Shure

Shure MV88 iOS Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone, Lightning

5.0 (4 reviews)
Condenser

Studio-quality stereo condenser mic that plugs directly into your iPhone's Lightning port for on-the-go recording.

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Overview

The Shure MV88 is a digital stereo condenser microphone that connects directly to an Apple device's Lightning port, replacing the need for a separate field recorder in many mobile recording situations. Its mid-side capsule architecture pairs a cardioid and a bidirectional element to produce a detailed stereo image, with adjustable width that can be narrowed to near-mono for focused voice capture or widened for ambient and musical recording. The 90-degree rotating hinge lets you angle the microphone toward your subject while your iPhone or iPad remains in a natural orientation.

Recording is handled at up to 24-bit/48 kHz through the onboard A/D converter, and the free ShurePlus MOTIV app for iOS unlocks manual control over gain (0 to +36 dB), a five-band EQ, compressor, limiter, and polar pattern selection. Five built-in DSP presets—Speech, Singing, Flat, Acoustic Instrument, and Loud—offer quick starting points for common scenarios. The all-metal housing weighs just 40.5 grams and ships with a foam windshield, a headphone monitor adapter cable, and a zippered carrying bag, making it a self-contained mobile recording kit that fits in a pocket.

Key Features

The Digital Stereo condenser microphone replaces field recorders with the ability to record voice on the go. Features include 5 pre-installed DSP settings, Lightning Connector compatibility and iOS ShurePlus MOTIV app editing.

90 degree adjustable microphone element for highly flexible positioning; 5 pre installed DSP settings - speech, singing, flat, acoustic instrument and loud noise; Mid-sided architecture for clear stereo image; Includes windshield for reliable outdoor performance.

MFi certified for use with Apple devices with Lightning Connector; The exclusive iOS ShurePlus MOTIV app allows manual adjustments to limiter, compressor, five-band EQ, stereo width and polarity pattern as well as recording and editing at 24-bit / 48 kHz.

System Requirements: iOS 7.0 and above: iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus; iPod touch 5th generation; iPad 4th generation, iPad Air, iPad Air 2; iPad Mini 1st generation, iPad Mini 2nd generation, iPad Mini 3. Generation.

What's in the box: Shure MOTIV MV88 Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone for iOS, 1 Foam Windshield; 1 Zipper Carrying Bag; 1 Headphone Monitor Adapter Cable.

Specifications

Brand
Shure
Model
MV88
Transducer Type
Cardioid/Bidirectional Condenser (Mid-Side)
Connector
Lightning (MFi Certified)
Frequency Response
20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
A/D Converter
Up to 24-bit / 48 kHz
Sensitivity
-37 dBFS/Pa at 1 kHz
Maximum SPL
120 dB SPL
Adjustable Gain Range
0 to +36 dB
DSP Presets
Speech, Singing, Flat, Acoustic Instrument, Loud
EQ
5-band
Limiter
Yes
Compressor
Yes (adjustable)
Housing
All-metal
Weight
40.5 g (1.43 oz)
Dimensions
67 x 25 x 35 mm (H x W x D)
Included Accessories
Foam windshield, zippered carrying bag, headphone monitor adapter cable

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Mid-side capsule architecture captures a clear, adjustable stereo image
  • 90-degree rotating element allows flexible positioning without moving your device
  • All-metal construction feels durable and resists everyday wear
  • ShurePlus MOTIV app provides professional-level recording controls at no extra cost
  • Compact and lightweight at just 40.5 grams for true portability

👎 Cons

  • Lightning connector limits use to older Apple devices — not compatible with USB-C iPhones
  • System requirements list only iOS devices up to iPad Mini 3rd generation, so newer device support may vary
  • No built-in headphone jack for real-time monitoring without the included adapter cable
  • Maximum SPL of 120 dB may clip in extremely loud environments

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the MV88 draws power directly from your iOS device through the Lightning connector—no batteries needed.
Yes, the free ShurePlus MOTIV iOS app gives you manual control over a five-band EQ, stereo width, polar pattern, limiter, and compressor.
The microphone includes five presets: Speech, Singing, Flat, Acoustic Instrument, and Loud, which optimize gain and processing for different recording scenarios.
Yes, a foam windshield is included in the box to reduce wind noise during outdoor recording.
Yes, the microphone element rotates up to 90 degrees, allowing you to aim it toward your sound source while your device stays in a comfortable position.