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Legendary microphone company Shure has been busy staying on top of current trends and needs in the audio world. Last year, we saw the release of an iconic microphone redesigned for current needs, the Shure SM7dB. Moving further into the world of content creation, Shure recently released its take on a quick connecting, all-in-one, dual-channel, lavalier-style wireless microphone system, the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit.
Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
The Shure MoveMic is for Youtubers, streamers, videographers, podcasters, vloggers, and content creators of all kinds.
What’s it like to use the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit?
The Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit and its components arrive in a padded neoprene roll-up case. Inner mesh pockets contain a charging case that houses two wireless transmitters with built-in omnidirectional microphones, a receiver with a cold shoe mount, two USB-C cables, and a 3.5mm audio cable. It’s not quite the all-in-one latching metal case design like the DJI Mic 2, but it’s organized and protected nonetheless.
Three lights on the charging case show you the battery life of each transmitter and the charging case itself. The microphones have an 8-hour battery life, and Shure states you can top them up twice with a fully charged case for a total of 24 hours. While these transmitters are small and discreet, they have no internal storage for onboard recording.
The receiver features two 3.5mm jacks, one for audio connection and one for headphone monitoring. The USB-C port can be used for charging, but you can also connect it to your computer and use it as an audio interface for recording overdubs or other things like Zoom calls. The cold shoe adaptor swivels for connection flexibility if you attach it to a camera.
You can also use the Shure MoveMic transmitters in another way besides connecting the receiver to a DSLR camera. Downloading and installing the Shure MOTIV Audio app will allow you to connect the transmitters to your phone and record audio via Bluetooth; however, if you want to use the transmitters for audio with your phone’s camera, you’ll need to download, install, and use the Shure MOTIV Video app.
How do you control the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit?
You can control the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver kit via the receiver’s control buttons or the Shure MOTIV series apps if you’re not using the receiver and are connected over Bluetooth to your phone.
The receiver and the MOTIV apps allow you to customize your transmitter settings. Navigating the display screen on the receiver is straightforward, thanks to the two physical buttons. Here, you can adjust your microphone gain, apply compression, engage noise reduction mode, and modify some of the MoveMic’s default settings.
How does the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit connect?
You can connect the MoveMic receiver to your device via USB-C or 3.5mm cable. As mentioned, you can also connect the transmitters to your phone via Bluetooth and the Shure MOTIV audio and video app.
No, the Shure MoveMic Receiver Kit does not require external power.
How does the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit sound?
Take a look at our video below for some examples of how the Shure MoveMic sounds in a few different environments, both with the receiver and over Bluetooth.
While the MoveMic and receiver sound decent in our controlled environment, in our busy city setting test, it’s clear that when engaged, the noise reduction feature is fighting to keep my voice up front and traffic at bay, and in doing so, compromises the quality of my voice. We quickly discover it’s best to leave it off.
Unfortunately, I ran into a few issues while connected over Bluetooth, specifically with the Shure MOTIV Video app, which you need to download if you want to use the MoveMic transmitters with your phone’s camera.
You’ll notice little difference, if any, between the noise reduction on and off test over Bluetooth. While this feature was not engaged for the first test, you can hear that it was still being applied to my voice, just like in the second test video. But wait, there’s more.
Unfortunately, while reviewing the multiple Bluetooth test videos I made using the Shure MOTIV Video app running firmware 2.0.0.673, I discovered that two of my testing videos had no recorded audio at all. Pure silence. While perhaps a bug in the app, it was incredibly disappointing to find out after putting in the work and doing several takes. Again, without any onboard recording, there is no way to recover any lost audio; knowing this, I completed several usable tests just in case, and it’s a good thing I did.
How does the microphone sound to you?
Should you buy the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit?
Without fail safes to recover any compromised audio, like internal or 32-bit float recording, it’s hard to justify the hefty price tag of the MoveMic Two Receiver Kit, especially for the casual content creator. You must be diligent about setting your levels and modes before hitting record, and you’ll want to get a few extra takes for safety. The Bluetooth connection is handy; however, having to use the Shure proprietary apps, especially when recording video with your device, will also be a hard sell to some potential users.
What should you get instead of the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit?
Check out the DJI Mic 2 for $349 at Amazon. At a lower price, the Mic 2 is a similar two-channel, all-in-one wireless audio system for content creators. Still, the receiver and both transmitters are kept in the all-metal charging case for a more compact design. Each transmitter also features 8 GB of built-in memory, which allows you to record up to 14 hours of audio internally as a backup. The Mic 2 also offers another safety net, 32-bit float recording mode, which allows you to recover any audio levels compromised during recording.
For the same price as the MoveMic Two Receiver Kit, the Rode Wireless Pro $499 at Amazon is another option for those considering a dual-transmitter wireless audio system. You get a 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. Each transmitter also comes with 32 GB of internal storage, 4x the amount provided on the DJI MIC 2, and offers 32-bit float recording for audio recovery. The Wireless Pro has two locking Lavalier mic adaptors for additional flexibility when wiring up guests.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but you will need the GoPro 3.5mm Mic adaptor to connect it to the MoveMic receiver.
Yes, with an IPX4 water-resistance rating, the MoveMic can handle light rain and splashes of water.
Yes, you can connect the MoveMic to your iPhone over Bluetooth with the Motive app or with the receiver via USB-C.
The MoveMic can record for up to 24 hours with two additional charges from the charging case.
Yes.
You can use two MoveMics at the same time.