best action camera microphone attachment

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When you’re recording action videos, the last thing you want is poor audio quality to ruin your video. That’s why it’s essential to use a suitable action camera microphone attachment.

Many different microphones are available, and it can be hard to decide which one to choose. This article discusses the different types of microphones and recommends the best action camera microphone attachment for perfect audio quality.

What is the Best Action Camera Microphone Attachment for Your Money?

Best Action Camera Microphone Attachment

Here are the best action camera microphone attachment options to improve the audio for your action videos.

  1. DJI Mic (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)

    The DJI Mic is a must-have for any videographer. With its high-quality sound, dual-channel recording, and extended operating range, you can capture crystal-clear audio in various environments, from vlogs and live streaming to outdoor scenes. This mic system includes two transmitters, one receiver, and an ultra-compact charging case, allowing you to take all the kit you need with you on the go.


    For added protection when recording, the secondary audio track can be recorded with a volume of -6dB. Its multi-level Gain Control feature lets you adjust input and output sensitivity between -12 dB ~ and 12 dB. Its microphone windscreen and secure attachment allow the wireless mic receiver to attach seamlessly and securely to your DSLR camera, mirrorless camera, or smartphone bracket.

    Pros:
    • Great sound quality
    • Includes 2 mics and one receiver
    • Store and charge in the same case
    • 250 meter range
    • USB C & Lightning adapter included
    • Mounts on a camera shoe
    • Safety recording channel on mic
    • Good wind protection with windscreen
    Cons:
    • iPhone only records mono
    • More expensive than Rode Wireless Go II
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  2. Rode Wireless GO II

    The Rode Microphones Wireless GO II is a versatile microphone system that offers a variety of features to make your recording experience hassle-free. Equipped with universal compatibility, improved transmission stability, and onboard recording capabilities.


    With its dual-channel design, the Wireless GO II allows you to record two sound sources simultaneously, making it ideal for interviews or live events. The 3.5mm TRS analog output and USB-C/iOS digital output provide universal compatibility with various devices. The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery gives you up to 7 hours of battery life, while the safety channel provides an additional layer of protection against interference.

    Pros:
    • Wireless recording of two subjects
    • Records direct to camera, phone, or onboard storage
    • Better-than-600-foot range
    • Recordings can be split into single or multiple channels.
    • Seven hours of recording storage and battery life
    Cons:
    • Gain controls difficult to tune
    • Many settings can only be adjusted on the computer
    • No physical manual included
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  3. Rode VideoMic Pro R

    The Rode VideoMic Pro R is a professional-grade on-camera shotgun microphone designed to deliver exceptional audio in various recording applications. It is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for many settings.


    The VideoMic Pro features a super-cardioid polar pattern that helps to capture focused, directional audio. It also has a three-stage gain control and an integrated Rycote Lyre shock mounting, providing superior isolation from handling noise. The VideoMic Pro also includes a high-quality windshield for recording outdoors.

    Pros:
    • Excellent sound
    • Long battery life
    • 10-year warranty
    • Very low noise
    • Compact & lightweight
    Cons:
    • Build quality is a bit delicate
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  4. Sennheiser Professional MKE 400

    The Sennheiser Professional MKE 400 is a wonderful on-camera shotgun microphone for anyone looking to improve the audio quality of their videos. With its highly directional pick-up pattern and built-in wind protection, the MKE 400 ensures that your recordings are clear and distortion-free, even in less-than-ideal conditions.


    The three-step sensitivity switch and switchable low-cut filter give you more control over your sound. At the same time, the interchangeable cables make connecting to any camera or mobile device easy. You can always be sure that your levels are where they need to be using a convenient headphone output.

    Pros:
    • Directional shotgun signal with clear results
    • Onboard headphone jack and volume controls
    • Built-in gain and low-cut filters
    • Windscreen doesn't affect audio quality
    Cons:
    • Gain knob only has three settings
    • AAA batteries instead of rechargeable
    • Audio only passes through its headphone jack during recording - not playback
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  5. Rode VideoMic NTG

    The Rode VideoMic NTG is a highly versatile USB microphone for various recording applications. With its digital switching capabilities, you can access a high-pass filter, a high-frequency boost, and a safety channel, capturing crystal-clear audio.


    The variable gain control lets you tailor the output to your recording device, while the auto-sensing 3.5mm output makes it easy to connect to both cameras and mobile devices. The built-in peak warning light ensures that your audio never clips.


    The mic comes with a 3.5mm cable and USB-C cable, as well as a foam windshield to block out wind noise.

    Pros:
    • Great sound
    • Works with many types of devices
    • RF (radio frequency) rejection blocks interference
    • It comes with a shock mount
    • This product has a wide range of output levels
    • Records a "safety channel" at a lower level
    • You can slide the microphone back to avoid conflict with the lens
    Cons:
    • The battery isn’t user-replaceable
    • No battery indicator on the mic
    • No windscreen
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  6. Deity Pocket Wireless Lavalier Microphone

    The Deity Pocket Wireless Lavalier Microphone is a compact wireless microphone kit that is perfect for content creators and videographers. The receiver can be plugged into the USB port of your laptop/PC and function as a USB microphone with the built-in mic or the included lavalier.


    With a range of up to 175ft, this pocket-sized microphone is perfect for capturing audio in any situation. The built-in analog limiter ensures that your audio is always clear and free of distortion. The simple pairing process makes it easy to use with any camera or smartphone, and the USB-C output makes it compatible with both digital and analog devices. 5+ hours of battery life

    Pros:
    • Clear sound quality
    • Includes a smartphone mount and mini tripod
    • Use with camera or mobile phone
    • Easy to sync transmitter and receiver
    • 65 meters or 213 feet range of use
    • Locking 3.5 connector on the transmitter
    Cons:
    • The extended design may intrude on a mirrorless EVF
    • Lightning connector for iPhone not included
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  7. BOYA by-MM1 On-Camera Shotgun Microphone

    The BOYA by-MM1 is a high-quality cardioid directional microphone that captures crystal-clear audio and reduces background noise. The innovative plug-and-play design makes it easy to use with any camera or smartphone.


    The custom shock mount and fur windshield protect against unwanted vibration and noise.

    Pros:
    • Inexpensive
    • Record two people at once, as it has two microphones
    • It’s compatible with multiple devices
    • You only need one cable
    • You can select from various modes of recording
    • Includes a headphone output
    • It comes with a case
    Cons:
    • The audio can only be monitored during playback
    • The windscreens are too small
    • In Front+Rear mode, the audio records on one track
    • Stiff shock mount
    • Minor audio distortion
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  8. Movo VXR10 Universal Video Microphone

    The Movo VXR10 is a versatile video microphone that can help you capture amazing audio on any device. With its shock mount and furry windscreen, the VXR10 reduces unwanted noise and vibration, recording in any environment.


    The included TRRS and TRS cables allow you to connect to any smartphone, tablet, or camera, while the 6-part video course will help you master your new microphone. The VXR10 comes with a 1-year warranty.

    Pros:
    • Affordable
    • Easy to use
    • Excellent sound quality
    • Small, compact, lightweight
    • The mic includes many accessories, such as a hard case and Rycote Lyre shock mount
    Cons:
    • It can be tough to put the mic into the shock mount
    • Headphone passthrough requires external devices
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What Are Action Camera Microphone Attachments?

The built-in microphone on an action camera can capture sound but will not capture high-quality audio. If you want superior sound quality for your videos, you need to use an external microphone instead of the action camera microphone.

An action camera microphone attachment includes external microphones and a mic adapter to connect it to the microphone input port of the action camera. They can enhance sound quality, reduce wind noise and background noise, and provide an option for sound coming from a greater distance from the camera’s microphone.

How Does an External Microphone Enhance Audio Quality?

An external mic has better sound quality than you get from action cameras. That’s because they’re larger than built-in microphones on action cameras and have better audio signals.

Dedicated microphone attachments help with ambient noise reduction, resulting in good audio for your video.

Depending on your needs, you may want to use different external mics for your action camera microphone attachment.

1: Get a Shotgun Microphone for Directional Recording Situations

Shotgun microphone with wind screen

Shotgun mics are directional. They can be pointed at the sound source, and they have a long, narrow tube that helps to focus on the audio from the direction in which it’s pointing.

This type of microphone is ideal for action cameras since you can point it toward the action and reduce the amount of background noise. Shotgun microphones are also helpful when recording in windy conditions, as they can reduce the amount of wind noise captured.

2: Use a Lavalier Microphone When Your Subjects May Be Moving or Away from the Camera

Lavalier Microphone

Lavalier microphones, also called lapel mics, are small and can be clipped to your clothing. They’re ideal for voice recording on action cameras since they allow you to be mobile and capture audio closer to the action.

A lapel microphone captures crisp audio no matter where your subject is in the frame. If they need to walk away from the camera, you can still record high-quality audio that wirelessly transmits your audio signal back to your action camera.

3: An External Microphone is Better Than a Camera Microphone

The primary purpose of your camera is to capture great image quality. It has little space for a truly great microphone. On-camera microphones, like the ones we discussed above, have one purpose: to capture great audio.

Boom Microphone

One method to capture great audio is to do it like they do in cinema – with a mic on a boom pole out of the frame and sending the audio directly to a device to record audio. Of course, that’s expensive and requires extra work in post-processing to sync the audio and video. You save time and money by plugging a microphone directly into your action camera.

This kind of recording typically uses a shotgun microphone on the end of the boom arm. You could connect it to the audio jack of your action camera and send the signal to an audio recorder, but that would be awkward to use and overkill for an action camera that usually favors easy mobility.

It’s a wonderful way to get excellent sound quality, but the additional expense and manpower aren’t justifiable.

How Does an Action Camera Microphone Attachment Connect to the Camera?

The two most common connections are by a 3.5mm jack or USB. Some devices, like GoPro cameras, may require a dedicated mic adapter that connects to the action camera microphone jack.

Here are some external microphone adapter options for GoPro Hero cameras and the DJI Osmo Pocket.

  1. GoPro Media Mod - Official GoPro Accessory

    The GoPro Media Mod is designed for content creators who need enhanced audio and video capabilities while vlogging, live streaming, or recording. It features a built-in directional mic for improved voice capture, a 3.5mm mic port to connect an external mic, HDMI-out for playback on external monitors, and two cold-shoe mounts to attach lights, LCD screens, or additional mics.


    The compact, wraparound design is rugged and weather-resistant, making it ideal for use in any environment. The removable foam mic cover also suppresses wind gusts up to 20 mph.

    Pros:
    • Adds two cold-shoe adapters to GoPro (top and side)
    • Externally accessible USB-C port for constant charging
    • The cold shoe is a good place to attach a light source
    • The enclosure makes managing an external microphone easy
    Cons:
    • HDMI output is poor
    • The built-in shotgun mic has poor quality
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  2. GoPro Pro 3.5mm Mic Adapter - Official GoPro Accessory

    The GoPro Mic adapter is a must-have accessory if you want to take your audio game up a notch. It enables high-quality audio capture when using a professional-level external microphone and allows you to connect a wide range of external 3.5mm microphones.


    The adapter provides power and data extension with a 90° connector, so you can easily connect to an external audio recorder or mixer.

    Pros:
    • Allows better audio quality
    • No batteries required
    • 106dB stereo analog-to-digital converter
    Cons:
    • The included adapter cable is short
    • No place to mount the external mic to the GoPro
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  3. DJI Osmo Pocket USB-C to 3.5mm Mic Microphone Adapter

    The genuine DJI Osmo Pocket USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter lets you plug an external 3.5mm microphone into your Osmo Pocket for higher-quality sound recording. This adapter is only compatible with the DJI Osmo Pocket.


    It lets you take advantage of the many external microphones available on the market to get the best possible audio quality for your recordings. With this adapter, you can easily connect any external microphone with a 3.5mm plug and start recording great-sounding audio with your Osmo Pocket.

    Pros:
    • It’s the only way to get audio into your OSMO Pocket
    • Official DJI product
    • Works very well
    Cons:
    • It may inhibit some of the gimbal action
    • It could get damaged from cable tension
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Summary: Get an Action Camera Microphone Attachment to Improve Sound Quality

If you want to improve the sound quality of your action camera footage, a microphone attachment is the way to go. Various microphones are available and deciding which one is right for you can be tricky.

Lapel microphones are a good option for action cameras, as they allow you to be more mobile and capture audio closer to the action. Shotgun mics are great for run-and-gun coverage of action or events.

External microphone adapters are also available for GoPro cameras and the DJI Osmo Pocket. They allow you to connect professional-level microphones to your action camera.

Remember, 50% of a great video is great audio. Don’t let the built-in microphone on action cameras limit your potential.


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