DJI Mic 3 review

DJI Mic 3 is the follow-up to the DJI Mic 2, which has become a favourite of broadcasters, vloggers and filmmakers alike due to its small size, easy portability, high-quality audio and features that make it incredibly easy to use by all levels of videographers.

The Mic 3, however, is different. Whilst it still aims at the pro-level market with 32-bit float audio recording and a host of new features that take the microphone system to another level, the lack of a 3.5mm option will be an issue.

However, with the mainstay of the DJI Mic being the vlogger and creator community, these small wireless Mic options that enable quick, direct mounting to clothing via a clip or magnet system will certainly, once again, have wider appeal.

The size of the new mics is impressive, somewhere in between the DJI Mic Mini and the DJI Mic 2. Whereas the old units used to weigh 28g each, these new ones come in at just 16g, making them far more lightweight and compact.

Once again, you have the pro-level audio recording, and that can be recorded in mono or stereo, at least for my review sample, but that can extend to up to four tracks with additional mics, then there’s the safety track, which again is a huge step forward and something many people will definitely welcome.

Battery longevity also increases, with the charging case enabling a top-up charge in between shoots. The case now features a quick charge feature, which, within five minutes, will give you up to two hours of additional use.

Once again, we see DJI ensuring that they are complementing their imaging ecosystem by making it as easy as possible to use the Mic 3s with their existing equipment. Bluetooth connection to DJI cameras is now fully integrated without the need for the receiver, which is a nice touch.

So, when it comes to the DJI Mic 3 as a replacement for the DJI Mic 2, I can see how many people will want the DJI Mic 3 features, while at the same time feeling a little bit cheated that there’s no support for a 3.5mm audio input option.

The Mic 3s are small and lightweight, with each transmitter weighing just 16g. It’s not quite half the weight of the previous options, but it’s still quite impressive.

One of the other features that appeals to me is that the small clip-on clips used to attach the Mic to clothing are removable. So if you need to adjust the rotation of the mics, you can just unclip the clip, rotate it around and re-clip it. This means it’s far easier to position for T-shirts, shirts and jackets, where the orientation of the clip doesn’t need to change. Again, like the previous version, there are also magnets that can be used to attach the Mic to clothing. These are really good and strong and hold the mics securely. What I also like about these is that you can remove the clip so that you’re just using the mic unit and the magnet to attach to your clothing, making a much smaller and more streamlined option.

Checking over each of the wireless mics, they’ve kept them simple. On top, you have the main Mic, and you can very quickly attach and click windjammers into the top if you’re recording outside in windy conditions.

On the back, as I’ve explained, is the main clip, which is removable. Then on the side, you have your status light, your record button so that you can record down to the internal memory, and the link button. Then, on the base, you have the contact for the charging case, and that’s it for the transmitter microphones.

There’s also the receiver, which again is very similar to the one that shipped with the Mic 2, although here it just feels a little bit lighter. Whilst it’s excellent quality, it doesn’t quite feel the same build quality that we had with the Mic 2 receiver, which felt decidedly pro-level.

Again, like the two transmitting mics, the receiver is lightweight and features a colour LCD on the front, with a control dial to the right. Then on the side, we’ve got the power and back navigation button and then a small push button. This is essentially the lock for the contact cover on the base. On the opposite side, there’s headphone monitoring and the receiver output that goes directly into your camera.

As with the previous generation, there’s also the option to plug in a USB adapter, which can then be plugged directly into your computer or other devices that accept USB-C audio input, which is extremely useful. This doesn’t always need the receiver, as Mic 2 did. What you can do is actually link the Mic 3 transmitter mics directly with the likes of the Osmo Pocket 3 and the DJI Action 5.

Alongside the two transmitter mics and the receiver is the charging case. As we’ve seen before, this charges up all components of the set.

When it comes to features, there’s a lot going on with the DJI Mic 3, and they actually bring quite a bit more to the table, although I feel it’s debatable if those new features are enough to offset that one omission of no 3.5mm jack.

First and foremost, they’re much lighter than the previous generation, 16g over 28g, and that’s in no small part down to the fact that there’s no longer a large and bulky socket for external mic input.

When it comes to audio recording, once again, we’re seeing 32-bit float with dual-file safety recording and 32GB of internal storage per transmitting Mic.

One of the features that really appeals to me is the fact that, on the DJI Mic 2, the basic adaptive gain control was good. We now have two different types: automatic for outdoor spikes, and dynamic, which is better for indoor use. Through the test, these two adaptive gain control options made a huge difference to the quality of the recordings.

Another feature I particularly liked was the voice tone preset. This is something new to the DJI Mic 3 and essentially enables you to adjust to Regular, Rich and Bright vocal tones. This can really add depth and professional audio quality to the recording. It’s something you would usually do in post-production, but with speed being a primary concern for many creators, the fact that this is all done via the wireless mics just makes them a great option. Likewise, the noise cancellation has been taken to another level. Whereas there was some basic noise reduction before, there are now two levels of active noise cancellation. Through the test, from traffic to air-conditioning units, they worked exceptionally well.

Now, a big new feature of these new mics is the fact that you can start to build a far greater and more professional audio system with up to four transmitters and eight receivers via group linking. This means that you can have four people Mic’d up, and the audio signal can then go back to up to eight different recording devices.

Again, this really shows that there’s a step up in audio production quality as it now supports quadraphonic mode. This is essentially four tracks, so with those four wireless transmitter mics, you can record each vocal down to its own track so it can be adjusted in post-production later.

Even though the devices themselves are smaller and lighter than before, the workable distance of the mic transmission has been extended to up to 400m, now using dual-band 2.4/5GHz with auto channel hopping.

Battery life has also been extended, with the transmitters gaining an additional two hours, each offering up to eight hours per unit, and the receiver offering up to ten hours. The charging case enables further charges, extending the overall usage time to 28 hours, which is ten hours more than the Mic 2s. Another big feature I’ve already covered is the five-minute fast charge option. Just placing the transmitters and receiver back into the case gives them a quick charge, extending usage by a further two hours.

A feature that’s going to appeal to many, especially content creators, is the direct Bluetooth connection to devices such as the Pocket 3 and the Action 5. Essentially, you can use the wireless Mic without the receiver, which makes them even smaller and lighter to transport.

One final thing on the aesthetics, in the box, you’ll actually get two windshields to use on the mics when conditions are windy. There are also options to buy further windshields in up to five colours, so you can match the mics with your presenters’ clothing.

Getting started with the DJI Mic 3 was all pretty straightforward. Once again, DJI has made these as quick and easy to use as possible, whether you’re using them indoors or out, as a professional or as a complete beginner.

From the outset, some of the new features really stood out, such as the adaptive gain control, which is accessible through the menu; this makes a huge difference to the quality of the audio capture.

The noise cancellation, which is easily switched on and off, also makes a big difference. Whether it’s traffic in the background, air-conditioning units, or just the low hum of people in a café, it does a really excellent job.

Then there are some of the more standard features that you’d expect from a pro-level mic system, such as the ability to monitor the audio recording directly from the receiver, which helps you fine-tune your recordings before you get started.

One feature I always find essential for any wireless mic system is the onboard recording. This ensures that the Mic itself is recording the audio as well as transmitting the signal to your camera or external recorder. The reason I find this so important is that sometimes another wireless signal can interfere, and by just having that direct record option, you can often avoid any type of interference that might otherwise ruin clear audio. However, it’s worth pointing out that these mics use channel hoping, which should reduce any interference anyway – sure enough, through the test, the audio quality throughout was clean.

Through the test, I used the Mic in a variety of different situations, from large echoey interiors to vast expanses of forest. In all situations, the quality of the pickup from the Mic was absolutely superb. Definitely in line with the DJI Mic 2s, but with the added advantage of adaptive gain control and improved noise cancellation, taking a lead in processing and output audio quality.

Another thing that appealed was the long battery life, which, like the DJI Mic 2s, would last an entire day without needing a top-up charge. There are some features I didn’t get to try during the test. The fact that this now supports four-track recording without needing four wireless transmitter mics is something I’m excited to fully test. This is a high-level professional feature, and for a mic system that comes in at £259 / €309 / US$309, it’s quite an appealing option.

As I ran through the test, I was once again impressed by the overall audio quality and the level of adjustment you can make directly through the receiver box. I was also impressed by the fact that I can now connect the Mic directly to a DJI Action 5 or the DJI Pocket 3, both of which make this a great solution for vlogging and content creation.

However, throughout the test, I couldn’t help but think that whilst on one hand, DJI is offering these excellent wireless mics with all of these professional features, on the other hand, it has removed a lot of the usefulness by eliminating the 3.5mm jack. So, while the professional market will be attracted to the four-channel recording, the fact that there is only the option for direct clothing-mounted positioning instantly reduces their pro-level appeal in a market that adapted so quickly to the DJI Mic 2 system.

I didn’t have the four transmitters to test, but I’m still interested in trying more advanced features, such as the timecode support. For most people, this won’t be needed, but when you’re using a multi-camera setup and need to sync all of those cameras and the audio, then having a timecode feature that enables syncing with your other equipment is definitely advantageous.

Then there’s the adaptive gain and the three voice presets. They really do enable you to apply post-production effects to your audio, giving a clearer and more professional result. DJI has also announced that the Mic 3 utilises DJI Osmo Audio, which enables it to be part of that larger ecosystem. During testing, this quickly became a core feature of the new system and really does open up the ease of use when used with other DJI products.

Getting into the test, I started off by doing standard mic-to-camera presenting. At this point, using the adaptive gain control was exceptionally good at cutting out peaks and troughs and just giving consistent audio quality. It’s worth noting that this, by default, is turned off, and you actually need to switch it on via the receiver. What I also liked about this was that when you had adaptive gain control set for interior use, it actually picked up several people exceptionally well. You could position the small Mic on a work surface and use it as a near-omnidirectional mic to pick up two people at close quarters, with really good quality.

As previously stated, the three voice tone presets were the feature that really stood out to me. When moving between different environments, switching between Regular, Bright, and Rich really does change the tone of the vocal, but it comes down to personal preference, which tone suits your voice or presentation style.

The two levels of active noise cancellation were also exceptionally good, and in line with many other manufacturers’ higher-end systems. Both basic and strong modes worked well to remove noise from air-con units and traffic.

By the end of the test, I could really see where DJI is going with these units. They’re aimed at the more professional direction many content creators are heading in with the ability to boost vocals through the mic rather than in post, and add highquality audio recording to larger interview and pannel groups.

When it comes to content creation, the fact that you can now sync in those two additional wireless transmitters means you can be interviewing three people while still recording yourself on a separate track, and this is really appealing. The vocal tone and noise cancellation improvements also make professional-level audio recording more accessible than with the previous version.

At the end of the test, my mind is really split about the DJI Mic 3. They are excellent wireless microphones with so much potential, especially with the four-track recording. If you purchase two additional wireless transmitters, then those four wireless transmitters can transmit to up to eight wireless receivers. This means that you can lay down audio tracks not just to one or two cameras, but up to eight, or split it with four cameras, two audio recording devices, and still have two other options for audio reception.

Then there’s the fact that, if you are using all four transmitters, not just the two that I had in my review, you can lay down four tracks, giving you a true four-track recording. That’s something normally only possible with far more expensive units.

Then again, there’s the audio quality, which matches that of the DJI Mic 2, which has become a staple for many high-end content creators as well as broadcasters, highlighting just how good the audio quality from this small microphone is.

But for me, it all starts to fall apart with the omission of one key feature: the 3.5mm audio input for an external lav mic. This essentially rules out any use for commercial projects and spans creator content and broadcast, which is a real issue. You can, of course, cover up the DJI logo across the front, but that just looks untidy. And whilst the mics are small, they’re not invisible and are only available in black, so if your subject is wearing a light-coloured top, it doesn’t matter what colour the windjammer is, it’s going to show up.

So whilst I really like the DJI Mic 3 on so many levels, and there’s a load of pro features that appeal to me, including the professional level of audio, the tone presets, and the noise cancellation.

When it comes to the target audience, I would recommend these to content creators producing content by themselves, or educational establishments, or anywhere where having the Mic on show doesn’t matter. In many situations where the features and audio quality would really appeal to the professional market, the design of these new units almost completely rules them out.

If you’re a professional looking for an upgrade to the excellent DJI Mic 2, then unfortunately, the Mic 3s are not it. The fact that there are so many great features, such as the ability to sync in another two external mics, four-track recording, noise cancellation, vocal tone presets, and the ability to connect directly to DJI products, makes these seem an ideal option.

But the lack of a 3.5mm audio socket for an external lav mic essentially cancels them out in a professional arena. And whilst having the mics on show may not matter in some situations, there will be others where it does, at which point, the DJI Mic 2s are still a far better choice. Maybe DJI have a 3.5mm adapter in the pipeline or a larger DJI Mic 3 Pro edition that adds that ability.

However, for many contexts, these are absolutely the perfect option. Once again, the fact that you can buy two additional transmitter mics and sync them into one, or up to eight, receivers really does make them exceptionally appealing. But again, if you’re a mid-to-high-level content creator who gains sponsorship deals, having that logo on display is going to be an issue. And if your subject is wearing lighter clothing, there’s no escaping the unit mounted onto the material.

So when it comes to the target audience, you have some of the best mics on the market with some of the most advanced audio features and professional audio quality, at a very decent price. These will appeal perfectly to any enthusiast, content creator, small business, or individual looking for a top-class audio recording solution, if they don’t mind always having one of the microphones on show.