ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Huge improve on the previous-generation {hardware}
- 32-bit float makes recording tough conditions loads simpler
- Battery life has been considerably improved.
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DJI is not simply the very best civilian drone maker; it additionally makes a few of the greatest cameras and microphones accessible for creatives. The corporate has simply unveiled its third-generation microphones, filled with superior options that make capturing audio a snap, even below tough circumstances.
Additionally: I tried DJI’s first 360-degree camera, and its recording capabilities blows out the competition
The DJI Mic 3 is the most recent improve to the corporate’s common line of microphones for YouTubers, dwell streamers, documentary filmmakers and different creatives. These microphones pack some severe recording wizardry right into a tiny bundle that is good for each learners and professionals wanting crystal-clear audio.
The essential structure stays the identical. As with Mic and Mic 2, you get two microphones (which DJI calls transmitters) and a receiver, and every part packs right into a field that shops and costs the mics and receiver.
Nevertheless, Mic 3 delivers a variety of enhancements below the hood. Bodily, the mics are much more compact, and the clips are held in place magnetically, permitting them to be oriented in 4 alternative ways. The clips can be eliminated altogether, and magnets used to connect the mics to clothes.
The magnetic clips are a neat characteristic.
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As a result of that connection between the microphones and receiver is paramount, DJI has boosted the vary at which the models can talk to as much as 400 meters, and added sturdy interference resistance by switching to dual-band wi-fi connectivity.
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Battery efficiency has additionally been elevated. A totally charged Mic 3 microphone lasts as much as eight hours, whereas the receiver can run for as much as 10 hours. The charging case holds sufficient energy for two.4 full costs, enabling an unbelievable 28 hours of runtime. As soon as the batteries get low, a five-minute fast cost is all it takes to energy the DJI Mic 3 setup for 2 hours, whereas a 50-minute cost brings every part to 100%.
The interface and controls are simple and straightforward to make use of, even in a rush.
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The receiver’s settings are managed by way of the touchscreen, a click on wheel, and a small button. It is all quite simple and straightforward.
There are additionally a bunch of connection strategies, each wired and wi-fi. The DJI Mic 3 system can pair with the Osmo 360, Osmo Motion 5 Professional, Osmo Motion 4, or Osmo Pocket 3 with no receiver, simplifying the setup.
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In your different gear, the Mic 3 receiver has a locking 3.5mm TRS output port, a 3.5mm TRRS monitoring port (for connecting headphones to the receiver to maintain an ear on the audio coming in), and a USB-C port. The setup can even hook up with smartphones and tablets by way of Bluetooth with no receiver.
The receiver is tiny however nonetheless manages to have a 3.5mm TRS output port and a 3.5mm TRRS monitoring port.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
But it surely’s the audio that issues probably the most. Right here, DJI has added numerous enhancements. The Mic 3 system makes use of adaptive achieve management and 32-bit float, which prevents audio clipping because the atmosphere modifications from whisper quiet to shouting loud, dynamically balancing the audio. In reality, the receiver shops each the usual 24-bit and enhanced 32-bit float audio, permitting the absolute best flexibility on the subject of post-production.
All of the audio is time-coded at a precision the place the deviation is lower than one body per 24 hours, which is one other characteristic that streamlines and hurries up the enhancing course of.
The mics – which DJI name transmitters – are tiny however have what it takes to seize audio even below troublesome circumstances.
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Talking of storage, the receiver has 32GB of built-in storage.
There’s one limitation that will postpone purists who hate to see a mic within the shot: You can not use a lavalier mic with the system. Most is not going to care about this, however I do know some filmmakers will.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
I have been testing the DJI Mic 3 package for just a few weeks now, and it is an incredible setup. It’s totally simple to make use of — particularly in case you pair it with an Osmo digital camera — and the seize high quality is superb with out requiring a lot twiddling with settings.
The DJI Mic 3 kit consists of two mics and a receiver and is priced at $329. There’s additionally an choice to purchase one mic and a receiver for $219, and mics will be purchased separately for $99.
