I tried out a recommended wireless microphone for video production!

2024-03-26

Theme：PA

Small wireless microphones for smartphones are becoming popular in Japan as well as overseas.
Looking at TikTok and YouTube Shorts, I think that I see more and more people using wireless microphones.
Wireless mics are loved by many creators because they can record voices well even from a distant angle of view!

It has only recently become trendy, and to be honest, many people may not yet have an idea of how to use it. I have written this review blog for these people.

If you are thinking of trying your hand at video creation, I hope you will stay with me.

Here is the product I will be reviewing!

Saramonic / Blink500PRO B2W Dual Channel Wireless Microphone for Camera/Phone with 3.5mm Connector

First, check out the contents.

I took it out briefly, and this is what I found.
After checking the manual, the following seems to be in the box.

1 receiver
2 transmitters
2 lavalier microphones
2 clips for lavalier microphones
2 windscreens for lavalier microphones
1 charging case
Semi-hard case
1 3.5mm TRS-TRS output cable for camera
1 3.5mm TRS-TRS output cable for smartphone/tablet
Charging cable (1 USB-C to USB-A, 1 Micro USB to USB-A)
User’s manual (English)

Although not mentioned here, a Saramonic sticker is also included.
Personally, I am happy about this too. Lol

The semi-hard case is sturdier than I expected and it seems to be able to withstand some pressure even when placed in a bag with other items.

On top is the semi-hard case and the bottom is the charging case.
The charging case fits completely inside the semi-hard case. Since the case is not that heavy, I found it fairly easy to carry.

Reasons for choosing a white kit

The Blink Series is available in two colors: black and white.
The appeal of the white mic is that it blends in with white clothing!
If you wear a microphone when your clothing is white, the black cable and microphone will stand out and look more presentable...
In such cases, the white color can reduce the presence of the microphone!

You may be thinking, “Then any white-colored wireless microphone should do.” This is the only white-colored model at Sound House, although we do carry many wireless mics for smartphones. White-colored wireless microphones are very rare in the market to begin with!

In many other stores, you may occasionally see white-colored models, but most are the type that attach the transmitter directly to the chest. In other words, they do not have a microphone input and use the transmitter’s built-in microphone. Recently, models with only a built-in transmitter microphone have become common and are not limited to white-colored models.

However, the Blink500 has a microphone input, so the supplied clip-on microphone can be connected! This is far less noticeable than attaching the transmitter itself as it is.
Moreover, every part from the clip-on microphone cable to the clip that attaches to the chest is solid white! By the way, it is also white when the windscreen is removed!

The mic blends in nicely with shirts like the one in the image, as well as with white wedding dresses, so it could be used for wedding vlog shoots!

Check out the wireless main unit

Now let’s check out the main unit that we are interested in.

Ta-da!
Since this is a dual type model, there are 2 transmitters and 1 receiver in the charging case.
They look nice and round and cute.

Since it’s stored inside the charging case, there seems to be basically no worry about running out of charge.
The charging case can be charged with the included cable.

Transmitter

The LCD of the transmitter in the paired state looks like this.
From top left, the icons are RF level indicator, pairing status, and battery level. The middle indicates volume level. The bottom ‘5/6’ is the gain, which can be adjusted in 6 levels.
It’s nice to be able to look at the status at a glance!

Receiver

The picture on the left shows both A and B paired and the right shows only B paired. When paired, the transmitter’s microphone gain and battery status can be checked.
I also like the fact that the headphone volume can be adjusted on the receiver!
I have the impression that the necessary functions are properly equipped.

Impressions from actual use

I used an iPhone 13. The iOS version is 17.4.
I used the following cable.

BOYA / BY-K1 3.5mm TRS to Lightning Conversion Adapter

It can be connected to the receiver’s LINE OUT and then directly to the Lightning jack with this single cable!
It is quite common to see cables with the 3.5mm side female, but this product is quite unusual in that the 3.5mm side is male.This cable is designed to connect to a microphone with a 3.5mm output jack, and cannot be used to output audio played on an iPhone!

We didn’t have a very large area and tried it at a distance of about 10 meters.
The sound was stable without any interruption. Even when speaking with my back to the camera, I was able to record with no problem, and the sound quality was very clear.
Best of all, it’s easy to use with no need for complicated settings on the iPhone.
The camera is automatically paired when the power is turned on, so I was able to start recording right away.

I have the impression that the clip-on mic picks up less ambient sound than the built-in mic.
Personally, I also like to use the transmitter’s built-in microphone and hold it in my hand like a handheld microphone.

Differences between the Blink500 and the Blink500PRO

The one I introduced here is the PRO Series of Blink500, which is the model with the LCD screen.
Blink500 also has a standard model without PRO that does not have an LCD screen.

Saramonic / Blink 500 B2W Dual Channel Wireless Microphones for Camera/Phone with 3.5mm Connector

If you are looking for a simple and easy way to film, I recommend the standard model!Volume and other functions can be controlled with the adjustment buttons on the side of the main unit. The LED light around the power button changes in different ways, so you can make adjustments while seeing the light.

We have a review video of a TikTok shot using this model!

@soundhouse_jp スマホ用ワイヤレスマイクすごすぎ！途中で先輩が入ってきてがっつり喋ってましたが全然声入っていないのびっくりです（笑） #サウンドハウス #ワイヤレスマイク #スマホ用マイク #動画撮影テク #動画撮影 ♬ オリジナル楽曲 - サウンドハウス

The longest corridor in our office was a straight line of 40m, so we actually tried it and it reached 40m well.
Although it may vary depending on the actual environment, if there is nothing obstructing the sound such as going out to an open space, it may be able to pick up the sound quite far.

■ Blink500 Series Product Video