Why The Wireless Mic I Recommend To Content Creators Is Made By A Drone Company

1 week ago

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

Big upgrade connected nan previous-generation hardware
32-bit float makes signaling tricky situations a batch easier
Battery life has been importantly improved.

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DJI isn't conscionable nan champion civilian drone maker; it besides makes immoderate of nan champion cameras and microphones disposable for creatives. The institution has conscionable unveiled its third-generation microphones, packed pinch precocious features that make capturing audio a snap, moreover nether tricky conditions.

Also: I tried DJI's first 360-degree camera, and its signaling capabilities blows retired nan competition

The DJI Mic 3 is nan latest upgrade to nan company's celebrated statement of microphones for YouTubers, unrecorded streamers, documentary filmmakers and different creatives. These microphones battalion immoderate superior signaling wizardry into a mini package that's cleanable for some beginners and pros wanting crystal-clear audio.

The basal layout remains nan same. As pinch Mic and Mic 2, you get 2 microphones (which DJI calls transmitters) and a receiver, and everything packs into a container that stores and charges nan mics and receiver.

However, Mic 3 delivers a batch of improvements nether nan hood. Physically, nan mics are a batch much compact, and nan clips are held successful spot magnetically, allowing them to beryllium oriented successful 4 different ways. The clips tin besides beryllium removed altogether, and magnets utilized to connect nan mics to clothing.

The magnetic clips are a neat feature.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Because that relationship betwixt nan microphones and receiver is paramount, DJI has boosted nan scope astatine which nan units tin pass to up to 400 meters, and added robust interference guidance by switching to dual-band wireless connectivity.

Also: New photographer? Here's nan camera I urge (and no, it's not a Sony)

Battery capacity has besides been increased. A afloat charged Mic 3 microphone lasts up to 8 hours, while nan receiver tin tally for up to 10 hours. The charging lawsuit holds capable powerfulness for 2.4 afloat charges, enabling an unthinkable 28 hours of runtime. Once nan batteries get low, a five-minute speedy complaint is each it takes to powerfulness nan DJI Mic 3 setup for 2 hours, while a 50-minute complaint brings everything to 100%.

The interface and controls are straightforward and easy to use, moreover successful a hurry.

The receiver's settings are controlled via nan touchscreen, a click wheel, and a mini button. It's each alternatively straightforward and easy.

There are besides a bunch of relationship methods, some wired and wireless. The DJI Mic 3 strategy tin brace pinch nan Osmo 360, Osmo Action 5 Pro, Osmo Action 4, aliases Osmo Pocket 3 without a receiver, simplifying nan setup.

Also: I tested DJI's latest flagship drone, and it's consecutive from nan early (with 1 caveat)

For your different gear, nan Mic 3 receiver has a locking 3.5mm TRS output port, a 3.5mm TRRS monitoring larboard (for connecting headphones to nan receiver to support an receptor connected nan audio coming in), and a USB-C port. The setup tin besides link to smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth without a receiver.

The receiver is mini but still manages to person a 3.5mm TRS output larboard and a 3.5mm TRRS monitoring port.

But it's nan audio that matters nan most. Here, DJI has added a number of improvements. The Mic 3 strategy uses adaptive summation power and 32-bit float, which prevents audio clipping arsenic nan situation changes from susurration quiet to shouting loud, dynamically balancing nan audio. In fact, nan receiver stores some nan modular 24-bit and enhanced 32-bit float audio, allowing nan champion imaginable elasticity erstwhile it comes to post-production.

All nan audio is time-coded astatine a precision wherever nan deviation is little than 1 framework per 24 hours, which is different characteristic that streamlines and speeds up nan editing process.

The mics -- which DJI telephone transmitters -- are mini but person what it takes to seizure audio moreover nether difficult conditions.

Speaking of storage, nan receiver has 32GB of built-in storage.

There is 1 limitation that whitethorn put disconnected purists who dislike to spot a mic successful nan shot: You cannot usage a lavalier mic pinch nan system. Most will not attraction astir this, but I cognize immoderate filmmakers will.

ZDNET's buying advice

I've been testing nan DJI Mic 3 package for a fewer weeks now, and it's a awesome setup. It's very easy to usage -- particularly if you brace it pinch an Osmo camera -- and nan seizure value is fantabulous without requiring overmuch fiddling pinch settings.

The DJI Mic 3 kit includes 2 mics and a receiver and is priced astatine $329. There's besides an action to bargain 1 mic and a receiver for $219, and mics tin beryllium purchased separately for $99.