IK Multimedia says its iRig Mic — a handheld condenser microphone for the iPhone iPod touch and iPad — is now shipping. It costs US$59.99.

iRig Mic is designed for the vocalist and songwriter on the move, and is also targeted to recording speeches, instruments, performances or any other sound sources in the studio, on stage or in the field. The iRig Mic features a highly unidirectional condenser-electret microphone capsule, real-time monitoring with its dual mini-jack connector and a metal body.

It can be mounted on any mic stand leaving your hands free for operating the app on your iOS device. A three-level gain switch makes it adjustable for any sound pressure condition from soft speaking to loud playing.

The iRig Mic also comes with a suite of IK’s apps: VocaLive Free (for vocalists and songwriters), iRig Recorder (an audio recording app) and AmpliTube Free (for guitarists and songwriters). It also works with a wide variety of other vocal and audio recording and processing apps for the iOS platform.