Insta360 Mic Pro - New wireless mic with 32-bit stereo internal recording

[Ozpeter]

OK.  I freely admit that this is nothing to do with TapersSection-style recordings, but it's as good a demo of the audio quality that can be obtained with the Mic Pro as I am likely ever to obtain.  Just a loud Cathedral pipe organ, nothing in the sound changed by amps and speakers, and a good natural acoustic.  And actually, there's something about this piece that's a little bit like rock music?  Kind of blows the ears away.

Because there was a notice displayed forbidding sound recording, I wore the Mic Pro on my chest rather than horizontally, but in home tests it doesn't seem to make a huge amount of difference, as the front mic is basically omnidirectional anyway.  The alignment doesn't seem to have much effect of the clever processing that goes on to create a stereo image.  

On this occasion it didn't seem at all necessary to cut the low frequencies - and it was fun watching the frequency display in the DAW show the individual bass notes in the section below 50Hz (though this particular piece isn't particularly featuring the bottom end of the instrument).  But I did boost the higher frequencies, until what I heard in my headphones matched what I'd heard in the Cathedral, or so it seemed.  But in my days recording this stuff professionally, that often seemed necessary even when using an MKH MS pair.

Although it was sufficiently loud during the performance that I worried about the mics clipping, the actual resulting waveform needed upwards normalisation by quite a bit.  Nowhere near the clipping point.

I have to say that for the size, simplicity and price of this device, I find the quality unbelievable.  And it should be great for rock and the like too!

As usual, my YouTube channel isn't monetized, I am just posting this for the enjoyment of those interested in this device.

[mepaca]

Stunning! I love mine.

[C1977]

I have recorded my first show with Insta360 MicPro last week.
Sound is overall good and well balanced. But i find it to be a bit roomy for being not hat far away from the stage on the side.
Could be the hall that has some echo. The sound is compareable with the samples poste here and at dime.
Compared to the Zoom H2 Essential with Sony ECM-717 it's copmpletely different. 
I think the Zoom H2 Essential with Sony ECM-717 warmer an so distant sound. Yes it's old and cardioid compared to omni......
Would someone like to hear a sample?

[Ozpeter]

All samples are interesting!  Please do post.

[C1977]

Here it is.
Just normalized to -2db an dithered to 24/48.
https://we.tl/t-UT6fduDcu4qNaE8c

Please tell me what you think.
Thanks!

[Ozpeter]

Here it is.
Just normalized to -2db an dithered to 24/48.
https://we.tl/t-UT6fduDcu4qNaE8c

Please tell me what you think.
Thanks!

I'm not at home today and I will not insult it by listening on my phone!  Give me a day or two.  Others may jump in first of course.

[fransb]

OK.  I freely admit that this is nothing to do with TapersSection-style recordings, but it's as good a demo of the audio quality that can be obtained with the Mic Pro as I am likely ever to obtain.  Just a loud Cathedral pipe organ, nothing in the sound changed by amps and speakers, and a good natural acoustic.  And actually, there's something about this piece that's a little bit like rock music?  Kind of blows the ears away.

Because there was a notice displayed forbidding sound recording, I wore the Mic Pro on my chest rather than horizontally, but in home tests it doesn't seem to make a huge amount of difference, as the front mic is basically omnidirectional anyway.  The alignment doesn't seem to have much effect of the clever processing that goes on to create a stereo image. 

On this occasion it didn't seem at all necessary to cut the low frequencies - and it was fun watching the frequency display in the DAW show the individual bass notes in the section below 50Hz (though this particular piece isn't particularly featuring the bottom end of the instrument).  But I did boost the higher frequencies, until what I heard in my headphones matched what I'd heard in the Cathedral, or so it seemed.  But in my days recording this stuff professionally, that often seemed necessary even when using an MKH MS pair.

Although it was sufficiently loud during the performance that I worried about the mics clipping, the actual resulting waveform needed upwards normalisation by quite a bit.  Nowhere near the clipping point.

I have to say that for the size, simplicity and price of this device, I find the quality unbelievable.  And it should be great for rock and the like too!

As usual, my YouTube channel isn't monetized, I am just posting this for the enjoyment of those interested in this device.

https://youtu.be/Q957WWlxF3U

This recording really sounds great! I also bought one and I'm quite impressed by the results for such a tiny device. My interest in recording devices comes from the fact that I'm active as an improvising musician. Playing and recording don't go well along. So, when I want to make good recordings, I use a Zoom F6 in 32 bit mode. But for occasional sessions I will use the Insta360 from now on!

[fransb]

Here it is.
Just normalized to -2db an dithered to 24/48.
https://we.tl/t-UT6fduDcu4qNaE8c

Please tell me what you think.
Thanks!

I would say that you can't expect a much better recording in such a situation with simple gear. You could say there a bit too much mids in it, but that would be normal in live situations.

[datbrad]

Question about the file splits every 30 seconds:

Every brand of wireless mics with onboard recording I checked out wouldn't declare that the file splits every 30 sec were made on sector boundaries, and therefore be completely seamless when joined together.

Is this something you were able to get verification about with the Insta360s?

Last year the final reason I settled on Instamics was due to the fact that not one of the other wireless mic companies I queried could state specifically that auto file splits were bit perfect. They either ignored the question, or restated their marketing about the file splits and suggested I merge them in post (duh).

Having to join all the 30 min files before splitting them again to track out the songs seamed sketchy at the time. Thanks!

[Thelonious]

Question about the file splits every 30 seconds:

Every brand of wireless mics with onboard recording I checked out wouldn't declare that the file splits every 30 sec were made on sector boundaries, and therefore be completely seamless when joined together.

Is this something you were able to get verification about with the Insta360s?

Last year the final reason I settled on Instamics was due to the fact that not one of the other wireless mic companies I queried could state specifically that auto file splits were bit perfect. They either ignored the question, or restated their marketing about the file splits and suggested I merge them in post (duh).

Having to join all the 30 min files before splitting them again to track out the songs seamed sketchy at the time. Thanks!

I'm assuming you mean 30 min file splits. I can't confirm bit perfect, but I joined my split files from the other night, just like I would with my other gear, and perceive no issues at the joins, similar to when using my zoom or Mixpre devices.  

[Ozpeter]

Same here, but I will check later by zooming right in on the join to be sure that it's as accurate at the join as it sounds.

[shadowfax1007]

Damn it - you guys have got me spending money. I ended up buying one to see how it goes as a backup stealth rig.
I currently use a Instamic Pro - but 3 mics and 32 bit float stereo has me interested.