Product Overview
The JLI Willow is a compact stereo plug-in power field recording microphone pair designed for nature recording, environmental ambience, sound effects gathering, and other outdoor recording applications. Part of the JLI Field Series, a family of compact microphones designed for nature recording, environmental ambience, wildlife, and other outdoor recording applications.
Each microphone is built around our JLI-9750AL26-HD electret microphone capsules. The capsule combines high sensitivity, low self-noise, and an omnidirectional pickup pattern in a compact package suitable for discreet stereo recording.
Willow is supplied as a complete stereo pair with 6-foot Mogami cables, a REAN stereo connector, removable tie clips, and a padded storage pouch. Both microphones are protected by waterproof acoustic membranes to provide a high degree of resistance to rain, spray, and moisture encountered during field use.
Design & Performance
Willow was developed as a portable field recording system for use with recorders and other equipment that provide plug-in power (PiP). The two microphones may be positioned independently, allowing the spacing and stereo arrangement to be adapted to the recording environment.
At the center of each microphone is the JLI-9750AL26-HD, a 9.7 mm omnidirectional electret capsule with high sensitivity and a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 82 dB. Its omnidirectional response makes it well suited for capturing natural ambience without requiring precise aiming.
A waterproof acoustic membrane is installed over each capsule. The membrane protects the microphone from rain, splashes, and wind-driven moisture while allowing sound to reach the capsule. This makes Willow suitable for outdoor recording in conditions where an unprotected microphone would be vulnerable.
The microphone housings are manufactured using 3D printing (printed in ASA), allowing a compact, lightweight enclosure to be built specifically around the capsule, membrane, cable, and clip assembly. Each microphone is connected to a 6-foot Mogami cable, providing enough separation for common stereo recording arrangements while remaining practical for portable use.
Willow is highly water resistant but not submersible. It is not intended for underwater recording, immersion, or installation where water may collect around the microphone for an extended period.
Field Recording Samples
Hear JLI Willow alongside JLI Aspen in direct field-recording comparisons. The recordings were made simultaneously with both microphones positioned together and connected to the same recorder using identical gain settings. Both recordings received the same gain adjustment in post so their original relative output levels are preserved. No noise reduction, equalization, compression, or other corrective processing was applied.
Moving Water
JLI Willow — this product
JLI Aspen
Frogs at Night
JLI Willow — this product
JLI Aspen
What’s Included
- JLI Willow field recording microphone
- Two "Dead cat" windscreens
- Two removable tie clips
- Padded storage pouch
Key Features
- Complete stereo field recording pair
Two independently positionable microphones provide flexible stereo placement. - JLI-9750AL26-HD microphone capsules
High-sensitivity omnidirectional capsules provide low-noise, full-range sound capture. - Plug-in power operation
Designed for compatible portable recorders and microphone inputs that supply PiP. - Highly water-resistant construction
Waterproof acoustic membranes protect the capsules from rain, spray, and airborne moisture. - 6-foot Mogami cables
Flexible microphone placement without requiring separate extension cables for typical portable recording setups. - Compact, lightweight housings
Purpose-built 3D-printed housings are easy to carry, position, and conceal in the field. - Ready for field use
Includes tie clips and a padded pouch for deployment, transport, and storage.
Applications
- Nature and wildlife recording
- Environmental ambience and soundscape recording
- Streams, forests, wetlands, and weather
- Sound effects gathering
- Outdoor events and documentary recording
- Binaural-style and spaced-pair recording arrangements
- Indoor room ambience and general stereo recording
Who This Product Is For
Willow is intended for field recordists who want a compact and portable stereo microphone system without the size and complexity of a conventional stereo microphone array.
It is especially well suited for users of portable recorders with plug-in power who want to position the left and right microphones independently. The included clips allow the microphones to be attached to clothing, vegetation, small stands, straps, or other supports appropriate for the recording environment.
Technical Description
Each Willow microphone uses one JLI-9750AL26-HD omnidirectional electret capsule. The capsule has a nominal sensitivity of -26 ±3 dB, a specified frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 82 dB.
The omnidirectional pattern provides consistent pickup from all directions and reduces the need to aim the microphone directly at a sound source. This is useful when recording broad outdoor environments, moving wildlife, diffuse ambience, and stereo soundscapes.
Plug-in power supplied by the connected recorder operates the electret capsules. The left and right microphone signals are carried through the Mogami cables to a common stereo connector for connection to a compatible recorder.
The protective acoustic membrane is intended to reduce exposure to water without sealing the microphone acoustically. As with any microphone used outdoors, an appropriate windscreen may still be required in moving air.
Specifications
| Product Type | Stereo field recording microphone pair |
| Product Series | JLI Field Series |
| Powering | Plug-in power (PiP) |
| Microphone Capsules | Two JLI-9750AL26-HD electret microphone capsules |
| Polar Pattern | Omnidirectional |
| Capsule Sensitivity | -26 ±3 dB |
| Capsule Frequency Response | 20 Hz–20 kHz |
| Capsule S/N Ratio | >82 dB |
| Cable | 6-foot Mogami W2697 cable on each microphone |
| Output Connector | REAN NYS231BG |
| Capsule Protection | Waterproof acoustic membrane |
| Environmental Protection | Highly water resistant; not submersible |
| Housing | 3D-printed ASA housing |
| Supplied As | Stereo pair |
| Included Accessories | Two tie clips, windscreens, and padded storage pouch |
Use & Care
Willow microphones are designed to tolerate rain, spray, and moisture encountered during normal field recording. They should not be submerged, used underwater, or left where standing water can collect around the acoustic membrane.
After use in wet conditions, wipe the exterior dry and allow the microphones, cables, clips, and pouch to air dry completely before long-term storage. Do not apply compressed air or direct heat to the acoustic membrane.
The microphones are highly sensitive and may require external wind protection in breezy conditions. The waterproof membrane is not a substitute for a windscreen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of recorder is required?
Willow is designed for a stereo microphone input that supplies compatible plug-in power. Check the recorder manufacturer’s specifications before connecting the microphones.
Are the microphones waterproof?
The capsules are protected by waterproof acoustic membranes, making the completed microphones highly resistant to rain, spray, and moisture. They are not designed for immersion or underwater recording.
Can the microphones be positioned separately?
Yes. Each microphone has its own 6-foot cable, allowing the pair to be spaced and positioned according to the recording environment.
Can Willow be used indoors?
Yes. Although designed with field recording in mind, Willow may also be used for room ambience, events, acoustic performances, and other stereo recording applications.
