Initial Impressions: The Design and Build
Joby’s Wavo Pro, a target for top-notch content creators and narrators, certainly ticks all the boxes in terms of design and aesthetics. The package includes the microphone, pre-installed foam windscreen, a fuzzy windjammer, a 3.5mm TRS cable, and a USB C to A cable. The microphone conveys a professional look, styled to blend seamlessly even when conducting CEO interviews. With dimensions measuring around 5.4″ x 4.3″ x 1.1″, it surprisingly only weighs a third of a pound.
The Build: Solid and Relatable
The materials used in the construction of Wavo Pro range from aluminum, and ABS plastic, to Hytrel. It feels solid and built to last. The cold shoe mount gives a secure grip on the DSLR camera. For an easy user interface, the microphone comes with simplistic yet functional controls and easy-to-read LED indications for real-time notifications – power, audio level, Bluetooth connectivity, and remaining battery life.
Battery Life: A Game-Changer
A standout feature of Joby Wavo Pro is its commendable battery life. Provides a full charge to its Lithium battery, and the mic keeps up uninterrupted for almost 60 hours. It also exhibits an auto power-off feature synchronously with the camera.
Audio Capture: Impressive and Accurate
With a super-cardioid polar pattern alongside a decent frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz (+/-3dB), the Wavo Pro does a great job of sound capture. It shows efficient Signal-to-noise ratio settings, considerably good for this microphone class. With Active Noise Reduction, it offers to filter low-frequency noises to the best extent possible.
Safety Track: An Addition Worth Having
The microphone extends its features to safety track recording, which essentially records a backup audio signal at 10 dB lower than the primary audio channel. This serves as an invaluable asset if the primary track faces clipping in any circumstance.
Secondary Mic with Enhanced Features
The versatile JOBY Wavo Pro comes equipped with a 3.5mm connection base designed to accommodate a secondary microphone, such as a lavalier, affording users the flexibility to record distinct audio signals. The mic’s base is also programmed with convenient buttons that independently amplify both the camera output and the input from the auxiliary mic by up to +20dB. With functional Mix Mode and Mono Mode, your recording options are expanded. The Mix Mode enables the Wavo mic to record on the left channel while using the secondary mic for the right channel. Conversely, the Mono mode combines both microphone inputs for a balanced recording on both channels.
Efficiency and Control with the JOBY Wavo Pro App
Enhancing the user control experience, the JOBY Wavo Pro includes a handy app that acts as an excellent companion for any video shoot. It provides an easy interface to adjust gain levels, set Equalizer (EQ), and toggle Active Noise Reduction (ANR). The app pairs instantly via Bluetooth, offering seamless control over your recording process. Despite encountering an error during my initial try at updating the app, a second attempt set everything right. The simplicity and efficiency of this interface ensure no delays in your video creation process.
