How I get an XLR microphone onto an iPhone: the adapter chain, the cables and the clamps and magnetic mounts that hold it all together. There is no phantom power in this chain, so use a microphone that runs on its own battery, like the MKE 600.
The heart of the chain: it takes the XLR output of a proper microphone and turns it into a balanced 3.5mm TRS signal the phone can actually use.
RØDE VXLR Pro Balanced 3.5mm TRS to XLR Adaptor
The iPhone expects TRRS, not TRS. This coiled cable does the conversion and stays out of the way instead of dangling.
3.5mm TRS to TRRS Mic Cable, Ancable Coiled
A simple gender changer, but without it you end up with two male ends and nothing to plug into.
deleyCON Female to Female 3-Pin XLR Adapter
Clamps the whole adapter chain onto a rig bar or a stand, so no adapter hangs off the microphone cable.
Manfrotto Nano Clamp 13mm-35mm with 3/8inch & 1/4inch Receiver
Cheap little screws that connect everything to everything. Worth keeping a few spares in the bag.
1/4"-20 Tripod Screw Adapter, 5Pcs
Snaps the iPhone onto any ¼" thread with MagSafe, so the phone comes off in a second between takes.
NEEWER Magnetic Phone Tripod Mount Adapter
The cage for when one mounting point is not enough: microphone on top, light on the side, all held magnetically.
RØDE Phone Cage Magnetic Mobile Filmmaking
Get the Apple one here. Third-party adapters are the usual suspect when the audio drops out.
Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter
Tape down every plug in this chain. One tug on a cable and the sound is gone without you noticing.
Amazon Basics Electrical Adhesive Tape, 3/4" x 60', Black, 6-Pack
A proper shotgun for the front of this chain. It runs on a single AA battery, so you do not depend on phantom power that the phone cannot deliver.
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Mic Kit w/ Accessories
The short one, about a metre, for when the microphone sits right next to the phone on the rig.
Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR M-F 3ft
Two metres is the everyday length: enough to hand the microphone over without a loop of cable on the floor.
Cable Matters 2-Pack Premium XLR M-F 6ft
Three metres for interviews where the stand sits off to the side and the phone stays on the tripod.
Monoprice XLR Male to Female Cable 10ft
The long pair, around eight metres, for when the camera stays put and the person talks from across the room.
