There is no shortage of affordable mic systems for budget-conscious vloggers and YouTubers. Indeed, for anyone looking for a better option to capture audio than the onboard mic of their camera. It’s a crowded field. DJI is already a major player in the space with its Mic and Mic 2 systems. However, with its new Mic Mini, DJI is taking aim at the growing crop creators. Chiefly those seeking an even more compact design, ultralight body, and user-friendly features.
Key Features of the DJI Mic Mini
- Small, Ultralight, Discreet
- High-Quality Audio Transmission
- 48-Hour Operation w/ Case
- DJI OsmoAudio™ Direct Connection for Premium Sound Quality
What’s New in the DJI Mic Mini
Mic systems have gotten slimmer and trimmer since DJI’s last offering. Accordingly, they are striking back by trimming the weight and size of the already compact Mic design. What they haven’t trimmed are some of the features beloved of their earlier mic iterations. Significantly, the charging case and connectivity with their existing ecosystem of products.
Compact and Ultralight
DJI shaved off more than half the weight of the Mic 2 transmitter for the Mic Mini. It weighs in at just 10 grams. The mic can be worn via a magnetic attachment, in addition to the conventional clip-on or on a lanyard.
High-Quality Audio Transmission
The Mic Mini uses an omnidirectional pick-up pattern to capture sound from any angle around the transmitter. This audio can then be transmitted up to 400 meters to the receiver. With powerful anti-interference capabilities, the Mic Mini keeps the recording stable and preserves fine, detail-rich sound even in crowded outdoor environments.
Noise Cancellation
Two-level noise-cancelation allows you to pick the amount of noise-filtering to match your recording environment. With the included windscreens, the Mic Mini is well-suited for capturing audio in windy and noisy locations.
Automatic Limiter
Additionally, the Mic Mini comes with an automatic limiting feature that, when engaged, will automatically lower recording volume if the audio input is too high to prevent clipping.
Safety Track
Turn on the safety track feature through the DJI Mimo app to record dual tracks, one at normal volume and a second track at a 6db lower volume, to protect your audio from potential clipping and distortion.
Extended Battery
The Mic Mini’s transmitters and receiver have a maximum operating time of over ten hours. The charging case, at full charge, can provide over three charges to achieve two days’ worth of use out of the system. The case can also quick-charge the components, with five minutes of charging delivering one hour of use and a full charge after 90 to 100 minutes.
Auto Power Saving
To conserve power, the transmitters will enter sleep mode if they do not detect a receiver signal but will wake up and reconnect if a signal is detected. Through the DJI Mimo app, you can also set up automatic inactivity power-off timers to minimize even more potential battery drain.
Osmo Ecosystem Compatibility
The Mic Mini transmitters can connect directly to the Osmo Action 5 Pro, Osmo Action 4, or Osmo Pocket 3 without using a receiver. It does this using the OsmoAudio™ connection. This enables you to use the Mic Mini within the Osmo ecosystem with a simplified workflow that does not sacrifice audio quality or features.
Other Device Compatibility
The Mic Mini is also compatible with cameras, smartphones, computers, and tablets. With the Camera Audio Cable, the Mic Mini supports synchronized power on/off with cameras and external playback and charging with smart devices.
Who is the DJI Mic Mini for?
There are a wide variety of wireless microphone systems for folks who want to achieve better audio quality and flexibility of use than their onboard camera microphones can manage. The Mic Mini slots into this space alongside a number of other ultralight offerings. What DJI offers is some excellent features (automatic limiting, safety track, extended battery) and compatibility with their existing line-up of products. If you are already in the Osmo ecosystem, this product might make a fine choice. Even outside that system, the Mic Mini is competitive with alternatives from Rode, Hollyland, and others.
Comparable Products
There are a number of similar products to the Mic Mini. For instance, DJI’s own Mic and Mic 2, the Wireless Go II from Rode, and the Hollyland LARK M2. In form factor, the Mic Mini is more comparable to the LARK than the chunkier Wireless Go II, otherwise it becomes a matter of cost and which particular features best suit your individual use case. If you already own DJI Osmo gear and don’t have the Mic or Mic 2, that might put the Mic Mini over the top.
DJI Mic Mini vs DJI Mic and MIc 2
| DJI Mic Mini | DJI Mic 2 | DJI MIc | |
| Transmitter Weight | 10g | 28g | 30g |
| Noise Cancelling | Two-Level | Intelligent | None |
| Auto Limiting | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Internal Recording | No | 14 hours, supports 32-bit-float | 14 hours |
| Total Operating Time | 48 hours | 18 hours | 15 hours |
Final Thoughts
For the types of on the go user that the DJI Mic Mini is targeting, the biggest challenges to producing content are the usual suspects of sound quality, battery life, and weight, but also safeguards to make sure, as much as possible, that a usable recording won’t be ruined through accident or user error. On all those scores, the Mic Mini is set up to deliver.
It’s light, can operate for extended periods of time, and has a sizable transmission range. What might make it most appealing are the features that can save users from lost sessions and wasted efforts, from ruining a recording session by setting levels too loudly or otherwise, through accident or misadventure, introducing distortion and clipping that can’t be overcome in post-production. The Mic Mini has features to eliminate or mitigate those frustrating outcomes.
The integration with existing Osmo products is the icing on the cake. If you are already within that ecosystem, it will slot seamlessly into your existing workflow. If not, the Mic Mini will integrate well with whatever gear you are already using, be it a camera, a smart device, or your computer.
However you intend to use the Mic Mini, you’ll find some appealing features that put it in good standing against the competitors, of which there are many, in this space.
