DJI Mic Mini 2S review: The best tiny mic now offers a pro experience

As with other DJI wireless microphones, the Mic Mini 2S couldn't be easier to use. Just attach the transmitter to your subject by clipping it to their clothing or using the magnet. Connect the receiver to your camera via the included 3.5mm cable, or plug it into your smartphone, and everything pairs automatically. Finally, adjust the receiver dial to set levels to your liking.

There are a few other settings you'll want to check before recording. Double pressing the link button will change audio capture from mono to stereo, so if you're using two mics, you can capture one on the left channel and the other on the right to keep them separate. If you're using four mics and want separate sound, be sure to record internally on each one.

To record, simply press the orange power button once to start recording, and press it again to stop. To access other settings, power the receiver on and connect it to your smartphone with the included adapter, then power up your receivers and run DJI's Mimo app. There, you'll find the option for 32-bit float recording, along with a loop recording function that will automatically record over your oldest audio if you run out of storage space.

The Mimo app also includes adaptive gain control, which automatically adjusts input gain to maintain stable output volume and avoid distortion. Another key setting is the AI-powered noise reduction, with a basic mode to reduce persistent low sounds like air conditioning, along with strong mode for use outdoors to help with loud or unexpected noises. Finally, there are three voice tone presets, including "Rich" for enhanced depth, "Bright" to add clarity and "Regular."

With my levels set just above green, the 48Khz, 24-bit audio quality recorded on my camera was crisp and clear, though slightly lacking in bass. I mostly fixed that problem by enabling Rich mode, giving me a good setting without the need to equalize much in post.

As with other DJI microphones, voice quality isn't quite as accurate as high-end offerings from Sennheiser or others. As I noticed with the Mic Mini 2, there was minor distortion in my voice range that can be heard if you isolate its frequency. Reducing the gain at that range noticeably improved the clarity and fullness. However, audio pros used to broadcast-quality lav mics may find that the DJI Mic Mini 2S falls short of their expectations.

The 32-bit float audio provides a minor improvement in audio quality over regular 24-bit sound, but where it really shines is when you mess up. To test that, I cranked the levels on my camera and the Mic Mini 2 to the redline before recording internally and to my Panasonic S1R II. Camera levels were clipped, distorted and completely unusable, as you'd expect. However, once I adjusted 32-bit float audio in DaVinci Resolve Studio, it was clear and distortion free.

DJI's Mic Mini 2 did a decent job of reducing noise, but the updated AI system on the Mini 2S is better. At the Basic setting, voice quality was noticeably degraded on the Mini 2 but I could barely hear any reduction in quality on the Mini 2S. And though audio distortion was still noticeable at the Strong NR setting, non-voice frequencies weren't cut off quite as brutally as before.