**Updated May 2019 to Google Pixel 3 instead of the original Pixel as I recently upgraded. I can confirm this still works but you now need the headphone jack adaptor along with the rest of the below accessories. This adapter came in box with my Pixel 3 so it was not much of a hassle.**
Interested in using your Google Pixel 3 phone to record videos for YouTube with high quality audio? Follow this guide below to see how.
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Using your Google Pixel 3 to Record YouTube Videos
Recording YouTube videos on the Google Pixel 3 is pretty easy but you need a few extra accessories and an additional app for it to work best. I’ve listed the items that I use below as well as the reasons why.
Accessories Needed
- Rode VideoMicro– This compact mic is great for phone audio recording. I picked this one up after reading all the positive reviews on Amazon. It also would work with my bigger cameras if I wanted to switch things up from my Google Pixel 3. Includes a ‘dead cat’ as well for recording outdoors.
- Rode SC4 Microphone Cable, 3 Inches– This is a required converter needed when using the Rode MicroVideo with a cellphone. It’s small short cable and not too expensive.
- Octo Mounts, F-Mount Grip/Phone Holder– After a bunch of research on Amazon I decided on using this specific phone holder. Besides being pretty cheap, the biggest reason it beat out the million other holders is due to the cold shoe. The Rode VideoMicro hooks into the cold-shoe for recording on the phone and the mic itself stays out of the camera field of view.
- Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI Mini Tripod, Black– Perfect desktop tripod for recording on phones and the above mentioned Octo Mount Phone Holder. This tripod won’t hold big DSLR but it works well for small, lightweight cameras as well. Also best for recording longways. If you’re interested in recording vertical video with a tripod try one of the Joby Gorillapod models such as the Joby Gorillapod 3k.
- Open Camera Android App– The default camera/video app will not pick up or record audio input from the Rode VideoMicro. Download this app from the Google Play Store
- *Google Headphone Jack Adaptor– This USB C to 3.5mm adaptor is necessary when using the Pixel 3 to record audio using this setup, but it comes in the box. If you tossed yours or never got one to begin with, I’ve linked it above.
Open Camera Android App
After downloading the Open Camera Android App on the Google Play Store, open the ‘Settings’ (Gear) menu. Turn on the ‘Face Detection’ setting if it’s not already on. Then scroll down to ‘Video Settings’ and ensure ‘Record Audio’ is switched on. Next, click on ‘Audio Source’ and select ‘External mic (if present).’
Explore more of the options to see if you want anything additional, but the basics are done within the phone and the Google Pixel 3 is ready.
Tripods/Cables
Next should be the easy part. Just slide your phone into the Octo Mount Phone Holder. Then attach the Rode VideoMicro to the cold shoe and connect the Rode SC4 Microphone Cable to both the mic and the phone.
Putting it all together
Then open the Open Camera Android App, switch to video if not already there and begin recording. The mic will be picking up your audio and the auto face detection feature on the app will be locking in on your face.
Once you finish recording, MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT THE MIC CABLE before playing back your video. Otherwise your phone will think the recording mic is a set of headphones and try to play through that. That definitely messed me up at first.
Now upload the video to your chosen video editor and then YouTube itself. I’ve been using GoPro’s Quik app to edit my videos because its fast and free. And you can remove their watermark/logo at the end of the videos.
iMovie works as well if you have a Mac. I have compatibility issues with my iMovie and Mac model, so I’ll be sticking to Quik for a while.
Now off you go! Happy recording!
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Just getting ready to start recording yoga videos for my studio/school, and this post was absolutely exactly what I needed. So appreciative that you wrote it. I’ll let you know how things go!
Awesome, thank you for reading! Glad to help!
Hi Doug, many thanks for this great how-to for Pixel 3 users getting started with video! Question: at what point would you suggest it required or recommended to add additional equipment such as dedicated lenses from Moment and others gimbals to one’s setup? My application will be initially one-on-one interviews for a company blog I will put together, but could extend to other work eventually that would be shot onsite at their facility.