I Know Nothing About Audio - Where Do I Start?

Undinist

Undinist

Wannabie Member
Hi everyone, I'm new to all this. Can anyone point me to some background info so I can learn the basics about microphones and recording? I have an open face helmet and a Vio POV HD camera (which has a mic-in socket). Ideally I just want a mike I can plug into the Vio and record my voice clearly with some background noise from my engine and the traffic, but no wind noise.

The Vio has a built in mike which I haven't tried yet. It's awkwardly located but I could position it on my chest or on top of a tank bag.

I also bought a mike to plug into the Vio. It cost £20/$30 from the Vio dealer so I hoped it wouldn't be completely hopeless, but at more than 10mph all I get is wind noise. I clip it next to my mouth. I can't link to a pic of it but if you google 'POV.HD dogcamsport mic' it's the first result.

I have a noisy fairing and an open face helmet - SO MUCH wind noise! I hope the solution isn't a separate audio recorder. I haven't done any editing (and I don't have any editing software yet) but I'm imagining that a separate audio recorder makes for a lot more work - syncing and merging and editing a video file and an audio file, fiddling with two different gadgets, twice as much battery recharging hassle. I really don't want to spend hours editing - that's my idea of torture!

These are the 'official' audio specs for the Vio. I have no idea what they mean:

AUDIO - BUILT IN MIC
Audio Codec: AAC
Mic Type: Monaural Omni-directional Cable-mounted, -40dB sensitivity at 1kHz
Resolution: 16 Bit Half Duplex
Sampling Rate:16kHz
SNR: 80dB
Speaker: Monaural 8 ohm Mylar, 0.7W Max

There is just one audio setting to play with in the camera setup - you can set the gain level for a plug-in mike. The options are Auto, Off, or 1 to 4.
 
Hey,

I've had the same issue with you. I bought a 'deadcat' which is false fur and placed around the microphone to reduce the wind/breathing noise, it's seemed to of reduced it significantly. With the use of an open face helmet (if it's open when you're whizzing about) you'll probably have alot more issues. If the previous doesn't fix it, maybe use some foam/sponge also to wrap the microphone. Failing all this, maybe a audio recorder would help seeing as at the moment when your record you'll have all audio on one clip which can be very difficult and time consuming to edit without losing other sounds i.e. engine noise.
 
Try it. Some use closed cell foam it kitchen sponge too.

On closed helmets mics can work in the cheekpads, don't know how well it'd work on a jawbreaker but worth a try.
 
Could somebody have a look at the pic of my mike and tell me what type it is? I can't link to a pic but if you google 'POV.HD dogcamsport mic' it's the first result.
 
Undinist said:
Could somebody have a look at the pic of my mike and tell me what type it is? I can't link to a pic but if you google 'POV.HD dogcamsport mic' it's the first result.
Click to expand...

Just had a search, is this the right one?

stereo-mic-250x168.jpg


If it is, then it's a clip on microphone/ also known as lapel pin microphone.
 
Your best bet is to get a mic that's fairly directional. It looks like that's a stereo lav mic, so it's got a mic on both ends. And, chances are, they likely both have a wide pickup pattern. That means that wind from pretty much any direction will cause noise.

A foam/fur wind barrier may help, but you won't get great audio unless you can get the pic out of the wind. As has been mentioned, tucking it behind a cheek pad can work. But, in doing that you'll affect the frequencies picked up by the mic. The high end will be cut some and the lows will be boomy. But you also won't get breath, sniffles, etc like you do with it right at your mouth.

There are many options and people prefer different ways. If your camera uses a 3.5mm jack, you can likely find an adapter from 3.5mm to 2.5mm, and that would allow you to use the Sena 20s mic options, which seem to be great. Their wired boom mic may work for you. It's got a few inches of wire and then an articulated boom and mic that can attach solid to the helmet. Their mics are all mono and are designed to block wind. The boom mic has a little spoiler around it to divert wind even with an open face helmet.
 
Gotcha. I'm just looking at their site. I think this is the mic you mean? It's on ebay for £23.19. Unfortunately I'm still too much of a noob to post a link :rolleyes:
SENA 20S ATTACHABLE BOOM MICROPHONE Part Number: 20S-A0303
 
Do lots of trial and errors, since you are using open face it will be even trickier to fine tune the wind noise.
 
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