Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone - Condenser Microphone for Streaming and Recording Vocals & Instruments, Mac & Windows Compatible, Real-Time Headphone Monitoring Output, Travel Friendly - Black

Very nice! Reliable, but the Amazon version has to be upgraded to the latest software or you cannot access anything from an app. That’s a pain when I work entirely from an iPad or iPhone, were these updates cannot take place, must be on a regular computer. That is inconvenient to ask someone else for help with a computer….

I am an amateur instrumentalist. After researching for quite some time, I settled in the BlueYeti. It took me 6 months to know that the Yeti was not my microphone. Now, after 2 months of use, I am glad to have made the change to the Shure MV88+. Physically the MV88+ is 1/4 the size of the Yeti. It comes with a storage case and cable that can easily fit into a backpack, large instrument case, or gig bag. The sound quality is amazing. I set up both the Yeti and MV88 to compare recordings. I am not a professional at all but the difference was noticeable. There was a lot of background noise on the Yeti which the MV88 sounded clear and sharp. My dad would often tell me that you get what you pay for. This is a great example of that. The Yeti is a nice Mic with amazing reviews. The MV88+ costs more. Yet, I am so happy with what I bought in terms of size, portability, and audio quality.

I chose this mic specifically for shooting video on an iPad. There are no other options out there for a high quality, landscape stereo oriented microphone for iPads or iPhone. What they don’t tell you in the description is that this mic must be used with Shure’s video app and that app does not run alongside Apple’s native camera app. That means you can only use Shure’s app camera and it’s a clunker. No zoom. No slo-mo. You can tap two choices: wide and ultra wide. That’s it. With a bit of a delay before your choice registers. Worse than that, the app does not forward your video to the camera roll. It stays in the Shure app “gallery”. That means it is not accessible to iMovie. So editing is out. The mic itself might be good, but this type of interface is clunky and useless. You must disconnect the mic or plug in headphones directly to it if you want to hear the audio. I tried out the audio only app and I could not find any setting that was not mono. I just didn’t understand what exactly they were trying to do here. It seemed designed by people who didn’t know much at all about producing video with an iPhone or iPad. I wish there was someone out there that would produce a mic for an iPhone or iPad that was stereo, had an effective windscreen, and would not bring about all the limitations that come with this Shure mic. Part of the problem is Apple, who refuse to acknowledge that their built in mics have major limitations outside where there is wind. What is needed is an OS change that allows for an external mic to just work without an app and that will give excellent results. No such thing exists and this Shure mic is no exception.

Very easy to use. App to control is great. Mic rally improves video sound

I'm not sure if it's the mic or some random update, but LITERALLY in the last week the volume has cut WAYYY down to the point I had to turn my stream volume up to max. This never happened with my cheap little logitech.

Living here in Florida, I’m constantly surrounded by two things: great scenery and a lot of wind. I’ve been looking for a microphone that’s portable enough to toss in a bag for a day at the beach or a walk through the wetlands, but powerful enough that I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing sound quality for convenience. After spending some time with the Shure MV88+ Stereo USB Microphone, I’ve got some thoughts. It’s a specialized piece of gear, and while it isn't perfect, it’s definitely earned a permanent spot in my tech kit. The Build and the "Brain" The first thing you notice is the build. It’s all metal. In an era of plastic everything, this thing feels like it could survive a drop on the pavement. It’s tiny—shorter than my palm—but has a reassuring weight. It’s a condenser mic, which usually means "fragile," but Shure built this for the road. The real magic, though, isn’t just the hardware; it’s the ShurePlus MOTIV app. Think of the app as the mic's brain. Without it, it’s just a good microphone. With it, you can actually change the "shape" of how the mic hears. You can set it to Mono Cardioid if you’re just talking to the camera, or switch to Stereo for a wider soundstage. There’s even a "Mid-Side" mode that lets you adjust the stereo width after you’ve already recorded. For a gear nerd, that’s a massive win. Practical Uses in the Real World I’ve used this in a few different scenarios: Field Recording: I took it out to capture the sound of the surf. By using the "Speech" preset and a wider stereo setting, I got a really immersive sound that didn't feel flat. Music: I tried it for recording an acoustic guitar. It’s incredibly sensitive. You have to be careful with the gain (volume) because it’ll pick up the sound of your fingers sliding on the strings or even a distant AC unit humming in the background. Mobile Journalism: It’s a lifesaver for interviews. Setting it to the "Bidirectional" pattern allows you to capture two people sitting across from each other perfectly. The Good and the Not-So-Good Let’s be honest: no piece of gear is a 10/10. Pros: Insane Portability: It’s small enough to fit in a pocket. Headphone Jack: Having real-time monitoring on the mic itself is huge. No lag. Versatility: It works with my phone (USB-C) and my laptop (Mac/PC) seamlessly. The App: The presets (Speech, Singing, Flat, Loud) actually work and aren't just gimmicks. Cons: The Cables: The included cables are a bit stiff and can be a pain to cable-manage if you’re using a gimbal. Wind Sensitivity: Even with the foam cover, Florida wind can be a beast. If you’re recording outside, you’ll almost certainly need to buy a separate "dead cat" (furry windscreen). Old Port Design: The mic itself uses a Micro-USB port to connect the cables. In 2026, I really wish it was native USB-C on both ends for better durability. Value for Money At around $200, this isn’t a "budget" buy. You can get cheap USB mics for $50, but they won't give you the stereo control or the metal durability this offers. If you’re just doing Zoom calls, this is overkill. But if you’re a creator, musician, or hobbyist who needs professional audio on the go without carrying a massive interface and XLR cables, the value is definitely there. It saves you from buying a separate dedicated field recorder. The Final Verdict If you want one mic that can do a little bit of everything—from podcasting at your desk to recording nature sounds in the wild—this is a solid bet. It’s reliable, the software is top-tier, and the sound is crisp. Just be prepared to baby the gain settings in loud environments.

I few weeks back I acquired this mic, I got the Shure MV7, which appeared very sturdy and high quality built, however the signal I was getting out of it was not strong enough, and at day 2 the Micro USB connector from the mic stopped working and I had to return it. ( dynamic mic) After that I decided to go with this MV88+ which is a stereo mic, condenser and highly portable, and I am significantly pleased with the sound quality, size and weight and portability in general. I have not used it with the iPhone still to record something but I did buy the lightening cable as well and tested it, works he same quality as in a desktop. Please get this mic if you are looking for: Ultra High Sound Quality Portability High Gain/Input due to phantom power. Great for Blogging, Podcasting and YouTube/Social Network Videos

Muy Bueno!