Insta360 built its brand around 360° cameras but has since expanded into action cameras, gimbals and wireless microphones.
Its latest product, the Insta360 Mic Pro, is a versatile clip-on microphone. I tested the 1RX + 1TX kit, which includes a receiver and transmitter.
It comes in a carry case with a USB-C charging cable, phone adapter, 3.5mm audio cable, button magnet or clip option and a windshield.
The dual-transmitter version comes with a charging case, but the model I tested charges via USB-C. It’s perfect for content creation, voiceovers or solo vlogging.
The Mic Pro transmitter features a customisable 1.22-inch e-ink display, a three-mic array with various pick-up patterns, 32GB internal storage and a 400m transmission range in open spaces. It has up to 10 hours of battery life.
The e-ink display is the most distinctive feature; it allows for customisation with logos or images, visible during filming. This can be done on the Insta360 app. It’s a clever touch for creators, businesses or media houses who want to display graphics or logos instead of conventional black mics with manufacturer branding.
However, the six-colour e-ink display is high-contrast, so finer details may not be as clear in uploaded images.
The Mic Pro settings can be customised on the app or through the receiver’s touch interface.
I initially used the plug-and-play option without fully exploring the app. After posting a TikTok video, I received a comment about poor sound quality. It turns out I accidentally left the stereo mode on instead of mono.
The USB-C receiver lets you control sound direction with four options: omni, voice focus, cardioid and figure 8. It also allows for audio clipping and vibration feedback. You can toggle the 32-bit internal recording option and select auto gain control to automatically adjust voice intensity.
With the transmitter or mic settings you can change the wallpaper, amplify your voice and select a tone mode for your voice recording (standard, rich or bright).
The three-mic array produces great audio quality with minimal post-processing based on your settings. I record directly to camera or my video editing app, so don’t use the mic’s storage.
The Mic Pro offers impressive controls for a single mic setup, but it is quite heavy when clipped to a shirt, which might cause the fabric to droop.
You need time to familiarise yourself with the features on the app. Another gripe is that it’s overly cluttered with ads, a push to buy products and a public feed of photos and videos, which seems unnecessary.
The Insta360 Mic Pro retails for R4,799. It’s up to you to decide if the feature-rich options are worth it over a basic alternative.
Cool factor: 5/5
Usability: 3.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
