Recording with an internal microphone without wind noise - is that possible?
9.6.2020
Translation: machine translated
The internal mics of a smartphone would be great if it weren't for that annoying wind noise. I have tried out the easiest way to avoid this. The best method also works with cameras.
The vlogging camera Sony ZV-1 comes with a windscreen. I find this very, very useful, because almost every time I record something outside, the wind ruins the sound. Regardless of whether I'm using a smartphone or a camera.
There are also external microphones with wind protection as accessories for smartphones. However, these are often only mono and nothing comes close to the stereo surround sound of the internal smartphone microphones in any case. In addition, an external mic is not suitable for spontaneous recordings because you don't always have it with you.
I therefore asked myself whether I could do something about the wind noise with very simple means.
A rubber band at the very least
As soon as I realise that the recording is exposed to the wind, I form a protective arc around the two microphones with my fingers. However, the wind is rarely kind enough to come from the same direction at regular intervals. That's why the method works more poorly than well - but it's better than nothing.
What works surprisingly well: Press your fingers directly onto the two microphones. The wind noise is reduced and the device still picks up other noises. However, this only works in combination with the protective cover, which I always have on my smartphone. The rubber cover ensures that there is a gap between the microphone and your finger, which means that the sound is not completely blocked. If this cover is missing, you have a problem: with your finger on the microphone, almost no sound gets through. I mention this because there are people who don't want a protective cover on principle - for example our CTO Oli Herren.
Homemade wind protection: better or just more complicated?
A layer of fabric or foam should keep the wind noise out. But how do I attach it to the smartphone? I try using the smallest clothes peg possible. But I also cover the camera. On my mobile, both the front camera and the main camera on the back are only a centimetre away from the microphone.
I cut the fabric to the right length and try a piece of foam as an alternative. Now you can see something in the picture again. The wind noise decreases, but does not disappear. In contrast to the simple method of holding my finger on it, I don't have less wind noise, but the sound is less distorted. Even two layers of fabric don't eliminate the wind noise.
The camera works without a cover
My compact camera (Sony RX100 III) has no mic input and no accessory shoe - I have to use the internal microphone. I can't attach anything to the camera with a clothes peg. That leaves the test with my fingers on the two mics. That doesn't work too badly, although there's no rubber cover around it. From this I conclude: every device is different again.
Conclusion
No method that I have tried completely eliminates strong wind noise. Holding my finger on the microphone with the rubber cover fitted worked amazingly well for me. Because it's so easy and I don't have to take anything with me, this will be my favourite technique from now on. Covering it with a clothes peg also works, but it's more complicated and not much better in terms of effect. However, there is probably even better material than the one I use. That would be a solution for anyone who doesn't want a protective cover on their smartphone.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
