After making a cameo look within the Osmo Pocket 3 digital camera, DJI’s Mic 2 wi-fi microphone system has formally arrived with some good upgrades over its common predecessor. It might probably now join on to your smartphone by way of Bluetooth, whereas additionally providing improved inner recording high quality, AI noise discount, an even bigger touchscreen, simpler management and extra.
The transmitters are available gray with a brand new see-through design and DJI launched a white coloration possibility as effectively. They’re barely smaller than earlier than, however largely resemble their predecessors with a clip, magnetic mount and three.5mm mic enter. The ability and hyperlink buttons at the moment are on the identical aspect and spherical as a substitute of rectangular, with the file button and USB-C enter on the opposite aspect.
In a single welcome change, DJI moved the power-on LED to the edges, moderately than close to the entrance as earlier than, the place it could annoyingly seem on digital camera. The DJI brand is entrance and middle, although, so you may nonetheless want a chunk of black tape to cowl that up.
The receiver has modified considerably, with a bigger 1.1-inch touchscreen and a brand new thumbwheel to make changes simpler. DJI has made connecting the transmitter on to your cellphone easier as effectively by way of included USB-C and Lightning adapters.
A giant plus of the Mic 2 over different kits just like the Rode wi-fi Go 2 is the charging case that is offered with the two-transmitter package. It now helps as much as 18 hours of use on a cost, up from 15 earlier than, and the transmitters have been upgraded from 5.5 to 6 hours.
Topping the record of recent options is direct Bluetooth connection assist, letting you pair a transmitter mic to your cellphone (or DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 and Motion Cam 4) with out the necessity for a receiver. That’ll permit creators on a funds to buy a transmitter mic by itself for $99, or add DJI’s Lavalier Mic for an extra $35.
Linking a cellphone is comparatively simple — maintain the file button for 3 seconds to place it in Bluetooth mode, then press and maintain the hyperlink button for 2 seconds. From there, your cellphone ought to detect the transmitter. It labored nice with my Pixel 7a, despite the fact that it is not on the authorized record, and I used to be in a position to begin recording video with a lot better high quality audio, to say the least.
There are a few caveats: the AI noise cancelling function does not work when linked to a smartphone and you’ll solely use one transmitter at a time. When you have the transmitter/receiver combo, although, you can even get audio by connecting the receiver on to your cellphone as earlier than.
Talking of, the Mic 2 has a few enhancements in audio high quality. It guarantees “brighter and more natural sounding voices” for the interviews or standup work the place it is primarily used. And although the unique DJI Mic supported inner recording as a backup to digital camera information, it now captures that at increased 32-bit float high quality, letting you max out acquire with out fearing distortion. It additionally helps a better acoustic overload level (AOP), as much as 120 dB from 114 dB, that means you may see much less distortion on increased audio ranges.
The opposite high quality trick is AI noise cancelling, permitting the Mic 2 to decrease the environmental noise so vocals stand out higher. DJI guarantees that it really works in “complex and noisy environments, such as streets and restaurants.”
A full evaluate is to come back, however I attempted out the Mic 2 in quite a lot of conditions, together with inside a automobile, using on a bicycle and in a howling wind. It carried out effectively in almost all these conditions, with all distracting noise blocked within the automobile and bike photographs, leaving just a few nice environmental sound. Nonetheless, it was unable to dam out a direct 30-40 MPH wind on a sand dune, even with the included wind muff put in. It nonetheless labored effectively sufficient for me to get the shot, although, which was spectacular.
Key options carrying over from the final mannequin embrace the choice for a security observe recorded at a decrease -6 dB (in case you by chance blow out the degrees), an 820 foot vary with the transmitter/receiver combo (524 ft within the EU), magnetic clips and a muff for every transmitter. For the receiver, DJI has additionally included preset positive aspects for various cameras so that it will work comparatively effectively out of the field. It does not embrace all current cameras, so hopefully firmware updates will tackle that.
With the brand new choices, significantly the smartphone Bluetooth connectivity and Osmo Pocket 3/Motion 4 assist, the Mic 2 is once more more likely to ring a bell with creators. It is now out there for $349 with two transmitters, a receiver and charging case, $219 for a transmitter and receiver and $99 for particular person transmitters. You too can buy the charging case individually for $69.
