Massive Static Noise When Using GoPro Audio Adapter

rkruz3 · May 18, 2023

I wanted to use an external mic for recording video while driving. I was using a windslayer foam cover and the GoPro internal mic, and while decent, I thought an external mic properly placed and shielded would provide better sound and wind noise reduction.

When I used the adapter, the resultant audio with wind created massive static noise, like a Geiger counter during the Chernobyl meltdown. I tested while driving and later used a fan to simulate an eight mph wind, all with bad static.

I've tried 2 different passive mics and every conceivable setting in Hero 7, all with the same disastrous results. Maybe you can see this video test.
https://youtu.be/dHUmP_DWA7Q

I think there is no solution and the GoPro adapter is very little dynamic range, and the only way forward is to use the camera's internal mic with a windslayer.
What do you think?

Kofla · May 18, 2023

Are you using this GoPro Hero 7 microphone adapter?

PaulH · May 19, 2023

The noise isn't wind noise, it's a bad connection.
Work out where the fault is; Have you tried using the mics straight into the adaptor without the extension lead ?
Do the mics work OK straight into other devices ? If so, add the extension lead and see if there's a problem.
If the above tests are OK, it's likely a faulty adaptor. It maybe worth cleaning the connectors and see if that helps.

rkruz3 · May 19, 2023

Yea I blamed the cables at first, too.
I tried different extension cables, I also connected the mics directly to the adapter with no cable. I tried aggressively jiggling the attached 3.5mm connectors, and also the USB of the adapter, and twisting and bending the cables themselves........all the above with no static issues. I think a dirty connector would have revealed itself with the above testing. The only way I get the loud static is with the wind into the mics (no noise issues when using the internal mics of the camera).
Ill try another camera,, a Hero 8, and report on the results.

PaulH · May 19, 2023

Check the mics into an entirely different device; phone, DSLR, portable recorder etc.

rkruz3 · May 19, 2023

It's a gain thing.....................when I set the cameras, either the Hero 7 or Hero 8 to "Standard" mic, the loud popping Geiger counter static is greatly reduced at a wind speed of 20 mph or for any loud noise for that matter. When the gain on either camera is set to "Standard +", which is a 20 db gain, any loudish noise will result in the Geiger counter loud popping static. This is the same for 2 different microphones tried in combination on both Hero 7 and Hero 8 cameras.
So the audio amplifier does not deal with loud inputs that saturate the audio amp chain at all well.

The "Standard" setting, albeit, not as loud as I'd like, provides a more reasonable result that I might be able to work with when used on the outside of a moving vehicle with additional wind reduction from foam or dead cat covers. I'll do some test drives this morning.

Massive Static Noise When Using GoPro Audio Adapter

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