Tag: wireless microphone setup

Could This Be the Best Travel Mic of 2024? A Review of the DJI Mic

When it comes to choosing a microphone for travel, portability, durability, and audio quality are key. The DJI Mic has caught my attention as a top contender for the best travel microphone of 2024. After using it on various adventures—from impromptu trips to New Orleans to dealing with travel mishaps and hotel chaos—here’s an in-depth look at whether this mic lives up to the hype.

What I Don’t Like About the DJI Mic

Before diving into the positives, let’s address a couple of drawbacks:

  1. Power Management: One downside is that you need to turn on both the receiver and the microphone separately. If you forget to power them both up, you won’t get any audio. It’s an extra step that can be a bit annoying, especially when you’re in a rush or in a complex shooting setup.
  2. Clipping the Mic: Although the mic is designed with a magnetic clip for easy attachment, it still requires you to ensure it’s properly positioned and pointed up. While the magnet makes it simple to attach, it’s an additional step compared to some other travel mics.

What I Like About the DJI Mic

Despite a few inconveniences, the DJI Mic shines in several areas:

  1. Perfectly Travel-Sized: The DJI Mic is remarkably compact and travel-friendly. Unlike bulkier options like the Rode VideoMic Pro Plus, this mic’s compact design means it fits snugly into its case, reducing the risk of damage. It’s also less than half the volume of larger mics, making it a more practical choice for tight packing.
  2. Convenience and Flexibility: Although the mic doesn’t turn on automatically with your camera, it offers impressive flexibility. You can move around and talk to the camera from different angles without the audio becoming overly bass-heavy, a common issue with shotgun mics. This makes it excellent for dynamic filming scenarios where you want to capture clear audio while engaging with the environment.
  3. Audio Quality: The standout feature of the DJI Mic is its audio quality. Having used various wireless lapel mics, I can confidently say that the DJI Mic is the best I’ve encountered. It delivers crisp, clear sound without the distortion or poor performance often associated with other wireless options. Even in challenging conditions, such as windy environments, it maintains high-quality audio.

Final Thoughts

After extensive use, including handling the typical travel headaches like hotel booking fiascos and extreme weather, the DJI Mic has proven itself as a reliable and high-quality option. Its compact size, impressive audio quality, and flexibility make it a strong candidate for the best travel microphone of 2024.

If you’re searching for a microphone that balances portability with excellent sound performance, the DJI Mic is worth considering. You can check out the DJI Mic here on Amazon. Note that this is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through it.

Have you tried the DJI Mic or have other recommendations for travel microphones? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Thanks for reading, and happy filming!

EJCC 3-in-1 vs Rode Videomic Pro Plus vs iPhone Pro Max vs Ray-Ban Meta: Which Is the Best Microphone?

When it comes to capturing high-quality audio, having the right microphone can make all the difference. Whether you’re vlogging, podcasting, or just capturing your daily life, choosing the right mic is crucial. Recently, I tested four different audio solutions: the EJCC 3-in-1 wireless lapel mic, the Rode Videomic Pro Plus, the built-in microphone on an iPhone Pro Max, and the innovative Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Here’s how they stack up against each other in various scenarios.

The Contenders

  • EJCC 3-in-1 Wireless Lapel Mic
  • Price: $24 (with coupon)
  • Features: Compact, easy to use, includes two microphones for recording two people simultaneously.

  • Rode Videomic Pro Plus
  • Price: $300
  • Features: High-end shotgun microphone known for its excellent audio quality and noise rejection.

  • Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
  • Price: $300-$400
  • Features: Equipped with five microphones, designed for hands-free recording and smart functionality.

Testing Setup

To compare these devices, I conducted a series of tests both indoors and outdoors, varying distances and conditions to see how each microphone performed.

Indoor Testing

  • 2.5 Feet Away:
  • iPhone Pro Max Mic: Clear, decent quality for close-range recordings.
  • EJCC 3-in-1 Mic: Good clarity and noise isolation, noticeably better than the iPhone.
  • Rode Videomic Pro Plus: Superior audio quality with great focus on the speaker’s voice.
  • 15 Feet Away:
  • iPhone Pro Max Mic: Sound quality degrades, with noticeable loss in clarity.
  • EJCC 3-in-1 Mic: Still maintains good audio quality.
  • Rode Videomic Pro Plus: Audio remains crisp and clear, even at a distance.
  • 30 Feet Away:
  • iPhone Pro Max Mic: Significant drop in audio quality.
  • EJCC 3-in-1 Mic: Audio quality begins to diminish but still usable.
  • Rode Videomic Pro Plus: Excellent performance, minimal loss of quality.

Outdoor Testing

  • 15 Feet Away with Wind:
  • iPhone Pro Max Mic: Wind noise is intrusive, reducing audio clarity.
  • EJCC 3-in-1 Mic: Handles wind better than the iPhone, but some noise is still present.
  • Rode Videomic Pro Plus: Superior wind noise reduction, clear audio even with gusts.
  • 35 Feet Away:
  • EJCC 3-in-1 Mic: Reliable but starts to struggle with audio clarity.
  • Rode Videomic Pro Plus: Maintains high-quality audio, with minimal degradation.

Extended Distance Testing

  • EJCC 3-in-1 Mic:
  • Struggled to maintain a clear connection beyond 50 feet. It experienced significant dropouts and audio degradation, but reconnected at over 200 feet with poor quality.
  • Ray-Ban Meta Glasses:
  • Impressive performance, maintaining a clear connection and quality audio up to and beyond 200 feet. The built-in microphones managed to capture sound effectively even at extended distances.

Conclusion

Here’s a quick rundown of how these microphones performed:

  • EJCC 3-in-1 Wireless Lapel Mic:
  • Pros: Affordable, easy to use, good quality for close distances, excellent value for the price.
  • Cons: Limited range, audio quality drops at longer distances.
  • Rode Videomic Pro Plus:
  • Pros: Superior audio quality, excellent for professional use, great wind noise reduction.
  • Cons: Expensive, bulky.
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max Internal Mic:
  • Pros: Convenient, decent quality for basic recordings.
  • Cons: Poor performance at longer distances and in windy conditions.
  • Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses:
  • Pros: Outstanding range, innovative design, good audio quality even at extended distances.
  • Cons: Price and functionality may not justify for all users, smart glasses may not suit everyone’s style.
Each of these audio solutions has its strengths:

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. Whether you’re looking for a reliable backup mic or a high-end audio solution, there’s something for everyone in this lineup.

Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that performs well for close-range recording, the EJCC 3-in-1 is a solid choice. For professional-quality audio, the Rode Videomic Pro Plus remains the top pick. The iPhone’s internal mic is fine for casual use, but if you need a microphone that combines innovative technology with impressive performance, the Ray-Ban Meta glasses offer a fascinating alternative.

Whether you’re vlogging, podcasting, or just experimenting with new tech, there’s a microphone in this lineup to suit your needs.

Disclaimer: The links above are affiliate links so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting this small blog.