DJI mic specs
Worth: $329
Microphone: Omnidirectional microphone
Frequency response: Low Minimize Off: 50 Hz – 20 kHz Low Minimize On: 150 Hz – 20 kHz
Weight: Transmitter 1.05 ounces Reciever 0.87 ounces Charger 5.7 ounces
Dimension: Transmitter 1.9 x 1.1 x 0.7-inches Reciever 0.7 x 1.8 x 1.3-inches
Battery Life: 5.5 Hours plus extra 10 hours through the charging case
Transmission Distance: As much as 820 toes
Once I bought my palms on the DJI Mic system ($329), I used to be intrigued to see if it may match the audio recording high quality of the Rode Wi-fi Go II ($299). I instantly fell in love with its design and charging case. Nonetheless, if the charging case is the one main distinction between the 2, is the additional $30 price it?
As soon as totally charged, I grabbed my digicam, went out, and began my testing. I shortly realized that I wanted to ensure the acquire was correctly adjusted to keep away from clipping and that the supplied windscreen labored splendidly. The management system may be very user-friendly, and the self-charging case is sensible, so sure, it’s price the additional $30.
DJI considered practically the whole lot, however a pair of lav mics would make this setup practically excellent. Though the transmitters and receivers are fantastically light-weight and clip-on wherever you want them, their odd form causes them to bend cloth and makes them tough to cover whereas filming. I do know I’m being persnickety about this one tiny situation as a result of, total, the DJI Mic rivals the Rode Wi-fi Go II and is a superb wi-fi setup for content material creators.
Alright, sufficient preamble; let’s take a look at how issues went and see if the DJI Mic is the proper selection on your audio wants.
DJI Mic worth and availability
The DJI Mic with charging case prices $329 and comes with two transmitters, one receiver, the exhausting plastic charging case, and a set of cables that permit you to connect with a pc, digicam, or smartphone. You get a USB-C to USB-A cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to Lightning cable, and a single 3.5mm cable. So from the outset, you possibly can join the DJI mic to something you want. Nonetheless, iPhone house owners needs to be conscious that it’s going to solely file in mono to an iPhone, making it a poor companion for iPhone house owners in search of a high-quality audio possibility.
The included charging case extends the general battery lifetime of the system, and itself is well charged through USB-C from an adapter, pc, or exterior battery so you possibly can have energy all day.
Should you’re on a good finances, and simply have to have a wi-fi recording possibility that’s inexpensive with glorious connectivity, I’d look into the Razer Seiren BT wi-fi mic we lately reviewed that prices $99.99. In case you have an even bigger finances, you could possibly additionally look into the Rode Wi-fi Go II (opens in new tab) for $299.
DJI Mic design
The DJI Mic Receiver display is simple to make use of, however typically, it’s temperamental, though my gigantic sausage fingers don’t assist. As soon as you determine the swiping motions wanted to maneuver round inside the unit, you’ll end up making fast changes on the fly. It turns into a snap to modify from mono to stereo or choose which transmitter can be your proper or left mic. Merely faucet the ability button to lock and unlock the display, which is a pleasant characteristic that speeds issues up for creators and avoids unintentional presses. When trying on the display, it shows the enter ranges of each mics, permitting you to watch your audio ranges, and on the facet, one can find the three.5mm audio jack.
The transmitters are tiny and aesthetically pleasing and clip onto clothes shortly and simply. I actually like that the clips magnetically connect to the items and will also be used as one other technique for clipping them to topics or metallic surfaces. Once more, it may be tough to hide them, however given how small and unobtrusive they’re, if it’s an interview or in case you are a solo YouTube creator, then having the receiver within the shot most likely isn’t an enormous deal. The package additionally consists of two windscreens that pop on or off the receivers and do a wonderful job at baffling wind noise and undesirable background audio.
DJI did one other very nice factor. They made the clips the proper dimension so they may slot in your digicam’s sizzling shoe snuggly so you possibly can simply pop it in and mic your topic and begin recording. The DJI Mic’s total design is incredible and properly thought out, and the charging case actually makes it a real all-in-one machine because it homes the whole lot you want.
It additionally comes with a gentle case so you possibly can maintain your DJI mic system protected; good work DJI, I see you.
DJI Mic audio high quality
From an audio perspective, the DJI Mic does the whole lot a content material creator would wish it to do. Does it file glorious audio? Sure, it does. Does it permit you to file your topic’s audio from a distance of 820 toes (250 meters)? Sure, however be aware that you just need to be inside a direct line of sight. To check this, I arrange my digicam and walked greater than a good distance away whereas recording a dialog I used to be having with the cameras as if I had been about to interview somebody and we had been assembly within the park. The audio remained clear and the sign was robust till I crossed paths with some bushes however, I used to be an awesome distance away.
Additionally, as I beforehand talked about, the windscreens do a wonderful job, so that you get splendidly clear audio recordings. I did discover myself having to make a number of changes to get my recordings excellent because the acquire on the DJI may be very delicate, at instances overcompensating. So at all times take a look at your audio ranges earlier than you truly begin filming. It’s not a failing of the machine; it’s a very good factor the mics are so delicate, however take a look at, modify, and also you’ll get pleasure from nice recordings.
I discovered whereas filming within the park that I may use the receiver’s touchscreen to activate a security channel mode, which is a separate observe that information at 6db and helps to forestall your audio from sounding blown out and offers you that separate observe as a backup. The Rode Wi-fi Go II has the same characteristic, however it’s essential entry it through the Rode app.
Whereas within the park, I recorded an on-the-spot interview with a stranger by merely clipping the mic to them. Though they discovered the windscreen annoying, the recording was glorious because it captured the individual’s excessive, nasal-toned voice crisply alongside my deeper timbre as we exchanged responses. I later used the DJI Mic, which I linked to my OnePlus Professional 10, and recorded a take a look at podcast in my yard with the mic clipped to my t-shirt. After making changes for some clipping, it actually was a pointy, tremendous clear recording with the mic specializing in my deep clear voice, and never catching an excessive amount of of the aviary that my yard turns into within the afternoon.
DJI Mic software program
DJI is down with the universe’s plug-and-play gods, so no downloads are wanted to work with the system. It really works properly with all my recording software program throughout all gadgets I used it on. DJI does roll out frequent firmware updates to enhance the efficiency of its wi-fi mic system, so make certain to look out for these.
DJI Mic battery life
The DJI Mic’s receiver and transmitter items are rated for five.5 hours of battery life and since I’m a chatty, long-winded annoyance, I examined this out and it’s true. I simply bought 5 plus hours out of the system earlier than needing to cost. Nonetheless, let me level out that, due to the ten hours of extra battery life from the charging case, you’re going to get all-day use out of the DJI mic.
I bought a very good seventeen plus hours of recording out of the system as a result of no one talks for ten hours straight — even me. Additionally, one can find your self between takes while you’re shifting to a distinct location, placing the transmitters and receiver into the case as you progress alongside, so with these little prime ups all through the day, the battery life ought to by no means be an issue.
The charging case is a sport changer and the one clear-cut benefit it has over the Rode Wi-fi Go II system, (though there’s a well-liked third-party charging case for the Go II (opens in new tab)) that pushed the DJI a little bit forward.
Backside Line
The DJI Mic is certainly among the finest wi-fi mic programs I’ve used. I do know you need to know my final determination between it and the Rode Wi-fi Go II, however truthfully, all of it comes all the way down to what you want and what you worth most. The DJI Mic produces glorious recordings. Its battery life, due to the charging case, is excellent and well worth the $30 worth bump versus the Rode you probably have it in your finances.
The user-friendly touchscreen and UI are good, too, however require a small studying curve. I discovered the audio normally close to to the standard of the Rode Wi-fi Go II, nevertheless it required extra nice tuning. So, ultimately, it’s actually toss-up and a matter of choice on the few differentiating components. In case you have the funds, and also you need to file pro-level audio on the go, the DJI Mic is likely one of the two greatest programs accessible and I completely advocate it.
