Sony ECM-AX10 Brings Spatial Sound Recording To A Phone

Sony has announced the ECM-AX10, a compact USB-C microphone for recording videos with sound captured from around the scene. It is aimed at vloggers, mobile filmmakers and other creators who want more than the audio picked up by their phone’s built-in microphones.

The microphone weighs approximately 24g and is due to cost around €199 in Europe. It plugs directly into a compatible phone, without needing a separate audio recorder.

Quick Reference

• What: USB-C microphone for smartphone video and audio.
• Price: Approximately €199 in Europe; Sony France quotes around €200.
• Recording: Ambisonics, binaural and stereo modes.
• Requirements: Compatible USB-C phone with iOS 18 or later, or Android 14 or later.
• App: Sony Spatial Audio Video Tool for supported recording, editing and export functions.
• Availability: Announced for October; 4K recording support is planned from December.

Capturing The Sound Around You

Four omnidirectional microphone capsules pick up sound from different directions. Sony’s processing is designed to preserve a sense of direction and space, which could be useful when recording performances, events or the atmosphere of a place.

There are three recording approaches. Ambisonics captures spatial information for production and can be used with Sony’s app to publish Eclipsa Audio content on YouTube. Binaural mode is designed for an immersive experience through headphones. Stereo provides a more familiar option for everyday videos and social posts.

The microphone can also work with general recording and video apps, although functionality depends on the software.

Check Your Phone Before Buying

A USB-C socket alone does not establish full compatibility. Sony has published a list of tested phones and says recording quality can vary with the device.

The dedicated Spatial Audio Video Tool app provides recording, clip review, simple editing and spatial-audio export. Some functions require this app, so the phone and software requirements matter as much as the microphone.

For someone starting to make videos, the choice of mode depends on how people will watch and listen. Stereo is straightforward; binaural playback is intended for headphones, while Eclipsa Audio needs compatible playback support to deliver its spatial effect.

What The Terms Mean

Spatial Audio: Sound presented with a sense of direction and space.

Omnidirectional: A microphone pickup pattern that receives sound from all around it.

Binaural: Audio designed to create a spatial listening experience through headphones.

Ambisonics: A way of capturing directional sound information for spatial-audio production.

Eclipsa Audio: An open-source format for delivering immersive audio on compatible platforms.

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