Microphones are a completely crucial a part of my video equipment, and I’m very arduous on them. So once I discover one thing that works, I are likely to keep it up for a very long time.
After I’m capturing an episode regionally the place I solely want one mic, I’ve been extremely impressed with the Sennheiser EW-DP equipment. It by no means has any points and sends a powerful sign to the digicam with minimal latency. Nevertheless, it’s a reasonably cumbersome equipment, doesn’t have twin transmitters, and the transmitter makes use of AA batteries, which I hate touring with. So I’ve been in search of a compact, dual-channel USB charging wi-fi mic setup for some time, and there have been an absolute pile of potential choices launched in the previous couple of months. I made a decision to check 5 of them whereas capturing our present, and allow you to know what may be the best equipment for you.
Each mic equipment we’re consists of twin transmitters, a receiver that may be plugged right into a digicam or cellphone, and a charging case. We’ll begin with the least costly and work our manner up. Alongside the way in which, we’ll point out the restrictions of every equipment, which might often be addressed with a dearer mannequin. Consider: every producer has options a numerous costs, however we felt these had been every essentially the most compelling in every firm’s lineup.
Saramonic Blink 500 B2+
That is our least costly choice at $130, but it nonetheless has every thing you should get dual-system audio and hold every thing charged up. A decade in the past, I bear in mind the futility of looking for an honest dual-channel system for below $1000, it’s loopy how far we’ve come. And so they sound… considerably satisfactory. As you’d count on, essentially the most reasonably priced choice has the tinniest sound. Furry windscreens are included and truly have a number of the finest mounting of any of those choices. Importantly, in order for you improved audio high quality there isn’t a choice to plug one other mic into the transmitters.
My most important situation with this method is the horrendous interface on the receiver. There are solely two buttons, certainly one of which is the ability button. Right here you’ll be able to see the diagram for the button presses required to alter settings, and also you completely should hold this with you for the primary few shoots till you memorize it. The Saramonic choice is extremely reasonably priced, however you’ll definitely be making compromises to your audio high quality and workflow by going with the most cost effective choice.
HollyLand Lark M2 Duo
For under $30 greater than the Saramonic, you’ll be able to seize the #160 Hollyland Lark M2 Duo equipment which provides some distinct benefits, but in addition its personal set of potential complications. Now we have two, a lot smaller transmitters, with really fairly good built-in mics. I used to be instantly impressed once I threw headphones on to observe Chris’ audio, his voice was clear, with a pleasant bit of heat. There may be one main design situation, nonetheless. The furry windscreen slides excessive of your entire transmitter, and it’s very irritating to placed on, think about the world’s smallest mattress cowl. Exacerbating my irritation, when the windscreen is connected, you’ll be able to’t see the place the precise microphone pickup is pointing. It ought to all the time be pointed at your mouth. This made me bear your entire irritating course of once more, and recall the place the pickup must be.
The receiver design is a lot better than the Saramonic in some methods, however can nonetheless be irritating. I like that it has a devoted dial for adjusting output quantity, together with two buttons. Nevertheless, there isn’t a LCD show, so to see what your settings really are, you should pair it with the LarkSound App in your cellphone. General, I used to be very impressed with the standard of the Hollyland equipment for the value.
DJI Mic 2
The $350 DJI Mic 2 takes the promise of the unique however provides quite a lot of vital options and interface modifications. Most significantly, every transmitter can now file inside 32-bit float audio and can be utilized as a Bluetooth microphone on to a cellphone or pill, although with a significantly extra compressed sign. If you happen to do hook up with the receiver, we’ve got discovered the soundness to be extremely good, not dropping the sign even on the extremely busy Samsung Galaxy launch just a few months in the past.
The audio from the transmitter’s inside microphone is superb, my second favourite of this rundown. If you happen to’d choose to make use of one other mic, nonetheless, a 3.5mm jack is on the market on the transmitters. These jacks should not threaded although, so watch out to not yank the cable out when utilizing a cavalier microphone. Fuzzy windscreens are included, and they’re extremely simple to connect and really efficient.
The receiver has a unbelievable interface, using each a really responsive touchscreen and likewise a clickable bodily dial for controlling audio ranges. The menus are effectively laid out, and the iconography makes it simple to see what your settings are at a look. Oddly, there isn’t a smartphone app for controlling settings on a bigger show, however I by no means felt like that will be a significant profit.
General, DJI’s answer is an extremely well-thought-out and dependable choice, particularly contemplating that it’s priced proper in the course of the pack.
Rode Wi-fi Professional
This entire product class mainly began with the unique Rode Wi-fi Go, and so they have maintained the enduring ‘tiny field you clip on’ design. The $400 Rode Wi-fi Professional brings quite a lot of main enhancements, together with inside recording of 32-bit float level audio on the transmitters, and correct timecode assist. We’ve used this method extensively, and it has largely been dependable. Sadly, when used at a busy occasion with a number of interference, like a smartphone launch occasion, we did encounter some dropped indicators. Additionally, when capturing with the DJI Ronin 4D, the Rode system grew to become completely unusable, always dropping the sign. Luckily, we had our trusty Sennheiser single system we may move forwards and backwards and end the mission.
Audio high quality from the transmitters is obvious and nice, however if you wish to join one other microphone, not solely do you get a 3.5mm enter, but it surely’s threaded so the mics don’t get tugged out. The windscreen is sort of fiddly to mount, however an unlimited enchancment over the rage-inducing design within the authentic Wi-fi Go. The equipment additionally consists of two Lavalier microphones, one thing not included in any of the opposite kits.
The receiver is compact, with a three-button interface and LCD. It’s fairly effectively laid out, with quite a lot of helpful controls. For entry to the extra superior options, you need to use the Rode Central app to regulate the system. That is additionally one of the simplest ways to arrange a timecode – the Wi-fi Professional can each sync and generate a timecode. This characteristic alone may make it price grabbing the Rode in case you are typically engaged on multicam shoots.
Shure MoveMic
The Shure answer is a little bit of a unique beast. You should buy the MoveMic kits with a single transmitter ($250), two transmitters ($350), or two transmitters and a receiver ($500). What units the MoveMic aside is that every transmitter can ship high-quality 24-bit audio on to a smartphone or pill. Different wi-fi microphones just like the DJI have this capability as effectively, however they ship their audio sign utilizing a closely compressed BlueTooth protocol. The audio from the Shure system is a considerable step up. Sadly, to benefit from this, you should use Shure’s Motiv Audio or Motiv Video apps.
The audio from the extremely small and weather-resistant (IPX4) transmitters is excellent and simply my favourite of the 5 examined kits. A lot of the transmitter must be hidden behind garments, leaving solely a discreet clip seen on the presenter. The draw back to such a small, rugged transmitter is that no further microphones may be plugged into them. It’s a very good factor the built-in microphone high quality is so good! It’s price noting that solely foam (not furry) windscreens are included, and we did sometimes expertise wind noise outdoor with the windscreen connected.
If you should use the MoveMic with a digicam, you’ll want the receiver equipment. Oddly, a charging equipment for the 2 transmitters is included, however you’ll must cost the receiver individually. The receiver has a shiny LCD show, a joystick for adjusting settings, and a really complete however intuitive menu system. I’m a giant fan of the steel sizzling shoe mount and stable tilting hinge. Whereas that is the costliest equipment I checked out, it additionally seems like essentially the most well-made. If you happen to solely plan to make use of the built-in microphones and infrequently file right into a smartphone, the Shure MoveMic is a unbelievable selection.
Which One Ought to You Purchase?
For below $200, I feel the Hollyland equipment is one of the best purchase and simply justifies its small premium over the Saramonic. The opposite three every have their very own strengths. I feel the DJI is essentially the most well-rounded equipment and a completely distinctive worth. The Rode’s inclusion of timecode will make it the most suitable choice in multicam and reside manufacturing environments. The Shure is good in the event you usually file straight into your smartphone, or are sometimes in inclement climate.
General, it’s unimaginable how far compact wi-fi audio options have are available the previous couple of years. If you happen to require high quality audio in your video productions, there at the moment are a bunch of excellent choices to select from. Hopefully this text has helped you resolve the best one for you!
