Not long ago, high quality wireless mic systems cost more than $500 and required a bulky transmitter and lav mic wired under the person’s shirt. DJI’s Mic Mini shows how unnecessary all this was, combining a mic and transmitter into a 0.35-ounce device that delivers high-quality sound for less than $100.
Now, DJI has released the Mic Mini 2 as a lightweight update of the original at a much lower price (about $100). It’s more fashion forward thanks to the colorful new magnetic cover and offers audio upgrades through new voice tone presets. Those changes make it the best budget wireless mic for new buyers, but it’s not worth the upgrade if you already have a Mic Mini – and DJI’s flagship Mic 3 is better if you can afford it. However, be aware that the Mic Mini 2 is not currently on sale in the US as it has not yet been certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
dji/ngadget
- good sound quality
- effective noise reduction
- excellent wireless range
- new trendy colors
- Very light upgrade from mic mini
- No US availability
- Lack of 32-bit float audio
Design and Features
The Mic Mini 2 now comes in two packages for smartphone and camera users. One includes a receiver with a 3.5mm mic output for mirrorless cameras, while the other offers a mobile receiver with a USB-C port for smartphones. Both kits include a charging case, one or two transmitters (MICs), and a receiver. You also get a magnetic mount, clip mount, black and white magnetic front cover, and a windscreen for each mic. The camera kit also includes a smartphone adapter.
The camera kit comes with 10 mic covers in a rainbow of colors that look like they’re borrowed from ’90s iMacs, so you can match them to a subject’s clothing or add a pop of color. However, they all have a huge, distracting DJI logo, so many manufacturers may want to cover it up with a piece of tape. DJI also has optional designer front covers featuring four 90s-looking abstract patterns in several pastel shades, available for about $45.
Steve Dent for Engadget
DJI has changed the transmitter design slightly from the aspect shape of the previous model to a flat design to better accommodate the new magnetic casings. The weight of the mic part is also slightly higher i.e. 0.39 ounces. Although small, each mic is rated to last up to 11.5 hours on a single charge, and the receiver is supposed to last about 10.5 hours with noise cancellation disabled. In my own testing (continuous recording with a looped video as an audio source), I was able to exceed these times quite a bit, so you can easily use it for an entire shooting day. That’s better than almost all rivals, including the Rode Wireless Go III, which lasts up to seven hours on a single charge. Another wireless mic in this price range, the Holland Lark M2, has a stated runtime of 10 hours between charges.
As before, the transmitter and receiver snap magnetically into the charging case. The mobile charging case is small enough to fit into a pants pocket, while the larger camera version fits into a jacket pocket or bag. In addition to being a convenient way to store the transmitter and receiver, they can charge the mic and receiver 3.6 times, giving you 48 hours of use even without a wall plug. It took me about two hours to charge all three devices in the camera case and about an hour to charge the small receiver and single transmitter with the mobile case.
The Mic Mini 2 transmitters can be paired directly with smartphones via Bluetooth or you can connect them to DJI cameras like the Osmo Action 6, Osmo 360, and Osmo Pocket 4 through DJI’s OsmoAudio system.
audio quality
To use the Mic Mini 2, simply affix the mic (transmitter) to your subject via clip or magnetic attachment, and turn them on. Then, power up the receiver and connect it to your camera via a 3.5mm cable or plug it into your smartphone’s USB-C port. Everything connects automatically, and the final step is to adjust the level between -12dB and +12dB using the dial on the side (camera receiver only). Noise reduction is set via a switch on the mobile receiver or the Mimo app for the camera receiver.
There are some key differences between DJI’s Mic Mini 2 and the more expensive flagship Mic 3 when it comes to audio specs. On top of that, the Mic 3 supports 32-bit float internal recording (with 32GB of storage) which eliminates clipping in most situations, even if your levels are extremely high. It comes with a dynamic gain control to balance the volume if your subject has a tendency to turn their voice up or down too much.
Steve Dent for Engadget
In comparison, the Mic Mini 2 only offers automatic limiting, which prevents clipping but may reduce audio quality. It also doesn’t offer any internal recording, so you won’t have a backup if your camera or smartphone recording fails. The Mic Mini 2 also lacks an audio level display like the Mic 3.
Despite those limitations, the 48Khz, 24-bit audio quality on the Mic Mini 2 is excellent. I recorded my voice using all three voice tone presets, and found that I could use the “Rich” mode (which emphasizes low tones) without needing to do equalization in post. The “Regular” setting provides neutral and balanced sound, while the “Bright” mode adds clarity in noisy situations. If you prefer to do the EQ yourself, Regular mode is best.
A good test of a microphone is to record your voice and then maximize the EQ level in a narrow band across a range of frequencies. A mediocre mic will distort the audio in more than one range, reducing the sound quality. DJI’s Mic Mini 2 performed well here, with only minor distortion appearing in my voice at one frequency. When I turned the gain down to that limit, my voiceovers sounded clear and full.
Another key feature is noise cancellation. DJI’s Mic Mini 2 offers two levels of AI-powered cancellation depending on the amount of background noise. At a low setting, it reduced background noise but produced some distortion. However, high levels of noise cancellation distort the audio significantly, so you should only use it when noise is excessive. I also tested the Mic Mini 2’s wireless range and was able to record audio up to 450 yards from the receiver as DJI claims, although the device disconnected once at that distance.
The Mic Mini 2 retains other functions from the original Mini such as automatic limiting to prevent clipping. It supports two mics simultaneously, and when used in stereo mode, it lets you capture each mic on a separate channel so you can mix them later. To set up those functions, you’ll need to use DJI’s Mimo smartphone app.
wrap up
Steve Dent for Engadget
The Mic Mini 2 is now available in Europe and elsewhere but is not yet available in the US due to lack of certification. It costs about half as much as the Mic Mini at launch, just €89/£89 for a camera kit with two transmitters and a receiver, or €49/£54 for a mobile kit with a transmitter and a receiver.
Looking at the features and price, the Mic Mini 2 doesn’t have much competition. One of its main rivals is the Rode Wireless Go III, but that model costs twice as much and lacks noise cancellation. However, its audio quality is slightly better. Other options in the same price range from Holiland, Boya and others either cannot connect to both a camera and a smartphone or do not hold up in terms of sound quality and features.
Overall the Mic Mini 2 offers a great combination of range, audio quality and noise cancellation. This mic isn’t worth upgrading from the Mini, but if you’re buying your first wireless mic and don’t want to spend a bundle, it’s a great option. And as a final reminder, like other DJI products, the Mic Mini won’t be available in the US initially, but may go on sale in the States later.
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