A little less than two years after it introduced its first digital 30-pin attachable microphone for the iPhone and other iOS devices, Blue Microphones is finally bringing out a Lightning-based version that works natively with the iPhone 5 and later models such as the iPhone 5s and Retina iPad mini. The new Mikey Digital includes two condenser microphones — identical to the ones used in its popular Yeti and Snowball microphones — and thanks to its reversible Lightning connector is now able to pointed either forwards or backwards. 
From the initial release notes, the $100 Lightning Mikey Digital carries over all the same features that made the 30-pin unit a hit with podcasters, mobile news reporters, concert-goers, iPhone videographers and musicians. The device can handle sound up to 130dB, and can be set to automatically protect recordings from distortion (or gain can be set manually as desired). It can tilt up to 230 degrees, features a clipping indicator to help users set ideal levels manually, and features a rare eighth-inch stereo line-in input for external mic sources, instruments or mixing boards for DJs. 
The microphone itself contains a discrete mic preamp and CD-quality A/D converter, allowing users to record 44.1Khz/16-bit audio to the iOS device it is attached to. The previous 30-pin version worked with the iPhone 5 and later using Apple’s own Lightning adapter, but having a native solution reduces bulk and increases portability. The unit weighs just three ounces, and measures 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches. It is recognized as the default mic input automatically for almost any recording application except the Phone app or FaceTime. Mikey Digital also features a USB passthrough connection so that users can charge the device while still using it, useful for long recording sessions. The microphone is available from Amazon
