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DJI Mic review

Name: DJI Mic
Brand: DJI

A quick connecting and convenient wireless audio solution for all types of content creators.

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Published onDecember 2, 2023

DJI Mic

The bottom line

The DJI Mic is compact, portable, and is a breeze to use. While this all-in-one, dual receiver wireless microphone system is quick connecting and feature rich, some iPhone users will be left to make an additional purchase to take advantage of two key recording modes.

DJI Mic

Price

$249 USD

Dimensions

Charging Case: 103 x 42 x 62 mm

Weight

162g

Model Number

ASB01

What we like

Mono or Stereo recording with USB-C

OLED touchscreen display on receiver

DSLR compatible

Transmitters feature onboard memory

What we don't like

No stereo recording options for Lightning users

No room for windscreens in charging case

Magnet attachment only strong enough for a T-shirt

The DJI Mic is an all-in-one, dual-channel wireless microphone system that quickly connects to your smartphone, laptop, or DSLR camera. Designed with all types of content creators in mind, this portable wireless microphone kit aims to provide you with quality audio recordings for your videos, podcasts, or streams. With backup features like built-in storage and a safety track recording mode, the DJI Mic can save you some time in post if you run into unexpected issues like a spike in levels, dropouts, or transmission loss. However, while the DJI Mic does offer plenty of features, we discovered some disappointing limitations for older iPhone users.

Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

About this DJI Mic review: We tested the DJI Mic over one week. It was running firmware version 02.00.72.87. SoundGuys purchased the unit for this review.

Streamers, YouTubers and content creators will appreciate the convenience this all-in-one wireless audio package provides. Whether you’re live streaming at home, conducting an interview at a trade show, or vlogging your way through a hike in the mountains, the DJI Mic is ready to help capture your voice. We like the handy portable charging case design and well-thought-out features.

What’s it like to use the DJI Mic?

Dave Carr / SoundGuys

The transmitters and receiver are conveniently stored in a protective charging case.

Like the Apple AirPods earphones, the DJI Mic system components are stored inside a charging case. The textured black case includes two wireless transmitters with built-in omnidirectional microphones, a receiver with touchscreen controls, Lightning and USB-C adaptors, and a hot-shoe attachment for a DSLR camera. Flipping open the top, four white LEDs located on the front show the charge level of the case, and an excellent clear display pops up on the OLED touchscreen of the receiver to show you the battery status of both transmitters and the receiver.

Removing the receiver from the case immediately changes the touchscreen display to show you live input levels from both transmitters. If you only need one, you can manually turn off the other one via the power button on the side, but simply leaving one transmitter in the charging case and closing the lid will have the same result. Connect the appropriate adaptor to the receiver, and it’s ready to be attached to your device. There is also a 3.5mm headphone output jack for monitoring your audio signal directly.

A solid green light on each transmitter indicates they’re linked to the receiver and ready to use. You can clip the transmitter to your clothing like a traditional Lavalier microphone, but there is also a handy magnet attachment. This magnet allows you a variety of placement options and also the ability to hide the transmitter underneath a lapel or collar if you want it to be discreet. The transmitter and magnet feels secure on a t-shirt, but you may want to stick with the clip if you or your guest is wearing a thicker sweater or hoodie.

You’re also provided with two windscreens to protect the mics, which easily twist onto the transmitters, a short 3.5mm TRS cable, a USB-C charging cable, and a nice DJI branded carry case to put it all in.

How do you control the DJI Mic?

DJI transmitters, receivers and adaptors.

The DJI mic comes with USB-C and Lightning adaptors; it does not support stereo recording for Lightning users.

You control the DJI Mic via the touchscreen display on the receiver, but there are physical buttons, too. Each transmitter features a physical record, link, and power button.

While in the charging case, the receiver’s display shows you the battery life for both transmitters and the receiver, as well as the amount of onboard memory available. Removing the receiver automatically changes the display to show you input gain levels and the signal strength from your transmitters.

Swiping down on the touchscreen’s main display brings you to the upper menu and allows you to dive further into the DJI Mic controls. Here, you can adjust receiver gain, headphone output level, transmitter settings, and display options like LED brightness. You can also select from three recording modes: Mono, Stereo or Ms (mono with safety track).

In mono mode, the audio you record with one or both transmitters will go to one track. In stereo mode, using both transmitters will separate the audio into left and right channels. Lastly, mono with safety offers a valuable feature: the DJI Mic will record a second duplicate audio track (with 6dB less gain applied) as a backup in case you run into distortion or clipping from any unexpected level jumps while recording. Connecting the transmitter via the USB-C port and using your video editing software allows you to access this secondary track for edits.

Unfortunately, this is where some iPhone users are forced to look for an additional third-party adaptor if they want to use all three recording modes. While DJI provides a Lightning adaptor for the receiver, the DJI Mic does not support any two-channel recording for Lightning users. This means no stereo recording and no access to the mono with safety track mode, which is also recorded to a stereo track. While you will find this information in the DJI Mic user manual, this limitation for Lightning users is not mentioned on the product’s webpage. Perhaps DJI will have a software update in the future, but so far, you’re left to the internet message boards to find an appropriate workaround, like buying a Lightning to USB-C adaptor to use these two channel features.

Lastly, swiping up from the main display takes you to the lower menu. The transmitters appear as TX1 and TX2. Here, you’ll find another way to record or mute and the option to format the onboard memory.

How does the DJI Mic connect?

The DJI Mic's receiver plugged into via USB-C

The DJI transmitters are automatically linked to the receiver. If you only need one, simply leave the other in the charging case.

The DJI Mic receiver connects to your smartphone via the supplied Lightning or USB-C adaptor. They also include a hot-shoe mount and a 3.5mm jack cable for DSLR compatibility.

The wireless transmitters are automatically paired to the receiver, so once the receiver is plugged into your device, you can clip on a transmitter, adjust your levels via the touchscreen, and start recording.

How does the DJI Mic sound?

I ran through a few test scenarios with the DJI Mic in various settings, check out the highlights in the video below.

In our first test with the DJI Mic, the overpowering low-end rumble of the city you can hear in the iPhone recording is cut right down. While this noise is not eliminated entirely, my voice stays upfront, with no apparent wind noise, for a more enjoyable listening experience. My voice remains clear even with a helicopter flying overhead near the end. In my distance test, at 1:45, you can hear a brief interruption in the audio. It’s minor, but I’m less than 20 meters from the receiver. DJI states the transmitters have a range of over 250m, so you need to be aware that your range depends on your setting and surroundings.

Should you buy the DJI Mic?

The DJI Mic charging case is portable and safe to toss into your backpack or media bag.

The DJI Mic is an excellent buy for the casual content creator as long as your device has a USB-C connection. The all-in-one convenience, long record time, and ease of use are great. However, as an older iPhone user, having to source and deal with a third-party adaptor to use the stereo and safety track recording modes is rather disappointing.

DJI Mic

MSRP: $212.48

A quick connecting and convenient wireless audio solution for all types of content creators.

See price at Amazon

What should you get instead of the DJI Mic?

Overhead view of the Rode Wireless Pro Wireless Mic system

The Rode Wireless Pro is of similar design to the DJI Mic, but with a few extra features like "Intelligent GainAssist".

The Rode Wireless Pro ($499 at Amazon) is another option for those considering a dual receiver, wireless audio system. It’s a more expensive unit with a similar design but offers a few key features the DJI Mic doesn’t. You still get the charging case, magnetic transmitter attachments, and universal compatibility, but the Rode Wireless Pro offers “Intelligent GainAssist.” When enabled, it will automatically adjust your levels on the fly. Combined with 32-bit float digital on-board recording, which gives you even more flexibility in post when dealing with issues like noise and dynamic range, the Rode Wireless Pro can offer even more peace of mind when it comes to your audio track.

Frequently asked questions

You can use the DJI Mic with both an iPhone and Android, however if your iPhone uses a Lightning connection, you will be limited to mono recordings only.

With 8GB of internal storage, the DJI Mic can record audio for up to 14 hours. You get approximately 5.5 hours of battery life from the transmitters, 5 hours from the receiver, and an additional 10 hours from the charging case.

You can use the DJI Mic for Zoom calls, but you will also need to plug in a pair of headphones with a 3.5mm TRS cable to the headphone jack of the receiver to hear your audio.

You can use two DJI transmitters at the same time.

The DJI Mic does not have noise cancelation.

It takes roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes to charge the transmitters and receiver using the charging case fully, and it takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to charge the charging case fully.

The DJI Mic transmitters feature 8GB of internal storage.