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Unlock the Full Potential of Your GoPro Hero 5: How to Turn Up Volume on GoPro Hero 5

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • Sometimes, the audio on your GoPro Hero 5 can be a bit on the quiet side.
  • Whether you’re trying to capture the roar of the crowd at a concert or the gentle whispers of nature, you’ll want to ensure your audio is crisp and clear.
  • This blog post will guide you through the steps on how to turn up volume on your GoPro Hero 5, ensuring your videos capture the full audio experience.

Capturing stunning visuals with your GoPro Hero 5 is exhilarating, but what about the sound? Sometimes, the audio on your GoPro Hero 5 can be a bit on the quiet side. Whether you’re trying to capture the roar of the crowd at a concert or the gentle whispers of nature, you’ll want to ensure your audio is crisp and clear. This blog post will guide you through the steps on how to turn up volume on your GoPro Hero 5, ensuring your videos capture the full audio experience.

Understanding the GoPro Hero 5’s Audio Capabilities

The GoPro Hero 5 boasts a built-in microphone that can handle a decent range of sound levels. However, it’s important to understand that the microphone’s capabilities are limited, and sometimes, you might need to adjust settings or utilize external solutions to boost the audio.

Adjusting the Audio Settings on Your GoPro Hero 5

The first step in maximizing your GoPro Hero 5’s audio is to explore the built-in settings. Here’s how:

  • Turn on your GoPro Hero 5.
  • Navigate to the “Settings” menu.
  • Select “Audio.”
  • Choose the “Audio Mode” option.

Here, you’ll find three audio modes:

  • Stereo: This setting provides the most balanced audio capture, ideal for capturing natural sounds in your environment.
  • Wind: This mode is designed to minimize wind noise, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
  • Protune: This mode gives you complete control over audio settings, allowing you to adjust the microphone’s sensitivity and other parameters.

Experiment with these settings to find the optimal balance for your specific recording situations.

Tips for Maximizing GoPro Hero 5 Audio

While the GoPro Hero 5’s built-in microphone is capable, there are additional tips and tricks you can employ to improve your audio quality:

  • Position Your GoPro Strategically: The microphone on the GoPro Hero 5 is located on the front of the camera. When recording, try to position the camera with the microphone facing the sound source. This will ensure the best possible audio capture.
  • Minimize Wind Noise: Wind can significantly impact the quality of your audio recordings. When shooting outdoors, try to shield your GoPro from the wind. You can use a windsock, a furry windshield, or even your hand to reduce wind noise.
  • Use External Microphones: If you need to capture high-quality audio, consider investing in an external microphone. GoPro offers various compatible microphones, such as the GoPro Media Mod, which includes a directional microphone for improved audio capture.

External Microphones for Enhanced Audio

While the GoPro Hero 5’s built-in microphone does a decent job, external microphones can significantly enhance your audio quality. Here are some popular external microphone options:

  • GoPro Media Mod: This accessory includes a directional microphone that effectively captures clear audio, even in noisy environments. It also features a 3.5mm microphone jack, allowing you to connect other compatible microphones.
  • Rode VideoMic Pro: This compact shotgun microphone is known for its excellent sound quality and versatility. It’s perfect for capturing clear audio from a distance, making it ideal for interviews or vlogs.
  • Shure VP83 LensHopper: This compact and lightweight shotgun microphone is designed specifically for GoPro cameras. It provides excellent audio capture, minimizing wind noise and capturing clear audio from a distance.

Editing Your Audio in Post-Production

Even with the best audio settings and external microphones, you may still need to adjust your audio in post-production. Video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro offer audio tools that can help you:

  • Reduce Noise: These programs allow you to remove unwanted background noise, such as wind, traffic, or other distractions.
  • Equalize Audio: You can adjust the frequencies of your audio to enhance specific sounds or reduce unwanted frequencies.
  • Boost Volume: If your audio is still too quiet, you can use the editing software to increase the volume of your recordings.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your GoPro Hero 5 Audio Experience

By following these tips and tricks, you can significantly improve the audio quality of your GoPro Hero 5 recordings. Remember to experiment with the different audio settings, minimize wind noise, and consider using external microphones for optimal results. With a little effort, your GoPro Hero 5 videos will capture not only stunning visuals but also crystal-clear audio.

What You Need to Know

Q: Can I use a Bluetooth microphone with my GoPro Hero 5?
A: Unfortunately, the GoPro Hero 5 does not have Bluetooth connectivity, so you cannot use a Bluetooth microphone directly. You can use a Bluetooth microphone with a smartphone or other device and then transfer the audio to your GoPro video in post-production.
Q: How do I connect an external microphone to my GoPro Hero 5?
A: Most external microphones for the GoPro Hero 5 connect via a 3.5mm jack. The GoPro Media Mod includes a 3.5mm microphone jack, and you can also purchase a separate 3.5mm adapter for your GoPro Hero 5.
Q: Is there a way to improve the audio quality of my GoPro Hero 5 while recording underwater?
A: The GoPro Hero 5’s built-in microphone is not designed for underwater recording. If you need to capture underwater audio, you’ll need to use a specialized underwater microphone.
Q: What are the best settings for recording audio in a windy environment?
A: The “Wind” audio mode on the GoPro Hero 5 is designed to minimize wind noise. You can also use a windsock or furry windshield to further reduce wind noise.
Q: Can I use a GoPro Hero 5 to record audio for a podcast?
A: While the GoPro Hero 5 can record audio, it’s not ideal for podcasting. The microphone quality is not as good as dedicated podcast microphones, and the camera’s compact size may not be suitable for recording in a studio setting.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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