6 Best External Microphones for the DJI Osmo Pocket

Posted on April 14, 2019

The DJI Osmo Pocket is a dream come true for vloggers. Not only does it fully utilize DJI’s experience with creating 3-axis gimbal systems that result in remarkably stable videos, but it’s so remarkably small that you can go from shooting videos to socializing in just a snap.

However, in contrast to its 4k video recording capabilities, the audio quality using the built-in internal microphones of the Osmo Pocket leaves a lot to be desired. If you want your videos and vlogs to come out with professional-grade audio, then you are going to have to invest in a high-quality external microphone. In this article, we have listed the very best external microphones that will help you get the most out of your Osmo Pocket.

First things first – get the 3.5mm adapter

Before we even start talking about external microphones, it bears mentioning that the Osmo Pocket does not come with a 3.5mm port. This means that there is no way to connect an external microphone to the Osmo Pocket right out of the box.

The lack of a 3.5mm port was very problematic for the first several months after the release of the Osmo Pocket. Many professional vloggers lamented how they had no choice but to make do with the generally poor audio quality that the internal microphones could produce. Third-party adapters were useless since they were not designed to work with the audio driver of the Osmo Pocket.

Finally, DJI released the official 3.5mm adapter for the Osmo Pocket just a few weeks ago. The adapter connects to the USB-C port located at the bottom of the gimbal handle and features a 3.5mm port compatible with TRS audio jacks. The performance of the adapter has been flawless so far.

With adapter in tow, it’s now worth the time to look at the best external microphones that you can use with the Osmo Pocket. Portability is a key component of the Osmo Pocket, and probably something that most vloggers would like to preserve even with an external microphone. Audio quality and compatibility with the Osmo Pocket are also characteristics that we put a premium on.

What to look for in an external microphone

Not all external microphones are made equal, and different microphone types may be more appropriate depending on how you want to use them. When choosing between microphones, these are the most important factors you need to consider:

1. Sound capture technology

Most microphones made for vlogging are condenser microphones that use the vibration of sound waves to vary the distance of the two plates of a capacitor. The variation of this separation distance produces a current that acts as the audio signal. Condenser microphones are typically used to record music, but also perform excellently for audio recording. Their biggest downside is the fact that they are designed to filter out delicate sounds, so you may end up recording a lot of background noise.

On the other side of the spectrum are dynamic microphones. This type of microphone uses an induction coil held in place in a magnetic field that is induced by a permanent magnet. This magnet is then attached to a diaphragm that moves along with the vibrations brought about by sounds. Dynamic microphones typically use an array of dynamic membranes that respond to different parts of the audio spectrum. This makes it possible to filter out particular frequencies. If you are anticipating that you need to record videos in a noisy environment, then a dynamic microphone may be more appropriate.

2. Microphone type

You also have several choices when it comes to a microphone’s shape and orientation. For vloggers, we can narrow it down to two choices: lavalier microphones or shotgun microphones.

Lavalier microphones, more commonly known as lapel mics, can be clipped to any part of your clothing. These are preferred for recording your own narration. The hands-free design of lavalier microphones is one of its most popular advantages. Lapel mics are omnidirectional, which makes them prone to picking up a lot of background noise or even the noise of your own movements.

Shotgun microphones have a more defined area for capturing sound. Despite their size, shotgun mics do not actually provide any sound amplification. What they excel at is in canceling sound from the directions outside of its capture area. If you need to capture audio in a noisy environment, then a shotgun mic is your best bet. Since they have a very well-defined scope of capture, shotgun mics can even record audio from a long distance as long as it is pointed in the right direction.

3. Connection type

If you are using the official DJI Osmo Pocket 3.5mm adapter, then you need to know that its 3.5mm port is compatible only with TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) audio jacks. This is an unusual choice for DJI, as most external microphones come with TRRS (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve) jacks. This means that you will need to use another TRS-to-TRRS adapter to connect most external microphones to the Osmo Pocket.

However, you can still luck out a find a microphone with a TRS jack. It’s not much of a benefit, but it does reduce the number of components that you’ll need to hook up to your Osmo Pocket while you’re out recording your vlog.

4. Polar patterns

Putting it simply, the polar pattern defines the “directionality” of a microphone. The simplest pattern is omnidirectional, meaning that sound is captured from all directions. Although omnidirectional microphones are cheap and common, they offer very little in terms of control. If you’re interested in recording everything that is happening around you, then an omnidirectional microphone should provide a cheap and elegant solution.

Unsurprisingly, most vloggers prefer a unidirectional microphone. The most common polar pattern of a unidirectional microphone is the cardioid. These types of microphone are especially designed to capture speech and will only capture audio from the direction it is pointed to. By lessening the effect of ambient sounds, cleaner and better-defined audio can be recorded.

Top 6 external microphones for the Osmo Pocket

1. Rode smartLav+ Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

For the recording of narration, nothing beats the convenience and control of a lapel microphone. If you think that going hands-free is a good idea, then you need to look no further than the Rode smartLav+ Lavalier Microphone. This broadcast-quality microphone is incredibly compact, with its 4.5mm body easily able to clip anywhere in your clothes.

The omnidirectional polar pattern of the smartLav+ allows it to capture sound equally from all directions, turning your Osmo Pocket into a veritable field recorder. If it gets really windy outside, just pop the foam shield that comes with the microphone. Lastly, the Kevlar-reinforced cable ensures that it will not break even in the roughest conditions.

The smarLav+ is a simple and cheap microphone that will feel right at home in any professional vlogger’s arsenal of equipment. It’s unfortunate that you’ll need to use it with the Rode app to really maximize its capabilities, but it works well enough even on its own. Being an omnidirectional mic, the smartLav+ does tend to capture a lot of background noise, so it’s not the best mic for highly noisy environments.

Tech Specs
Sound capture technology: Condenser
Microphone type: Lavalier
Connection type: TRRS
Polar pattern: Omnidirectional

The Pros
Lightweight and compact
Durable Kevlar-reinforced cable
Easy to use
Excellent for recording narration

The Cons
Captures background noise
Requires Rode app to access full capabilities
Requires TRS to TRRS adapter

2. Audio Technica ATR-3350IS Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone (Budget)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

If you want a lapel microphone that is similarly low-profile and also much cheaper, then the ATR-3350IS from Audio Technica is a very affordable option that still provides good quality. Like its more expensive counterparts, this lapel mic offers omnidirectional sound capture, a strong and durable tie clip, and a foam windscreen accessory.

The lapel mic does not offer five-start sound quality, which is hardly surprising considering its modest price tag. Its build quality also feels far from being premium, with its thin cable and flimsy-looking microphone. Still, if you’re looking for an entry-level external microphone for the Osmo Pocket or if you don’t have the budget for more expensive alternatives, then the ATR-3350IS is worth a look.

Tech Specs
Sound capture technology: Condenser
Microphone type: Lavalier
Connection type: TRS
Polar pattern: Omnidirectional

The Pros
Lightweight and compact
Cheap
Easy to use
Compatible with TRS port

The Cons
Captures background noise
Poor build quality
Below-average audio quality

3. Rode Videomic Pro+ Directional Condenser Microphone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Videomic Pro+ from Rode is one of the best external microphones you can get for your Osmo Pocket. However, it’s also one of the most expensive entries in this list. The Videomic Pro+ is designed for the serious vlogger – the type who wants to take the quality of their vlogs to much higher levels.

The shotgun design of the Videomic Pro+ provides excellent directional control while blocking out all other surrounding sounds. The result is audio that is crisp and noise-free. Since the sound is already excellent as recorded, you can save a ton of time in editing and post-processing.

Despite the premium quality of the Videomic Pro+, some users have reported encountering problems with static noise particularly as a result of radio interference. This can be a huge concern, especially if you tend to record vlogs with your smartphone or other devices nearby.

Tech Specs
Sound capture technology: Condenser
Microphone type: Shotgun
Connection type: Minijack
Polar pattern: Supercardioid

The Pros
Excellent audio quality
Better directional control
Blocks low-end noise

The Cons
Huge
Very expensive
Requires Minijack to TRS adapter
Vulnerable to radio interference

4. Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone (Best Value)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The Snowball Microphone from Blue is one of the more unique-looking microphones you can get. It’s also one of the few microphones that are capable of switching between omnidirectional or cardioid polar patterns. This capability is aided by the Snowball’s unique “capsule” shape.

The versatility of the Snowball is further complemented by the crystal-clear audio that it can record. It can capture speech clearly while doing a good job of blocking out any background sounds. Its affordable price tag drives home how much of a value-for-money product the Snowball microphone is.

However, the capsule shape of the Snowball may also be one of its biggest limitations. Since it is neither a lapel or a shotgun mic, there isn’t really an option to clip or to mount this mic to yourself or to the Osmo Pocket. If you’re going to record videos while walking around, carrying the Snowball with you will be awkward and inconvenient.

Tech Specs
Sound capture technology: Condenser
Microphone type: Capsule
Connection type: USB-B
Polar pattern: Cardioid or omnidirectional

The Pros
Plug-and-play, no apps needed
Affordable
Multiple polar patterns

The Cons
Huge
Does not mount or clip
Needs a USB-B adapter

5. Rode Videomic Go (Best Overall)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The VideoMic Go from Rode can be considered to be the smaller and lighter version of the VideoMic Pro+. Like its bigger brother, it features a shotgun design and a supercardioid polar pattern which offers a slightly larger scope than standard cardioid. Unlike the Pro+, the VideoMic Go feels right at home with the ultra-compact Osmo Pocket.

The directional recording scope of the VideoMic Go means you can accurately point it to the subject you are recording while blocking out all other ambient sounds. It even features a shock mount that prevents bumps and vibrations from interfering with the quality of your recording.

Despite the sophisticated features of the VideoMic Go, it is one of the easiest external microphones to use. It requires no app compatibility, has no complicated switches or settings, and is powered by the external microphone input. This combination of ease of use and quality of recording in a small and affordable package has made the VideoMic Go our top pick for an external microphone for the Osmo Pocket.

Tech Specs
Sound capture technology: Condenser
Microphone type: Shotgun
Connection type: Mini-jack
Polar pattern: Supercardioid

The Pros
Smaller and cheaper than the Pro+
Excellent recording quality and noise elimination
Shock mount reduces the effects of bumps and vibrations

The Cons
Requires a cold shoe mount

6. Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun Microphone

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

It can be a rough world out there for vloggers, which is why you might appreciate the ruggedness of the Sennheiser MKE 400. This shotgun microphone features an all-metal housing and a shock mount that helps in blocking out the noise. Its all-around build design is completed by a foam windshield accessory and a durable coiled cable.

The MKE 400 excels in long-distance audio recording, although sensitivity adjustment makes it perfectly capable of recording up close. Its TRS jack slips right into the Osmo Pocket. A unique characteristic of the MKE 400 is that it is battery-operated – it can run up to 300 hours on a single AAA battery. This is great for preserving the battery of your Osmo Pocket.

The professional look of the MKE 400 fits well with its superior audio recording quality. Its noise removal feature works great as expected of a shotgun microphone. However, the MKE 400 is not a cheap microphone. This product is recommended for buyers who have the budget for a long-lasting and high-quality product.

Tech Specs
Sound capture technology: Condenser
Microphone type: Shotgun
Connection type: TRS
Polar pattern: Supercardioid

The Pros
Rugged, all-around design
Compatible TRS jack
Battery-operated
Excels at long-distance recording

The Cons
Expensive

Final thoughts

The Osmo Pocket is an excellent product all on its own. After all, what other handheld recording device can offer 4k recording and 3-axis mechanical stabilization? However, DJI has still left room for improvement by way of providing a way to hook up an external microphone to the Osmo Pocket. By using an external microphone, your vlogs can enjoy higher quality audio and less noise.

Fortunately, we are spoiled with choices when it comes to external microphones. The products we have listed above are some of the best ones we have encountered, and they work really well with the Osmo Pocket. Depending on your budget and the types of videos that you’d like to shoot, you’re bound to find the external microphone that is perfect for you.