Microphones
The built-in microphone on your device may do just fine. But for best results, I recomend you use a good external microphone. USB microphone are fine for these purposes. Here are some that I have used that worked well:
- Snowball ice USB Microphone ($50)
https://www.bluedesigns.com/products/snowball-ice/
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Snowball-Condenser-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B014PYGTUQ - CAD Audio U37 ($80)
https://www.cadaudio.com/products/product-application/u37
https://www.amazon.com/CAD-Studio-Condenser-Recording-Microphone/dp/B001AIQGUO - Audio-Technica AT2020 ($100)
https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/5879a6ca22e5aa7e/index.html
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT2020-Cardioid-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0006H92QK
Advanced Setup
If you want to use additional inputs such a second microphone or a pickup on your instrument, you will need an audio interface device. Chip Bach recommends:
- Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD 2-channel audio interface ($120)
https://www.behringer.com/product.html;jsessionid=E98BACA583FEB97058DDA74C656DC903?modelCode=P0BJZ
https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UMC202HD-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA-2-Channel/dp/B00QHURUBE
If you are using a device such as pad or smartphone which lacks the requisite connectors that you need. Look for a powered USB hub and/or an "On-the-go" (OTG) device.
For more information about these kinds of configurations, see Chip's article "Keep on Picking".