Audio Recording Options for the Insta360 X3 

That’s very kind of you. Much appreciated!

Hi, I'm from Argentina, I'm trying to buy instamatic on its official website. but say that there are no more, the sale is exhausted! How can I buy your microphone in Argentina?

Thanks for watching and for the kind words.

Hi Steve, how is that working for you ?

@@DutthDarla The buttons on my Instamic are so frustrating to use that I finally gave up using it. Went with my Apple airpods instead

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you - and thanks for watching.

Thanks 👍

Glad you liked it!

Thanks for the feedback - glad you enjoyed it.

Glad it was helpful!

That's a great point - thanks for sharing this.

Do you know of any voice recorder that can fit inside a motorcycle helmet? I can't find anything that meets those requirements. Thank you very much in advance.

and what software did you use?

I actually started using the record function more myself recently, but I am getting very low volume on the recording. If I up the gain, it gets louder, but also reduces quality. What is your experience?

@@gwebster65 Yeah. The same. I use Filmora and they have an audio normalization feature that I've been using. I feel like my audio is good but I'm really suffering indoors with video. Seeing a lot of buzz around lights in malls. I'm experimenting with settings

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for tuning in. Let's hope the bluetooth will be improved on the next version.

Muchas gracias!

Glad you liked it - thamks

Glad it helped!

Happy to help

Thanks for watching. The instamic also works exactly the same with the X2.

I've also found that disabling wind suppression has helped a ton. I use my X3 to record at track days on my motorcycle. With suppression on, anything higher than 15mph and the audio just dissipates and crackles, whereas without it, I can clearly hear the engine of the bike all the way up into the 140mph zone (this is without special wind socks on the camera.. just mounting on the nose or behind me on the tail).

Do you use direct focus or stereo? @@alixvandurand

good to know, will be recording a chase camera style with my car but have the engine sound, but i feel like using a mic under the hood would help. what do you think?@@alixvandurand

Thank you

The setting is not on the camera, but in the Insta360 studio software. That means you can try both with and without and keep whichever sounds best.

Many thanks - glad you enjoyed it.

My pleasure!

There are many budget wireless mic options, but quality probably isn’t the best, plus you need to add the X4 Mic adapter (an extra $20) and then the receiver is sticking out the side and can easily rotate and appear in your image. I would suggest that the stand-alone DJI Mic 2 transmitter ($99) is a pretty good budget option.

I totally agree. I love my X3, but adding peripherals (microphone and even the power selfie stick) are not well implemented. Let's hope the "X4" can deliver some improvements!

Thanks!

Good input - thanks for sharing.

Good to know - thanks.

Unfortunately not - you have to use the 3.5mn mic adapter

Yes, the microphone adapter has a USB-C input on the bottom, so the camera can be charged while using.

I recently did a comparison review of the DJI vs the Godox Movelink wireless mic system (check my other videos). It’s quite a bit cheaper, lacks a few bells and whistles, but provides really good performance. Check it out on Amazon: 2 Mic system: amzn.to/3JhHRtn Single mic system: amzn.to/3yBcKDT

Just to clarify, the Instamic connects via Bluetooth so there is nothing physically connected to the camera. Instamic is definitely better sound than AirPods and the strong magnets that come with it hold it pretty securely.

…also, I used AirPods Pro.

@@gwebster65 thx yes I see it also records 32 bit sound something I’m still learning about and they are cheaper :)

For best quality/signal yes, but also depend on the situation. Check out my latest video also: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dlPYgucFJuU.html

I did not test that, but frankly, the audio quality is so bad, I'm not sure that it matters!

I was using Airpod Pro gen 1

Glad you enjoyed it - thanks.

Looking at it, I would have also suggested the PT-20 - shame that doesn't work. Maybe try using a long audio cable and secure the receiver closer to the base of the selfie stick?

I purchased a custom mount from these guys: www.xmount360.com/

I did not observe any significant audio delays with either.

Many thanks - glad you enjoyed it.

As far as I know, the only way to record through the USB C port is via the mic adapter

That's exciting. We love Thailand and actually just got back from a trip there (will be posting some videos soon). Make sure your plans include Chiang Mai. As far as remote controlling the X3 is concerned, there are a few options: 1. Voice control - you can start and stop recording or take stills with the corresponding voice commands, but the downside is that the camera has to be powered on (and there is no "voice wake" function). 2. Use the app on a smartphone or even smartwatch - but here too, the camera has to be powered on. 3. There is a bluetooth remote available, that will start/stop, take stills and even change modes remotely, and can also power on/off the camera. I also made a video review of this remote (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oIShdvLh4qQ.html), One limitation of using the bluetooth remote, is that you cannot connect a bluetooth microphone (like the Instamic) at the same time. As far as purchasing is concerned, Amazon is a good choice, but make sure it's not some marketplace reseller. The link below is for the X3 from the official Insta360 store. Just be sure to buy from a reputable store. Insta360 X3 from official store on Amazon: amzn.to/3x4YhTe Hope that helps.

Chaing Mai is on list. Your response does not match my question. I think you put someone else's respone.

Currently, my choice would be the DJI Mic 2 (amzn.to/3UO5hw1). You can use it in 2 different ways: a) plugging in the receiver, for the best quality, or b) just connect the transmitter by bluetooth for easy setup or when you need to be waterproof/weatherproof Check out this video for more details: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dlPYgucFJuU.html

I would guess that the best result would be with a bluetooth mic (e.g. Instamic) which is sheltered from the wind. You could place it in your helmet, if you want to talk while riding, but probably better to voiceover in post.

N0 - it's one or the other.

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it.

For this video, I was using double-sided tape, but I finally found a good mounting option - check out www.xmount360.com/

@@gwebster65 thanks a lot 😀

well I packed mine up, totally not the world Ilike of 360 tooooo much work I rather be simple and easy.

Glad you found it useful. Watch out for some additional X3 content being posted later this week.

Definitely an option, if you don't mind the extra work.

Two things: First, there is no memory card - if used as a voice recorder, the Instamic saves the file to on-board memory (like a flash drive) and is uploaded by connecting the Instamic to your computer by USB. Second, as far as I know, you cannot use the Instamic as a wireless mic and voice recorder at the same time…it’s either one or the other.

Ok, thank you for the answer. :-)

Too funny - you busted me! I actually used double-sided tape for that shot (although I think it would work well for a limited time). I have since purchased a mount from www.xmount360.com/ which achieves a similar "hidden" mounting option.

@@gwebster65 You're a champ! - I'm going to use double sided tape. :)

The X3 films in all directions, and when reframing I just used the subject tracking feature.

@@gwebster65 thank you so much. I appreciate your quick response

I only own the X3 (and previously the X2) but I think the One RS 1-Inch would give the best video quality.

@@gwebster65 I was wondering more about which one would give the best audio quality using its built in microphone

​@@digi-scopeproductionsalso wondering if the 360 micro is good enough for ambiant sounds

Muchas gracias. Para comprar Instamic, necesitas comprarlo directamente - instamic.io

@@gwebster65 una tristesa ! no esta mas a la venta en la pagina ! Instamic Pro Plus Sold Out

Instamic can be purchased direct at instamic.io/

The on-board mic will struggle with that - luckily there is also a mic adapter for the X2, allowing you to hook up an external mic. Another option would be to use a higher quality stand-alone audio recorder, then sync up the video and audio in post.

@@gwebster65 TY. Im just looking for budget decision for that kind of issue. Not gonna record many concerts and other masd events. So I have doubts that any of suggested mics in this video would perform much better against sound overkill... They are designed more to record voice close up, not the sound of erupting volcano. 😂

For this video, I was using double-sided tape, but I finally found a good mounting option - check out www.xmount360.com/

@@gwebster65 That's actually EXACTLY how I started out too, with doubled sided tape before Martin and I created the mount.🙂 - Steven

@@xmount360 Thanks for joining the conversation - I really like your mount, but one suggestion I have would be to move the "mount" down slightly to leave room to plug in a USB-C plug into the charging port on the mic adapter. It would need to be a right-angle USB-C plug and you would also need to not go too far down, so as to block the output from the power selfie stick. You could also bundle with an appropriate USB-C cable.

@@gwebster65 Hello! Thanks for the feedback. Actually was trying to get in touch with you on a project we're working on.

You can contact me at contact.ttlchannel@gmail.com

Why won’t it pair, doesn’t it have Bluetooth?

@@ZabDevin Idk, just couldn't get it to work. Although, one fatal flaw about the X3 is it can only connect to one bluetooth device at a time. So if you're using the GPS remote to record gps stats, that's your one device. Can't do an audio/mic on top of that.

None that I am aware of - the only choices are Bluetooth or the mic adapter.

I saw a lavalier usb c mic for x3, has someone tested to directly plug the dji receiver with USB c? With special phone adapter? With USB c port to x3 usb-c port?

I assume that any BT mic should work, but I cannot say for sure. I have only tested AirPods and Instamic. If you have success with another, let me know.

Must be a faulty unit - perhaps Insta360 tech support can help. I have not seen this issue.

@@gwebster65 you may be right. I was able to fix it by going to settings, sound & then changing it to Direction Focus. It worked great at first, then was way out of sync again on a few then worked again. Hopefully they'll fix the issue.

the Instamic is waterproof (personally verified!) so no problem there. The “no touch” thing is more difficult - this is a limitation of the X3. You have to go into the settings menu and reconnect each time. I guess we have to hope for a firmware update or new version that solves this.

@@gwebster65 I’m sorry but i feel you truly could help with this as you have an Instamic and I can truly see you know what you’re talking about. I can confirm from Insta360 that both( remote and instamic) cannot be connected. So I have a question that definitely you’ll be able to answer. -How do you start recording without touching the camera when it’s in front of the bike? Will it work voice command at 60km/h in order to start recording?…if yes, then I don’t need insta remote control. - Bikers use thick gloves. Instamic is good because it’s not attached at all to the X3 but, will it connect and start recording by voice command to the X3? Please answer this as well. Thanks Tony

I find the voice command function ("start recording") works well, but I have not tried it on a motorbike at 60kmh! Only other option would be to use the BT remote and add a separately recorded voiceover in post.

Hi again and thank you for your patience in all my questions. The aim is to have audio/video together at the precise moment i start recording video. May I ask you in your video how you do it?. -Do you basically press record on the X3 and press record on the Instamic in order to have audio/video together? Or how do you use?. Could you have the Instamic on without recording( connected via Bluetooth to the X3), but when you press record on the X3 ( as it is connected via Bluetooth) audio/video record together? _And with the AirPods, once is Bluetooth connected to the X3 you only press record/ command to the X3 and audio/video record together, correct? Thanks again

In my videos, I am connecting the Instamic to the X3 over Bluetooth, so the video and sound are already sync’d and part of the same file.

Not sure exactly what you are trying to do, but the mic adapter is "in" only - it will not relay the cameras microphone feed to an external mixer.

@@gwebster65 I’m a DJ, and have been using the Insta360 to get clips from my gigs. I’m wanting to get cleaner audio, as the footage sounds awful when recording loud music. Was wondering if there was a way to just plug in to a line on a DJ controller or an external mixer.

Thanks for the tip

Not sure what you mean by that, but see below: Microphone adapter for X3: amzn.to/3U7gRDc DJI Mic System (original): amzn.to/3U7g0Cx DJI Mic 2 System (new version): amzn.to/3VNuqZO

@@gwebster65 the instamic

@@gwebster65 where can I buy the instamic?

Hi, I gotta question about smartmike+. Can I sync smartmike+ with insta360 x3 directly via Bluetooth to record audio in the camera? I don't want to record anything standalone with Smartmike+ for post-production audio sync.

@@MasumAustralia yes, just connect the mic in the AirPod option in the cam , drop to-6dB and all is good

@@KonstantinGabriel1978 great. That sounds easy. Thanks

@@MasumAustralia you are welcome.

Noted! Thanks for watching

I thought the DJI had the slight edge, but good to get other feedback.

Great feedback - thanks. I will have to look into that in more detail - good idea for a follow-up video.

Yes, for sure.