#PhotographyKnowledge# #Photography Skills# #Photography Enthusiast# #Photography Equipment# #Photography Magazine# It is often said, but it is worth repeating. Bad sound quality is more of a turn-off in video than bad video quality. If you rely on your camera's microphone for so

How to Connect an External Microphone

The first hurdle to overcome is the lack of an audio jack. You need to feed the audio signal into the action camera. The action camera lacks an external microphone input port. This means you need a microphone adapter to use an external microphone. But with some older or cheaper action cameras, there may not even be an option available.

This review assumes that compact usability is a priority for action cameras. All of these external microphones will be connected to the recorder, but that's not the point here. (BTW, the audio recorder takes you to the next level for better sound quality. Mainly because it greatly improves the preamp of the microphone.

Assuming this is not the case for you, then let’s continue .

External Microphone Adapter for GoPro Camera

For the GoPro HERO3 or HERO4 action camera, you will need a 3.5mm to USB mini-B adapter to connect the external microphone. This may only be an uncomplicated dongle but it will allow you to do so. Connecting an external microphone to your GoPro.

For GoPro HERO5 and above, GoPro makes an adapter that connects to a USB C socket and provides a 3.5mm and USB C socket for the HERO5 to HERO7. The easiest solution for action cameras.

The neatest product for the HERO8, HERO9 and HERO10 is GoPro's own Camera Media Mod (although similar, the HERO8 Media Mod doesn't fit the other two action cameras.

Media Mod is a wrap-around adapter. , connects to the USB socket on the action camera. It adds a directional microphone, two cold shoe mounts, and 3.5mm, USB C and mini HDMI ports. The integrated external microphone is already more powerful than the action camera's own microphone. Good. The mount and 3.5mm socket add endless possibilities.

But there are two drawbacks. This mod is not waterproof, which means you can't use it if you think the camera might be flooded. . It also adds to the complexity of replacing the battery, as it must be completely removed from the camera to do so.

Another option is the Ulanzi series of GoPro action camera cases that don’t have the integrated external microphone found on the Media Mod. But they do offer more flexibility for mounting accessories. The case allows for easier access to the battery and SD card. They also offer tripod screw and GoPro finger mount options, but you'll still need a USB to 3.5mm adapter. External Microphone Adapter for DJI Osmo Action and Action 2

USB C to 3.5 mm universal dongle should be used with DJI Osmo Action and Action 2 cameras. However, it's best to always check compatibility before purchasing. The CYNOVA Osmo Action Dual offers a more modular solution and adds a USB C port. As with the GoPro Media Mod, water resistance will be compromised by using the adapter .

So we have solved the adapter case. Now, let’s take a look at how to choose an external microphone for your action camera footage.

What is the best action camera microphone?

We'll cover the two main types of action camera microphones - shotgun and lavalier microphones. Which one is right for you will depend on your needs. The

microphone collects sound in a similar way but is designed for a different purpose. Action camera microphones will be omnidirectional. This means it collects sounds from all directions. But in reality, these microphones capture sound from a 180º field. The

shotgun microphone gives you a more directional sound. It will also offer better sound quality and better wind noise suppression. It will exclude or reduce sounds from the sides and rear, focusing on sounds directly in front of the microphone.

lavalier microphone collects sounds much like an action camera microphone. Its advantage is that it allows you to conduct interviews or narratives up close. This improves the reduction of ambient noise.With an action camera, there's no point in tying yourself down with wires, so we'll just look at wireless solutions.

How to choose a lavalier microphone

Lavalier microphones are sometimes called lapel or lavalier microphones. We are all familiar with it from television. What is not always obvious is that they are used in theater and film, hidden from view. Audio professionals love them because you can place them close to the sound source.

The action camera's lav microphone we selected for this review looks different from the TV microphone. This is because they combine the transmitter and microphone in one unit. Not great for a TV, but handy on the go. This means no trailing lines, which is important for action camera users.

7Best Action Camera Microphone Accessories

1.RODE Wireless Go II

Rode is a highly respected manufacturer of audio products. The Wireless Go II is a great example of why they're so popular. There are two versions, with one or two transmitters.

They are compact, square and easy to carry. The transmitter is attached to the subject's clothing and the receiver is mounted on a cold shoe or hot shoe . You will also need to connect the receiver to the 3.55 input port of the adapter of choice. The quoted transmission range of

wireless is 660 feet (200 meters). So really, anything below 330' (100 m) should never be a problem. The transmitter provides onboard recording. This means you won't lose audio even if the transmission is interrupted.

Wireless Go II uses Rode's safe mode. This will record the second track at -20 dB. The transmitter preserves your sound at lower volumes without clipping, even if you get overly excited while falling out of a plane. The Rode mobile app allows control of safe mode and other features. The receiver also features a clear color LCD screen for monitoring multiple parameters.

2. DJI Microphone

DJI Microphone is specially designed for DJI Osmo Action. It comes with a cold shoe adapter that allows you to use it with other cameras, including your action cam. There are two microphone/transmitter units and a receiver. They all store securely in the sturdy charging case. This makes transporting, pairing and charging your device simple.

You can clip the transmitter to your clothing. If that's not possible, they also have a magnetic mount. This is a useful solution for T-shirts or unbuttoned shirts, for example.

has a battery life of 15 hours, far longer than any action camera's recording time. The included dead cat will reduce wind noise.

Like the Rode Wireless Go II, the DJI Mic features onboard recording and a safety track (-6 dB). It also features adjustable gain levels so you can match the receiver's output to your action camera's needs.

3. Synco G2

I would rate this as a contender in the budget external microphone segment. Synco G2 works on the same principle as previous microphone systems. What it lacks is onboard recording, so if your audio drops, you lose that portion of the recording. It also has no safety rails.

Listening to the Synco G2 and Rode Wireless Go II side by side, the Rode has excellent sound quality. Less noise and richer sound. Rode offers better audio quality than Synco G2.

However, all things are relative. Synco will give you better voice recording from a distance than an action camera's built-in microphone. If you don't want to spend the money on a Rode (or a DJI, which is even more expensive), the Synco is worth a look.

How to choose a shotgun microphone

A shotgun microphone is more directional than a lavalier microphone. It's designed to capture sound coming from the direction it's pointed at. This improves audio quality by reducing unwanted external noise.

shock mount will reduce the noise transmitted through the action camera housing. A dead cat will help with wind noise. These are convenient features given how you use your action camera.

If you've gone the GoPro Media Mod route, then you already have a shotgun microphone (sort of). It's the smallest option yet and can be switched between front and rear. In most cases, it will provide higher audio quality than the built-in microphone. But it's not the same as an external microphone. The included foam windshield helps deal with wind noise, but not as much as the Dead Cat.

4. Movo VXR10 Professional Edition

The Movo VXR10 Pro shotgun microphone is a shockproof compact shotgun microphone. The microphone comes with a cable to connect to an action camera or smartphone. It also comes with a travel bag and a dead cat windshield.

The Movo VXR10 Pro has a richer sound and less high-frequency response than the Rode. The downside to this is that in windy conditions the Movo tends to absorb too much wind noise. This is true even if deadcat is installed.

This can be a problem since action cameras spend so much time outdoors. At this price, it's no surprise there's no high-pass filter, or gain control. But there is a headphone socket so you can monitor recordings.

5. Salem VM-Q1

I only recently encountered Salem. But the VM-Q1 microphone is attracting some positive reviews. Microphones are very affordable. It's very compact and comes with shock mounts, dead cats and a foam windshield.

sound quality is a mixed bag, as at least one reviewer found the cable that comes with the microphone to be very noisy. That being said, with the cable upgrade, the sound is impressive for the price range.

Again, keep in mind that even using a budget microphone like this will significantly improve the audio quality of your video recordings. The Sairen VM-Q1 doesn't have a headphone jack, so you won't be able to monitor sound on the go.

6.Rode VideoMicro

Rode is a dominant force in the vlogging and YouTube world. Part of the reason is that they have a variety of microphones. Rode's "sound" seems to meet the expectations of both content creators and consumers.

The VideoMicro can sound a bit lacking at lower frequencies compared to others. This is because the frequency response almost completely eliminates the sub-100 Hz range. This is useful for suppressing traffic noise. It also makes the microphone very effective in windy conditions. This is especially true when using the included dead cat windshield.

Vocals also rely heavily on higher frequencies. Perhaps the love for this brand is due to how clearly Rode captures the voice. It also allows it to cut through background clutter.

7. Boya BY-MM1

Regarding sound quality, it’s hard to tell the difference between the Rode VideoMicro and the Boya BY-MM1. However, your wallet will notice the difference, as the latter is about half the price. The

BY-MM1 has the extra features we've come to expect from a microphone of this type. It comes with a dead cat, shock mount, cable and carrying bag. The BY-MM1 is a solid performer and I prefer the sound from Boya to Rode. However, slightly poorer performance in the wind may be your deciding factor.

Conclusion

Let’s remind ourselves why we should consider external microphones. An external microphone can significantly improve the sound quality of your video recordings. This is true in almost every situation.

You need to consider the type of recording, the conditions under which you will be recording, and your budget. This will determine which external microphone is right for you.

For simplicity and ease of use, the Rode Wireless Go II is a great choice for a lavalier microphone. If you have the extra money, DJI microphones are a very attractive option. The charging travel case and magnetic mounting options are great features.

uses a shotgun microphone, the choice is a balance between performance and personal preference. My own choice is the Boya BY-MM1 because of its rich sound. The best action camera microphone accessory for your needs will be a balance between performance, price, and personal preference.

With an action camera, there's no point in tying yourself down with wires, so we'll just look at wireless solutions.

How to choose a lavalier microphone

Lavalier microphones are sometimes called lapel or lavalier microphones. We are all familiar with it from television. What is not always obvious is that they are used in theater and film, hidden from view. Audio professionals love them because you can place them close to the sound source.

The action camera's lav microphone we selected for this review looks different from the TV microphone. This is because they combine the transmitter and microphone in one unit. Not great for a TV, but handy on the go. This means no trailing lines, which is important for action camera users.

7Best Action Camera Microphone Accessories

1.RODE Wireless Go II

Rode is a highly respected manufacturer of audio products. The Wireless Go II is a great example of why they're so popular. There are two versions, with one or two transmitters.

They are compact, square and easy to carry. The transmitter is attached to the subject's clothing and the receiver is mounted on a cold shoe or hot shoe . You will also need to connect the receiver to the 3.55 input port of the adapter of choice. The quoted transmission range of

wireless is 660 feet (200 meters). So really, anything below 330' (100 m) should never be a problem. The transmitter provides onboard recording. This means you won't lose audio even if the transmission is interrupted.

Wireless Go II uses Rode's safe mode. This will record the second track at -20 dB. The transmitter preserves your sound at lower volumes without clipping, even if you get overly excited while falling out of a plane. The Rode mobile app allows control of safe mode and other features. The receiver also features a clear color LCD screen for monitoring multiple parameters.

2. DJI Microphone

DJI Microphone is specially designed for DJI Osmo Action. It comes with a cold shoe adapter that allows you to use it with other cameras, including your action cam. There are two microphone/transmitter units and a receiver. They all store securely in the sturdy charging case. This makes transporting, pairing and charging your device simple.

You can clip the transmitter to your clothing. If that's not possible, they also have a magnetic mount. This is a useful solution for T-shirts or unbuttoned shirts, for example.

has a battery life of 15 hours, far longer than any action camera's recording time. The included dead cat will reduce wind noise.

Like the Rode Wireless Go II, the DJI Mic features onboard recording and a safety track (-6 dB). It also features adjustable gain levels so you can match the receiver's output to your action camera's needs.

3. Synco G2

I would rate this as a contender in the budget external microphone segment. Synco G2 works on the same principle as previous microphone systems. What it lacks is onboard recording, so if your audio drops, you lose that portion of the recording. It also has no safety rails.

Listening to the Synco G2 and Rode Wireless Go II side by side, the Rode has excellent sound quality. Less noise and richer sound. Rode offers better audio quality than Synco G2.

However, all things are relative. Synco will give you better voice recording from a distance than an action camera's built-in microphone. If you don't want to spend the money on a Rode (or a DJI, which is even more expensive), the Synco is worth a look.

How to choose a shotgun microphone

A shotgun microphone is more directional than a lavalier microphone. It's designed to capture sound coming from the direction it's pointed at. This improves audio quality by reducing unwanted external noise.

shock mount will reduce the noise transmitted through the action camera housing. A dead cat will help with wind noise. These are convenient features given how you use your action camera.

If you've gone the GoPro Media Mod route, then you already have a shotgun microphone (sort of). It's the smallest option yet and can be switched between front and rear. In most cases, it will provide higher audio quality than the built-in microphone. But it's not the same as an external microphone. The included foam windshield helps deal with wind noise, but not as much as the Dead Cat.

4. Movo VXR10 Professional Edition

The Movo VXR10 Pro shotgun microphone is a shockproof compact shotgun microphone. The microphone comes with a cable to connect to an action camera or smartphone. It also comes with a travel bag and a dead cat windshield.

The Movo VXR10 Pro has a richer sound and less high-frequency response than the Rode. The downside to this is that in windy conditions the Movo tends to absorb too much wind noise. This is true even if deadcat is installed.

This can be a problem since action cameras spend so much time outdoors. At this price, it's no surprise there's no high-pass filter, or gain control. But there is a headphone socket so you can monitor recordings.

5. Salem VM-Q1

I only recently encountered Salem. But the VM-Q1 microphone is attracting some positive reviews. Microphones are very affordable. It's very compact and comes with shock mounts, dead cats and a foam windshield.

sound quality is a mixed bag, as at least one reviewer found the cable that comes with the microphone to be very noisy. That being said, with the cable upgrade, the sound is impressive for the price range.

Again, keep in mind that even using a budget microphone like this will significantly improve the audio quality of your video recordings. The Sairen VM-Q1 doesn't have a headphone jack, so you won't be able to monitor sound on the go.

6.Rode VideoMicro

Rode is a dominant force in the vlogging and YouTube world. Part of the reason is that they have a variety of microphones. Rode's "sound" seems to meet the expectations of both content creators and consumers.

The VideoMicro can sound a bit lacking at lower frequencies compared to others. This is because the frequency response almost completely eliminates the sub-100 Hz range. This is useful for suppressing traffic noise. It also makes the microphone very effective in windy conditions. This is especially true when using the included dead cat windshield.

Vocals also rely heavily on higher frequencies. Perhaps the love for this brand is due to how clearly Rode captures the voice. It also allows it to cut through background clutter.

7. Boya BY-MM1

Regarding sound quality, it’s hard to tell the difference between the Rode VideoMicro and the Boya BY-MM1. However, your wallet will notice the difference, as the latter is about half the price. The

BY-MM1 has the extra features we've come to expect from a microphone of this type. It comes with a dead cat, shock mount, cable and carrying bag. The BY-MM1 is a solid performer and I prefer the sound from Boya to Rode. However, slightly poorer performance in the wind may be your deciding factor.

Conclusion

Let’s remind ourselves why we should consider external microphones. An external microphone can significantly improve the sound quality of your video recordings. This is true in almost every situation.

You need to consider the type of recording, the conditions under which you will be recording, and your budget. This will determine which external microphone is right for you.

For simplicity and ease of use, the Rode Wireless Go II is a great choice for a lavalier microphone. If you have the extra money, DJI microphones are a very attractive option. The charging travel case and magnetic mounting options are great features.

uses a shotgun microphone, the choice is a balance between performance and personal preference. My own choice is the Boya BY-MM1 because of its rich sound. The best action camera microphone accessory for your needs will be a balance between performance, price, and personal preference.