External Mic with TRRS connector for Audio Captures at track days

[jflogerzi]

Snice I use my phone for RaceChrono and data via CAN bus. Trying to make my cheap action camera work for video before I bite the bullet and just get a newer GoPro. Anyone know of an external mic that works with Phone 3.5mm jacks that can handle car exhaust notes? Not looking to spend much bet if anyone has any recommendation I am all ears.

[soundman98]

when i was playing with my go pro, i used this one clipped to the liscense plate once. the intent was the same.

the overall volume needed to be limited otherwise the audio signal would clip and distort, so i had to get a headphone inline volume control to lower the incoming volume.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this is the original test video, and at WOT, you can hear the mic distort slightly. (btw, my vehicle mechanicals are bone stock, so very comparable to any press videos of the original vehicle release)

the other mic i've tried is a shotgun mic

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

shotgun mics are directional mics. this one is self-powered. personally, i didn't like the directionality of it, and being pointed at the ground, as i don't have the hardware to extend it off the back of the car and point it at the exhaust, though that would likely give the best end result while limiting other things like road noise, and other vehicles.

here's the on-road clip from that, you can see how orientation of the mic makes it pick up mostly road noises.

otherwise, life has gotten in the way, and i haven't tested any further than these videos that i made back in 2017...



and you shouldn't actually need TRRS, the second ring is usually reserved for video, stereo audio is really only TRS.

[timurrrr]

My setup:

Sony ECMCS3 plugged into a ~6 ft 3.5 mm extension cable plugged into Sony ICD-PX440 (you can find a much newer model).

I tried plugging in the mic into a GoPro 5 through the expensive GoPro mic adapter,
and the sound was significantly worse than with an external recorder.

Here's the microphone placement:



The microphone is wrapped into these wind muffs, although this might be an overkill.

To mount the mic on the rear bumper, I wrapped it into a zip tie, keeping the loose end of the zip tie facing down.
Then I put painter's tape on the loose end of the zip tie, and some more on the cable going into the trunk.

Here's the sound I get:

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

My setup:



Sony ECMCS3 plugged into a ~6 ft 3.5 mm extension cable plugged into Sony ICD-PX440 (you can find a much newer model).



I tried plugging in the mic into a GoPro 5 through the expensive GoPro mic adapter,

and the sound was significantly worse than with an external recorder.



Here's the microphone placement:







The microphone is wrapped into these wind muffs, although this might be an overkill.



To mount the mic on the rear bumper, I wrapped it into a zip tie, keeping the loose end of the zip tie facing down.

Then I put painter's tape on the loose end of the zip tie, and some more on the cable going into the trunk.



Here's the sound I get:

I know this is a long shot but could you test this mic with a mobile phone recording and see if you get better, the same or worse quality? This would really help me determine if this setup will work. I hate returning stuff to Amazon. Otherwise just gonna bite the bullet and get a GoPro hero 8/9 and hope the built in mic can handle the wind noise.

Sent from my Pixel 5a using Tapatalk

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

I know this is a long shot but could you test this mic with a mobile phone recording and see if you get better, the same or worse quality?

Umm, the request is not clear.
What do you mean "mobile phone recording"?

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Otherwise just gonna bite the bullet and get a GoPro hero 8/9 and hope the built in mic can handle the wind noise.

I think I'll save you some time
My bet is: any sound you record from the interior is going to suck.
I tried everything I could think of to remove the wind noise while recording from the interior, and it never worked at high speed.
Slapped a cheap mic on the rear bumper and it worked great the first time, and still works great every single time.

[jflogerzi]

Can you test your external mic with an Android or apple phone with a simple recording of a stationary rev where you normally put the mic. Compare the quality vs your stand-alone recorder.

Sent from my Pixel 5a using Tapatalk

[Breezio]

I use a cheap external mic on my GoPro 5. Mounted to the license plate frame. Works great.
Link below, it's 3.5mm with a long cord and adapter on the end for the different types 3.5mm connections.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Video in action, HKS Hi-Power Spec-L exhaust with UEL header.

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Breezio

I use a cheap external mic on my GoPro 5. Mounted to the license plate frame. Works great.
Link below, it's 3.5mm with a long cord and adapter on the end for the different types 3.5mm connections.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Video in action, HKS Hi-Power Spec-L exhaust with UEL header.

Strange I have a very similar mic but my exhaust just overloads the mic :/

Sent from my Pixel 5a using Tapatalk

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Can you test your external mic with an Android or apple phone with a simple recording of a stationary rev where you normally put the mic. Compare the quality vs your stand-alone recorder.

Which app should I use on Android?
Which settings?
Also I don't think "stationary rev" would be very useful.

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Strange I have a very similar mic but my exhaust just overloads the mic :/

Check the sensitivity settings on whatever device you use for recording?

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

Which app should I use on Android?
Which settings?
Also I don't think "stationary rev" would be very useful.



Check the sensitivity settings on whatever device you use for recording?

Can you try the free Dolby recording app called Dolby On.

[Breezio]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Strange I have a very similar mic but my exhaust just overloads the mic :/

Sent from my Pixel 5a using Tapatalk

What do you have it plugged into? I wouldn't be surprised if the newer GoPros have pretty good 'auto gain' whereas a phone might not.

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Breezio

What do you have it plugged into? I wouldn't be surprised if the newer GoPros have pretty good 'auto gain' whereas a phone might not.

Google Pixel 5a with 3.5mm headphone

[jflogerzi]

Screw it YOLO I just went ahead and grabbed a GoPro Hero 7 black + the external USB C Mic attachment. I figured snice it integrates with RaceChrono Pro so now all data+ Video and Audio should be synced! Still cheaper than other setups!

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Breezio

I use a cheap external mic on my GoPro 5. Mounted to the license plate frame. Works great.
Link below, it's 3.5mm with a long cord and adapter on the end for the different types 3.5mm connections.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Video in action, HKS Hi-Power Spec-L exhaust with UEL header.

BTW that is a crazy long Auto-X course. I would get lost