New phone, who dis?

[ShiroKuro]

So a while back, I got a new phone -- no, I didn't get the iPhone Duo! (waaaay too expensive). I got an iPhone 17 and for the most part, I like it and am happy with the upgrade. (going from the 12 to the 17 is pretty cool btw)

But I just did a piano recording for the Piano Tell recital, and I noticed two things, one worse than the other.

1. The camera quality is so good, too good really. My Yamaha music desk is super shiny, and all I have on it is an iPad, so the rest of the music desk reflects my face. Well, the new phone's video picked up my face reflected in the music desk like it was a mirror! My old phone did not do that. The image quality is so clear, I'm pretty sure someone could use AI to identify me from that reflected image. I generally try to keep a little anonymity when I post piano videos, so the next take I did, I put a black folder there to prevent the reflection.

2. The audio quality of piano recordings on the new phone may not be as good as the old phone. I don't know whether it's the hardware, the iOS, or a combination of both, but I feel like the audio is much more flattened than it used to be. Like there's some default/pre-set mixing or equalizing, so the overall volume in the recording is more consistent and lacking in dynamics than it is live, and the overall effect is sort of... flat and bland.

Maybe one of these days I will finally force myself to use an external mic or digital recording device....

But for now, it's probably good enough. I missed many days of practice while sick, so my playing isn't worth the trouble of a good mic anyway!

[Daniel]

Congrats on the phone!

I wouldn't say no to an iPhone 17.

Maybe the audio has settings you can change?

In any case, enjoy!

[ShiroKuro]

Thanks!

@Daniel said:
Maybe the audio has settings you can change?

from what I’m reading, I either need to use a different app (i.e., not use the phone’s built in video recording app) or an external mic, or both.

But I prefer to keep my piano recording process as streamlined as possible, so I’m not too keen on the idea of adding equipment or learning a new app… we’ll see.

[AdagioM]

Can you use your old phone just as a videocamera, and airdrop the recordings to your new phone?

I used to use my XS for video editing with an old app that I couldn’t download anymore, and then send it to myself. Eventually that stopped working, but it was good for a while!

[Mik]

I’m thinking of the same switch, 12 to 17, but only for battery life. My 12 does everything I want it to but it doesn’t last all day anymore.

[AdagioM]

@Mik Can you have the battery replaced?

[ShiroKuro]

@AdagioM said:

Can you use your old phone just as a videocamera, and airdrop the recordings to your new phone?

I have avoided doing anything that would require me to have to later sync up the video and audio. I just want one file, easy peasy. I know, not realistic.

Maybe my first step should be to try a different app that lets you control the settings.

Also, I should probably consider adding an external mic, then in theory at least, I should be able to still have one file, but the audio input would be different.

Maybe.

@mik Mr. SK and I got some deal so we both upgraded. It was worth it, I was worried our phones were going to die, and I didn’t want him to go on his trip with a dying phone (we got the new phones before he went to Japan last month).

I am very happy with the new phones and not having to worry about it anymore.

[AdagioM]

@ShiroKuro No syncing required! Just use your old phone like you used to, and then send (airdrop) the video to yourself.

[ShiroKuro]

@AdagioM ahh! I totally misinterpreted what you meant!

Yes I could certainly do that! Funny that it didn’t occur to me.

Although, the old phone’s recording quality wasn’t that great either, and I should probably try to figure out if this issue is more connected to the iOS than to the hardware. Because if it’s the iOS, then eventually it will surface on the old phone.

Also, let’s be honest, I don’t want to keep my old phone alive for this! I was actually trying to figure out if I should sell it or not. When we got our new phones, they called the discount they gave us a “trade in,” but then the guy said “oh, we don’t want your old phones, they’re too old. You can keep them.” Huh? How is that a trade in then?

[Axtremus]

Recorded on an iPhone 17 Pro:

Link to video

[ShiroKuro]

@Axtremus so you’re saying it’s me, I’m the problem?

Kidding aside, that’s beautiful @axtremus ! Both your playing and your piano’s lush sound.

This makes me think 1) my piano needs to be tuned. 2) I probably should put my phone somewhere else to get it a little farther from the piano. Also 3) I didn’t play my piece very well (that part’s ok though, because I’ve been sick and I have a built in excuse).

Anyway, once the PT recital goes live, I’ll share the recording here and you all can hear how shitty it sounds.

More to the point, @axtremus that recording sounds so nice! Thank you for sharing it!!