REVIEW – One aspect of my amateur video making that always seems to fall a bit short is the audio. The internal microphones on smartphones and cameras are never quite good enough to capture the full range of sound, resulting in videos that never reach professional quality. However, after testing the Godox Virso S M2 Wireless Microphone System I think I’ve found the key to taking my videos to the next level. Priced competitively at $299, this high-quality system produces great sounding audio and is unique in that both the transmitters and receiver all have microphones, allowing for three-person interviews or recordings.
What is it?
The Godox Virso S M2 is a 2.4GHz wireless microphone system with both internal and external microphones for recording audio. The system can record onto SD memory cards or send audio to a device, such as a computer, camera, or smartphone. The Virso S is specifically designed to work well with Sony cameras. The Virso S M2 system consists of one receiver with a small screen and two transmitters, all equipped with internal microphones.
The Godox Virso S M2 arrives in a simple white box with photos of the system on the front.
The sensitive components of the Virso S M2 are packed securely in custom cut foam for protection.
What’s in the box?
- Godox Virso S TX M2 Transmitter x 2
- Godox Virso S RX Receiver
- Three-way USB-A to USB-C Charging / Data Cable
- Mic Windscreen x 2
- 3.5mm TRS-TRRS Audio Cable
- 3.5mm TRS-TRS Audio Cable
- Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone (LMS-12B AX) x 2
- Hotshoe Cover
- Storage Bag
- User manual
Hardware specs
- Transmission Type: 2.4GHz Frequency Hopping System
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Sensitivity: -32dB±2dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥70dB
- THD: 0.03%
- Frequency Range: 50Hz-18KHz
- Max SPL: 110dB
- Dynamic Range: 90dB
- Power Supply: Built-in Lithium Battery
- Battery Capacity:
- Virso TX: 400mAh
- Virso S RX: 600mAh
- Type-C Input Parameters:
- Virso TX: 5V/0.32A
- Virso S RX: 5V/0.6A
- Battery Life:
- Virso TX: Approx 13h
- Virso S RX: Approx 17h
- Working Environment Temperature: -10℃~50℃
- Working Range Max. Wireless Transmission Distance: 200m
- Dimensions:
- Virso TX: 50×50×16mm
- Virso S RX: 52×50×16mm
- Net Weight:
- Virso TX: 33g
- Virso S RX: 40g
- Connectors:
- USB-C
- 3.5 mm Audio Jack
Design and features
The design of the Godox Virso S M2 microphone system is simple with a nice retro touch to it. The bodies of the receiver and transmitters are made of black ABS plastic with a smooth texture.
I love the rounded edges of the components along with the oversized dials and buttons.
I was first drawn to the Virso S M2 when I saw the small screen on the front of the receiver. The screen is bright and packed with useful information; it’s also flippable, making it easier to read in different configurations.
Being able to quickly see the battery levels and connection status of the whole system is invaluable during a shoot. On the front of the receiver, along with the screen, there are two small LEDs labeled ‘A’ and ‘B’ that relay the connection to the transmitters.
The top of the receiver has an internal microphone, an output port for a recording device, and a clickable volume dial. All the controls and ports are labeled with small white icons.
One side of the receiver has a USB-C port for charging and a small factory reset pinhole.
The other side of the receiver holds the subtle recessed power button and menu button for controlling the on-screen options.
The connector on the back of the receiver is a true hot shoe bracket that allows attached compatible Sony cameras to communicate with the receiver.
The Godox Virso also comes with a small protective cover for the hot shoe when not in use.
The Virso transmitters have the same rounded design as the receiver with an oversized power button replacing the receiver’s volume dial.
The transmitters have three LEDs on the front indicating battery, connection, and mute status. Including the power button, there’s also a 3.5mm audio port and internal microphone.
One side of the transmitter houses the USB-C port and Micro SD slot. Using a memory card with the Virso S M2 allows for recording and storing up to 400 hours of audio on a memory card. Transferring that audio to a computer is easy using the included data cable or memory card itself. With larger memory cards, up to 400 hours of audio can be saved.
The other side of the transmitter has the factory reset pinhole and a record button marked with a red dot.
The back of each transmitter has a small belt clip and contact points that allow the units to be charged with the optional Virso Charging Case.
There are two different cables included with the Virso S M2 for connecting the receiver to a recording device. There’s a black 3.5mm TRS to TRS cable, which has two rings on both ends of the cable, and a red 3.5mm TRS to TRRS cable, which has two rings on one end and three on the other. The TRS to TRS cable will work with most cameras, and the TRS to TRRS cable will work with smartphones that have a 3.5mm port.
The Godox Virso S M2 microphone system comes with two standard Lavalier mics with small alligator clips to connect the mics to subjects.
When using the internal mics in windy conditions, it’s advisable to use the included windscreens.
The windscreens snap onto the receivers with a small plastic tab that fits into the 3.5mm mic port.
My favorite accessory for the Virso S M2 is the three-in-one USB-C charging cable which makes charging all the devices at once a breeze.
Setup
Setting up the Godox Virso S M2 microphone system, as with most new devices, first involves making sure all batteries are fully charged. The innovative three-way USB-C charging cable makes charging the receiver and transmitters very easy. After charging is complete, it’s important to link the transmitters to the receiver. My system was already linked out of the box, but if yours isn’t, it’s an easy process detailed in the user manual.
Preparing the Virso S M2 system for use necessitates choosing the right microphones for the recording scenario. You can opt for the internal mics with or without windscreens.
Alternatively, you can use the supplied Lavalier microphones, which require more setup but deliver better sound quality than the internal mics.
After charging, all that remains is to connect the receiver to your recording device. In my case, I used my GoPro HERO8 Black and connected the audio-out port from the receiver to the audio-in port on the camera. I used the supplied 3.5mm TRS-TRS cable. If you’ll be using a Memory Card instead of a recording device just make sure it’s formatted properly and inserted correctly into the appropriate transmitter.
Performance
The Godox Virso S M2 worked very well during my tests. The system has a listed transmission range of about 656 feet in an open area, and while my use never came close to that distance I was impressed with how clear the audio signal was when I moved away from the transmitters.
Battery life didn’t disappoint either, with the transmitters lasting close to the reported 13-hour battery life, and the receiver lasting around 15 hours. Being able to easily see the battery levels on the receiver’s screen was quite useful. Another great feature is that the receiver supports charging while in operation. With this option, attaching a battery pack to the receiver would work for marathon audio recording sessions.
The transmitters were easy to mount on subjects and small enough to remain conveniently out of sight during recording sessions.
I conducted a series of test recordings using both the Lavalier microphones and condenser microphones at various gain levels. I also captured a reference recording with the microphone on my GoPro HERO8 Black.
Sample Recordings
Overall, I enjoy using the Godox Virso S M2. The system is simple to use, looks great, yet is quite inconspicuous, and provides excellent audio quality. The system works well with my GoPro HERO8 Black and is easy to use right out of the box.
What I like
- Battery and audio levels easy to see
- Ability to record three subjects at once
- Recording to SD cards is great as a backup
What I’d change
- More mounting options should be included
- No USB power brick included
Final thoughts
The Godox Virso S M2 Wireless Microphone System is an excellent choice for content creators who want to capture high-quality audio with minimal effort. This system impressed me by performing flawlessly right out of the box. It features easy-to-read battery and audio level displays, the ability to save the audio to a micro SD Card, and offers the option to record a third subject with a microphone built into the receiver. While it doesn’t include as many mounting options as systems like the JOBY Wavo Air Wireless Lav Microphone Kit, which I reviewed in September, the $299 price tag is competitive, especially when considering the system’s reliability, long battery life, and additional features.
Price: $299.00
Where to buy: Innstromall.com and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Godox.
