Unbeatable Value and Reliability in a Compact Wireless Mic
Design and Size
The DJI Mic Mini is incredibly tiny, weighing just 0.35oz / 10g (without the magnet). Its compact size makes it highly portable and easy to carry around. It comes in two colors, Infinity Black and Arctic White, allowing you to blend it seamlessly with your clothing. The mics attach easily to your clothing using a built-in clip or a magnetic mount. One half of the magnetic mount fixes to the back of the clip, while the other half attaches inside your jacket or similar. This ensures a reliable hold and a discreet look in your shots.When using the Mic Mini with a camera, you can slot the receiver into the camera's hotshoe / coldshoe and connect it using a 3.5mm jack. The receiver is a good fit for cameras, but it can be a bit awkward when attached to a phone via the phone's USB-C / Lightning port as it sticks out a lot and the connection feels a bit loose.Price and Availability
The DJI Mic Mini is available at a very reasonable price. The complete kit, which includes 2x mics, a receiver, and a charging case, costs $169 / £145 / AU$245. Components can also be bought individually. The transmitters (mics) cost $59 / £49 / AU$69 each, a transmitter with a receiver costs $89 / £79 / AU$125, and the receiver alone costs $39 / £39 / AU$69. The list price for the kit is similar to that of the Rode Wireless Micro, despite the Mic Mini's greater versatility. It's roughly $15 / £10 / AU$20 more than Rode's offering but around half the price of the DJI Mic 2.Connectivity and Battery Life
The DJI Mic Mini offers multiple connectivity options. The receiver supports USB-C / Lightning and a 3.5mm jack, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, which is convenient for pairing with smartphones. In terms of battery life, the transmitter lasts for 11.5 hours, the receiver lasts for 10.5 hours, and with a fully charged case, it can last up to 48 hours. This ensures that you can use the Mic Mini for extended periods without worrying about running out of battery.Audio Quality and Noise Reduction
The audio quality captured by the DJI Mic Mini is excellent. It offers omnidirectional audio and has a range of up to 400m (with a clear line of sight). In various environments, including the quiet indoors, outdoors in the wind, and noisy places, the Mic Mini captures clear audio. It has two-level noise reduction and automatic limiting to prevent audio clipping. While the vocal quality isn't quite as rich as with the DJI Mic 2, for 99% of people, the difference won't be noticeable. When connected via Bluetooth, the audio drops from 24-bit to 16-bit, but it still provides good quality.Performance and Versatility
I've been using the DJI Mic Mini for several months and have found it to be completely reliable and glitch-free. It pairs easily with cameras and smartphones using both Bluetooth and receiver connection methods. Whether you're shooting with a mirrorless camera like the Panasonic Lumix GH5 or a smartphone like the Google Pixel 6, the Mic Mini performs well. It's a versatile device that can be used for a variety of shooting scenarios, making it a great choice for both beginners and professionals.Compared to its competitors, the Rode Wireless Micro and the DJI Mic 2, the DJI Mic Mini has its own unique advantages. While the Rode Wireless Micro is only for smartphones and has a smaller receiver, the DJI Mic Mini can be used with cameras as well. And although the DJI Mic 2 offers more advanced features like a display to monitor audio levels and built-in storage, the Mic Mini's simplicity and affordability make it a great option for those who don't need all the bells and whistles.In conclusion, the DJI Mic Mini is a reliable, versatile, and affordable wireless mic that offers excellent audio quality. Whether you're a content creator shooting with a smartphone or a camera, the Mic Mini is definitely worth considering.Unlock Exceptional Audio for Your Smartphone Vlogs with Rode Wireless Micro
Design and Portability
The entire kit weighs a mere 102g and fits snugly in the tiny charging case. The components are available in both black and white finishes, adding a touch of style. The receiver features a built-in USB-C or Lightning adapter, providing full compatibility with both Android and iPhone models. Unlike some competitors, the Rode Wireless Micro's mics and receiver are automatically paired through the charging hub. Once plugged into the phone, users simply follow the on-screen instructions. With Rode's free app available for iOS and Android, users can pair the mics and receiver, choose the routing option, update firmware, and check sound levels. The mics can be clipped onto clothing or attached magnetically through thin clothing, allowing for easy and discreet use.The connection type is built into the receiver, so users need to select the appropriate version (USB-C or Lightning) at the time of purchase. This ensures a seamless setup and operation. In contrast, some competitors have a different design, such as a slot to fix the connector, which may require additional adapters. The Rode Wireless Micro's design focuses on simplicity and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for smartphone content creators.
Performance and Features
The Rode Wireless Micro boasts an impressive transmission range of over 100m, which is a significant advantage for vlogging. In real-world testing, it provides a stable and reliable connection, allowing users to capture high-quality audio without any hassle. Each mic has an operating time of around seven hours, and the charging case with a 490mAh battery can provide an additional two charges, effectively extending the overall operating time to 21 hours. This means users can enjoy a weekend of vlogging without worrying about running out of battery.The Wireless Micro features 24-bit audio, a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range, a maximum 135db SPL, a 73db signal-to-noise ratio, and an A-Weighted equivalent noise of 21dBA. These specifications are comparable to those of more expensive wireless mics, making it a great value for money. Rode's 'Intelligent GainAssist' technology automatically controls audio levels, enhancing vocals and providing well-balanced sound. This frees users from the hassle of manual audio adjustments and allows them to focus on creating content.
Wind Noise Reduction
The mics come with windshields built into Rode's patent-pending acoustic chamber design. Additionally, there are additional furry windshields in the box that can be clipped around the receiver for clearer outdoor recording on breezy days. Although these additional windshields don't fit in the charging case, they provide an extra layer of protection against wind noise. This is especially useful for vloggers who often record outdoors and need to ensure clear audio.Compared to some competitors, the Rode Wireless Micro doesn't have noise reduction features like active noise cancellation. However, in most scenarios, the Intelligent GainAssist technology and the well-designed acoustic chamber are sufficient to provide clear recordings. I've been able to get clear recordings of my voice in noisy environments, such as a soccer stadium, without any issues.
Price and Value
The Rode Wireless Micro kit is priced at $149 / £134 / AU$259 for the complete set with 2x mics, receiver, and charging case. While it doesn't offer the same level of features as some higher-end wireless mics, it provides excellent value for money. The simplicity and ease of use, along with the reliable performance and good audio quality, make it a great choice for smartphone vloggers who are looking for a compact and affordable wireless mic system.In comparison to the rival DJI Mic Mini, the Rode Wireless Micro may not have the same range or additional features like Bluetooth connectivity. However, it is smaller in size and specifically designed for smartphones. It also offers a more straightforward user experience and better audio quality for vlogging. Overall, the Rode Wireless Micro is a great option for those who want a reliable and easy-to-use wireless mic for their smartphone vlogging needs.
Unleashing the Power of AI in Chemical Science
How Albert Invent is Transforming Chemical Research
Startup funding rounds serve as a metric, and generative AI is indeed seeing ample adoption in the sciences. There is a lot of trial and error in research and development, and tools like Albert Invent that can speed up the process are highly valuable. Albert Invent offers an AI platform trained on data from past chemical experiments, enabling chemists to interrogate molecular-level data when formulating chemicals. Its founders' background in a 3D printing company allowed them to apply their knowledge of materials science to train an AI on chemical processes.
The latest Series A funding round of $22.5 million led by Coatue further validates the potential of Albert Invent. The company's platform, Albert Breakthrough, combines structured data with proprietary AI models. Chemical companies can use this platform to develop new products faster and better. For instance, it can generate real-time toxicology predictions for chemicals and outperform standard industry models.
Albert Invent's Customer Base and Impact
Albert Invent's customers include prominent names in the chemical industry such as Chemours, Solenis, Keystone Industries, Applied Molecules, Henkel, and Nouryon. Nick Talken, the CEO and co-founder, believes that the platform will bring significant changes to chemical science. He compares it to what data scientists have had access to for some time, stating that it is a SaaS product used by the largest chemical companies to reinvent the physical world.
The company has built its own foundational models trained on over 15 million chemical structures. In this industry, it is crucial to have domain-specific knowledge, and Albert Invent has taken the entire public information space around chemistry and built a foundational model that powers Albert Breakthrough.
Foundational Models and the Future of Albert Invent
When asked about using foundational models such as OpenAI, Talken said that the company uses them for some agent networks like chatbots, but its foundational chemistry models are its own. Ken Kisner, the co-founder, previously led Molecule Corp and sold it to Henkel Corporation. While at Henkel, they built a team to work on the problem they are addressing now and incubated Albert Invent as a software startup within the multinational chemical company.
Before the Series A round, the startup had raised a small seed round led by Index Ventures in late 2022. TCV, Index Ventures, F-Prime, and Homebrew also participated. David Schneider, general partner at Coatue, expressed excitement about supporting Albert as it transforms chemistry research. Johan Landfors, CTO of Nouryon, also emphasized the platform's integral role in their product development.