New Mic: Not good

[NF Vulcan]

When i motovlog, I use my camera (gopro sessions 4) and a voice recorder with a lav mic. The mic that I currently use was a cheapo through walmart and works good. I wanted to get a little better in the quality so I purchased a new lav mic through amazon that looked good and felt sturdy and high quality. When I used it in a video, I should have used that plus my origional mic because the new one didn't record a single sound... Anyway does anyone have a good recommendation for a lav mic that will work for a voice recorder?

 

[HippoDrone]

I use one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/780191273X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

On my trackday vid I had to use a voice recorder as wasn't allowed a headcam so I got myself an audio cable extension and it worked really well, also (IMO) a lot safer than having a long wire around your neck as it has an extra break point:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LM4ON3I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[NF Vulcan]

Damn, looked both of those up, amazon will not send them to the US... Thank you though, at least I have something to reference in my search for a better quality audio mic

 

[HeyItsRick]

Damn, looked both of those up, amazon will not send them to the US... Thank you though, at least I have something to reference in my search for a better quality audio mic

Hey Bud! I've been through all kinds of mic problems.
Here's one that I was using similar to what @HippoDrone referenced. Bendy Mic
I'm typically a +4 Stars kinda guy when it comes to amazon but this mic worked really well for awhile. Just be sure to wrap it properly with deadcat, I like to add a layer of bandana cloth on top since my voice is really bass-y and I dont like the fur rubbing on my face.
I made the mistake of removing the foam and just adding deadcat. My audio was peaking the whole time setup that way, now I've got layed with original foam, deadcat, and a cloth wrap over the whole thing.

One trick that I find that I need to do for my session (5), is that I need to press the menu button on the back first to power up the camera before hitting record, otherwise it wont pick up any audio.

Right now what I'm using is the Giant Squid mic, its $50 on amazon but I paid $60 directly from the buyer for an upgraded 3.5mm plug (wasnt necessary) Giant Squid
I'd say this one is not entirely necessary, it picks up more audio than the bendy mic did but that isnt really a good thing.

I've also tried the Sony ECMCS3 but it's not compatible with the newer gopros.
Neewer mics didnt work for me, I went cheap so maybe that was the reason.
Also tried two different versions of Lav mics by a company called PopVoice, both came with adapters for use on PC/Android but no luck there either. Hopefully this narrows down your search a bit.

 

[R-Rated]

I like the Sony mic

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-omnidirectional-condenser-microphone/4820722.p?skuId=4820722

I have had pretty good luck with them and the price is not too bad.

 

[HippoDrone]

One trick that I find that I need to do for my session (5), is that I need to press the menu button on the back first to power up the camera before hitting record, otherwise it wont pick up any audio.

I have made a video on how to "fix" that issue Rick, it should be on my YouTube channel front page still in my most popular vids section.

 

[HeyItsRick]

I have made a video on how to "fix" that issue Rick, it should be on my YouTube channel front page still in my most popular vids section.

LOL I had actually seen your video back when I first got my hero5 session, before I knew about motovlog.com.
I really dont mind taking that extra step of hitting the menu button so I'm keeping mine up to date on firmware. Hitting the menu button allows me to confirm my settings anyway so I'll just wait until they put out patch to fix the one touch record.

 

[HippoDrone]

Cool, I can't reach the button on my setup if using my Session 5 as a helmetcam. I doubt they will patch it though, it is effectively an obsolete camera now (a very good camera nonetheless).

 

[scottrod]

I use the Sony ECMCS3 with my GPH4B and is really good quality over my eBay/Amazon cheap jobs.

Unsure if the Sony mic is compatible with the session.

I know in the future I will use a recorder so I can mic my engine/exhaust sound up.

 

[NF Vulcan]

Hey Bud! I've been through all kinds of mic problems.
Here's one that I was using similar to what @HippoDrone referenced. Bendy Mic
I'm typically a +4 Stars kinda guy when it comes to amazon but this mic worked really well for awhile. Just be sure to wrap it properly with deadcat, I like to add a layer of bandana cloth on top since my voice is really bass-y and I dont like the fur rubbing on my face.
I made the mistake of removing the foam and just adding deadcat. My audio was peaking the whole time setup that way, now I've got layed with original foam, deadcat, and a cloth wrap over the whole thing.

One trick that I find that I need to do for my session (5), is that I need to press the menu button on the back first to power up the camera before hitting record, otherwise it wont pick up any audio.

Right now what I'm using is the Giant Squid mic, its $50 on amazon but I paid $60 directly from the buyer for an upgraded 3.5mm plug (wasnt necessary) Giant Squid
I'd say this one is not entirely necessary, it picks up more audio than the bendy mic did but that isnt really a good thing.

I've also tried the Sony ECMCS3 but it's not compatible with the newer gopros.
Neewer mics didnt work for me, I went cheap so maybe that was the reason.
Also tried two different versions of Lav mics by a company called PopVoice, both came with adapters for use on PC/Android but no luck there either. Hopefully this narrows down your search a bit.

Hey Boss, thanks for this info. Currently I am running a sessions (4) so no mic adapter for me. However I will be looking into your options that you posted. Thanks for all the info!!

 

[NF Vulcan]

I use the Sony ECMCS3 with my GPH4B and is really good quality over my eBay/Amazon cheap jobs.

Unsure if the Sony mic is compatible with the session.

I know in the future I will use a recorder so I can mic my engine/exhaust sound up.

Unfortunately, the sessions (4) does not support any kind of mic adapter/mic at all, so its all external for me.

 

[NF Vulcan]

I like the Sony mic

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-omnidirectional-condenser-microphone/4820722.p?skuId=4820722

I have had pretty good luck with them and the price is not too bad.

Thanks Boss, ill have to look into this one

 

[HeyItsRick]

Hey Boss, thanks for this info. Currently I am running a sessions (4) so no mic adapter for me. However I will be looking into your options that you posted. Thanks for all the info!!

I forgot to mention, if you're recording audio externally the Sony mic is really good though I had to use a TRS to TRRS adapter.
Before I got the mic adapter I was using an old iPod Touch with the Voice Record Pro app. The app allows you to adjust the gain and choose the file type / bitrate / etc.
I actually still use that setup when recording my garage vlogs, with the fans running in the background its the only way to get clear audio. Though lately I've opted for the mic that came with my samsung phone, I chopped off the headphones, added a clip and a foam windscreen. Cheap, ghetto, but it works until my next paycheck lol.

 

[suds750]

Hi, does anyone know if the Sony ECM-CS3 mic is compatible with a Sony HDR AS100V camera? I'm really struggling to find a mic that works and am starting to think that the ebay seller has unloaded a faulty camera onto me!

 

[HippoDrone]

I don't know I'm afraid, but there are a couple of different types of 3.5mm audio jacks so you may have one that isn't compatible with the camera.