GoPro and Sony ECM-LV1

[CalmBiker]

Thought after ten years I should try upgrading my microphone so got hold of a Sony ECM-LV1. The sound quality is a big improvement but (isn't there always a "but" with motovlogging audio?) I am having a few problems and looking for advice.

When I put the mic near my mouth, the extra sensitivity over my old Drift mic means every breath and every swallow is really audible and incredibly annoying. I've tried moving it further away - various places near the visor, behind the cheek pad but this leads to additional wind noise from my helmet with either annoying whistling or the sound just blowing out from being too loud.

Anyone got any suggestions? It feels like the microphone needs turning down but there's no option to reduce the sensitivity in the camera.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

You could try an inline headphone volume control, then lock it in place at the right level... not the cleanest idea but could work.
Or turn the head of the mic 180 degrees away from your mouth/nose but still in the same location if possible?

 

[Theodor]

Covering the mic up will definitely reduce sensitivity, but it will make the speech sound more muffled too.
If there is no way to reduce the sensitivity of the recording device, you should look for less sensitive microphone.

 

[throttleup]

Covering the mic up will definitely reduce sensitivity, but it will make the speech sound more muffled too.
If there is no way to reduce the sensitivity of the recording device, you should look for less sensitive microphone.

Or a separate recording device.

 

[R-Rated]

I ran a different model Sony ECM for a while. I took a wind sock and put some cotton wadding in it.

Another idea is check if your editing software has something to take out the breathing without taking out the engine sounds. I sometimes use Cyberlink's Audio Director. Speaking of which I found some useful info from a guy's channel that goes by the handle PowerDirector Academy. His presentation is a bit geeky but his stuff is good. Pretty sure the tips will work with other software.

 

[CalmBiker]

I have been trying out new positions and I think I have something I can live with. Because of my backlog it might be another ten videos before I publish it though!

 

[Hippo-Drones]

It is really weird talking of backlogs... I nearly always find in winter I have banked videos to share, but in the warmer months, my channel lives more hand to mouth and my videos are never normally older than a week mostly!
Ace to hear you have found a happy spot. Audio can be a real pain. I have kinda got to where I am with mine, and am thinking it is about as good as I can get it without spending money or getting really frustrated... so it is now what it is!
I very much look forward to hearing your progress on future vids... maybe when I do, it will kick me in the bum to try and improve mine too!

 

[R-Rated]

It is really weird talking of backlogs... I nearly always find in winter I have banked videos to share, but in the warmer months, my channel lives more hand to mouth ...

So is this about what it is like?

 

[Drakhen99]

That Sony mic is HOT. It puts the Purple Panda to shame with its hotness. I tried it out, sitting right next to the Purple Panda in my vlogging rig... and promptly stopped using it.

The other suggestions are great, but if you're using something like Resolve or Premiere, any editor that supports VST plugins... you can use Waves OneKnob Brighter. I did a video on it on my channel. Then, you can wrap that sucker in microfiber or something to attenuate the noise - and OneKnob Brighter will bring your voice back up!

-John

 

[CalmBiker]

It is really weird talking of backlogs... I nearly always find in winter I have banked videos to share, but in the warmer months, my channel lives more hand to mouth and my videos are never normally older than a week mostly!
Ace to hear you have found a happy spot. Audio can be a real pain. I have kinda got to where I am with mine, and am thinking it is about as good as I can get it without spending money or getting really frustrated... so it is now what it is!
I very much look forward to hearing your progress on future vids... maybe when I do, it will kick me in the bum to try and improve mine too!

I thought I'd found the sweet spot but turns out not. It was pretty good on the Honda but once on the Z1000 it was back to crackles and pops no matter what I did. Went for a four hour spin over the weekend and recorded three videos, all with terrible poppy audio. I think I might have a problem related to the combination of camera, mic and helmet. Anyway, I've just sent the mic back. Hopefully it'll get refunded quicker than my last one month wait for Amazon and I can try an alternative. Back to Drift mic for now.

 

[CalmBiker]

That Sony mic is HOT. It puts the Purple Panda to shame with its hotness. I tried it out, sitting right next to the Purple Panda in my vlogging rig... and promptly stopped using it.

The other suggestions are great, but if you're using something like Resolve or Premiere, any editor that supports VST plugins... you can use Waves OneKnob Brighter. I did a video on it on my channel. Then, you can wrap that sucker in microfiber or something to attenuate the noise - and OneKnob Brighter will bring your voice back up!

-John

I couldn't get it to work on both bikes so it's gone back unfortunately. I was considering the purple panda as a replacement. Is it so bad I should just avoid it or is it likely to be better than my old Drift mic?

 

[CalmBiker]

I ran a different model Sony ECM for a while. I took a wind sock and put some cotton wadding in it.

Another idea is check if your editing software has something to take out the breathing without taking out the engine sounds. I sometimes use Cyberlink's Audio Director. Speaking of which I found some useful info from a guy's channel that goes by the handle PowerDirector Academy. His presentation is a bit geeky but his stuff is good. Pretty sure the tips will work with other software.

Fairly basic editing software for me. I use ShotCut nowadays.

 

[Drakhen99]

I couldn't get it to work on both bikes so it's gone back unfortunately. I was considering the purple panda as a replacement. Is it so bad I should just avoid it or is it likely to be better than my old Drift mic?

I highly recommend the Purple Panda. There's a reason so many motovloggers use it.

What I used to do when trying to improve upon my audio quality, was to plan out a quick 15-minute route that had speeds from 25mph to 50mph, and plan 3 or 4 stops in that short route. Then, plan out 3 or 4 mic placements or modifications [like wrapping it in microfiber cloth]. I'd jot these down on a notepad and then go for the ride. At the start and after making each change, I'd start recording, tell the camera what test we were running [while stopped, so the audio should be good], and then ride to the next stop. Stop recording at the next stop.

That gave me 3 or 4 clips to analyze for audio quality, and reminded me which test I was running. It quickly helped me nail down what was going on, what worked, and what didn't.

Good luck!

-John

 

[CalmBiker]

I highly recommend the Purple Panda. There's a reason so many motovloggers use it.

What I used to do when trying to improve upon my audio quality, was to plan out a quick 15-minute route that had speeds from 25mph to 50mph, and plan 3 or 4 stops in that short route. Then, plan out 3 or 4 mic placements or modifications [like wrapping it in microfiber cloth]. I'd jot these down on a notepad and then go for the ride. At the start and after making each change, I'd start recording, tell the camera what test we were running [while stopped, so the audio should be good], and then ride to the next stop. Stop recording at the next stop.

That gave me 3 or 4 clips to analyze for audio quality, and reminded me which test I was running. It quickly helped me nail down what was going on, what worked, and what didn't.

Good luck!

-John

Cheers John. I do something similar. I had it reasonable on my Honda with its windscreen at 70mph and the naked bikes have always had better audio. This time around the Sony switched that around. It might be purple panda next then!

 

[Theodor]

I considered that for a while, but It seems you can't get that with a short wire.
If you're better at packing away wires than me, then seems like a safe choice.

 

[Drakhen99]

I considered that for a while, but It seems you can't get that with a short wire.
If you're better at packing away wires than me, then seems like a safe choice.

Great point! I bundle up the excess wire and use gaffer's tape to hold it in place on the outside of my helmet. It's ugly, but it works.

AFAIK, they come with the extension and the adapter, and you can choose to use the "shorter" cable, which still long.

-John

 

[throttleup]

I considered that for a while, but It seems you can't get that with a short wire.
If you're better at packing away wires than me, then seems like a safe choice.

The Purple Panda's long cable is a tick in the "con" column, that's true. I just deal with it.

 

[Moto Mengy]

Great point! I bundle up the excess wire and use gaffer's tape to hold it in place on the outside of my helmet. It's ugly, but it works.

Gaffers tape solves many problems.

 

[Drakhen99]

Gaffers tape solves many problems.

LOL, yeah, it sure does!

-John

 

[CalmBiker]

Well, the Sony went back and I took a chance on the Purple Panda. In my helmet it's definitely better than my old Drift and the Sony. Thanks for the advice everyone!