How to Eliminate Wind Noise: The Ultimate Motorcycle Action Cam Audio Guide

Combining the exhilaration of getting to take your two-wheeler for a spin and the delight that comes from recording your outings, moto-vlogging is more than a hobby for many. For experienced vloggers, not a lot can go wrong with this pastime. Unfortunately, wind noise is a problem faced by too many of us.

It makes capturing professional-grade audio on a fast-moving bike a challenge for motorcycle action cams used by moto-vlogging enthusiasts. Understanding how to use physical barriers, advanced mounts, and the right settings will ensure that the details in your video are as audible as they are clearly visible.

How The Sound of Moving Air Disturbs Your Vlogs

Audio recording devices, such as action cameras, pick up wind noise when the air moving against the microphones thrashes against their sound ports at high speeds. This overwhelms the audio architecture, causing harsh and loud clipping and distortion in the sound file.

When you’re riding, wind shears violently around your body and gear. This is known as “buffeting.” Without proper mitigation, even the most expensive action camera for motorcycles won’t be able to separate the actual sounds you want to record from the noise.

The Role of Speed

It won’t shock you to learn that riding during abnormally windy or gale-heavy conditions will cause these problems.

However, even when the weather is mild, how fast you’re driving will also affect the sonic clarity of your footage. For your audio to be free of any disturbances, you’ll likely need to be traveling at under 15 miles per hour (mph).

In 2016, a group of ear, nose, and throat specialists from Florida, Michigan, and Ohio conducted a study where they found that wind noise above 15 mph can reach 85 A-weighted decibels (dBA), which is a version of the decibel rating adjusted for how our ears perceive noise. Above 60 mph, that noise can reach 120 dBA.

For context, that particular study focused on cyclists and how they might need to protect their ears from the potentially traumatic impact of this noise. However, its findings are also important for vlogging on the wheel, as your audio equipment is designed to mimic human ears and will face the same struggles as the speedometer clocks higher.

Even past 25 miles per hour, the internal microphone of a standard camera will hit a saturation point where its diaphragm will not be able to recover from pressure fluctuations from the air’s turbulence, resulting in clipping.

Techniques for Mitigating Wind Noise

Wind Barriers: The First Line of Defense

The most effective way to manage wind is to block it before it reaches the microphone. The most obvious solution is foam covering for your equipment, but those can degrade with time.

Meanwhile, premium gear uses physical barriers that cause the neighboring airflow to soften. This lets the microphone capture cleaner sounds while eliminating the whooshing noise that would otherwise ruin the recording.

That is exactly what the SJCAM SJ30 does with its detachable wind guards that enable clearer natural audio even at higher speeds. A key benefit of action cameras that have this wind-blocking architecture is that riders can avoid using bulky or unreliable makeshift solutions.

Plus, this approach maintains a low profile by making sure that the camera remains aerodynamic and secure, providing reliable GO performance whether you are cruising the city streets or navigating a trail.

Where you place the equipment

Another way to limit wind noise and turbulence is where you mount the camera while recording, as that will determine its exposure to the moving air particles.

By moving your lapel or lavalier microphone within the helmet liner, you can isolate the device from the high-speed stream of air so you can record your commentary, sounds from the environment, and the authentic tones of the exhaust without any interference.

By securing the mic away from the direction of your breath, usually behind a cheek pad, you can reduce wind buffeting and unwanted engine chatter and get a studio-like sound during a high-speed ride.

When routing cables, always make sure that you tuck them cleanly behind the padding so that they don’t end up catching on the helmet’s latches or interfering with any safety features. Securing your wires protects your audio equipment from damage and keeps your motorcycle gear functional and safe for daily use.

Adjusting Your Software & Settings

The final method for limiting wind noise is adding some digital adjustments to your vlogging gear

For example, when you turn on your camera’s noise reduction settings, the processor will identify low-frequency rumbling and filter it out. Additionally, tweaking the microphone’s gain prevents the harsh signal that takes place at higher speeds.

Here is an overview of the settings that you can adjust to end up with a clearer-sounding video recording.

Choosing the Best Camera Mounts for Noiseless Audio

As we’ve just pointed out, where you mount your device does not only affect what it sees. It also puts it either away from or in the middle of the elements.

Handlebar and tank mounts are a popular choice, as they provide some of the best angles for filming. However, their position compounds the issue of excessive noise. From there, the camera can pick up vibrations from the engine unless you add rubber dampeners to the setup.

On the other hand, a chin mount for your helmet keeps your camera at a more shielded and aerodynamic position. 

To save time and money, choose a brand that includes motorcycle mounts in the same package as the camera. Premium manufacturers like SJCAM provide versatile mounting kits right out of the box. This saves you from having to look separately for compatible accessories for your camera at the expense of your time and money.

In Summation

If you have been struggling with ambient noises in your recordings, know that solving the underlying problem is very much possible.

Physically adjusting your setup and tinkering with the digital settings will help you eliminate wind noise. To document a journey that is as immersive and enjoyable for your viewers as it is for you, make sure to keep an eye on your audio checklist to see that

• Your detachable wind guard is in place.
• You have tested the internal or external microphone cables for a comfortable fit, and
• You have performed a quick sound check to prevent clipping when you accelerate.

If you are ready to upgrade your riding gear, check out the SJCAM SJ30 and its sound-friendly features, such as the detachable wind guards, and make your vlogs sound more crisp and undisturbed by wind noise.

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