GoPro3+ Sound

[Chris Brown]

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]

Can't fix the hum, just remove it in post.

[Chris DeVoe]

Get a clip-on ferrite core and put it on the cord just as it enters the camera.



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

[Ian Newland]

It's internally generated.

[Chris Brown]

So your saying this wont work being that its internal.

[Ian Newland]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Lynne Whelden

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]

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

[Lynne Whelden]

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]

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]

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]

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]

No just been slack. :-)

[Chris Brown]

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.