Review: The Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Microphone from Dodotronic

A short review of The Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Microphone from Dodotronic, Inc.

A full/detailed live webinar review/presentation of The Hi-Sound Parabolic Mic was done for The BatAbility Club. It is currently posted, and available for viewing to all members of BatAbility Club. As an added bonus, Neil Middleton presented an additional, detailed follow-up; which I joined him on - For The BatAbility Club!

Neil carefully compared this unit from Dodotronic, with one of the "Gold Standards" of parabolic dish microphones: The Parabolic Dish from Telinga, Inc.!

The Telinga Dish (stock photo)

This short (written) review, of The Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Microphone from Dodotronic, Inc., is a work-in-progress. There will be more Info and links added to it, going forward.

Unpacking the box:

Opening the case:

 

The case's protective foam is not permanently attached

The microphone weighs 300 grams

Current price, directly from Dodotronic, at the time of this writing is €248.00.

I recently had the pleasure of using the Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Stereo Microphone from Dodotronic, and I must say, this compact device has quickly become an essential tool for my sound recording endeavors. 

Arriving directly from Italy, the packaging exuded quality and care, setting the tone for the product within.

Design and Build Quality:

The Hi-Sound Compact features a parabolic dish made of robust polycarbonate, ensuring durability while remaining lightweight at just 300 grams. With an outer diameter of 35 cm and a depth of 7 cm, this microphone is both compact and effective, making it perfect for fieldwork and outdoor settings. 

Its portability is enhanced by the included carry case, allowing for easy transport and storage.

Performance and Specifications:

One of the standout features of the Hi-Sound Compact is its capability to bring distant sounds closer. While shotgun microphones are a common choice among wildlife sound recordists, this parabolic microphone offers a flatter frequency response and a significant gain, making it ideal for various applications, including:

- Wildlife recording

- Sporting events

- Investigative work

- Industrial surveillance

With a sensitivity of -24dB and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 80dB, the Hi-Sound Compact excels in capturing nuanced sounds from 20Hz to 20kHz. 

My preliminary tests confirmed its ability to outperform traditional shotgun microphones, providing a clear and substantial increase in sound capture. 

I was particularly impressed with how it allowed me to record distant Red-shouldered Hawks during the day, which was a challenge with my previous setup.

User Experience:

The microphone operates on a simple 3V DC system and connects via a standard 3.5mm jack, making it compatible with many digital recorders and DSLR/video cameras. The included handle is a thoughtful touch, offering excellent stability without picking up minor hand movements during recording.

However, a few drawbacks should be noted. While the Hi-Sound Compact comes with a built-in mount for flash sockets, it lacks a tightening mechanism, making it prone to slipping if not handled carefully. Additionally, the microphone is not waterproof, which is an important consideration for longer-term outdoor setups. 

Though the product includes a short cable, I found it somewhat limiting, and the protective foam in the carry case tends to come loose. Lastly, the microphone does not lock securely into place on DSLR hot shoe mounts, which may pose a challenge during dynamic shoots. This was the case on the Canon DSLR I used.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Stereo Microphone is an impressive and affordable option for sound recordists at a list price of 248 Euros. 

Its compact size, exceptional sound quality, and portability make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to capture high-quality audio from a distance. Just keep in mind its limitations regarding waterproofing and cable length.

For anyone serious about recording wildlife sounds or similar applications, I highly recommend downloading the free User Guide available on Dodotronic’s website for detailed specifications and tips on usage. 

With the Hi-Sound Compact, you’ll find yourself capturing sounds like never before!

Happy sound recording!

The Next Device For Testing & Review Is Here! The Hi-Sound Compact Parabolic Microphone from Dodotronic

As stated in a recent blog post, I was actively seeking the next bat detector (or wildlife sound recorder) to review:

1st for The BatAbility Club, as a live webinar/presentation.

-and-

2nd for a text-based review/blog post, to appear here on the blog.

Well, I had parabolic dish microphones on my mind. So, the first company I reached out to – was Dodotronic. I remembered seeing some very interesting parabolic dish microphones on their website.

After reaching out to Ivano, at Dodotronic, it was decided that The Hi-Sound Compact would be the device to test & review.

It is a compact, and affordable parabolic dish microphone on the Dodotronic website.

The live webinar/presentation/review of this interesting bit of kit, will be viewable to members of the BatAbility Club; on July 8th.

I am happy to report, that Dodotronic shipped me a review sample straight away. And it arrived here in New York this afternoon!

The Hi-Sound Compact

I would also like to take this opportunity, to inform the reader that I will once again, be actively seeking a device to review, for the live webinar following this one. Which will take place approximately 2 months from now.

If you are a manufacturer of bat detectors, and would like to have your bat detector featured/reviewed during a live webinar for The BatAbility Club: Please contact me!

Happy bat detecting!