioid and one bidirectional . This model has attracted many podcast fans, journalists, YouTubers, etc., but is it made for you? Will it meet your expectations? To help you answer these questions, we tested it and provide a complete review in the following lines.

Introducing the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

The Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic is a versatile condenser microphone designed for recording on iOS and Android mobile devices, but it is also possible to connect it to a PC or Mac. It is equipped with a cardioid capsule for sound pickups at the front and a bidirectional capsule for sound pickups on the left and right sides. The mic provides adjustable stereo sound using the ShurePlus Motiv .

For mobile devices, the MV88+ Stereo USB Mic connects using a Lightning connector or USB-C port. The directivity of this model is adjustable using the ShurePlus Motiv application (audio or video). Other settings (gain, stereo width, etc.) are also possible via the app. The Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone comes with the basic accessories needed for recording. It is easy to carry, use and configure.

Product overview Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

When you receive the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic, you get packaging presenting the model on a white background. The box then includes all the basic information, such as the brand logo, trade name, content details, as well as a studio headphone adapter cable , etc.

When you open the box, you have a soft carrying case with zip closure. Then there is the microphone made of quality metal. It is light ( 79g ) and compact ( 27 x 27 x 77 mm ). The black color of the microphone is discreet and elegant.

The box also contains a foam windscreen , a 5/8 inch thread pitch adapter, a 5/8 inch to 3/8 thread pitch adapter, a USB Micro-B to USB-C (3 m) and a USB-B to USB-A cable (3 m).

Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone: compatibility

Thanks to the Lightning connector , the Shure MV88+ is compatible with operating systems iOS 14 and above as well as iPhone 11 and above. The Shure MV88+ is also compatible with Android operating systems 11.0 and above. The USB power supply of the host must be greater than or equal to 100mA.

For PC, the microphone only works on Windows 10 64-bit operating system with 2 GB RAM and 500 MB hard drive space at minimum. You can also use the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone on a MacOS 10.13 to 10.15 (64-bit) with at least 500 MB of hard drive space and 2 GB of RAM.

Assembling the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

Assembling the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone is easy. You can attach it directly to a microphone stand and place it on a flat table to start an interview or a podcast for example. You can attach it to a phone holder. It is also possible to attach this USB microphone directly to a tripod.

Then plug in your Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone using the cables provided depending on your mobile's operating system. Once you've finished editing, see if the microphone is ready to record.

To do this, rotate the body of the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic so stereo recordings can be accurate. Point the microphone towards the sound source to be recorded . If you want to record landscape , make sure the L and R indicators are on the right and left. If you want portrait recording , rotate the body of the Shure MV88+ Stereo Mic to make it vertical .

As for the working status, the brand has equipped this microphone with an LED indicator. It turns green when everything is going well. Yellow color indicates an error. When the yellow LED flashes, there is an update. The LED turns red if the audio is muted and flashing red if the audio is clipped.

The Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone and the ShurePlus Motiv app

As soon as the mic is plugged into a mobile device, it is ready to record. Its cardioid and bidirectional capsule allows sound to be captured in front, but also to the sides. So it's a versatile microphone , but you can make it even better by downloading and installing the ShurePlus Motiv app.

This application has many features including landscape or portrait recording options, basic sound processing , 5-band equalizer , bit depth and sample rate options, etc. The app supports Bluetooth, AirPlay and Dropbox.

Using this app with the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic, you will be able to optimize gain , stereo width , EQ and compression . You can also make custom presets, choose directionality, record a 2-channel signal via the Raw Mid-Side setting, use a high-pass filter to cut low frequencies at 75 Hz or attenuate them at 150 Hz , and much more. more besides.

If the ShurePlus Motiv application is installed on the mobile, the microphone automatically recognizes it. After adjusting the settings via this app, the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic stores the data. Even after you restart your phone and unplug the microphone, the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic remembers the latest settings and applies them as soon as it is plugged in.

To prevent recordings from being interrupted by phone calls, messages, or notifications, place your mobile device in Airplane or Do Not Disturb mode. Then test the settings you have chosen by doing a test recording.

If necessary, adjust the settings from the application. For information, when recording begins, you will only be able to adjust the gain. For other settings, you must either stop the recording or wait for it to finish. To start recording with the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic, you simply press the Record button.

You can also plug the microphone directly into your PC or Mac . You don't need any specific drivers to record a sound source with this Shure microphone. On PC and MAC, it is also possible to adjust the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic directly from the computer via the software.

However, the microphone saves the last settings made. You can therefore configure it on a mobile via the ShurePlus Motiv application so that it can memorize the settings you need and use it later on your computer.

Zoom on the sound quality of the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

The Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone presents itself as the solution to the sound quality problem of phone camera modules. First of all, it is a cardioid and bidirectional microphone . Its frequency response ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz . These data prove that this model from the Shure brand is perfectly able to compete with models from competing brands such as those from Neumann (TLM 49 , M149, or even the U67) or even Rode. Additionally, the Shure MV88+ can withstand sound pressure of up to 120 dB .

For vocal recordings, the microphone correctly transcribes the source with very low background noise , but also a slight tendency to saturation. It's a bit sensitive and isn't really suitable for vocals except after extensive adjustments with the ShurePlus Motiv app. In any case, for Youtube videos, podcasts or even interviews, the microphone does the job and provides quality sound.

Concerning the highs, the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic reproduces them perfectly, the same goes for the mids and bass. This model therefore provides a rich and natural sound , comparable to microphones like the Blue Yeti for example. Whether indoors or outdoors, this Shure microphone perfectly meets the expectations of users looking for professional sounds .

Coupled with the ShurePlus Motiv application, the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone further improves sound reproduction . By adjusting the stereo width, for example, we obtain variable capture from 60 to 135° depending on the level chosen. By also lowering the gain by 2 dB for example, we can obtain a clear improvement in production.

The technical characteristics of the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

• MFi approved: Yes
• Digital processing resource modes (preset): Speech / Singing / Acoustic / Powerful / Smooth
• Transducer type: Cardioid (10 mms)/ Bidirectional electrostatic capsule (10 mms)
• Directivity curve: Stereo with adjustable width / Mono Bidirectional / Mono Cardioid /
• Stereo principle: Mid-Side
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
• Adjustable gain range: 0 to +36 dB
• Sensitivity: -37 dB FS/Pa at 1 kHz
• Maximum SPL: 120 dB SPL
• Clipper: Yes
• Compressor: Yes
• Equalizer: 5 bands
• Power: Powered by USB or Lightning
• Housing: All metal
• Net weight without windshield: 79 g
• Net weight with windscreen: 81.5 g
• Dimensions without windscreen: 27 x 27 x 77 mm
• Dimensions with windscreen: 44 x 44 x 93 mm

Our microphone review on the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

The only negative point that we can criticize about the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone is its tendency to saturation. Other than that, it's a good microphone for mobile. It is versatile, practical, easy to use and transport.

Its cardioid, bidirectional capsule makes it easy to record sound from the front and sides. It is versatile and suitable for both podcasts, YouTube videos, interviews, etc. Its wide compatibility (iOS, Android, PC and Mac) makes it even more practical.

On the sound side, it manages to satisfy expectations with a wide frequency response and a high SPL. Its windscreen also eliminates unwanted noise. Paired with the ShurePlus Motiv app, the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic provides even more professional, rich and natural sound.

In terms of design and ergonomics, this microphone is discreet, elegant and easy to transport. It is small, light, plus it comes with a case with zip closure. Despite its size, it is sturdy. The quality metal build makes this model a durable USB microphone.

Alternative to the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

If you are looking for a and ready-to-use microphone It comes with a tripod, phone holder, etc. As for competitors, there are many alternatives in terms of mobile microphones, but they are a little expensive.

For example, if you are looking for a microphone that is compatible with many recording applications and offers professional sound recording, the Rode VideoMic Me-L might interest you. This model with cardioid polar pattern is, however, more expensive.

The Zoom iQ6 is also an alternative to the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Mic. The sound provided by this mobile microphone is professional, in addition, it is also compatible with several audio and video recording applications , but as with the Rode VideoMic Me-L, it is a little expensive.

Demo Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone

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