I'm just curious, for those of you using GoPro, which microphone do you use?

Always had good results with the mic in the cam using the case back with the opennings. Over 120 or so, it starts to pic up a lot of wind noise. It seems like helmet cams pick up a lot more wind noise than other mounting areas so I can see why you are interested in an auxiliary mic.

I've been checking out some of the motovloggers in youtube, was wondering what people from the forum use. The GoPro internal microphone is terrible, even during normal speed.

Also I think both Rook and I don't mind because we have loud pipes!

I used to love loud pipes. In the 70's when people bitch and moaned about my loud Denco expansion chambers on my Kaw 750 triple, I always used the excuse that loud pipes save lives, lol

Also I think both Rook and I don't mind because we have loud pipes!

I always used the excuse that loud pipes save lives, lol

hahaha, I remember reading that on some harley guy t-shirt! I think they do though. I had D&D and Muzzy slip ons before the Brock's Performance full system and countless times I was able to make myself "visible". When I'm merging through slow traffic to get to the outside lanes I use the throttle instead of the horn. I think it's less aggressive.

To get back on topic, I've seen a video on youtube about the early go pros and the reviewer was pissed saying the sound was crappy and that the after market mics didn't work well with it. I don't know if the newer models have the same problems but you should check that out. I heard the drift has better sound quality numerous times.

http://www.vivitar.com/product/106/camera-accessories/916/mjc-403

Try, google 'ZX 14 Shortshifting, or google 'watt hubsay' and find the title.

In the beginning of the vid, I say 'enough' and turn around. See if the audio is clear enough? I was going to cut a corner but traffic came and I said, 'whooo' a few times. Boom is too distorted. Normal has a good pickup. I cut the unit down so I would fit under my helmet. Takes a triple A battery. I bought a mic jack from go-pro, have a long extension cord so if the cam goes to the rear of the bike, I can speak into the camera way back there, or up front, etc.

I have the mic up between my jaw and the helmet. Being cut down that short helps but can fall out if I move wrong. So between the breathing and speak, see if this boom mic helps?

* Last updated by: Hub on 6/2/2014 @ 8:42 PM *

I've seen a video on youtube about the early go pros and the reviewer was pissed saying the sound was crappy and that the after market mics didn't work well with it. I don't know if the newer models have the same problems but you should check that out. I heard the drift has better sound quality numerous times.

It's true, the sound is crappy. In a few weeks I'm getting together with a group of motovloggers in Long Island, NY. I'll check with them to see what works.

Try, google 'ZX 14 Shortshifting, or google 'watt hubsay' and find the title.

In the beginning of the vid, I say 'enough' and turn around. See if the audio is clear enough? I was going to cut a corner but traffic came and I said, 'whooo' a few times. Boom is too distorted. Normal has a good pickup. I cut the unit down so I would fit under my helmet. Takes a triple A battery. I bought a mic jack from go-pro, have a long extension cord so if the cam goes to the rear of the bike, I can speak into the camera way back there, or up front, etc.

I have the mic up between my jaw and the helmet. Being cut down that short helps but can fall out if I move wrong. So between the breathing and speak, see if this boom mic helps?

Thanks Hub, I'll try a search on google tomorrow. It's getting late and have to get ready for jury duty tomorrow.

Kofla:

Which GoPro model are you using?

I have a request: I'm reading that the later models (3+ / "Black" models) have a change to the viewing / recording angle. That is, the field of view for the newer models is greatly wider than previous models. What I read is many of the users of the newer models hate this, and wish GoPro had "stuck with" the previous view angle (narrower).

The complaint seems to be it's too wide, and so the perspective distortion because of it, is visually upsetting.

Would you please poll your buddies to find out what they think? Thanks...

I'm "on the fence" for one of these until I sort this out. Your poll results might help me.

How about a Bluetooth solution?

I already use a helmet mounted boom mic, where the mic is positioned directly in front of my lips, under the helmet.

That feeds the Sena SMH-10 bluetooth dongle attached to the combo mic / dongle mount on the side of my helmet.

From there, it's easy to mount another Sena BT dongle to the cycle, and feed the sound to the camera using the method Hub describes above...

That way, your helemt / head is wire-free in case of a get-off. Much better on the neck, just in case...

i have the GoPro Hero and the model after that. I don't own a Black/Silver/White which is the current most updated version of the camera. Both my GoPros allow you to select from a few (five, I believe) focal lengths and one is close to standard which is the same as a human eye. Standard looks pretty normal but doesn't work well if you want to get a lot of the bike in the view. I'm surprized if GoPro didn't allow for a standard view on the new cameras. I too really don't have much use for wide angle unless it is for motorcycling. The distortion is weird but also, everything gets so tiny, you can't see half as much detail as you did in real life.

Which GoPro model are you using?

I'm using the GoPro Hero HD original. If money were not an object, I'll probably buy the GoPro 3.

I have a request: I'm reading that the later models (3+ / "Black" models) have a change to the viewing / recording angle. That is, the field of view for the newer models is greatly wider than previous models. What I read is many of the users of the newer models hate this, and wish GoPro had "stuck with" the previous view angle (narrower).

The complaint seems to be it's too wide, and so the perspective distortion because of it, is visually upsetting.

GoPro Hero 1, 2, and 3 Side-by-Side Comparison
Video Comparison 1...

Gopro Hero 3 Review: Comparing With Hero 1 and 2
Video Comparison 2...

My GoPro Hero original does not have the option to add an external microphone. I saw a guy on Youtube using an external digital voice recorder and a mini microphone with fairly decent sound quality. So I am going to try that, afterwards I'll add the voiceover to my GoPro video.

After I record my first video using this setup, I'll post a link to it here.

Your GoPro original SHOULD have a small 1/4 inch female jack on the side case.You plug the mic into that...the 'drift' IS a fine mic...I've had one before...they work really well.Only $19.00.I have a video of me using that mic....you plug it in...and you have to turn the mic power switch on.It won't automatically start working.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/6/2014 @ 8:27 PM *

Okay...I just checked it out....YOUR GoPro has on the side a slot for 'usb'...okay...you need to buy the 3.5 mm adapter.19 dollars.It has on one end...the usb plug...and on the other...the 1/4" phone jack(on the GoPro site under 'accessories')...which is what the mics come with.You'll be good to go my man...'drifter' is a good one.Look up B&H photo on the web...they have em;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/6/2014 @ 8:47 PM *

Your GoPro original SHOULD have a small 1/4 inch female jack on the side case.You plug the mic into that...

Grn14, I wish it did. Only the GoPro Hero 2/Hero 3 have the microphone 3.5mm jack on the side. I'll check on the drift mic, thanks for the suggestion.

Yes...see that usb port?That's where you plug in the 3.5mm adapter....on the GoPro website.

"Hero 2/Hero 3 have the microphone 3.5mm jack on the side"...you still need that adapter whatever model you have...they ALL have that usb plug....

I thought I was just plugging in the mic jack to the camera...I wasn't...I had that adapter...

AND...it's NOT a 1/4 inch jack...my bad...it's a small little jack...small in diameter.Sorry;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/6/2014 @ 8:54 PM *

Thanks, Kofla.

The comparo videos were ingenious. However, I did have difficulty attempting to decide if the "quality" of the images was being affect (and I'm sure it was) by the net streaming / compression artifacts / decompression losses / etc, from the processes of getting the vids to my eyeballs via network.

As far as sound, there was only one soundtrack on the side-by-side, and so, well, which one was it, right?

But, they helped!

I'm following this thread keenly because of my recent viewing pleasure with the Isle of Man TT on my HDTV set.

What a great series!

The on-cycle video, streaming real-time from multiple cycles / multiple angles / multiple fixed track locations and in-air chopper. Wow!

The only angle that got a laugh was the rear-of-cycle, looking forward shot. Looking at the rider's butt... What a hoot! I'll bet they thought "ah, very tounge-in-cheek, or cheeky, hahahahaha, jokes on you, viewer... Except , it did show the moves around on the seat by an expert rider. OK, so even that was worthwhile, ok...

Anyway, *that* show was "made" by the real time event streaming of the video coming from the track. No doubt about that at all to my mind.

Hence, my new found interest in these cameras.

mebgardner, I just received the microphone this morning. I bought a Audio Technica Lavalier ATR3350 microphone. I'll be posting a short video tomorrow to see how it sounds.

Cool!

i have the GoPro Hero and the model after that. I don't own a Black/Silver/White which is the current most updated version of the camera. Both my GoPros allow you to select from a few (five, I believe) focal lengths and one is close to standard which is the same as a human eye. Standard looks pretty normal but doesn't work well if you want to get a lot of the bike in the view. I'm surprized if GoPro didn't allow for a standard view on the new cameras. I too really don't have much use for wide angle unless it is for motorcycling. The distortion is weird but also, everything gets so tiny, you can't see half as much detail as you did in real life.

I don't like the new GoPro Hero 3, I've read too many complaints about audio out of synch with the Hero 3. And I agree with you about the distortion, it is simply too much in all three versions.

Hmmm...my hero 3 plays back a great picture.There are settings in there under the capture mode...allowing for several different lens capture vids.You probably know about that though...accessed in 'settings'.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/14/2014 @ 7:22 AM *

Never have any problems with my Sony microphone. Audio is much more clear than the integrated mic. Hero 2.

Never have any problems with my Sony microphone. Audio is much more clear than the integrated mic. Hero 2.

Very true. This past weekend I was able to conduct a test of my GoPro audio against the Audio-Technical ATR-3350 Lavalier Microphone. The Lavalier offers superb audio quality. I'm very happy with it.

I am still trying to eliminate helmet wind noise as much as possible, maybe this coming weekend I'll get it sort it out. Stay tuned!