DJI Mic 2 Review

The DJI Mic 2 is a two-piece wireless mic system that’s ideal for interview situations. Of course, this market is swamped with models from almost every manufacturer, so to stand out, DJI needs to do something special. The DJI Mic was good, so the DJI Mic 2 needs to be a huge step up in every direction if it’s going to get through the crowd and compete with the Rode Wireless Go system. Obviously, being DJI, they don’t want to be in with the crowd they want and need to be soring above it and at some height, so that’s what they’ve set out to do.

The Mic 2 is a dual-channel wireless microphone system, essentially two small, sleek transmitters and a receiver, all housed in a striking metal charging case that looks oh-so-good.

At its core, the DJI Mic 2 captures high-fidelity audio, and the features, options, and price will make this appeal to a wide spectrum of users, from professional videographers and podcasters to enthusiastic vloggers and content creators.

One of the standout features of the DJI Mic 2 is its standalone recording capability. Each transmitter has a built-in omnidirectional microphone and 8GB of internal storage, allowing for up to 14 hours of high-quality audio recording independent of the camera or recording device. This feature may seem a bit old hat, meaning that you have to match up the audio later. However, this way of working with audio will appeal to many filmmakers who love the flexibility of being able to record an actor with an integrated timecode that can be matched to the visual later.

The system boasts Bluetooth connectivity, which, although currently showing mixed results in terms of compatibility, holds the potential for seamless integration with various devices.

While the features and sound quality options of the DJI Mic 2 will definitely appeal to professionals and integrate seamlessly with high-end gear, they will also appeal to beginners and enthusiasts who are looking for a significant upgrade from basic audio equipment.

In comparison to its predecessors and competitors, the DJI Mic 2 is a notable improvement in terms of design, functionality, and overall usability. From almost any other manufacturer to nudge into this market with a product like this would be unheard of, but that’s exactly what DJI has done elsewhere with the likes of the Action camera.

The DJI Mic 2, on the surface, follows the usual design approach for modern wireless mic systems. Two transmitters and a receiver that slots neatly into a charging case. However, it’s immediately evident that DJI has realised if they’re to stand out, they really need to take everything up a notch when it comes to materials and design.

To start with, the DJI Mic 2 features a sleek, modern design, with the small transmitters and receiver being incredibly compact, which helps ensure that the transmitter mics don’t pull or tug the material they’re attached to.

Starting a deeper look at the build, you have to start with the charging case, which is full metal on the exterior and a hardened rubberised plastic on the inside that holds the RX and TXs firmly and offers them some protection.

When you remove the transmitter, you see the long, thin, 1.1-inch OLED touch screen that enables you to flick quickly through the settings. To the right of the screen is a small dial that enables you to go analogue through the options. The combination of the touch screen and the dial works well and helps to relieve some of the fiddlyness of the screen. On the right is the power button, and then on the left is the 3.5mm TRS analogue output/headphone port. On the back, there’s a USB-C and Lightning adapters for data and direct charging. Then, there’s a removal door that covers the contacts for the USB to-phone connector. The entire design offers plenty of options, and as always, there’s the hotshoe clip that enables you to mount the receiver to your camera, cage or slip to a wire.

Next are the two identical transmitter mics. The design of these is very slick, and at 28g, they feel pretty light. Aesthetically, they look great, but DJI, like other manufacturers, has emblazoned their logo across the front of the unit. This is annoying as you’ll need a strip of electrical tape to cover it for anything professional. The rest of the design is nice and discreet, with the USB and record buttons on one side and the pairing and power buttons on the other. Just above is the handy status light. Another point to note is that many buttons, like the record button, are dual-use, so hold it down for three seconds, and the unit will go into pairing mode.

Another point on the handling is that the DJI Mic 2 features internal storage (8GB per transmitter), which enables up to 14 hours of high-fidelity audio capture. So essentially, check the Time on the units and let the record independently for the day’s shoot. One less thing to worry about.

The DJI Mic 2 is a dual-channel system, which essentially means that it comprises two transmitters and a receiver, ideal for capturing audio from two sources simultaneously, such as two-person interviews, podcasts, and vlogs.

Like many systems of this type, the transmitters and receiver are notably lightweight at just 28 grams each; this ensures they’re easy to handle and are not too obvious physically. However, the large white embossed DJI logo is a bit of an issue. Each transmitter is equipped with a built-in omnidirectional microphone capable of capturing high-quality audio.

One of the key features of this system is the standalone recording capability, with each transmitter boasting 8GB of internal storage. This allows for up to 14 hours of high-fidelity audio recording independently, offering immense flexibility for post-production syncing. While this may seem to many like a step back, when it comes to professional workflows, this format will be more in line with what pros are used to and expect.

The inclusion of a 1.1-inch OLED touchscreen on the receiver, along with a precision control dial, makes navigating through settings and adjustments easy, even if, at first, the thin strip of a screen seems a little too small for touch control.

The DJI Mic 2 also offers plenty of connectivity options with Bluetooth for wireless pairing with devices like the DJI Osmo Action 4 and DJI Osmo Pocket 3. Additionally, it includes USB-C and Lightning adapters, catering to a variety of data transfer and direct charging needs. The transmitters and receiver feature an extended battery life of 6 hours compared to the previous model, and this can be further extended up to 18 hours with the use of the charging case.

One feature that is becoming increasingly common with all wireless MIC systems is the magnetic clip that enables easy attachment to clothing. When it comes to the receiver, this sports a hotshoe mount, which can be slipped onto your camera or a cage.

A nice touch is the dual-use buttons on the transmitters, with the record button doubling as the pairing button when switching from the receiver connection to the device. At present, this does seem isolated to DJI devices, and I hope it stretches out to other devices in the near future.

Other advanced audio features include intelligent noise-cancelling technology and a safety track feature that records a backup audio track at -6dB to protect against unexpected audio spikes. As you’d expect, there’s the ability to adjust the gain control separately for each of the mics, which allows for fine-tuning of the audio capture according to different recording environments and people.

The quality of the DJI Mic 2 is robust and stylish, with a durable metal exterior charging case and a protective rubberised interior, ensuring that the mic system itself stays safe and together during transit.

Omnidirectional microphones offer a wide frequency response range from 50 Hz to 20 kHz. Additionally, the system is capable of handling a maximum sound pressure level of 120 dB SPL, making it well-suited for recording in loud environments without the risk of distortion. The transmission range of up to 250 meters in open environments adds to its versatility and is far further than the usual 100m offered by this style of system.

The DJI Mic 2 is compatible with a range of devices, including smartphones and cameras, although it works through a physical connection rather than through Bluetooth.

When it comes to features, it does look like DJI has listed all the desirable and fitted them into these small units, but is it all too much and is the inability to easily access non-DJI devices just the start of ease of use and performance issues?

The DJI Mic 2 are some of the best wireless microphones of the type in this price bracket that I have used. The audio quality, ease of use, and design are outstanding. But before I go into that, let’s tackle two issues. The first is the BlueTooth connectivity, which I cannot get to connect to anything. In pairing mode, the devices are not recognised by iPhone, Android phone, Non-DJI Action camera or any other piece of BlueTooth enabled kit that I have tried to pair. I also haven’t been able to connect them to the DJI Action 4 or DJI OSMO 3, but that is because I don’t have them.

The next issue is the big embossed DJI logo on the front; this doesn’t help. When you go to the effort of designing the units to be small, lightweight and decent, why put a large logo on to draw attention? The fix for this is simple: a strip of electric tape stuck across the logo. This might not matter if you’re a vlogger or enthusiast, but as a pro, it can be a real issue.

Then that’s it. As far as I can see with these units, the touch screen is a little small, but coupled with the dial, it actually makes it very usable and easy to adjust the options and settings. Everything is clearly laid out, and as ever, the documentation actually tells you what everything is without leaving you guessing what symbols and letters mean.

Initial setup is easy, and all the cables you need to connect the receiver to the camera are in the pouch that neatly holds the charging case, which neatly holds the mics and receiver; you get it? It’s all very neat.

Once everything is attached and the mics are attached to the subjects, one lapel and the other using the magnet, you’re ready to go. The ability to monitor and adjust the gain on both mics through the receiver makes things nice and easy. The large logo still annoys me, but for the review, it didn’t need taping over, although it has been on several occasions over the month of testing.

When it comes to audio quality, I have to say that I’ve been really impressed. The audio is clear and crisp, and everything that you could want is more than suitable for any level of project. When it comes to the options that justify the price again, the small Mic 2 offers several notable features that really stood out through the use of the units.

The first was the standalone recording, which was firstly easy to understand and use, with the files being easily downloadable from the units once filming had finished. The next is the ability to split the two transmitters from a mono to a stereo feed so that if you need to, the audio volumes can be adjusted in post. Also on that note is the safety track; this enables a second recording at -6db to be recorded, so if one of your interviewees suddenly turns into Brian Blessed when the cameras start rolling, at least the audio won’t be blown. However, when the safety track is on the mics, record in mono rather than splitting to the stereo feed.

The BlueTooth connectivity to phones directly without using the receiver with the dongle would have been great, but I really couldn’t get this to work, so I gave up for the time being. I’ll update you when and if this changes.

The two other big features are the AI noise cancelling, which is superb, and the ability to attach third-part Lavalier Mics, which works seamlessly.

Overall is outstanding, with a few small niggles with the BlueTooth connectivity that should be resolved through firmware updates.

When it comes to wireless microphones, the market is crowded; in fact, my desk is crowded with three other systems presently on the go. However, the DJI Mic 2 does stand out in terms of features and performance when you consider its price. Oddly, it is more expensive than most of the competitors, but I’m still slightly stuck in the good audio, which is going to cost you £500/$500 or above, so at a touch over £300/$300, this still seems cheap.

The standout features of the DJI Mic 2 have to be the exceptional audio quality, which is clear, crisp, and suitable for any project level, from amateur vlogging to professional broadcasting. This, coupled with the ease of use and design, with some electrical tape alterations, makes it a valuable piece of kit for content creators of all levels.

The standalone recording feature is great to see and incredibly user-friendly, allowing for easy post-shoot file access and management. The ability to split audio feeds into mono or stereo and the safety track feature are practical solutions enabling you to tackle the most tricky situations, from sudden volume spikes to the need for detailed post-production adjustments.

However, there are a few issues, primarily the prominent DJI logo, though a minor, aesthetic issue, which as so often can be resolved with tape, can be a concern for professionals who work for channels where brand logos are an absolute no-go. The simple workaround, using electrical tape, is fast, but that shouldn’t necessarily be needed.

The most significant issue seems to be the Bluetooth connectivity. While the promise of seamless integration with various devices is appealing, the current limitations in connecting to non-DJI devices, including phones and cameras, are a notable drawback.

The inclusion of AI noise-cancelling and compatibility with third-party lavalier mics further adds to the DJI Mic 2’s versatility and the capture of high-quality audio.

The DJI Mic 2 is a big step up from the company’s first Mic system. Despite the minor drawbacks, its advanced features, superior audio quality, and user-centric design make it one of the best choices at present for both enthusiasts and professionals and more than a rival for the Rode Wireless Pro.