DJI Neo 2’s Hidden Audio Feature Lets Solo Creators Record Sync Sound During Flight

Adventure filmmaker Jeven Dovey has revealed one of the DJI Neo 2’s most overlooked capabilities: the ability to record synchronized audio using external microphones connected to a smartphone.

In his latest video, the Los Angeles-based creator demonstrates how solo filmmakers can capture clean walk-and-talk footage without drone noise ruining their audio.

Three Components Unlock Professional Audio

The setup requires just three pieces of gear: a Neo 2, a smartphone, and an external microphone.

“The Neo is going to record any audio that’s connected to your phone,” Dovey explained.

He demonstrated the feature using two different microphone configurations. The first involved a DJI Mic 3 connected via Bluetooth. The second used an Insta 360 Mic Air plugged directly into his phone’s USB-C port.

Both methods produced identical results in the DJI Fly app.

How The Sync Audio Feature Works

Once airborne, users tap the microphone icon on the right side of the DJI Fly app interface. The app displays a warning: “You can use the mobile device, remote controller, built-in mic, external mic to record audio for aerial videos. Do not turn off the screen or switch to other apps during recording.”

That last part is critical.

The phone must display the flight screen throughout recording. Switching apps or letting the screen sleep breaks the audio connection.

“You don’t hear any of the drone,” Dovey noted while demonstrating the Bluetooth setup. “It’s doing automatic noise cancellation. It’s cleaning up the audio so that you have just your voice.”

Audio levels appear as a bouncing waveform indicator, confirming the microphone feed is active.

Embedded Audio Eliminates Post-Production Headaches

Unlike traditional dual-system recording, the Neo 2 embeds audio directly into video files.

“It’s not a separate audio file. It’s all in,” Dovey explained. “When you go into the computer and you pull in your footage from the Neo 2, you’ll see that you’ll have audio waveforms on the video.”

This streamlines editing for creators who previously needed to manually sync external audio recordings with drone footage.

The Phone Problem

The feature comes with one notable limitation.

“There’s no way to direct connect a microphone to the drone itself,” Dovey acknowledged. “You always have to have this phone as the link.”

During walk-and-talk filming, pilots must secure their phone somewhere accessible without accidentally pressing buttons or closing the flight screen. Dovey suggested pockets, backpack pouches, or simply holding it if the phone appearing in frame isn’t a concern.

Alternative: 32-Bit Float Recording For Maximum Quality

Creators wanting even cleaner audio can skip the sync feature entirely and record backup audio directly to their microphone.

“If you want to get sound that’s even cleaner and you want to have full control, you want to have a 32-bit float file, then you wouldn’t use one of these microphones that’s connected directly to the phone,” Dovey explained.

This method requires syncing audio manually in post-production using the classic clap technique. The visual hand clap on drone footage aligns with the audio spike in the separate recording.

It adds an editing step but delivers broadcast-quality audio with 32-bit float headroom.

DroneXL’s Take

Jeven Dovey’s tutorial highlights a Neo 2 capability that DJI hasn’t heavily marketed but solo creators will immediately appreciate. While most Neo 2 coverage focuses on its improved tracking and obstacle avoidance, the sync audio feature transforms this palm-launched drone into something far more useful for content production.

The timing of Dovey’s video is notable. He was recently testing the Neo 2 in the Sierra Mountains with Jake Sloan, and both creators have been pushing the boundaries of what this sub-250-gram drone can accomplish.

For YouTubers, vloggers, and travel creators, this feature solves a genuine production problem. Traditional drone shots required either silent B-roll or complicated dual-system audio setups. The Neo 2’s phone-as-audio-bridge approach isn’t perfect, but it works.

The phone dependency is the main drawback. Having to babysit a flight screen while filming dynamic content isn’t ideal. But for creators who’ve struggled to get usable audio from drone shots, this workaround delivers results that would have required expensive rigs and extensive post-production just a few years ago.

DJI’s decision to embed audio directly into video files rather than creating separate audio tracks shows they understand their creator audience. Nobody wants to sync audio in post if they don’t have to.

As the Neo 2 continues rolling out globally, expect more creators to discover hidden features like this that extend the drone’s utility beyond basic selfie shots. The Neo 2 may have launched as an upgrade to a “beginner drone,” but tutorials like Dovey’s prove it belongs in professional camera bags.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.