Thanks for your kind comment! This video is the kind of information Action users have been waiting for. I can't offer any insight on a camera's video specs, but if no one else wants to test the audio features, I will lol!
I was watching now a couple of your vids, this one and previous ones. Everybody else talks about video and vid quality. Very few talk about audio and its quality, although everybody underlines, that good audio is crucial for a good video. Seems a bit of a contradiction to me. That's why I am impressed by what you have to tell. Very helpful tips in the field of audio and audio management. Big thanks... Damit LOL, I bought the Action 3 a few months ago. Should have waited a bit... grrrrrr 🤣
Ha, no worries! IMO, the Action 3 is also a great camera and with any luck, DJI will figure out a way to make these tweaks with a firmware update. With regards to audio, as important as it is, it will never be as appealing to the masses as improved image quality or other video-centric features. I like to thing of Audio and Video like two singers in a duet. Video has the melody which everyone hears first, sings along with and gets the spotlight. Audio has the harmony which some people don't even notice, but is the element that really completes the entire package.
Everyone uses Boya adapter for different lav mics, but no one mentioned that Boya has its USB C lav mic specifically for DJI Osmo Action call BY-M3-OA, hope you will have a test with it😊 Great job!
Thanks for your comment Stephen! Unfortunately, the BY-M3-OA is a mic that was specifically designed for the Action 1 as that camera handled mic inputs different than the Action 2/3/4. It's like how some mic companies made lavs specifically for GoPros or Insta360s as they all did USB-C audio different from each other. DJI abandoned proprietary USB-C audio adapters/mic starting with the Action 2 in favor of a much more open and accessible USB-C audio experience. Unfortunately, this has caused massive confusion with compatibility with older audio accessories and newer cameras.
Bravo Wayne. Helmet Audio clipping was exactly the reason i got rid of my OA3. But, i was a bit sceptical before getting OA4. This was the video i was actually waiting for and you nailed it. Thanks heaps. With my OA3, i was using a lav mic and gain was simply clipping when i revved my motorcycle. I then tried an inline potentiometer such that my connection was TRS mic -> inline volume control -> TRS -> BYK4 -> OA3. Only then i was able to lower the gains. But it was too much of wiring in my helmet. Looks like OA4 did it.
I just wanted to say thanks for all your great and informative videos including this one. Thanks to you I have purchased a DJI A3 with Sennheiser MKE 200 mic and tons of cables and connectors to have it set up just like you have shown in one of your videos.
Great information as usual. Thanks a lot. My question remains the same. How does this cam perform with an external mic during long periods of silence? When I’m using my Sony RX0 or any cellphone, the noise floor always soars up high when I stop talking. If the DJI Action 4 doesn’t have this problem, it will be a very inviting candidate for my next action cam.
Hmmm, if the noise floor is higher during moments of silence, it sounds like there could be an "auto" feature of some sort enabled. Some cameras have "auto gain" settings that automatically raise or lower the gain depending on the signal strength the camera receives. So if you're speaking, the gain could be set low and then when it's silent, the auto gain could be raised "looking" for an audio signal. Otherwise, there may be some other auto setting enabled. Sometimes these are only disabled when you put the camera in some kind of Manual audio mode (or only available in a "PRO" camera setting). Definitely something to look into.
@@WayneRECs That's what I have always been searching for. I wasn't surprised that my cellphones have this problem. Yet, for Sony RX0, I can really adjust the gain manually, and I actually did. I set the gain level to just next to zero (if I take one step further, it would be totally muted). When I connected a digital recorder/mixer like Zoom P4 or even RodeCaster Pro II to my Sony RX0, it worked just fine. Yet if I use a stand-alone mic, wired or wireless, the issue of noise floor just came up, which was annoying. Just like what you said, the machine was trying to "compensate" something that it thought was missing. If DJI Action 4 is doing a good job in this department, I will consider buying one.
I'll ask you anyway, you're probably not a motorcycle rider. What microphone do you think would be best for action 4. Because there are so many problems with the sound on the motorcycle, Thanks
While I'm not a motovlogger, I do get this question quite often and it's hard for me to give a direct answer as I can't test mic solutions myself. Additionally, there are a number of individual factors to each person, like the style of helmet they wear, how fast they typically ride, how loud their bike is, etc. that make it hard to find a single solution that works for everyone. I can tell you that I think the ultimate solution is to record audio separately in 32-bit float. With good wind protection, a 32-bit float recording would give the ability in post to manipulate louder sounds and recover "clipped" audio. But this isn't always a feasible option for some riders. All that said, if I do come up with a few solutions for the moto community, I'll definitely be posting videos about it!
I have had all the DJI’s and still consider the One to be the most stable for focus and overheating issues. We use two - courtside - to capture touchtennis matches and the Three’s been the least stable of the action variety (the Two was a gimmick and I only used it on go karts!). I’m looking forward to trying the splitter on the Four! Thanks mate.
Thanks for your comment! While I don't own one, I've only ever heard good things about the Action 1. That's probably why it took DJI so long to release it's successors! I think it took DJI a little trial and error with the 2/3 to finally get to the Action 4, but it will probably take some more time and usage to see if it holds up as well as the Action 1.
I recently made the switch to DJI after years of GoPro usage, due to some really unprofessional experiences with GoPro customer service. I am still playing around with my action, but loving it so far.
Sorry to hear about your GP CS experience! I made the switch to DJI from GoPro with the Action 3. I think both companies have their strengths, but I find the usability (and audio) far superior in the Action 3 & 4 and they are features I value more over the image quality of the GoPros.
@@WayneRECs I have owned over 20 GP, and to be fair i have always been happy with them overall, but their customer service was just so bad and so unprofessional I can't justify being a customer when their are other options. So far the DJI fits my workflow nicely.
My Action 4 seems to behave like your Action 3 in this video, even with the latest firmware. Lowering the gain reduces the volume but not the actual gain, so the audio is quiet but still clips.
thanks for doing this Wayne, I might sell my Action 3 and go with the 4 for moto vlogging... or stay with OA3 if they will release an update to fix the audio in Action 3
Fingers crossed that DJI is able to implement these tweaks to the Action 3! I think it would go a long way in appeasing the moto vlogging community! (not to mention other users in general)
I have a DJI Action 2 camera and it doesn't allow simultaneous mic input and charging with the use of similar adapter as the Belkin one in the video. Also there is no gain adjustments with the USB C mic input like Rode Wireless systems. I am trying to make this camera work for motovlogging, but its use is very limited. I think the only way is to connect Rode Wireless receiver analog output (it can be gain adjusted on the receiver) to a 3.5mm TRS stereo mic adapter to USB C connected to the camera. But then you are limited with the battery life. No removable batteries unfortunately. So the DJI Action 4 (330 EUR) + DJI Mic 2 single transmitter (100 EUR) might be the best deal and easiest wireless helmet camera setup for motovlogging. I'm not sure if the Mic 2 should be paired with the camera each time the camera is powered on or does it connect automatically?
Thank you for this wonderful video. I have been waiting for this feature to come on DJI for a long time. Now I can use this camera for motovlogging for a longer period. Thanks once again. I am going to buy this CAM right away.
Great video and possibly everything I need in a camera. Do you know how long it is possible to record on external power? I record DJ sets and the input gain settings and wide FOV are great but I need to be able to record 6-7 hours continuously. Current use a GoPro 4 and iPad to achieve that but looking for an all in one solution.
I'm still using the orig osmo action. With a basic 3.5mm headset mic into the mic adapter there is no longer any distortion. I guess the dji updates did something and I got lucky with this mic so I ordered spares. When I'm running line level output from my intercom into the cam I run a -20db attenuator, it was a bunch of trial and error but it's finally good. My only issue now is when trying to capture all the headset audio, I dislike the muffled noise cancelled audio the intercom puts out.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you put in a good amount of effort to make the Action 1 work for you! While I don't own one, I've always heard good things about it. Is the noise cancellation a setting on your headset that you can disable or turn off? While features like Active Noise Cancellation or Auto Gain functions always seem like a good idea (to the manufacturer), sometimes they can be detrimental to the end user experience.
They are sena headsets. They say you can disable the active noise control but on my current unit it’s still always there. So if I’m by myself I just run a regular non powered mic, or you hear almost no bike noises. May as well be in my bathroom.
Surely seems like there should be the ability for a firmware update. The mic level should be an easy fix if you build a pad for the mic input. I did that on some VHF radios that didn't even have a mic gain. It's an extra piece but it made the radios not only usable but they sounded good.
Thanks for your comment! You would think this would be something they could implement but we'll have to wait and see if DJI continues to support the Action 3 like they have implied they will be doing.
Great news! Do you get the same results when using a USBC mic that doesn't require an adapter? The increased video quality and now this audio fix has me wanting to upgrade. The new remote that has GPS features also makes me want to upgrade but I already have 2 Action 3 cameras. Guess I will just have to sell one of them. Thanks again for doing the audio tests!
Thanks for your comment! From my initial testing with a native USB-C mic, the Action 4 -db gain setting is consistent with using a USB-C mic adapter. I've been playing around with my MOVO DoubleMic UC (USB-C connection) that was an extremely hot mic with my Action 3. The DoubleMic has a 3 gain switch of +5db, 0db & -5db and sounded best on the Action 3 at -5db on the mic and -12db Gain on the Action 3. The Action 4 on the other hand, even at +5db on the mic and -20db on the camera, sounds pretty good (the the 0db & -5db sounding even better). So I think it's fair to say the Action 4 Gain also applies to USB-C mics.
Great news about the USB-C mic. I ordered the Action 4 last night so I'm committed but I also saw some reviews from street moto vlogers and they got some really good results with the Action 4.
horrayy!!! Thank you so much for your insight into this line of cameras and the audio! It's been the biggest headache when looking for a suitable small form factor camera that can be small enough to not be a hassle to carry (I don't want to be THAT guy with the huge backpack). Clicked through the affiliates, so hopefully those links persisted and get you a little kickback on the accessories bought - thanks again!
Thanks so much Joe for your support! I think the Action 4 will be my go to edc too! I think it's the camera that everyone wanted the Action 3 to be, but it seems like DJI had to work out some kinks. Unfortunately, the Action 3 feedback came at the expense of paying customers. From what I've gathered, DJI will still support the Action 3 (and hopefully figure out how to implement these upgrades via firmware), but I anticipate the Action 4 will steal the spotlight (that is until the Pocket 3 is released lol)!
Congrats for your channel and your tests and advices, really useful !! i own Osmo Action 1 and 3. What mic would you recommand to record onboard audio in racing cars ? i discovered the Comica VM-10 Pro recently and the level adjustment knob could save us from distortions. Thanks and cheers !!
Thanks for your comment! IMO anything with an engine can be tricky as things can go from soft to loud so quickly! In an ideal world, I'd recommend a separate 32-bit float recorder to ensure you record the entire dynamic range of a race car. A lot also depends on what kind of footage you are recording. Will mic be located within the cabin of a car? Are you looking for engine sounds? Is it more of a Driver's vlogging scenario? Are you outside the track recording passing cars? For onboard recording, I'm glad to hear the VM10 PRO has worked out! Really, your best options would be mics that have some kind of built-in gain control. The Deity V-Mic D4 could be a good option as it has a gain knob on the back. Less than ideal, but also workable are mics with pad switches (oftentimes with -5db, -10db or -20db settings). The reality is, the tweaks DJI has implement on the Action 4 with how it handles it's Gain setting are far superior to the Action 3. I'd love to see if DJI can implement these in the OA3 via firmware as that would solve a lot of issues users have had without having to buy an entirely new camera.
@@WayneRECs thanks for answering !! I use this for onboard footages as in this video we just released at 0:34 th-cam.com/video/aht1F5kmy2Q/w-d-xo.html It was captured with the built in mic of the Osmo Action 1, i applied a deesser in post to minimize gearbox sound and an eq to enhance bass frequencies a little, it's already sounding correctly mixed with the music but we plan to release pure onboards without music and we would like to have a compact solution that can be installed quickly without disturbing drivers and mechanics between sessions Gonna check what the Deity is capable, my main customer own a Zoom recorder too but i haven't play with it at the moment. We should buy soon two OA4 too... Thanks again for your advices and keep up this good work !!
Super cool! Thanks for sharing! Honestly, you may want to consider integrating a small 32-bit floating point recorder into your rig. You could try something like running your VM10-PRO into a ZOOM F2 recorder and then send the output from the F2 to your camera. This could be a fairly compact unobtrusive setup where you could potentially have both a 32-bit float recording (on the F2) and baked in audio in your camera (the F2 does have an output level adjustment but most likely it would take some trial and error to set that in our specific scenario). That said, if you already have access to a ZOOM recorder, most likely which ever model you have could be integrated in a similar fashion. The level on the ZOOM would just need to be set for internal recording if it's a 24-bit recorder. The above set ups could provide a back up recording that you could mix in as needed.
@@WayneRECs thanks for these advices, i'm going to geek seriously 32bits recorders as i'm discovering they offer infinite dynamic range and impossibility of peaking, that's awesome and exactly what i'm searching. I'll give you my feedbacks asap for my particular use. Thanks again !!
In speed around 80km/hr we choose the mic gain settings at - 6 Distortion sound and sound cut off is coming while i am motor vlog.. Although in - 10 gain everything sounds no noise distortion and no sound cutoff
Using my Action 4 on motorcycle handlebars. Experimenting with GoPro sound sponge to reduce wind noise & Pro setting Wind Noise Reduction On. Trying to keep things simple to test mic settings. Is there an good external mic that has USBC so it can plug directly into the Action 4 that will work good in a windy environment, 60mph?
Ok so I wish this video came out a month earlier 🤦🏻♂, I Motovlog. I now 30days ago receive my OA3 swapping from a Hero11 that I've already warrantied once and still am not happy with the reliability overall. I had my audio that I was happy with on the hero11, Rode lav go 2 mic with two wind covers in my back pocket. Everything I've tried with the OA3 has been terrible. I need a lav mic in, due to the dii mic battery life is too short for my rides. Based on this video, Im guessing I am out of luck with the OA3 and just out of the return time with only one day of use on it. Does the OA4 really make as big of a difference as it seems in this video? ill be running it at -20 gain im sure. Thank you Alex.
Hey Alex! Sorry to hear about your conundrum! I think the best case scenario is to hope that DJI is able to implement a firmware update that makes the OA3 handle gain more like the OA4. However, don't give up hope! I've heard rumblings that DJI is in the process of releasing their own first party USB-C to 3.5mm mic adapter that will be compatible with both the 3&4, so that might be the solution... eventually...
@@WayneRECs Hey, thank you for reaching out. Right after I left that comment, I reached out to DJI Customer Service. I explained my issue, sent everything I tried with video examples & my expectations (motovlogging). They saved the day with allowing me to return it since I ordered it original from them direct + I will be ordering the OA4 to replace it. DJIs Customer Service just made me even bigger of a fan of the company! Cheers, Alex
Do you HAVE to have a mic plugged into to get the manual gain for audio on the action for? I am trying to lower the volume but i dont see the option even in pro settings
@WayneRECs Damn. Wish it was available for internal mics as well. Abuse it in loud and very violent monster trucks and cars and can't have a external mic plugged in bc the forces would literally break it off. And the audio I just got last night is wayyyyyy to loud. Be cool if they had a firmware update to make it available for the onboard mics also
I bought the boya by-k4 adapter along with a volume control set the gain to -6db works 😅pretty good, but I just found a better adapter jack from Samsung and it doesn’t need the volume control just set your gain to -8db, and this works on my action 3 and I motovlog
Between the audio and focus fixes, this looks to be a worthy upgrade to the Action 3. (but 20% PRICE INCREASE?!) Personally, I'm too invested in GoPro so I won't be making the switch, but if I didn't have an action cam, I'd probably go with the DJI. Hope u are doing well Wayne!
Ha, I get that! Once you start investing in an ecosystem, it's really hard to abandon it! I think it's how company's build brand loyalty on the sly these days lol! It will be really interesting with the release of the GoPro 12 (in whatever form that takes)! Either way, it's a great time to be an action cam user!
Wait, what? I can't believe I found this video. I need to be able to run an external mic while externally powering an OA4. But why does this work when the adapter clearly shows headphones? Is it imitating one of those inferior headset + mic combos? Can I use a USB-C microphone with this setup and ditch the additional adapter?
Hey, thanks for your comment! Glad you found my video! Yes, this will work with an external USB mic and external powerbank. While I haven't tested every combination out there, my OA4 records audio just fine with my Comica VM10-PRO or my MOVO DoubleMic UC connected to the Belkin adapter (with or without) my DJI charging case connected. While I don't know the exact engineering of the adapter, I surmise it's the USB-C/USB-C component that's the key. While it's labeled with a "headphone" icon, that USB-C port is most likely configured for Audio Accessory Mode usb protocol. While it's intended purpose is for headphones, Audio Accessory Mode can both send and receive a digital audio signal and basically allows any audio device to function. This means it can pass a digital audio signal from a USB mic (or USB microphone adapter) through and to the connected device (Action 4). Conversely, the Belkin adapter with the USB-C charging and the 3.5mm headphone jack is analog, in that it's most likely a TRRS jack that sends a L/R output to a headset and only has an input for a headset mic.
Hi Wayne, I'm looking for a solid mic adapter without a loose cable. Do you know of one that's a solid right angle shape, that will work with the action 4, USB-C to TRS. Thanks.
Thanks for your question! As of right now, if you're looking for an adapter in the same style as the original Action 1 or an Insta360 USB-C block style, I don't think one exists... yet. I've heard that DJI is planning on releasing a 1st party Mic Adapter that is specifically designed to fit the Action 3/4's physical dimensions but that that adapter wasn't ready for the Action 4 release. I totally get what your looking for though! The fact that current mic adapters stick out an 1" directly out of the side of the camera is unfortunate. To minimize loose cabling, I use a BOYA BY-K2 adapter in combination with a USB-C right angle extension (amzn.to/3DL4P9W) to keep cabling a little neater.
i have a lot of problems with my action 4 , all my motovlog are bad, cannot use audio. i test at home think ok, on Mbike very bad, so loud. I never use any gain at Action 3, all motovlogs ok.Whats the problem here, test 2 Mics same problems.
Great video. What about the BOYA BY-0A-1 adapter? That seems like a potential alternative to using the Belkin + BY-K4 adapters for those of us looking to charge & run external mic simultaneously, but uncertain if the BY-0A-1 outputs TRS or TRRS... I do see at least one person in the BY-0A-1's Amazon reviews saying it works with the Action 3.
I'm fairly certain that the BOYA BY-OA-1 adapter is specific to the Action 1 model and won't work with the 2/3/4. Some Amazon listings group this adapter along with the BY-K2 and BY-K4 on the same product page, so I'm guess that specific review may be for one of those.
@@SCORPi0N5150 Ha, no worries! I totally get that feeling of anticipation/ excitement at the prospect of something (maybe) working as I hope it would! I'm just glad I could spare you the disappointment of ordering, waiting only to find out it's a dud lol! But, I've also heard rumors that DJI is working on their own smaller, compact audio adapters, so hopefully the Action 3/4 will get a new one released in the near future!
call me stupid but...... why you dont just use the DJIs audio adapter for osmo action 4 instead of a third parti usb-c to audio adapter? Deity DUO 4 will work with the official DJI audio adapter for osmo action 4?
At the time this video was published, DJI had not yet announced their official DJI Audio Adapter. 3rd party adapters were the only option to connect 3.5mm TRS mics. However, there is a big difference between the DJI Audio Adapter and other dongles like the BOYA BY-K4. The DJI Adapter has be specifically designed for motovlogging and as such, attenuates the input signal to accommodate for close mic'ing and loud sounds. The BOYA adapters provide more gain making any mic connected via them to be more sensitive. A better choice for everyday vlogging scenarios.
Thanks for your question! It's really hard for me to suggest any specific settings as I don't have an X5 and there are a lot of different factors that ultimately play into the best setting for you. Some general tips would be to first, figure out where you'll be clipping your mic to yourself. Then, I'd start with the X5 at the lowest setting and the Action 4 at 0db. You'll need to play around with the X5 settings first to get a good signal level between the TX and RX and then adjust the RX output to the Action 4. But really, it can be trial and error based on how much of your voice vs ambient city sounds you want to record.
@@WayneRECs another question please hahaha. Why does no one ever talk about filming in 2.7k ??? there is always a debate on which is better between 1080 and 4k then why not just settle on 2.7k ? 😂 i can't find any info on this. Help lol. Thanks
@@ralex6786 That's a great question! I personally shoot in 2.7k on my Action 4 and 3 for a few reasons. Primarily, I like using HorizonSteady (which isn't available in 4k) and 2.7k files are easier for my machine to handle when editing. Maybe we need to get on some camera channels and ask them to weigh in lol!
Nope. Not going to risk buy this unless DJI openly admits they 1) truly fixed the focus problem (as per Action 3; firmware update useless) and 2) that long recording are saved as one file and not in smaller chunks of files since putting them back together into one long take had "glitch" sounds at each "cut' from the recording. Until then, I guess I'll have to use my 3 iPhones.
Thanks for your comment Tony! That's totally fair! I've heard a lot of current Action 3 users are upset with the Action 4 release for reasons ranging from buying an Action 3 a month ago without knowing a new camera was being released, to feeling abandoned like DJI's "fix" for the Action 3 issues was just to release a new camera. After the Focus kerfuffle last year, one would think DJI would attempt to take care of their customers by offering some kind of trade-in for Action 3 owners to upgrade to an Action 4 or even still actively support the Action 3, but I guess only time will tell.
I agree (and personally use a 32-bit floating point recorder the majority of the time) as I like to edit my audio in post and have no problem syncing it when editing. But that workflow isn't always optimal for others, so having the ability to actually record good audio in the Action 4 is a welcome addition!
I’m always excited to see you new videos. Very good information every time
Thanks for your kind comment! This video is the kind of information Action users have been waiting for. I can't offer any insight on a camera's video specs, but if no one else wants to test the audio features, I will lol!
Finally one TH-camr is addressing this Problem with distorted Audio. Thank you!
I was watching now a couple of your vids, this one and previous ones. Everybody else talks about video and vid quality. Very few talk about audio and its quality, although everybody underlines, that good audio is crucial for a good video. Seems a bit of a contradiction to me. That's why I am impressed by what you have to tell. Very helpful tips in the field of audio and audio management. Big thanks...
Damit LOL, I bought the Action 3 a few months ago. Should have waited a bit... grrrrrr 🤣
Ha, no worries! IMO, the Action 3 is also a great camera and with any luck, DJI will figure out a way to make these tweaks with a firmware update. With regards to audio, as important as it is, it will never be as appealing to the masses as improved image quality or other video-centric features. I like to thing of Audio and Video like two singers in a duet. Video has the melody which everyone hears first, sings along with and gets the spotlight. Audio has the harmony which some people don't even notice, but is the element that really completes the entire package.
Everyone uses Boya adapter for different lav mics, but no one mentioned that Boya has its USB C lav mic specifically for DJI Osmo Action call BY-M3-OA, hope you will have a test with it😊 Great job!
Thanks for your comment Stephen! Unfortunately, the BY-M3-OA is a mic that was specifically designed for the Action 1 as that camera handled mic inputs different than the Action 2/3/4. It's like how some mic companies made lavs specifically for GoPros or Insta360s as they all did USB-C audio different from each other. DJI abandoned proprietary USB-C audio adapters/mic starting with the Action 2 in favor of a much more open and accessible USB-C audio experience. Unfortunately, this has caused massive confusion with compatibility with older audio accessories and newer cameras.
Bravo Wayne. Helmet Audio clipping was exactly the reason i got rid of my OA3. But, i was a bit sceptical before getting OA4. This was the video i was actually waiting for and you nailed it. Thanks heaps. With my OA3, i was using a lav mic and gain was simply clipping when i revved my motorcycle. I then tried an inline potentiometer such that my connection was
TRS mic -> inline volume control -> TRS -> BYK4 -> OA3. Only then i was able to lower the gains. But it was too much of wiring in my helmet. Looks like OA4 did it.
I just wanted to say thanks for all your great and informative videos including this one. Thanks to you I have purchased a DJI A3 with Sennheiser MKE 200 mic and tons of cables and connectors to have it set up just like you have shown in one of your videos.
Thanks for your comment! Glad that some of my videos were helpful!
Great information as usual. Thanks a lot.
My question remains the same. How does this cam perform with an external mic during long periods of silence? When I’m using my Sony RX0 or any cellphone, the noise floor always soars up high when I stop talking. If the DJI Action 4 doesn’t have this problem, it will be a very inviting candidate for my next action cam.
Hmmm, if the noise floor is higher during moments of silence, it sounds like there could be an "auto" feature of some sort enabled. Some cameras have "auto gain" settings that automatically raise or lower the gain depending on the signal strength the camera receives. So if you're speaking, the gain could be set low and then when it's silent, the auto gain could be raised "looking" for an audio signal. Otherwise, there may be some other auto setting enabled. Sometimes these are only disabled when you put the camera in some kind of Manual audio mode (or only available in a "PRO" camera setting). Definitely something to look into.
@@WayneRECs That's what I have always been searching for. I wasn't surprised that my cellphones have this problem. Yet, for Sony RX0, I can really adjust the gain manually, and I actually did. I set the gain level to just next to zero (if I take one step further, it would be totally muted). When I connected a digital recorder/mixer like Zoom P4 or even RodeCaster Pro II to my Sony RX0, it worked just fine. Yet if I use a stand-alone mic, wired or wireless, the issue of noise floor just came up, which was annoying.
Just like what you said, the machine was trying to "compensate" something that it thought was missing. If DJI Action 4 is doing a good job in this department, I will consider buying one.
I'll ask you anyway, you're probably not a motorcycle rider. What microphone do you think would be best for action 4. Because there are so many problems with the sound on the motorcycle, Thanks
While I'm not a motovlogger, I do get this question quite often and it's hard for me to give a direct answer as I can't test mic solutions myself. Additionally, there are a number of individual factors to each person, like the style of helmet they wear, how fast they typically ride, how loud their bike is, etc. that make it hard to find a single solution that works for everyone.
I can tell you that I think the ultimate solution is to record audio separately in 32-bit float. With good wind protection, a 32-bit float recording would give the ability in post to manipulate louder sounds and recover "clipped" audio. But this isn't always a feasible option for some riders.
All that said, if I do come up with a few solutions for the moto community, I'll definitely be posting videos about it!
@@WayneRECs Thank you for your reply and help 🙂
I have had all the DJI’s and still consider the One to be the most stable for focus and overheating issues. We use two - courtside - to capture touchtennis matches and the Three’s been the least stable of the action variety (the Two was a gimmick and I only used it on go karts!). I’m looking forward to trying the splitter on the Four! Thanks mate.
Thanks for your comment! While I don't own one, I've only ever heard good things about the Action 1. That's probably why it took DJI so long to release it's successors! I think it took DJI a little trial and error with the 2/3 to finally get to the Action 4, but it will probably take some more time and usage to see if it holds up as well as the Action 1.
great video. thank you. Hello Wayne, i just found your channel. What is best setting Gain of OA4 for motovloging?
Very nice Video!!! Quality is on point! Thank you for your Time!
I recently made the switch to DJI after years of GoPro usage, due to some really unprofessional experiences with GoPro customer service. I am still playing around with my action, but loving it so far.
Sorry to hear about your GP CS experience! I made the switch to DJI from GoPro with the Action 3. I think both companies have their strengths, but I find the usability (and audio) far superior in the Action 3 & 4 and they are features I value more over the image quality of the GoPros.
@@WayneRECs I have owned over 20 GP, and to be fair i have always been happy with them overall, but their customer service was just so bad and so unprofessional I can't justify being a customer when their are other options. So far the DJI fits my workflow nicely.
My Action 4 seems to behave like your Action 3 in this video, even with the latest firmware. Lowering the gain reduces the volume but not the actual gain, so the audio is quiet but still clips.
thanks for doing this Wayne, I might sell my Action 3 and go with the 4 for moto vlogging... or stay with OA3 if they will release an update to fix the audio in Action 3
Fingers crossed that DJI is able to implement these tweaks to the Action 3! I think it would go a long way in appeasing the moto vlogging community! (not to mention other users in general)
I have a DJI Action 2 camera and it doesn't allow simultaneous mic input and charging with the use of similar adapter as the Belkin one in the video. Also there is no gain adjustments with the USB C mic input like Rode Wireless systems. I am trying to make this camera work for motovlogging, but its use is very limited. I think the only way is to connect Rode Wireless receiver analog output (it can be gain adjusted on the receiver) to a 3.5mm TRS stereo mic adapter to USB C connected to the camera. But then you are limited with the battery life. No removable batteries unfortunately.
So the DJI Action 4 (330 EUR) + DJI Mic 2 single transmitter (100 EUR) might be the best deal and easiest wireless helmet camera setup for motovlogging. I'm not sure if the Mic 2 should be paired with the camera each time the camera is powered on or does it connect automatically?
Thank you for this wonderful video. I have been waiting for this feature to come on DJI for a long time. Now I can use this camera for motovlogging for a longer period. Thanks once again. I am going to buy this CAM right away.
Thanks for your comment! Glad you found my video and that it was helpful! I think a lot of moto folks will find both of these features super helpful!
Thanks !
I am selected -12
Yeah man. I returned mine because of lack of gain control. Adding this is a major update. I'll be buying it again black Friday.
Great video and possibly everything I need in a camera. Do you know how long it is possible to record on external power? I record DJ sets and the input gain settings and wide FOV are great but I need to be able to record 6-7 hours continuously. Current use a GoPro 4 and iPad to achieve that but looking for an all in one solution.
I'm still using the orig osmo action. With a basic 3.5mm headset mic into the mic adapter there is no longer any distortion. I guess the dji updates did something and I got lucky with this mic so I ordered spares. When I'm running line level output from my intercom into the cam I run a -20db attenuator, it was a bunch of trial and error but it's finally good. My only issue now is when trying to capture all the headset audio, I dislike the muffled noise cancelled audio the intercom puts out.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you put in a good amount of effort to make the Action 1 work for you! While I don't own one, I've always heard good things about it. Is the noise cancellation a setting on your headset that you can disable or turn off? While features like Active Noise Cancellation or Auto Gain functions always seem like a good idea (to the manufacturer), sometimes they can be detrimental to the end user experience.
They are sena headsets. They say you can disable the active noise control but on my current unit it’s still always there. So if I’m by myself I just run a regular non powered mic, or you hear almost no bike noises. May as well be in my bathroom.
Surely seems like there should be the ability for a firmware update.
The mic level should be an easy fix if you build a pad for the mic input.
I did that on some VHF radios that didn't even have a mic gain. It's an extra piece but it made the radios not only usable but they sounded good.
Thanks for your comment! You would think this would be something they could implement but we'll have to wait and see if DJI continues to support the Action 3 like they have implied they will be doing.
Great news! Do you get the same results when using a USBC mic that doesn't require an adapter? The increased video quality and now this audio fix has me wanting to upgrade. The new remote that has GPS features also makes me want to upgrade but I already have 2 Action 3 cameras. Guess I will just have to sell one of them. Thanks again for doing the audio tests!
Thanks for your comment! From my initial testing with a native USB-C mic, the Action 4 -db gain setting is consistent with using a USB-C mic adapter. I've been playing around with my MOVO DoubleMic UC (USB-C connection) that was an extremely hot mic with my Action 3. The DoubleMic has a 3 gain switch of +5db, 0db & -5db and sounded best on the Action 3 at -5db on the mic and -12db Gain on the Action 3.
The Action 4 on the other hand, even at +5db on the mic and -20db on the camera, sounds pretty good (the the 0db & -5db sounding even better). So I think it's fair to say the Action 4 Gain also applies to USB-C mics.
Great news about the USB-C mic. I ordered the Action 4 last night so I'm committed but I also saw some reviews from street moto vlogers and they got some really good results with the Action 4.
horrayy!!! Thank you so much for your insight into this line of cameras and the audio! It's been the biggest headache when looking for a suitable small form factor camera that can be small enough to not be a hassle to carry (I don't want to be THAT guy with the huge backpack).
Clicked through the affiliates, so hopefully those links persisted and get you a little kickback on the accessories bought - thanks again!
Thanks so much Joe for your support! I think the Action 4 will be my go to edc too! I think it's the camera that everyone wanted the Action 3 to be, but it seems like DJI had to work out some kinks. Unfortunately, the Action 3 feedback came at the expense of paying customers. From what I've gathered, DJI will still support the Action 3 (and hopefully figure out how to implement these upgrades via firmware), but I anticipate the Action 4 will steal the spotlight (that is until the Pocket 3 is released lol)!
Congrats for your channel and your tests and advices, really useful !! i own Osmo Action 1 and 3. What mic would you recommand to record onboard audio in racing cars ? i discovered the Comica VM-10 Pro recently and the level adjustment knob could save us from distortions. Thanks and cheers !!
Thanks for your comment! IMO anything with an engine can be tricky as things can go from soft to loud so quickly! In an ideal world, I'd recommend a separate 32-bit float recorder to ensure you record the entire dynamic range of a race car. A lot also depends on what kind of footage you are recording. Will mic be located within the cabin of a car? Are you looking for engine sounds? Is it more of a Driver's vlogging scenario? Are you outside the track recording passing cars?
For onboard recording, I'm glad to hear the VM10 PRO has worked out! Really, your best options would be mics that have some kind of built-in gain control. The Deity V-Mic D4 could be a good option as it has a gain knob on the back. Less than ideal, but also workable are mics with pad switches (oftentimes with -5db, -10db or -20db settings).
The reality is, the tweaks DJI has implement on the Action 4 with how it handles it's Gain setting are far superior to the Action 3. I'd love to see if DJI can implement these in the OA3 via firmware as that would solve a lot of issues users have had without having to buy an entirely new camera.
@@WayneRECs thanks for answering !! I use this for onboard footages as in this video we just released at 0:34 th-cam.com/video/aht1F5kmy2Q/w-d-xo.html It was captured with the built in mic of the Osmo Action 1, i applied a deesser in post to minimize gearbox sound and an eq to enhance bass frequencies a little, it's already sounding correctly mixed with the music but we plan to release pure onboards without music and we would like to have a compact solution that can be installed quickly without disturbing drivers and mechanics between sessions
Gonna check what the Deity is capable, my main customer own a Zoom recorder too but i haven't play with it at the moment. We should buy soon two OA4 too...
Thanks again for your advices and keep up this good work !!
Super cool! Thanks for sharing! Honestly, you may want to consider integrating a small 32-bit floating point recorder into your rig. You could try something like running your VM10-PRO into a ZOOM F2 recorder and then send the output from the F2 to your camera. This could be a fairly compact unobtrusive setup where you could potentially have both a 32-bit float recording (on the F2) and baked in audio in your camera (the F2 does have an output level adjustment but most likely it would take some trial and error to set that in our specific scenario).
That said, if you already have access to a ZOOM recorder, most likely which ever model you have could be integrated in a similar fashion. The level on the ZOOM would just need to be set for internal recording if it's a 24-bit recorder.
The above set ups could provide a back up recording that you could mix in as needed.
@@WayneRECs thanks for these advices, i'm going to geek seriously 32bits recorders as i'm discovering they offer infinite dynamic range and impossibility of peaking, that's awesome and exactly what i'm searching. I'll give you my feedbacks asap for my particular use. Thanks again !!
In speed around 80km/hr we choose the mic gain settings at - 6 Distortion sound and sound cut off is coming while i am motor vlog..
Although in - 10 gain everything sounds no noise distortion and no sound cutoff
Using my Action 4 on motorcycle handlebars. Experimenting with GoPro sound sponge to reduce wind noise & Pro setting Wind Noise Reduction On.
Trying to keep things simple to test mic settings. Is there an good external mic that has USBC so it can plug directly into the Action 4 that will work good in a windy environment, 60mph?
Sennheiser USBC. As long as you have gain control this lav will work great.
Ok so I wish this video came out a month earlier 🤦🏻♂, I Motovlog. I now 30days ago receive my OA3 swapping from a Hero11 that I've already warrantied once and still am not happy with the reliability overall. I had my audio that I was happy with on the hero11, Rode lav go 2 mic with two wind covers in my back pocket. Everything I've tried with the OA3 has been terrible. I need a lav mic in, due to the dii mic battery life is too short for my rides. Based on this video, Im guessing I am out of luck with the OA3 and just out of the return time with only one day of use on it. Does the OA4 really make as big of a difference as it seems in this video? ill be running it at -20 gain im sure. Thank you Alex.
Hey Alex! Sorry to hear about your conundrum! I think the best case scenario is to hope that DJI is able to implement a firmware update that makes the OA3 handle gain more like the OA4. However, don't give up hope! I've heard rumblings that DJI is in the process of releasing their own first party USB-C to 3.5mm mic adapter that will be compatible with both the 3&4, so that might be the solution... eventually...
@@WayneRECs Hey, thank you for reaching out. Right after I left that comment, I reached out to DJI Customer Service. I explained my issue, sent everything I tried with video examples & my expectations (motovlogging). They saved the day with allowing me to return it since I ordered it original from them direct + I will be ordering the OA4 to replace it. DJIs Customer Service just made me even bigger of a fan of the company!
Cheers,
Alex
Do you HAVE to have a mic plugged into to get the manual gain for audio on the action for? I am trying to lower the volume but i dont see the option even in pro settings
Yes, gain control under the PRO settings is only available when an external mic is connected.
@WayneRECs Damn. Wish it was available for internal mics as well. Abuse it in loud and very violent monster trucks and cars and can't have a external mic plugged in bc the forces would literally break it off. And the audio I just got last night is wayyyyyy to loud. Be cool if they had a firmware update to make it available for the onboard mics also
I bought the boya by-k4 adapter along with a volume control set the gain to -6db works 😅pretty good, but I just found a better adapter jack from Samsung and it doesn’t need the volume control just set your gain to -8db, and this works on my action 3 and I motovlog
Between the audio and focus fixes, this looks to be a worthy upgrade to the Action 3. (but 20% PRICE INCREASE?!) Personally, I'm too invested in GoPro so I won't be making the switch, but if I didn't have an action cam, I'd probably go with the DJI. Hope u are doing well Wayne!
Ha, I get that! Once you start investing in an ecosystem, it's really hard to abandon it! I think it's how company's build brand loyalty on the sly these days lol! It will be really interesting with the release of the GoPro 12 (in whatever form that takes)! Either way, it's a great time to be an action cam user!
how tf you get -20 gain?
You need to have a mic plugged in to access pro mic settings. Then you can adjust gain down
@@davism131 mine only goes to -12 0.0
Wait, what? I can't believe I found this video. I need to be able to run an external mic while externally powering an OA4. But why does this work when the adapter clearly shows headphones? Is it imitating one of those inferior headset + mic combos? Can I use a USB-C microphone with this setup and ditch the additional adapter?
Hey, thanks for your comment! Glad you found my video! Yes, this will work with an external USB mic and external powerbank. While I haven't tested every combination out there, my OA4 records audio just fine with my Comica VM10-PRO or my MOVO DoubleMic UC connected to the Belkin adapter (with or without) my DJI charging case connected.
While I don't know the exact engineering of the adapter, I surmise it's the USB-C/USB-C component that's the key. While it's labeled with a "headphone" icon, that USB-C port is most likely configured for Audio Accessory Mode usb protocol. While it's intended purpose is for headphones, Audio Accessory Mode can both send and receive a digital audio signal and basically allows any audio device to function. This means it can pass a digital audio signal from a USB mic (or USB microphone adapter) through and to the connected device (Action 4).
Conversely, the Belkin adapter with the USB-C charging and the 3.5mm headphone jack is analog, in that it's most likely a TRRS jack that sends a L/R output to a headset and only has an input for a headset mic.
@@WayneRECs I only wish the Belkin adapter was smaller :). I guess you can't have everything.
Hi Wayne, I'm looking for a solid mic adapter without a loose cable. Do you know of one that's a solid right angle shape, that will work with the action 4, USB-C to TRS. Thanks.
Thanks for your question! As of right now, if you're looking for an adapter in the same style as the original Action 1 or an Insta360 USB-C block style, I don't think one exists... yet. I've heard that DJI is planning on releasing a 1st party Mic Adapter that is specifically designed to fit the Action 3/4's physical dimensions but that that adapter wasn't ready for the Action 4 release.
I totally get what your looking for though! The fact that current mic adapters stick out an 1" directly out of the side of the camera is unfortunate. To minimize loose cabling, I use a BOYA BY-K2 adapter in combination with a USB-C right angle extension (amzn.to/3DL4P9W) to keep cabling a little neater.
Interessting video. Thx for that 🤗
Thanks Alex! I always appreciate you stopping by to my vids!
i have a lot of problems with my action 4 , all my motovlog are bad, cannot use audio. i test at home think ok, on Mbike very bad, so loud.
I never use any gain at Action 3, all motovlogs ok.Whats the problem here, test 2 Mics same problems.
Great video. Thank you 😊
Does the belkin splitter work on the action 3?
Unfortunately, at this time no. But if DJI ever updates the Action 3 firmware again, then maybe.
Thanks your vid helped a lot 😊
Great video. What about the BOYA BY-0A-1 adapter? That seems like a potential alternative to using the Belkin + BY-K4 adapters for those of us looking to charge & run external mic simultaneously, but uncertain if the BY-0A-1 outputs TRS or TRRS... I do see at least one person in the BY-0A-1's Amazon reviews saying it works with the Action 3.
I'm fairly certain that the BOYA BY-OA-1 adapter is specific to the Action 1 model and won't work with the 2/3/4. Some Amazon listings group this adapter along with the BY-K2 and BY-K4 on the same product page, so I'm guess that specific review may be for one of those.
@@WayneRECs upon closer inspection I see you are correct. It looks like his review is for the BY-K2. Bummer but appreciate the knowledge regardless!
@@SCORPi0N5150 Ha, no worries! I totally get that feeling of anticipation/ excitement at the prospect of something (maybe) working as I hope it would! I'm just glad I could spare you the disappointment of ordering, waiting only to find out it's a dud lol! But, I've also heard rumors that DJI is working on their own smaller, compact audio adapters, so hopefully the Action 3/4 will get a new one released in the near future!
Boya BY OA-01 funktioniert nur mit der Osmo Action 1!
Still need a possibility for weatherproof external mic connection……for mountainbiking, motorcycling etc. Any ideas ?
Seems like the DJI Mic 2 will be the only way to get external audio while keeping the Action 4 waterproof.
@@WayneRECs but you need to remove the door, thus loosing waterproof
@@scannorse The DJI Mic 2 transmitter pairs with the Action 4 without the need of a receiver so the USB-C door can remain closed.
@@WayneRECs What ? Sure ? If….Great news :-)
call me stupid but...... why you dont just use the DJIs audio adapter for osmo action 4 instead of a third parti usb-c to audio adapter? Deity DUO 4 will work with the official DJI audio adapter for osmo action 4?
At the time this video was published, DJI had not yet announced their official DJI Audio Adapter. 3rd party adapters were the only option to connect 3.5mm TRS mics. However, there is a big difference between the DJI Audio Adapter and other dongles like the BOYA BY-K4. The DJI Adapter has be specifically designed for motovlogging and as such, attenuates the input signal to accommodate for close mic'ing and loud sounds. The BOYA adapters provide more gain making any mic connected via them to be more sensitive. A better choice for everyday vlogging scenarios.
thx. I have been watching all your videos in this topic. It is clearer to me now all this sound - cables hassle. Very informative. Thx.
can i turn down the volume on the built in microphone on dji action 4 ? if yes, from where ? i cant find it. thank you !
No, currently there is no way to adjust the gain of the built-in mics.
@@WayneRECsthats not good….
Very useful. Thank you
Thanks for your comment! Glad it helped!
Hiya. If city vlogging what do you recommend the gain for fulaim x5 wireless on a action 4 to be set at. Thanks😊
Thanks for your question! It's really hard for me to suggest any specific settings as I don't have an X5 and there are a lot of different factors that ultimately play into the best setting for you. Some general tips would be to first, figure out where you'll be clipping your mic to yourself. Then, I'd start with the X5 at the lowest setting and the Action 4 at 0db. You'll need to play around with the X5 settings first to get a good signal level between the TX and RX and then adjust the RX output to the Action 4. But really, it can be trial and error based on how much of your voice vs ambient city sounds you want to record.
@@WayneRECs thanks so much that was very helpful
@@WayneRECs another question please hahaha. Why does no one ever talk about filming in 2.7k ??? there is always a debate on which is better between 1080 and 4k then why not just settle on 2.7k ? 😂 i can't find any info on this. Help lol. Thanks
@@ralex6786 That's a great question! I personally shoot in 2.7k on my Action 4 and 3 for a few reasons. Primarily, I like using HorizonSteady (which isn't available in 4k) and 2.7k files are easier for my machine to handle when editing. Maybe we need to get on some camera channels and ask them to weigh in lol!
@@WayneRECs thanks for that. I have spent weeks trying to find an answer on 2.7k but there is nothing. So bizarre. Its always 1080 vs 4k🤣
Nope. Not going to risk buy this unless DJI openly admits they 1) truly fixed the focus problem (as per Action 3; firmware update useless) and 2) that long recording are saved as one file and not in smaller chunks of files since putting them back together into one long take had "glitch" sounds at each "cut' from the recording. Until then, I guess I'll have to use my 3 iPhones.
Thanks for your comment Tony! That's totally fair! I've heard a lot of current Action 3 users are upset with the Action 4 release for reasons ranging from buying an Action 3 a month ago without knowing a new camera was being released, to feeling abandoned like DJI's "fix" for the Action 3 issues was just to release a new camera. After the Focus kerfuffle last year, one would think DJI would attempt to take care of their customers by offering some kind of trade-in for Action 3 owners to upgrade to an Action 4 or even still actively support the Action 3, but I guess only time will tell.
I don't know if I have ever seen an action camera that doesn't split up long recordings into smaller files. One big file is just unheard of.
If you have the gear of course you are always way better off recording external audio.
True, a Zoom H1N or an F2 would be much better than sending a signal to an action cam.
I agree (and personally use a 32-bit floating point recorder the majority of the time) as I like to edit my audio in post and have no problem syncing it when editing. But that workflow isn't always optimal for others, so having the ability to actually record good audio in the Action 4 is a welcome addition!
I love your video
08:16 BOOM
LOL I asked on the dji forum about the mic and power bank, they said its not supported.
Buy the GoPro 12 - blue tooth audio - #1
I saw that today and it looks awesome! I'm curious to learn the resolution that's transmitted/recorded.
Thats more bulky and cumbersome than the gopro mic module LOL.
GoPro 12 - #1
Nah
Nah +1
Oh look at me bit of an attention seeker
Thanks your vid helped a lot 😊