Godox MoveLink M2 2.4GHz Wireless Microphone System 2022 REVIEW

Wireless microphone kit creates flawless sound for content creators.

Wireless microphones have become increasingly popular in recent years for content creators. This is because they offer a number of benefits that make them useful for a wide range of purposes. For example, wireless microphones are convenient because they don’t require any cords or cables to be attached to them. This means that they can be used anywhere there is an available outlet. Additionally, wireless microphones are portable, which makes them ideal for use on location.

I’ve been fortunate enough to try many different types of wireless systems and have found that some of the more modern ones are much more versatile than they used to be. I love miniature packs that are super easy to clip onto subjects and was thrilled when I found out that Godox, one of my favorite camera accessory companies offered a wireless microphone system as a kit.

DETAIL

The Godox MoveLink M2 Wireless Microphone system is a compact, easy-to-use wireless microphone system that is perfect for recording short and long-range audio. The system uses the globally recognized 2.4GHz frequency band and features a range up to 50 meters. The built-in microphone is omnidirectional and the included lav mics provide a more directional recording option.

The system has a fast setup process and a built-in clip that is compatible with hot shoe on-camera mounts. Users can switch between stereo and mono modes and the carrying case for the transmitters and receiver recharges the devices as well as provides a secure storage option for them.

SPECS

• Receiver Simulated Output: 3.5mmTRS
• Transmitter Sensitivity: -32dB+/-2dB
• Transmitter Max. SPL: 120DB
• Transmitter Simulated Input: 3.5mmTRS Lavalier microphone input
• Equivalent Input Noise Level: 21.8dB(A weighting)
• Frequency Range: 50Hz-20KHz
• Max. Output Electrical Level: +3dBu
• Single to Noise Ratio: 70dB or higher
• Fixing Method: Back clip (installed onto camera’s hot shoe )
• Display: TFT Display
• Dynamic Range: 100dBA (microphone preamplifier)
• Working Range: 50m (in no shelter situation)
• Power Supply: Built-in lithium battery
• Working Time: Approx. 6H
• Battery Capacity: 300mAh
• Transmission Type: 2.4GHz Frequency hopping system
• Sound Pick-up Mode: Omnidirectional
• Working Environment Temperature: -10~50℃
• Dimension: Length 50mm × width 40mm × thickness14mm
• Weight: 27g
• Material: ABS Material
• Suitable Models: MoveLink TX, MoveLink RX
• Charging Input: USB Type-C
• Dimension: Length 163 × Width 66 × Thickness 28
• Weight: 129g

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

• MoveLink TX(Transmitter) X 2
• MoveLink RX(Receiver) x 1
• Wind Cap x 2
• 1.2m Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone x 2
• 3.5mm TRS-TRS Audio X 1
• Connect Cable (for camera) 3.5mm TRS-TRRS Audio x 1
• Connect Cable (for phone) USB Type-C Cable X 3
• MoveLink Charging Case X 1
• Wrist Strap × 1
• Iron Sheet X 3

USER EXPERIENCE

The MoveLink Kit came in a blank white box. When you open the cover, you find the instruction manual, the MoveLink charging case with the transmitters and receiver enclosed, a small black box with all the accessories and cables included, and a pair of windsock adapters. In addition to the standard MoveLink kit, I also had access to the MoveLink UC Rx and the MoveLink LT Rx so that I could use the system with my iPhone and iPad (or other smartphones with USB-C connectors).

One of the first things I did was take stock of all the pieces and parts to ensure that everything that was supposed to be included was included. Fortunately, I had everything I should. One of my favorite features of this kit is the charging case for the Transmitters and Receiver. This is a brilliant add-on for a wireless microphone system as it helps the user make sure their devices are always charged.

The case has a magnetic closure and magnets hold the transmitters and receiver security in the case. I’ve used wireless systems like this before and I was shocked at how small the transmitters and receivers are. You can conceivably fit them in the palm of your hand. The microphone on the transmitters is located on the top of the device alongside a microphone jack. On one side of the transmitter is the power button and a mute button and on the other side is the pairing button and the USB-C charging port.

The receiver has a similar layout except that it has a volume up/down buttons where the mute button is on the transmitters and instead of a microphone on the top, there are two 3.5mm jacks – one for headphones and one for microphone output to a camera.

When you want to record directly to your iPhone or iPad, you will use one of the other receivers – the LT Rx or the UC Rx – instead of the clip-on receiver. The pairing/connection process between the transmitters and receiver is super simple. Out of the box, the MoveLink devices are paired together. When I powered them on, they automatically recognized each other.

With the LT Rx or the UC Rx, you have to set the device into pairing mode and then connect the transmitter to it. On the side of the LT or UC receivers, there is a small pinhole that acts as the pairing key. A pin is included with those receivers to make pairing an easy step. After I set the receiver into pairing mode, I pressed and held the pairing button on one of the transmitters until its LED was blinking. Within a few seconds, the LT Rx recognized the unit and connected to it. The next time I wanted to connect the transmitter to the standard receiver, I had to go through the pairing process again, but it was easy and only took a few seconds.

This system is designed to work with smartphones and cameras. It is meant to be versatile for content creators to use however they need to. With that in mind, I decided to test this system out a couple of different ways – recording to my iPhone 12 Pro and recording to my MacBook Air.

Each time I recorded a test, I used VoiceMemos to capture the media. I used a passage from the screenplay of Erin Brockovich as my reading material. Then I used the LT Rx to connect the microphone system to the iPhone. My environment was not 100% silent when I was recording. This was actually done on purpose because I wanted to know how much background noise the microphone would pick up.

Our air conditioner was running while I was recording and my fiancé was playing a video game one room away from me. I did close the door to the room I was recording in but that didn’t eliminate all the surrounding noise in our house.

The first test I completed was using the lav mic. I had the lav mic clipped to the collar of my shirt as I read through the script. When I listened to the recording, I could hear the very gentle hum of our A/C unit and small noises in the room such as my hand tapping the desk, but I could not hear anything outside the room. My voice came through loud and clear. Sounds were well-defined and there weren’t any issues with hard noises like ‘p’ sounds.

Next, I recorded the script using just the built-in microphone on the transmitter pack. This was a naked microphone. It did not have any protection on it so I expected noises to be much harsher using only this unit. I could hear the air handling a lot more than I could with the lav mic and I could hear sounds outside the room (background noises). Despite the ambient noises that were captured, the sound quality of my voice was quite clear. I had the device clipped to the collar of my shirt and that position did a good job of reducing harsh ‘p’ and ‘s’ sounds.

Finally, I placed the windsock on the transmitter pack and recorded it one more time. This time, I held the microphone out in front of me. The windsock seemed to filter out a lot of subtle sounds, but I could still hear the air handling of the A/C that was running. I could not hear any background noises outside the room – unless there was a pause in my reading.

There was one time when I took a breath and at that moment, I could hear my fiancé exclaim something about his gaming session in the other room. Even though I was using the windsock, some ‘p’ sounds were a lot harsher than they were when I recorded the other two tests.

After I completed my tests with the iPhone, I decided to see if I could connect the system to my MacBook Air. I was able to accomplish this with the help of a Kanex connector (Kanex DuraBraid™ USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable). This allowed me to use the Connect Cable designed to work with smartphones to connect the Receiver pack to the docking station. I used Screenflow to record several narration tracks. It worked really well and I love the fact that I could potentially have a wireless microphone system (other than my AirPods) available to record audio directly into my computer.

In Conclusion

The MoveLink M2 Wireless Microphone System is a great investment. The complete kit retails for $200 at the time of publishing this article and each of the additional specialty receivers is sold separately. The system is easy to work with and I’ve not experienced any technical difficulties with the system yet.

There were a couple of areas for improvement that I found while testing this system out.

• I have to remove my phone from its case in order to use the Lightning Receiver. This is a fairly minor criticism, but I do wish that I didn’t have to risk my phone’s safety in order to use the system completely.
• So far, I’ve had to repair the transmitter to the receivers when I use the Tx with different Rxs. The pairing process is quick and it runs really smoothly, but I wish you didn’t have to go through the pairing process.
• On the LT Rx and UC Rx, you have to use a pin to activate the pairing process. I would have preferred a tactile button instead.

This is a great audio system and one that will likely be used for a long time to come.

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