This is VERY HELPFUL! I've been doing some research, and couldn't find comparison nor could i find any reliable reviews on external microphones for cool HERO 3 gadget. Your generous video is REALLY helpful, and I hope you continue to put more! For practical use, my favorite choice is the Zalman as well, although the Olympus has the best quality, I agree with you that having two(2) separate audio feed can be a bit of work during active use. Thanks again!^^
Thank you for taking the time to conduct a simple but very informative video about the microphones. it definitely helped me make my decision as to which microphone I want. :)
I ended up with just keeping the Zalman. A close second favorite was the Sony unit, but I couldn't justify having another $50 mic that is only marginally better (and significantly larger) than the Zalman.
Can you confirm that I would be able to use a Sennheiser EW 112-p G3-B Portable Wireless Lapel Microphone System with ME2 Lavalier Mic with the Hero 3. We use the original Go Pro for training and stuff, but the sound is rubbish. We cannot really use a wired mic so are looking for a suitable wireless lapel mic.
I wish you could test these bad boys on a motorcycle hitting the freeway. I'm looking for one for future vlogs and fun videos. Yet, it's a great video and good comparison. Thanks for doing it! : )
I like the sound of the Zalman. However, from what I understand, the Zalman is not a lapel mic. The only thing it can "clip" to is to another cord (like what's on a gaming headset). Is this correct?
Great vid, I'm also having the problem with the sound only coming out on the left side, I have a JK MIC-J 044 purchased from Amazon, any suggestions? I fix it in Final Cut Pro but I would love for the raw footage to have the proper audio.
Hi Mdjorie I have the ME51s I just got it and have used it with my GoPro H2 and there is a sputtering hiss in all videos. Do you have any Idea why this would be happening? Yours sounds perfect.
A very important thing to remember: Impedance Matching. This is an electronics term and is about the total Ohms a microphone introduces to the GoPro. From what I researched the Impedance of the external microphone should be 2200 Ohms(or 2.2 kOhms) for the GoPro 3 and 4 models. So if you research the Impedance of the microphone before you purchase it, find those that are closest to 2.2 kOhms as possible. Also, fyi...if you attach an extension cord to a microphone, you just increased the Impedance. Let's say you got a microphone that has an Impedance of 2.2 kOhms to match the suggested GoPro's external mic impedance. Then you connect an extension cord to the mic...you just brought the impedance out of "match" and reduced the quality. The more impedance you add, the lesser the quality.
I gave a iPhone 5 & the headphone it came with so I put it on and the Olympus ME-15 I can here u on the left channel only and the right channel makes alien sound but very low
Sharing good ideas I can add it is also possible keeping the case (the smaller 3+) and using external microphone/composite/power with a solution similar to this GoPro Hero3 + Black - DIY external mic adapter cable to fit inside case (waterproof)
How did you eliminate the crackling and popping while using an external mic? I have the Audio Tecnica and when I use it with the 3.5mm adapter for the GoPro 3+ I get a constant crackling and popping noise.
I'm sorry, I didn't eliminate any crackling/popping per se, because none was present during my recording -- but there was a flaw with my GoPro's audio input that introduced these weird squirrely noises, sort of like a digital background noise. It's fairly audible in the video right around the 5:41 mark. Not sure if that's what you're referring to. So what I'd do is try the Audio Technica mic on a different device, and then try a different mic on the GoPro. The culprit should present itself fairly quickly -- could be the adapter you're using, could be the mic, and could be the GoPro. (I also heard that the 3+ has a different audio input because lots of folks complained about the crappy audio input on the older 3. Hopefully it doesn't suck as bad as my 3 did.)
Mad Medicine I haven't experienced the squirrely noises, just a consistent popping and crackling when using my Audio Tecnica mic. I looked it up and I saw that numerous others are having the same issue with the Hero 3+.
This is VERY HELPFUL! I've been doing some research, and couldn't find comparison nor could i find any reliable reviews on external microphones for cool HERO 3 gadget. Your generous video is REALLY helpful, and I hope you continue to put more!
For practical use, my favorite choice is the Zalman as well, although the Olympus has the best quality, I agree with you that having two(2) separate audio feed can be a bit of work during active use.
Thanks again!^^
Been looking for a video like this ALL DAY. Seriously, thanks a ton.
Great vid, very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post it. I bought the Olympus ME-51S thanks to your work :)
Thank you for taking the time to conduct a simple but very informative video about the microphones. it definitely helped me make my decision as to which microphone I want. :)
Bored to tears ? Not at all, that's the king of test I searched ! just bought a Sony ECM-DS70P.
Very informative and helpful.
Thanks.
I am going with the Olympus due to the smaller size and what sounds to be better sound as well.
Thanks heaps mate saved me a lot of mucking around. I appreciated your time.
I ended up with just keeping the Zalman. A close second favorite was the Sony unit, but I couldn't justify having another $50 mic that is only marginally better (and significantly larger) than the Zalman.
2:07 Zalmen ZM1
3:05 Audio Technika ATR-3355
3:56 Olympus ME-15
4:50 Olympus ME-51S
5:52 Sony ECM-DS70P
My favorite is the Zalmen ZM1
what would you recommend for live drums? I'm trying to do drum covers but I don't know which mic to get
I thought the Olympus ME 15 had the best sound quality overall. Great test, very helpful!
The Olympus ME51S sounds like the best choice to me. It seems louder than the Sony and has less hissing.
thanks for the video :) so am I right assuming that Olympus is 'louder' than Sony, therefore better? Does Olympus pick up too much noise outside?
Can you confirm that I would be able to use a Sennheiser EW 112-p G3-B Portable Wireless Lapel Microphone System with ME2 Lavalier Mic with the Hero 3. We use the original Go Pro for training and stuff, but the sound is rubbish. We cannot really use a wired mic so are looking for a suitable wireless lapel mic.
I wish you could test these bad boys on a motorcycle hitting the freeway. I'm looking for one for future vlogs and fun videos. Yet, it's a great video and good comparison. Thanks for doing it! : )
Thanks for the head to head comparison.
I like the sound of the Zalman. However, from what I understand, the Zalman is not a lapel mic. The only thing it can "clip" to is to another cord (like what's on a gaming headset). Is this correct?
Great vid, I'm also having the problem with the sound only coming out on the left side, I have a JK MIC-J 044 purchased from Amazon, any suggestions? I fix it in Final Cut Pro but I would love for the raw footage to have the proper audio.
Hi Mdjorie I have the ME51s I just got it and have used it with my GoPro H2 and there is a sputtering hiss in all videos. Do you have any Idea why this would be happening? Yours sounds perfect.
A very important thing to remember: Impedance Matching. This is an electronics term and is about the total Ohms a microphone introduces to the GoPro. From what I researched the Impedance of the external microphone should be 2200 Ohms(or 2.2 kOhms) for the GoPro 3 and 4 models. So if you research the Impedance of the microphone before you purchase it, find those that are closest to 2.2 kOhms as possible. Also, fyi...if you attach an extension cord to a microphone, you just increased the Impedance. Let's say you got a microphone that has an Impedance of 2.2 kOhms to match the suggested GoPro's external mic impedance. Then you connect an extension cord to the mic...you just brought the impedance out of "match" and reduced the quality. The more impedance you add, the lesser the quality.
Thanks for the work! I'm sure many will take advantage of your video... good job MM
Olympus ME-51S No doubt! Great video !
You can edit it n make it run on both left n right
I gave a iPhone 5 & the headphone it came with so I put it on and the Olympus ME-15 I can here u on the left channel only and the right channel makes alien sound but very low
Not sure. Does the mic have a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack plug? If so, it *should* work with the Hero 3.
I have the mic your talking about at 3:23 n it sounds great just make sure it's closer to your mouth so it's louder
Thank you for the awesome test
thx man , made me not to buy none of those...very annoying the lag , cant synchro none of those , is it a standard prob ?
Sharing good ideas I can add it is also possible keeping the case (the smaller 3+) and using external microphone/composite/power with a solution similar to this GoPro Hero3 + Black - DIY external mic adapter cable to fit inside case (waterproof)
Great review - Thanks
Does it make a constant hissing noise? Mine does with the GPH2
Obrigado, me ajudou muito! Thanks, helped me a lot!
Thanks you so much for this video it was an awesome help. Take care!
What's with the box? It drove me CRAZY! Lol
Which microphone did you finally settle on?
great audio out of the olympus ME-15 but it came through my left speaker only, and no i dont have them mixed up or on the wrong sides
Yup, it records to just one (left) channel. I was wrong in saying the "right" channel in the video -- I flipped a coin and got it wrong :)
how come you didnt stand further away to get a feel for how they performed in a room where the sound wasnt in the immediate area ?
How did you eliminate the crackling and popping while using an external mic? I have the Audio Tecnica and when I use it with the 3.5mm adapter for the GoPro 3+ I get a constant crackling and popping noise.
I'm sorry, I didn't eliminate any crackling/popping per se, because none was present during my recording -- but there was a flaw with my GoPro's audio input that introduced these weird squirrely noises, sort of like a digital background noise. It's fairly audible in the video right around the 5:41 mark. Not sure if that's what you're referring to.
So what I'd do is try the Audio Technica mic on a different device, and then try a different mic on the GoPro. The culprit should present itself fairly quickly -- could be the adapter you're using, could be the mic, and could be the GoPro. (I also heard that the 3+ has a different audio input because lots of folks complained about the crappy audio input on the older 3. Hopefully it doesn't suck as bad as my 3 did.)
Mad Medicine
I haven't experienced the squirrely noises, just a consistent popping and crackling when using my Audio Tecnica mic. I looked it up and I saw that numerous others are having the same issue with the Hero 3+.
Tks so much
Nice video, thank you for the help! Zalmen ZM1 WIN!
Very helpful
I skipped most of the video from the beginning waiting to see an image of you opening the box.
like your joke at 2'08 :) lol
the zalman won