Recording vocals using iPad/iPhone built-in mic

[mdarby]

The built-in mic is quite convenient for recording vocal parts when on the go (especially sitting in my car on errands).

I do find that vocal parts recorded this way seem quiet relative to other material, e.g. tracks brought in from other apps using ACP. This is after recording with the device fairly close to my mouth.

Do I need to adjust the recording level from 0 dB when putting down vocal tracks using the iPad/iPhone mics?

Thanks for any advice.

[Rim]

Yes, I recommend adding some gain using the record level control when using the built-in mic. To get the proper level, sing a part, and adjust the control so your meter is a few dB under 0 during the loudest parts.

Rim

[mdarby]

Thanks, Rim.

[Erik dP]

I made this track singing through the internal Ipad mic. The reason was that the room I use for singing was busy. I sat on a bed with the Ipad on a pillow holding a coathanger with a nylon fabric as a popfilter in my hand.
I used narrow filtering with Pro DS (de-esser plugin) and Pro Q (eq plugin) to get rid of some loud s-sounds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDkQsR2MI0U

...and here is a comparison with my voice and a Röde NT2a condenser mic through a Apogee One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsXRedPpUjI