High quality field recorders are fairly inexpensive these days but sometimes you just don’t want to carry around another piece of gear. On the other hand, it’s not easy to get the best audio audio quality with your iPhone. That’s where the CEntrance MixerFace mobile recording interface comes in.
The MixerFace is an outboard stereo preamp that provides 192kHz/24 bit recording directly into your iPhone or iPad, and also provides a USB connector for your laptop or Android device as well. The unit has a form factor that allows it to sit right under an iPhone, making it an easy to strap it to the device so there’s only a single package.
The inputs use Neutrik combo jacks that can accept either XLR or 1/4″ phone jacks, and each channel has a defeatable limiter and can supply 48V phantom power as well. There’s also a headphone output with monitor mix controls and pan controls.
The unit has a battery life of about 7 to 8 hours, which is plenty for most applications. Another version aimed at DLSR recording is also available.
CEntance ran a successfully funded Indie-Go-Go campaign to fund the MixerFace, and the price there was $199, but it has since returned to a retail of $599-699 (it seems to vary on different press releases). Regardless, this is something that many recordists have been interested in for a long time. It’s finally come to pass.
