It's no secret that the built-in mic on most smart devices is a little lacking. The issues here are multiple: the mic is omni-directional, the components are tiny, and the specs required for average use are pretty low. The good news is that these factors are easily fixed with a decent third-party microphone.
For those wanting to rock the 'reportage' look, a handheld microphone is perfect for capturing your voice, or that on an interviewee. These mics do a good job of rejecting background noise, and positioning is as simple as putting it in front of your sound source. It will have to be right in front, however, as handheld mics aren't designed to capture sounds more than a few feet away.
That role is filled by shotgun microphones. These devices can pick up sounds in a tight area from a considerable distance. This makes them the most versatile microphone in the mobile streamer's arsenal. They also usually sit directly on your phone, so they conveniently point at whatever you're shooting. They are highly sensitive, but most come with a shockmount to prevent unwanted handling noise.
Lavalier microphones, AKA lapel mics, clip on to your shirt, collar, or whatever other fabric you have around your neck. They're perfect for streaming hands-free, and are especially useful on-the-move as they allow you to hold your camera/tripod while still being able to gesticulate or handle props.
Positioning is a little trickier with a lav mic as head movement will change the distance between your mouth and the diaphragm. This can leading to inconsistent volume levels.
Headset microphones solve this problem by firmly attaching themselves to your head and extending an flexible boom arm towards your mouth. The main downside of a headset mic is it can be distracting for your audience. Another consideration for both headset and lavalier microphones is that you'll need more than one if you plan on mic-ing up other people.
Wireless microphones make you truly mobile by cutting the cord entirely. There are wireless solutions for every type of microphone, from adaptor kits for handheld and shotgun mics, to bodypacks bundled with lavaliers and headsets. Talk to our pro audio experts to learn more about the ins and outs of wireless audio capture for your mobile streaming setup.
Lastly, shields are cheap and cheerful covers that protect the sensitive elements in your microphones from unwanted noise. There are two main types here. Pop filters are foam covers which prevent volume spikes from bursts of air with sounds such as P and B. Many microphones come bundled with these or have them built in. Windshields, AKA dead cats or windjammers, are faux-fur socks that slip over shotgun mics to prevent the highly-sensitive elements from picking up turbulence as air rushes over the enclosure.