Here comes the DJI Mic Mini, a tiny, lightweight, and cost-effective wireless microphone that would perfectly fit any mobile or camera setup. This blog will review everything you need to know about this microphone: what’s inside, its unique features, and how to set it up. Then we will deliberate some pros and cons to help settle if this microphone is for you.
What’s Included in the Box
When you get the DJI Mic Mini, it comes in a few different kits depending on your needs. The one we’ll mainly look at is the one with two transmitters and one receiver. Opening up the box, you’ll find everything packed away in a nice carrying pouch. Inside is a charging case that houses the transmitters and the receiver, keeping them nice and charged. There’s also an included USB-C adapter to connect to your phone or even a computer, along with two wind muffs—one black and one gray. The gray one is useful for heavy wind scenarios. You’ll also find a 3.5 mm cable for connecting the receiver to your camera and a USB-C cable for charging the case.
I really love how DJI packed everything into the charging case. You can fit the wind muffs and the 3.5 mm cable on the top lid, which means you don’t have to carry everything in the pouch. This makes it perfect for creators on the go.
The Transmitter
Let’s take a closer look at the transmitter of the DJI Mic Mini. It weighs a measly 10g per transmitter. It’s infinitely smaller compared to the DJI Mic 2- literally half its size- hence forms and fits wonderfully when worn.The white version, as it isn’t as distractive as the black version, will be ideal for use on lighter shirts.
The transmitter features a blinking indicator light, a connect button for connecting to the receiver or a DJI Osmo product, and a power button for turning it on and adjusting settings. There’s a clip for attaching it to your shirt or collar and a small magnet that allows it to attach to any piece of clothing easily.
Wind Muff and Microphone Design
You will find the microphone at the top of a transmitter and dots that are placed on the side and back attach the wind muff to it. It’s not so easy to put on initially but once you know how, it’s pretty simple to use. This wind muff helps protect against wind noise, which is a great feature.
Battery Life
The transmitter’s battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 hours. This is far better than the competition, and you won’t have to worry about power. The transmitter charges automatically when you place it back into the charging case, and you can set it to automatically turn off after 15 minutes of inactivity using the DJI Mimo app.
The Receiver
Now, let’s talk about the receiver. In comparison to the receiver of the DJI Mic 2, it is substantially smaller. The receiver has a clip to attach to your camera’s hot shoe and an indicator light to show whether it’s powered on. The great thing about this system is that whenever you pull out the transmitter or receiver, they automatically power on and connect.
On the side of the receiver is a gain dial that lets you adjust the microphone’s volume directly on the device without the need to search through an app. There’s also a 3.5 mm output for connecting to your camera, and this port doubles as a headphone jack when connected to your phone, allowing you to monitor the audio.
Charging and Connectivity
The receiver charges through USB-C, and it can even charge your phone if it’s connected while plugged into the receiver. The included USB-C adapter allows you to connect to your phone, making this setup versatile for mobile use. Once connected, double-check that both transmitters are connected by ensuring the lights on the receiver are lit.
Recording Modes
The DJI Mic Mini offers different recording modes. When both transmitters are connected, it records on one track, making it easier for simple editing. If you want separate tracks, just double-click the connect button on the receiver. This will separate the audio channels for each transmitter, giving you more control in editing. Additionally, there’s a mono mode with a safety track, which records a lower volume backup in case you speak too loudly.
Noise Cancellation and Audio Limiter
The DJI Mic Mini also has built-in noise cancellation, which can be activated by pressing the power button on the transmitter. The DJI Mimo app allows you to adjust the noise suppression level. Another great feature is the built-in audio limiter, which prevents distortion if you speak too loudly and helps normalize the volume for softer speech.
Compatibility with Osmo Products
One of the best features of the DJI Mic Mini is that you can connect the transmitter directly to Osmo products, like the Osmo Action 4 or the DJI Pocket 3. By purchasing just one transmitter, you can get high-quality audio without needing the receiver, which makes it perfect for a portable YouTube setup. You can even control your camera’s recording using the connect button on the transmitter.
Distance Test
Let’s put the DJI Mic Mini to the test with a distance test. This mic claims that the range is approximately a 400m distance, so I walk backward to check how far I can go before the audio cuts off. I’m walking further away, and the mic still works perfectly at a distance and is great in sound quality.
Downsides
Now, let’s address some downsides. The receiver can be bulky when connected to a phone, as it sticks out at an awkward angle. There is no hoping to see microphone inputs on the transmitter itself, which would have been a wonderful feature. Lastly, the mic does not sport a built-in recording feature like that of the DJI Mic 2, which might prove beneficial to some users.
Bluetooth Connectivity Issue
There’s even an option to synchronize the transmitter with your phone, via Bluetooth, yet results like much less clear audio than when using the receiver. That’s somewhat unfortunate because it would have been really great to only use that transmitter quickly to get set up.
App-Only Settings
Some settings, like noise cancellation strength and the mono safety track, are only accessible through the DJI Mimo app. It would be nice to have those settings available on the device itself, but hopefully, future firmware updates will add more control.
Pricing and Value
The DJI Mic Mini comes in several kits. The full kit with two transmitters, one receiver, and the charging case is priced at $169, which I think is very fair for the features it offers. If you don’t need the whole kit, you can get just one transmitter and receiver for $89. For those who already own an Osmo Action 4 or 5, or the DJI Pocket 3, you can buy a single transmitter for $59.
Conclusion
Comparing the DJI Mic Mini to other options like the Rode Wireless Go or the H1N Larr M2, the DJI Mic Mini strikes a perfect balance between performance, portability, and price. Its versatility is impressive, making it a great choice for creators who need something compact and high-quality. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, seamless wireless mic setup, the DJI Mic Mini is definitely worth considering. Follow for more updates on Tech Education.
