View Full Version : GoPro3+ Sound


Chris Brown
April 8th, 2014, 07:11 PM
I just received this camera a few weeks ago to use as a simple backup for Wedding videos. Not that the sound matters that much as I will be using other methods for recording but when you use an external mic with the attachment from gopro and the Wifi on, there is a lot of static noise. Turn off the wifi and the sound is great. Ive read a little about people having trouble with the sound. Just wondering if anyone has any information on this problem or maybe a fix. Also the sound has a little hum to it when using the internal mic with the wifi on but its not too bad.


Chris

Ian Newland
April 9th, 2014, 03:21 PM
Can't fix the hum, just remove it in post.

Chris DeVoe
April 16th, 2014, 06:15 PM
Get a clip-on ferrite core and put it on the cord just as it enters the camera.

http://media.digikey.com/photos/Steward%20Photos/28A2026-0A2.jpg

Run the cord through the core, around the outside once, than back through again.

https://www.canon.ie/Images/G0052974_tcm24-636186.gif

Ian Newland
April 16th, 2014, 10:30 PM
It's internally generated.

Chris Brown
April 26th, 2014, 08:07 PM
So your saying this wont work being that its internal.

Ian Newland
April 27th, 2014, 12:15 AM
Yup. If you check a sample recording with a spectral analyser program like Izotope RX2 ( free trial) you will visually see the problem. It's easy to remove in post with a simple low pass EQ filter.

Lynne Whelden
May 13th, 2014, 10:14 AM
Ian and I have argued about this before.
I have a conspiracy theory about why GoPro's audio is so crappy.
It has to do with their engineer, one David Newman.
https://twitter.com/David_Newman
Long before GoPro and CineForm, he was the engineer for a proprietary editing box called ScreenPlay. I owned one. It's audio cross-talk was awful. On its 2-channel audio output, you could mute one channel and STILL hear BOTH channels playing thru the other channel.
Whatever David did there, I'm assuming he brought the same "expertise" to GoPro's table (while laughing all the way to the bank).
Clearly, there's some sort of electrical interference inside GoPro. Some circuit is too close to another circuit and a hum is being generated and propagated.
It's probably too late to redesign the camera's guts. Since most people seem to use GoPro as a video-only device, producing music videos, there's not been much call for better audio. In fact, I think I'm about the only person on the planet who's been beating this drum to death.
I've resigned myself to the filter solution, as Ian proposed.
But the blame, I think, goes to David Newman.

Ian Newland
May 14th, 2014, 04:17 PM
In fact, I think I'm about the only person on the planet who's been beating this drum to death.
I've resigned myself to the filter solution, as Ian proposed.
But the blame, I think, goes to David Newman.

Yep you've worn out a few drums by now Lynne...hehe.-:)

In David's defence, I don't think he had a lot to do with the hardware design, he did have input ( requests ) for some addition features that would allow later firmware code modifications to enable, but those were not implemented in the final Hero3 camera design. The Hero3+ firmware development log files are an interesting read :-)

Ian Newland
May 15th, 2014, 09:00 PM
I have this new stereo mic im testing at the moment, iGoMic, it's shaping up to be very good with the GoPro. It's available from B and H. Comes with the GoPro USB mic cable and custom mount.

GoPro User Forum ? View topic - Stereo Microphone for GoPro (http://goprouser.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=17906)

http://s24.postimg.org/vkypau5t1/image.jpg
http://s15.postimg.org/cr0q40nyj/image.jpg

Lynne Whelden
May 16th, 2014, 04:58 AM
Ian (or anybody)...precisely what is the offending low-end frequency of the GoPro? (I mean, is it 400 Hz? 200 Hz?)
I ask because I think we need to be more "in the face" with GoPro about this. If everyone knew that a "200 Hz rumble" is being inserted into the audio track, it might motivate GoPro to do something about it. As it stands, the word on the street is "GoPro's audio sucks."
Let's get GoPro's dirty little secret out in the open!
Let's try to raise this argument to a new level. There's simply no excuse for this. GoPro is insulting our intelligence and creativity (as they go laughing to the bank).

Lynne Whelden
May 16th, 2014, 05:00 AM
PS
The iGoMic looks interesting but why don't they use right-angle USB plugs? The current USB plug, sticking straight out, is an accident waiting to happen.

Lynne Whelden
May 16th, 2014, 10:22 AM
PPS I'll buy the igomic in a NY second if...if you can say with confidence that it will move GoPro's audio up to a whole new level.

Lynne Whelden
May 21st, 2014, 05:50 AM
Ian...I noticed you haven't written up a review of the mic yet on the other site. Still testing? Or has your impression changed after listening to the audio for a while?

Ian Newland
May 21st, 2014, 05:10 PM
No just been slack. :-)

Chris Brown
May 23rd, 2014, 07:56 PM
Sorry have not had time to get back to respond for a while. While it is possible to remove the noise when not using WiFi. The noise is 4 times worse when you leave the WiFi on and im not sure the sound is usable.

Lynne Whelden
May 29th, 2014, 03:01 PM
Ian, the first line of your review could read (ha ha)..."You can't put lipstick on a pig. But kudos to igomic for at least trying."

Ron Cooper
August 6th, 2014, 08:13 PM
Does anyone know if the GoPro usb/mic adapter cable has any voltage on it for powering electret mics ?
Also, does it work on other equipment with micro usb in ?

Ron C.

Fran Guidry
August 7th, 2014, 02:18 PM
I tested and answered in the other post, yes, plugin power comes through the adapter cable.

Don't really understand the intent of the second question.

Fran