MINI TESTS
DJI MIC 3 £259/$329 dji.com
The popular DJI Mic 2 dual-channel wireless audio kit has been revamped into the new Mic 3 – and somehow the boffins have managed to make it smaller, cheaper and better in technology, capability, runtime and audio quality. The only retro step is the transmitters, now so small that there is no room for a lav mic input. Where the Mic 2 could be used with your own lavs, the Mic 3 has internal omnidirectional mics only. But while the price has been shaved, the Mic 3 now offers support for up to four transmitters and eight receivers. In Quadraphonic mode, paired with compatible Sony software, you can record four independent audio tracks – ideal for panel discussions. One of the biggest bonuses of the Mic 2 was that, with an adapter, it could be used entirely without cables on Sony cameras that have the Multi Interface (MI) Shoe, using a digital signal rather than a cable. Thankfully, the new Mic 3 retains this but there is a new £25/$34 adapter. Each new transmitter weighs just 16g/0.03lb and can be worn with either a rotating clip or a magnetic mount, but the magnets aren’t very strong. DJI now offers windscreens in five colours too. Like previous kits, the all-in-one charging case is included, but this time the transmitters can be docked without removing clips or windscreens – a small change but a big improvement. Adaptive Gain Control offers an automatic mode for suppressing spikes and a dynamic mode for balancing quieter environments. Three new voice tone presets –
WON’T JACK DOWN Instead of inserting a
cable into a 3.5mm mic port, the RX
unit plugs into Sony’s MI Shoe via an optional adapter
Regular, Rich and Bright – provide helpful templates and two-level noise cancellation helps tame background hum. These auto levels work well, as does setting manual gain via the dial on the camera-top receiver. While the signal sent to the camera is a conventional 48kHz/24-bit, DJI has introduced dual-file 32-bit float internal recording with 32GB onboard storage per transmitter, saving both raw and enhanced versions. Each unit embeds timecode – that’s perfect for multicamera work. Other upgrades include automatic frequency hopping across 2.4GHz and 5GHz for stable transmission up to 400m/1312ft – a huge increase over the Mic 2’s 250m/820ft range. The charging is quicker and runtimes last up to ten hours longer with the case. We tried out the new Mic 3 at the IBC Show, where neither hundreds of various wireless-connected devices competing for bandwidth nor outside conditions fazed it. We also recorded backup 32-bit float, but the digital signal sent to our Sony A7S III and A1 was flawless. There’s competition in the wireless audio market but DJI’s Mic 3 raises the bar, especially for Sony users. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 An even smaller two-channel wireless audio system packed with tech
SPECIFICATIONS
Range: 400m/1312ft Frequency: 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz Interfaces: 3.5mm TRS audio output, headphone jack, USB-C, Lightning Built-in mic: Omnidirectional Max transmitters per band: 4 Audio channels: 2 Mic: Integrated Auto level/gain: Yes Sample rate: 48kHz/24-bit, 32-bit float (recorder) Battery life: 8 hours Charging time: 50 minutes Charging case: Additional runtime 28 hours Case charging time: 90 minutes Timecode: Yes Receiver dimensions (lxwxh): 53.9x28.7x22mm/2.1x1.1x0.9in Receiver weight: 25.1g/0.05lb Transmitter dimensions (lxwxh): 28.8x28.3x16.4mm/ 1.1x1.1x0.6in Transmitter weight: 16g/0.03lb Charging case dimensions (lxwxh): 106.3x59.2x42.5mm/ 4.2x2.3x1.7in Charging case weight: 200g/ 0.44lb
SMALL TIME The TX units are smaller but now lack a lav mic input. That might be a deal-breaker for some
Pros: 32-bit float recording Cons: No lav mic capability
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