Investing a lot of money in a great video camera without backing it up with a high quality microphone is not wise. The internal microphones in smartphones and vlogging cameras simply can’t capture good enough quality audio. Bulky shotgun microphones are not the answer for every project. The Joby Wavo Air is a modular, compact wireless microphone system that helps you capture better audio on the go. The good people behind it were kind enough to let us test one of these. Let’s see what was included:
The Wavo Air is a very nifty wireless audio capture system with two transmitters and a receiver that you can put to use fast. We were able to set them up with our iPhone in seconds. There was no need to download a special app to get started. Our kit also included two lavalier microphones, windshields, a GorillaPod Leg clip, a magnetic pendant and clip-on and cold shoe mounts.
To get started, you simply need to pair the receiver and transmitters after fully charging the units. You can simply push the pair button through the tiny hole on the side of the receiver and hold the two buttons on the transmitter module to get started. We had to do this only once. We tested our Wavo Air with GarageBand and Voice Memos with no issues. To use this with your camera, just make sure you use the included TRS camera cable. We managed to connect it to our GH5 in a flash.
The transmitters are high quality microphones on their own but you can always use the included lavaliers to record even higher quality audio. The Wavo Air is advertised as having a range of up to 50 meters. We tested it from a long distance in our backyard and had no issues with the audio. The below videos show the difference when you record with and without this microphone system (2nd video):
The Wavo Air-TX units have + and – buttons on the side that you can use to adjust audio level. They have three quadrants to show gain in 5dB steps. Each also has a USB-C charging port and 3.5mm audio input that you can use to attach the included external lavalier microphones.
The Wavo Air audio system has a truly modular design. You get plenty of convenient mounting options to choose from. We loved the magnetic pendant as it allowed us to wear these mics on our shirt. The lavaliers are also easy to attach. A cold shoe adapter is included for the receiver module, which was very convenient.
We tested these microphones for about 4.5 hours in our backyard and had no problem with the battery (this audio system should last up to 6 hours). Just like any other microphone, you will want to experiment with position and gain level to get your audio just right. With 2 transmitters, this set is great for indoor and outdoor interviews.
Overall, we found the Wavo Air to be incredibly fun to test. It was truly plug & play. You have plenty of ways to mount it to your smartphone, tripod, and other devices. You can even wear it around your neck with the magnetic pendant under your shirt. As long as you use the right cables for your camera and smartphones, you should be able to connect these in seconds. This is well worth a look for any aspiring vlogger or anyone who conducts on-camera interviews.
