2.4GHz wireless microphone systems are the industry standard for many creators. There are quite a lot of systems out there, so it’s refreshing to see a new unit entering the market with a unique design and an unbeatable form factor. I am talking about the Godox XT1. You can find it for $109 in B&H, and if you dig around you may even find it for even less.
The Godox XT1 wireless microphone system
The Godox XT1 system, like many other dual-mic 2.4GHz systems, is geared (primarily) towards content creators. Because of this, the system is designed to work well not just with your camera but also with your phone or PC. You can connect the XT1 to a camera using a TRS to TRS (or TRS to USB-C) cable to connect it to your phone. In either case, the XT1 will give you a much better recording experience than the built-in mic. (If you’re using an older iPhone and you’re still stuck with Lightning cables, don’t worry; you can get a 3.5mm TRS to Lightning adapter with the XT1) . In terms of batteries, the XT1 uses internal batteries for both the transmitters and receiver, and those can last up to about eight hours of usage (with intermittent charging), which should be more than enough for most projects.
I’m glad to say the XT1 doesn’t disappoint in audio quality either. You can hear the audio throughout the video above to see what I mean. The audio sounds very balanced to me and is miles better than anything you would get from your camera’s native microphone. Especially if you need to record away from the camera. In our testing, the signal remained strong up to around 50m when we had a line of sight. It’s less than the advertised 200m range, but it’s still plenty for most applications and very impressive for the size of the unit. (I will admit that it was under my shirt, so that may take away from the range).
Godox Magic XT1 unique form factor
The Godox XT1 is absolutely tiny. It has two mics smaller than grapes, and a receiver unit similar in size to the wireless receivers from RODE.
When you’re done recording, you can use the receiver’s “transformation” feature to dock the tiny mics. So, once you figure out a good place in your bag to store the audio cables, you don’t really need to store the Godox XT1 in its own case. As a bonus, this also means you can charge the entire set by just charging the receiver.
Godox Magic XT1 Mounting options
You can clip the mics of the XT1 like you would in any other system, but there is a different option with the XT1. Godox includes a couple of magnets with the XT1, which allow you to connect the transmitters to clothes easily. Put the small mic and magnet on two sides of the fabric, and the magnet will hold the light microphone with ease. In fact, because the mic is so light, you can also mount it upside down, and the magnet still holds the weight. You can use this to hide the mic under a hat (for example) instead of wearing it on your shirt.
We used the magnets for something else, too. Utilizing the small size of the mics, we taped one of the magnets on our talent’s hand and attached the mic on top. This gave us a pretty convenient setup for ASMR recording as we filmed an ASMR coffee video.
Features and controls
Most of the control for this kit is done on a touch screen on the receiver. You slide and tap for selection and operation, and you slide up to go back. It is quite convenient, but if you are like me and prefer physical buttons, you can control the mic using the two analog buttons on the side, together with the on/off switch.
The monitor also provides a ton of useful info: signal levels, battery levels, and audio gain. Now, it’s not real-time monitoring, but it will let you know if you clipped. Navigating through the menus on the monitor also reveals a few useful features.
Via the menu, you can activate DNR (dynamic noise reduction), a low-cut filter (a filter that helps you block background “humm” from your audio recordings), and mixing controls. The latter is especially interesting as you don’t see it much on affordable mics. This feature allows you to select between three modes: mono, where both mics are mixed together; stereo, where each mic gets a channel; and safely, which mixes both mics and also records a safety channel at -6 DB. If you are only using a single mi for vlogging, this would be the mode for you.
What’s in the box
The Godox XT1 comes with the following:
The receiver and two transmitters
A soft storage box
Two clips
Four magnets
Three cables: TRS to TRS, TRS to USB-C, charging cable.
An (optional) TRS to lighting cable
Two wind shields
Cold shoe adapter
Godox Magic XT1 Specs
Wireless TechnologyDigital
Included Transmitters2x Clip-On with Microphone
DiversityNon-Diversity
Max Operating Range656.2′ / 200 m (Line of Sight)
Max Transmitters per Band2
Built-In RecorderYes
Timecode SupportNo
Mobile App CompatibleNo
Sample Rate/Resolution48 kHz / 24-Bit
SNR70 dB
Receiver
Receiver TypeCamera-Mount
Mounting OptionsShoe-Mount (with Included Hardware)
AntennaInternal
Number of Audio Channels2
Built-In MicrophoneNo
Audio I/O1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Female Unbalanced Output1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Female Unbalanced Headphone Input
Frequency Response20 Hz to 20 kHz
Network I/ONo
USB/Lightning ConnectivityUSB-C Female
USB Class-CompliantYes
Power RequirementsBattery
Battery Type1x Built-In Rechargeable
Internal Battery Capacity680 mAh
Battery Charging Time2.5 Hours
Approx. Battery Life16 Hours
Input Power5 VDC at 550 mA5 VDC at 80 mA
Display & IndicatorsOLED
Dimensions0.9 x 0.9 x 0.7″ / 22.9 x 22.9 x 17.8 mm
Weight1.8 oz / 50 g
Transmitter
Transmitter TypeClip-On with Microphone
RF Output PowerNot Specified by Manufacturer
Built-In MicrophoneYes
Audio I/ONo
MutingOff/On Switch
Auto-Level ControlYes
Frequency Response20 Hz to 20 kHz
Sync Method2.4 GHz QPSK
AntennaInternal
Power RequirementsBattery
Battery Type1x Built-In Rechargeable
Internal Battery Capacity80 mAh
Battery Charging Time2 Hours
Approx. Battery Life8 Hours
USB/Lightning I/ONo
Display & IndicatorsLED
Operating Temperature14 to 122°F / -10 to 50°C
Dimensions0.7 x 0.4 x 0.3″ / 17.8 x 10.2 x 7.6 mm
Weight0.3 oz / 8 g
Microphone
Microphone TypeBuilt-In (Transmitter)
Sound FieldMono
Polar PatternOmnidirectional
Frequency Range20 Hz to 20 kHz
SNR70 dB
Maximum SPL115 dB SPL
Operating Temperature14 to 122°F / -10 to 50°C
Conclusion
The Godox Magic XT-1 is a solid option, perfect for beginners and budget videographers who don’t want to spend much but still want good audio quality in a convenient setup. While it lacks some features of more advanced audio systems like the Sennheiser EW-DP ($599), the Godox XT1 still gives the high-end systems a run for their money while costing a fraction of the cost.
Price and availability
The Godox Magic XT-1 is available in B&H for just $109. If you need to connect it to an older iOS device, you can get it with a 3.5mm TRS to Lightning adapter cable for $129.
Launchpad
Welcome to DIYP Launchpad. DIYP Launchpad is a place where we share new gear with you. Full disclosure: DIYP may receive compensation for the time invested in creating the review. Brands sending gear for the DIYP Launchpad segment do not see the review before it goes live or have any editorial control over it.
