General Description

The ShurePlus MOTIV Video recording app provides instant video recording with uncompressed audio for your mobile device. Customize the sound with digital signal processing (DSP) preset modes, adjustable gain, and stereo width control.

Features

  • Plug-and-Play Operation supporting landscape and portrait recording
  • Flexible Recording Control includes gain adjustment settings
  • Support for mono and stereo audio devices
  • When used with MOTIV microphones, there are preset modes available for a variety of recording situations.

Tip: Turn on Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb to prevent interruptions to the recording caused by phone calls, text messages, or alerts.

Standby Mode

Screenshot shows MOTIV video app in standby mode

① Flash Use the flash when recording in low light situations.

② Connected Device Status/Recording Length/Focus Lock Device status will display the model name of the connected MOTIV device. Recording length is displayed in hours, minutes, and seconds. See the Visual Settings topic for more information on setting focus and exposure.

③ Zoom Level Pinch the screen to adjust your zoom level for a closer view of your subject.

④ File Information Displays available video format options.

Note: Option availability may vary based on your mobile device specifications.

  • Audio file formats: (iOS) WAV, ALAC, AAC 96, AAC 128, AAC 256 (Android) AAC 96, AAC 128, AAC 256
  • Sample rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
  • Video resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K
  • Frame rate: 24 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps

⑤ Reverse Camera Use the front-facing camera to shoot selfie videos.

⑥ Settings Tap the app settings sprocket to select light or dark theme appearance, to find version information, help materials, and to send feedback.

⑦ Record/Stop Button

⑧ Device Setup Access advanced settings for your audio device. See Device Setup section for more information.

⑨ Video Gallery Tap to view your gallery of recorded videos. See Video Gallery section for more information.

⑩ Grid/Level/Off Display Tap through to display grid lines or a level for easy image composition. Or turn this feature off if you prefer a clean display.

⑪ Device Status Displays remaining battery life and available storage space for your recording device.

⑫ Input Meter/Microphone Gain Tap the input meter to bring up the mic gain slider. Tap to adjust microphone gain during recording to match the volume of the sound source. Make live adjustments to ensure levels are in the target range (indicated by the shaded region of the input meter). Displays the strength of the mono or stereo input signal.

Note: Display will read AGC when using the app with the built-in microphone. Automatic Gain Control (AGC) adjusts levels to ensure consistent volume. Weaker signals are boosted and stronger signals are attenuated to control gain. The dynamic range is decreased but the result is a more even recording.

Visual Settings

Be sure to adjust your visual settings to get the best-looking video image. We recommend making adjustments in this order.

Zoom: Pinch to zoom in or out and frame your shot.

Brightness: Swipe up and down to set brightness level.

Brightness icon

Focus: Tap to focus or tap and hold to lock brightness and focus. Tap again to release the lock.

Focus icon

Record Mode

Illustration shows MOTIV video app in record mode (landscape)

① Flash Use the flash when recording in low light situations.

② Connected Device Status/Recording Length/Focus Lock Status will display the model name of the connected MOTIV device. Recording length is displayed in hours, minutes, and seconds. The red dot will flash when video is recording. See the Visual Settings topic for more information on focus and exposure.

③ Zoom Level Pinch the screen to adjust your zoom level for a closer view of your subject.

④ Record/Stop Button Start and stop video recording.

Note: Video files are saved to the Photos app on your mobile device.

⑤ Audio Recording The MOTIV Video app displays the audio waveform as it is being recorded.

⑥ Grid Use the grid lines to assist in composing your image.

⑦ Device Status Displays remaining battery life and available storage space for your recording device.

⑧ Input Meter Displays the strength of the mono or stereo input signal. Tap to adjust microphone gain during recording. The loudest peaks should reach within the target range (indicated by the shaded region of the input meter).

Note: The maximum file size for a recording is 2GB, which will result in approximately 2 hours of record time. This limitation was put in place to maximize app performance. Continuous recording for more than 2 hours will generate a second file.

Using the ShurePlus MOTIV App with the MV88 microphone

The MOTIV app controls microphone settings to optimize performance for specific uses. The MV88 stores the previously used settings for quick setup each time you record.

Aiming the Microphone

This section suggests placement for typical use cases. Keep in mind that there are many effective ways to record a given source. Experiment with horizontal or landscape orientation, microphone placement and settings to find what works best.

Tip: To ensure that left and right sides are facing the appropriate directions, check to see if the Shure name is clearly visible on the top of the microphone. If the name is not visible, turn the barrel 90°.

Portrait (Vertical)

Aim the front of the microphone toward the source. The microphone can be mounted in either orientation of the MV88 with the Lightning connector, so ensure that the left and right sides are facing the appropriate directions.

Image of MV88 plugged into phone for portrait video recording

Landscape (Horizontal)

Aim the front of the microphone toward the source. The microphone can be connected in either orientation with the Lightning connector, so ensure that the left and right sides of the MV88 are facing the appropriate directions.

Image of MV88 plugged into phone for landscape video recording

Video Interview

To capture the voices of both the subject (on-camera) and the interviewer (off-camera), select the MONO BIDIRECTIONAL preset in the Shure MOTIV app. Position the microphone with the left and right sides facing each person.

Image of MV88 plugged into phone for bidirectional (figure 8) interview recording

Self-Recording (Video Streaming)

Set the device on a flat surface and angle the microphone toward your mouth. Select the MONO CARDIOID preset in the Shure MOTIV app to reduce ambient noise.

Image of MV88 plugged into phone for selfie recording

Connecting Headphones with Inline Mics

Illustration of the included headphone monitor adapting cable

Headphone Monitor Adapting Cable

Use the included headphone monitor adapting cable for the following reasons:

  • You require a slimmer connection to the headphone input on your recording device. The cable accommodates headphones and earphones with larger connectors.
  • You want to disable the inline microphone on your headphones. The cable ensures that the recorded sound comes solely from the MV88 and not the headphone inline microphone.

Device Setup

Device Setup screen on the MOTIV App

Microphone Settings

① Connected Mic Status Displays the name of the connected MOTIV microphone.

② Input Meter Displays the strength of the input signal and whether that signal is mono or stereo. The loudest peaks should reach within the target range (indicated by the shaded region between -12 and 0 dB).

③ Microphone Gain/Monitoring Adjust the gain slider to match the volume of the sound source. Tap the headphone icon to turn on the input monitor when making adjustments.

④ Custom Presets Tap the caret to quickly access your saved presets. Or tap the Save button to save current settings as a new custom preset. See Custom Presets for more information.

⑤ Preset Modes Select a mode to set stereo width, equalization, and compression for specific applications. Refer to the "Preset Modes" topic for more details.

⑥ Polar Pattern Selection Swipe to choose between Stereo, Mono Cardioid, Mono Bidirectional or Raw Mid-Side pick-up patterns. Then adjust the width of the stereo microphone pickup area.

Tip: Consider the location of the microphone and the size of the sound source when adjusting the width. For example, a large orchestra or ensemble recording will benefit from a wide stereo image to achieve increased separation between instruments. Other applications, such as speech, benefit from a narrow width for improved clarity with rejection of ambient (room) sound.

⑦ Advanced Features First select a preset mode, then use the advanced controls to fine tune your audio recording and dial in your sound. Your settings will be retained in the microphone. See "Advanced Features," "Wind Noise Reduction" and "Left-Right Channel Swap" for more information on how these features work.

Preset Modes

Five selectable modes optimize settings for gain, stereo width, equalization, and compression. Set the microphone level and try the modes to find which sounds best. Preset modes can affect the strength of the input signal, so adjust the microphone level as needed after changing presets.

Mode Application Characteristics

Speech icon

Speech

speech Narrow stereo width to reject background noise, equalization that emphasizes clarity and fullness, and gentle compression.

Singing icon

Singing

solo or group vocal performances Medium stereo width with subtle equalization to add richness and clarity for a natural sound.

Flat icon

Flat

any An unprocessed signal (no equalization or compression settings used). Adds flexibility when processing the audio after recording.

Acoustic icon

Acoustic

acoustic instruments and quiet music Medium stereo width with transparent compression to smooth out volume spikes and bring out quiet passages. The equalizer setting emphasizes detail and an overall natural sound.

Loud icon

Loud

live performance and louder sources Wide stereo to increase separation between sources. Equalization further improves definition by reducing frequencies that can make the instrumentation sound crowded.

Custom Presets

Create and save custom presets to quickly access frequently used mic settings.

  1. Start with the preset mode that best suits your application needs.
  2. Adjust advanced settings, like compression, for clarity and consistency.
  3. Tap Save to rename and save your new custom preset. The original preset will remain available.
  4. The new custom preset is added to your list.

To access saved presets:

  1. Tap the caret (arrow) in the Preset row to view your list of available presets.
  2. Tap custom preset and Apply Preset to instantly apply gain, stereo, equalization, and compression preferences.

Tip: You can save a custom preset at any point. Tap Save and give the current settings a new name.

Polar Pattern Selection (Stereo and Mono Settings)

The following demonstrates microphone capsule pick-up patterns. When operating in a mono mode, stereo width is not adjustable.

Illustration of the stereo polar pick-up pattern Stereo

Front = On

Sides = On

Illustration of the mono cardioid polar pick-up pattern Mono Cardioid

Front = On

Sides = Off

Illustration of the mono bi-directional polar pick-up pattern Mono Bidirectional

Front = Off

Sides = On

Illustration of the raw mid-side polar pick-up pattern Raw Mid-Side

Front = On

Sides = On

See "Raw Mid-Side Output" for more information.

Raw Mid-Side Output

For increased post-processing flexibility, use the Raw Mid-Side setting. This records signal a 2-channel signal with a stereo image that can be adjusted even after the tracks have been recorded:

Left: Cardioid (front)

Right: Bidirectional (sides)

Use the Raw Mid-Side setting with audio recording applications that have a mid-side stereo matrix decoder. Or use the manual decoding instructions to adjust the stereo image of the recorded tracks.

Manual Decoding and Stereo Width Adjustment

If your digital audio workstation software (DAW) has no mid-side decoder, use these steps to adjust and manipulate the stereo image:

  1. Extract the left and right audio signals from the 2-channel Raw Mid-Side file as individual mono tracks.
  2. Create 3 blank audio tracks:
    • First track: Use the audio signal (front/cardioid) from the left channel only as a mono track, panned to the center.
    • Second track: Use the audio signal (side/bidirectional) from the right channel only as a mono track, panned all the way to the left.
    • Third track: Copy the side/bidirectional signal from the second track. Pan this track all the way to the right and reverse the phase.
  3. Group the right and left side tracks, and set the volume at the same level for simultaneous adjustment. Increasing the volume of the grouped tracks increases the stereo width, while decreasing their volume narrows the width.

Advanced tip: Using compression with a fast attack setting on the grouped tracks keeps transients (the first part of a sound, such as when a drum stick strikes a cymbal) toward the center of the stereo image and allows them to expand within the stereo field as the sound decays.

Illustration of decoding raw mid-side audio with a laptop

Manual Decoding of Raw Mid-Side Audio

Recording in Raw and Mid Side using the MV88+ Video Kit

Advanced Mic Settings

After you have selected the preset mode for your application, fine tune the sound of your recording with limiter, compressor, and equalizer controls. Your settings will be retained in the microphone when using other audio and video recording applications.

Limiter

Toggle the limiter on to set an input threshold and prevent distortion from volume peaks in your recordings.

Compressor

Choose no compression, or select light or heavy compression to control volume when your sound source is dynamic. The compressor will narrow the dynamic range, which means that quiet signals are boosted and loud signals are lowered.

Wind Noise Reduction

MOTIV wind reduction icon

Wind Noise Reduction engages a low-frequency cutoff filter that reduces rumble caused by environmental noise. Use the included foam windscreen in combination with wind reduction to counteract rumble and plosives (bursts of air hitting the microphone).

To further reduce wind noise, use the optional Rycote™ Windjammer, which fits over the included foam windscreen.

Left-Right Channel Swap

MOTIV left side right side swap icon

For stereo recordings, use Left - Right Swap to flip the left and right audio channels to match the stereo image to the video. For example, when using video to record yourself.

Tip: Use the L and R indicators on the microphone barrel. This way you can set Left - Right Swap before you start to record.

Equalizer

The icon indicates that the equalizer is being used.

Change the preset modes to hear the DSP changes, and then use the equalizer to boost or cut bands of frequencies to improve sound clarity.

Note: Equalization within presets will not be displayed. However, the equalizer graphic in the advanced settings status bar displays the user-selected equalization.

The equalizer section with image that displays EQ settings.

Tap to access the MOTIV equalizer. Equalization changes are displayed in the equalizer image.

EQ persists between preset mode changes.

Using MultiLens in iOS

Some iOS devices allow for MultiLens recording. Wide-angle, Ultra wide-angle, Telephoto, Dual, Dual wide, and Triple cameras

Using the Apple Watch with ShurePlus MOTIV

The ShurePlus MOTIV Apple Watch app allows greater recording flexibility when using it as a remote control for the ShurePlus MOTIV Audio and Video Recording Apps.

Connect your Apple Watch to the MOTIV recording app.

  1. Open the Watch App on your iPhone, then tap the My Watch tab
  2. Apps that are available to install will appear in the Available Apps section
  3. Find the MOTIV Watch app and tap Install

    Note: See the Apple support page with additional instructions on Apple watch app installation.

  4. The Apple watch will recognize when your MOTIV mic is connected to your phone. The microphone name will be displayed in the upper left corner when the connection is made.
  5. Placement of the microphone depends on the size of the room, number of people, and instrument volume. If possible, walk around the room and listen to find where it sounds best.
  6. Select the correct preset mode for your recording application. Adjust the microphone level and other settings in the app and place the microphone near your source.

    Note: Advanced settings should be set up before microphone is in place. The Apple Watch app will only allow you to control record, pause recording, complete recording, make bookmarks and set and lock gain control.

Controls and Navigation

Start recording: Tap the red record button

Pause recording: Tap the pause icon. You can continue recording from a paused state

Create bookmark: Tap the bookmark icon

Stop recording: Tap the Done button

Adjust gain: Use the digital crown on the Apple Watch

Lock mic gain: Tap the lock icon

Recording Tips

Turn Off Notifications

When you open the MOTIV app, a message prompts you to enable airplane mode and do not disturb mode. It's important to do this to avoid recording interference from phone calls, messages, and various notifications which can add static to your recordings.

Note: Enable airplane mode and then turn Wi-Fi back on to add geolocation information to your audio file.

Adjust your Sample Rate

Select a lower sample rate when it is useful to have a smaller file, for example, when recording speech or a podcast for download. Select a higher sample rate for music and dynamic recordings.

Get the Best-looking Video Image

Pinch to zoom in or out and frame your shot. Swipe up and down to set brightness. Tap to focus or tap and hold to lock brightness and focus. Tap again to release the lock.

Record in Mono

Record in mono to increase your available record time or when recording a single source, like vocals, that would benefit from less ambient noise. Select the Mono Cardioid or Mono Bidirectional polar pattern and audio from all capsules are summed to a single channel. The input meter will indicate mono recording by displaying the top half of the waveform. MOTIV supports third-party microphones with mono recording.

Record in Stereo

The MV88 barrel pivots forward on a hinge and rotates 45 degrees to accommodate portrait or landscape recording. L and R are labeled to show stereo orientation of the microphone. The stereo image is accurate if the Shure logo is facing upward.

Capture the Complete Performance

To ensure that you capture the entire sound source, start your recording before the performance starts and edit the recording later to trim any silence.

Note: If your microphone accidentally becomes disconnected during recording, MOTIV will automatically stop the recording. The save file dialog will appear, prompting you to name and save your audio.

Record with Confidence with Automatic Save

If your microphone accidentally becomes disconnected during recording, MOTIV will automatically stop the recording. The save file dialog will appear, prompting you to name and save your audio.

View and Share Videos Using the Video Gallery

screenshot of the video gallery

Tap the video thumbnail on the standby screen to view the gallery of videos that are saved on your mobile device. Here you can view information about each video including the video length, resolution, sample rate and the date and time that the video was originally recorded.

  • Share your videos by selecting the video you'd like to share. Tap the share icon to view available sharing options.

    Note: You can use the Share option to save the video to your device Photos app.

  • Rewind or fast forward to view the next video in the list.
  • Delete the video to make room for more recordings.

Return to Camera

MOTIV camera icon to return to camera screen

Tap the camera icon to return to the video recording app camera mode.

Gallery Sort

MOTIV sort icon to display sorting options

Tap the sort icon to view options for sorting the video gallery. Options include viewing your recorded videos by list, in a thumbnail grid or by card which displays a full screen view of the thumbnail.

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
Microphone is plugged in, but the volume meter does not register a signal. Edit the privacy setting for your recording device under SETTINGS > PRIVACY > MICROPHONE to give the MOTIV app permission to use the microphone.
Microphone is plugged in, but not detected. Unplug and reconnect the cable connections so that the app recognizes the microphone. You'll know that the connection is secure when you see the microphone name visible in the status bar.
Audio sounds bad or distant. To ensure that you are receiving audio from the MOTIV microphone and not a built-in microphone, unplug and reconnect the microphone. You'll know that the connection is secure when you see the microphone name visible in the status bar.
Audio quality changes when a headset is plugged in Headsets with inline microphones can override the connected audio device. Make sure that you plug in your headset first and your MOTIV microphone last.
Audio is distorted Use the audio meter to ensure that volume peaks are within the target range (the gray area). If the level reaches the red peak indicator of the input meter, turn the gain down.
Left/right stereo channels do not match video Depending on the orientation of the recording device, it may be necessary to engage the Left-Right swap in MOTIV settings. If the audio has already been recorded, you can switch the left and right channels in most audio editing software.
Audio is not in sync with video Switch to a lower frame rate or resolution size. You might achieve better performance with a less system intensive frame rate.
Recording stops due to overheating MOTIV Video app responds to device overheating by disabling the meter and waveform display. If device continues to overheat, MOTIV will save your recording and shut down the app. Ensure that your device has cooled down before starting a new recording.
Unable to share file. If a file is too large to be shared, there are a couple options for reducing file size.
  • Connect your mobile device to your computer and use file transfer, like iTunes, to download the file to your desktop.
  • Split your track in two, export both files and recombine them using audio editing software.
General troubleshooting
  • Ensure that your app is updated to the most current version.
  • Make sure that your phone's operating system is updated to the most current version.
  • Check to see how the microphone works using a different connection cable or different device.
  • Close and restart the application.
  • Powering down and rebooting the device will clear the cache and can sometimes help with software performance.

System Requirements

System Requirements and Compatibility: iOS

  • iOS: iOS 14 and higher
  • iPhone: iPhone 11 and higher
  • iPad: iPad Pro (USB-C)

System Requirements and Compatibility: Android

Will work with any Android device that has:

  • Android 11.0 (Red Velvet Cake) and higher
  • USB Host Power Requirement of ≥100 mA
  • USB Audio Class 1.1 support and higher
  • Bluetooth 5.0 and higher

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

Note: See https://www.shure.com/en-US/motiv-compatibility for information on supportive Android devices.

Specifications 

MFi Certified

Yes

DSP Modes (Presets)

Speech/Singing/Acoustic/Loud/Flat

Polar Pattern

Adjustable Width Stereo/Mono Bidirectional/Mono Cardioid/Mid-Side

Stereo Principle

Mid-Side

Supported Audio Format

iOS

WAV, AAC (Up to 256 KHz)

Supported Audio Format

Android

AAC (Up to 256 KHz)

Frequency Response

20 Hz to 20,000 Hz

Adjustable Gain Range

0 to +36 dB

Sensitivity

-37 dBFS/Pa at 1 kHz [1] [2]

Maximum SPL

120 dB SPL [2]

Limiter

Yes

Compressor

Yes

Equalizer

5-band

[1] 1 Pa=94 dB SPL

[2]At Minimum Gain, Flat Mode

Certifications

Information to the user

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction manual, may cause interference with radio and television reception.

Notice: The FCC regulations provide that changes or modifications not expressly approved by Shure Incorporated could void your authority to operate this equipment.

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
  • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

  1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Industry Canada ICES-003 Compliance Label: CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)

Note: Testing is based on the use of supplied and recommended cable types. The use of other than shielded (screened) cable types may degrade EMC performance.

This product meets the Essential Requirements of all relevant European directives and is eligible for CE marking.

The CE Declaration of Conformity can be obtained from: www.shure.com/europe/compliance

Authorized European representative:

Shure Europe GmbH

Global Compliance

Jakob-Dieffenbacher-Str. 12

75031 Eppingen, Germany

Phone: +49-7262-92 49 0

Email: info@shure.de

www.shure.com

Made for iPad (5th generation), iPad (6th generation, iPad (7th generation, iPad (8th generation), iPad Air 2, iPad Air 3, iPad Mini 4, iPad Mini 5, iPad Pro 9.7-inch (1st generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) 1st generation, iPad Pro 10.5-inch 2017 (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2017 (2nd generation), iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2, iPod Touch (7th generation).

iPad, iPhone, iPod and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPad Air, iPad mini, and Lightning are trademarks of Apple Inc. The trademark “iPhone” is used in Japan with a license from Aiphone K.K.

Mac® and Lightning® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

MOTIV required compliance icons