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dont understand crappy audio

I dont understand it.. samsung sells video cameras ... if they sold one with the crapy audio of our phone no one would buy it and they wouldnt sell any.
So they know how to record acceptable audio.. Why cannot they tweek the audio settings when you start camera to record acceptable audio (assuming they need to be different than for a phone) and change back when exiting/using phone?

What are you comparing the audio recording to. I've seen people compare it to other phones online, and many reckoned it was quite good..
Also, you do realise that video cameras have a lot more space to work with right? The quality of todays smartphones video/audio/photos is magic considering the limited space available for sensors.

andrewluecke said:
What are you comparing the audio recording to. I've seen people compare it to other phones online, and many reckoned it was quite good..
Also, you do realise that video cameras have a lot more space to work with right? The quality of todays smartphones video/audio/photos is magic considering the limited space available for sensors.
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It's way too sensitive... I recorded a concert (and a drive in teh car) and the audio was crap. Distorted in the car, unbearable in concert (way distorted/nosiy... literally couldn't hear the actual music).
Saw other videos with phones and they were MUCH better (audio wise). And no, it wasn't an extremely loud concert.

I think the audio is really good for a phone this size. Are you comparing it to a bose system or what? Lol
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

I had the same problem with Omnia HD. The sound of videos was so poor too. It was resolved by firmware update, where the audio codec was updated.
Anyone knows if exists any firmware with an acceptable sound quality of recorded videos on i9000??
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Playback is great, it is the recording that is a bit crazy, the mic is super sensitive.. hopefully they can adjust this in a firmware.

True i was in rally few days ago and recorded some videos from there , video quality was awesome but sound was terrible. Too sensitive mic!

Impressed by 720p capture, very disappointed with the audio.
Case in point: Recording as of today: youtube.com/watch?v=oQPov5mUTm8
not loud inside at all, just some general background noise.
Using latest official firmware from Samsung JG4 (Optus Aus)

It has one mic, designed for minimising out ambient noise during a phone call, you can't really expect it to be good at recording a concert.

Bs my kids 5800 an my wives n 85 and other Nokia phones all recorded acceptable audio.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

OP, your meaning of "audio" should be more carefully explained.
DO you mean:
1) Audio playback?
or
2) Audio recording?
My guess is #2. Yes, the microphone is quite sensitive. There were tons of people using the Samsung Omnia ( the prior generation android smartphone) who complained about the microphone NOT being sensitive enough. So Samsung decided to make the mic more sensitive.

[Q] Video Camera Mic Sensitivity?

Hi everyone,
I've had my Vibrant with me at a local music festival this weekend, and thought it would be a fantastic time to exercise the HD video capture. Unfortunately, every single video I've taken has had such terrible audio that it's unwatchable. I kept digging around in camera settings but found that there's no way to adjust the mic sensitivity. Anyone else have a similar experience or any idea of a workaround?

In my experience the Vibrant's got excellent mic sensitivity and the sound quality is even quite good. Unfortunately, this means that things like concerts are going to be distorted. I've actually seen very few video cameras that can properly record a live concert, much less ANY cell phone.

I absolutely understand that recording a live concert through a microphone designed around voice for telephony is not going to be in any way, shape or form, ideal. I feel like the Vibrant could do better. I just wonder if it's something that could be corrected for in software, if it's a hardware limitation, or if it's just my particular unit. My dad was also with me at the festival, and recorded the same shows using my old Blackberry 9700. The Blackberry did a markedly better job.. It's not what I would call good by any means, but the video isn't intolerable to watch for memory's sake. I just find it frustrating since the phone takes such incredible video. I agree that it does very well in low volume situations, and I absolutely love the phone overall.
I have a couple of comparison example videos on Youtube from the festival but due to my new user status I can't post a link to them. PM me if you're interested.

I also took my phone to a trance festival, the image is amazing but the sound is rubbish. I was also standing very close to the speakers so I don't really blame the mic since it's not really built to handle such a strong volume input.
If there is a possible way to fix it software wise that would be great, but I'm no that optimistic about the chance it's fixable that way.

I agree, the sound just pops... Same song recorded by the og droid was MUCH BETTER... of course my video LOOKED amazing.

I agree my wife and I recently went to the Honda Civic Tour. I used my Vibrant while a friend used one of those little flip HD cameras. We both got the same picture quality however, her sound was amazing. The thing I find funny is those cameras only cost like $249.
Sent from my Samsung Vibrant using the XDA app.

TGA_Gunnman talks about the same thing here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734515
Though doesn't say exactly which one of the settings is what adjusts the mic gain.
I too would be very greatful to know how to turn the thing down.
-Greg

Very bad audio hardware on the Note 2 / S3... :(

Ok guys, I know that the audio recording is bad with the poor microphones inside the smartphone, but things go worse with an external mic.
I purchased high quality linear measurement and recording mic - Edutige EIM-003
When I started to record I was blown away with the crystal clear and 100% true audio recordings, but the bass was blown away. It records only mids and highs ?!?!?! Than I tried several other apps for video recordings, even lossless audio recorders. Nothing improved. So I went into pure CM10 Android 4.1.2 and again it was so bad... :crying:
Can you guys help ? :fingers-crossed:

It's a phone, not a professional audio recording device...

FloatingFatMan said:
It's a phone, not a professional audio recording device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:laugh::good:

vessk0 said:
Ok guys, I know that the audio recording is bad with the poor microphones inside the smartphone, but things go worse with an external mic.
I purchased high quality linear measurement and recording mic - Edutige EIM-003
When I started to record I was blown away with the crystal clear and 100% true audio recordings, but the bass was blown away. It records only mids and highs ?!?!?! Than I tried several other apps for video recordings, even lossless audio recorders. Nothing improved. So I went into pure CM10 Android 4.1.2 and again it was so bad... :crying:
Can you guys help ? :fingers-crossed:
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Click to collapse
I'm using an iRig MIC Cast with a Note I, and it's a huge improvement over the internal mic.
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigmiccast/
They don't mention Android on their website (only iOS stuff) but it works just fine with my GN1.

vessk0 said:
Ok guys, I know that the audio recording is bad with the poor microphones inside the smartphone, but things go worse with an external mic.
I purchased high quality linear measurement and recording mic - Edutige EIM-003
When I started to record I was blown away with the crystal clear and 100% true audio recordings, but the bass was blown away. It records only mids and highs ?!?!?! Than I tried several other apps for video recordings, even lossless audio recorders. Nothing improved. So I went into pure CM10 Android 4.1.2 and again it was so bad... :crying:
Can you guys help ? :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st off that eim003 is NOT a "high-quality linear measurement mic". high-quality linear measurement mics like those from dpa cost thousands of euros/dollars....heck any decent microphone costs $$$. and this microphone claims to do that for 35 euros?
secondly whenever you see beautiful ultra smooth frequency response graphs....those are just artistic lies. so dont believe any of it. real resonse graphs are really jaggy.
third ...the type of microphone it is....an omni...doesnt hype up the bass in any way. so if the source isnt bassy the recording wont be bassy. typical (non omni) vocal mics have something called proximity effect...iow the closer you hold the mic to the source...the bassier it gets. omni mics do not do this.
fourth it could be that the analog input on the phone is cutting the bass frequencies...because most of the time external mics on phones are meant to record the spoken voice...which shouldnt have bassy frequencies.
fifth it could just be that the speakers youre listening on are bass deficient and coupled with reason #3...well...
keep in mind most pop recordings add in the bass artificially.
sixth...I dont know if the n2 or s3 supports usb mics but that may be a path to try out...because it would bypass the audio path on the phone...and already hit the phone in digital.
hope this sheds some light...

springer.music said:
I'm using an iRig MIC Cast with a Note I, and it's a huge improvement over the internal mic.
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigmiccast/
They don't mention Android on their website (only iOS stuff) but it works just fine with my GN1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you record with it?
I'm in need of record our band songs and with normal note 2 mic I have a good quality but some distortion on highs (actually battery snare and my singer's voice :/)

FloatingFatMan said:
It's a phone, not a professional audio recording device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Muwhahahaha! :laugh:

distortion = too much gain (this) or overloading the mic capsule (less likely). look for recording software with adjustable gain level. or just move the phone farther away and/or tell the drummer to play softer. (ha!)

con_ritmo said:
distortion = too much gain (this) or overloading the mic capsule (less likely). look for recording software with adjustable gain level. or just move the phone farther away and/or tell the drummer to play softer. (ha!)
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Yup I know, I tried with other apps but none of them record bass frequencies like the stock app and recuding the gain removes the "color" of the music
Both of the suggestions you gave, sadly, aren't obtainable

as long as you get a clean recording you could add "color" later. even full blown $$$$$$$ mixes don't have that "sound" until they go to mastering (well most of the time). But really it sounds like what you need is multitrack capabilities in a small portable format. Best to invest in something like that instead of trying to make the shoe fit. If would be the next step down the path if you're serious about your music. .. which is sounds like you are.

con_ritmo said:
as long as you get a clean recording you could add "color" later. even full blown $$$$$$$ mixes don't have that "sound" until they go to mastering (well most of the time). But really it sounds like what you need is multitrack capabilities in a small portable format. Best to invest in something like that instead of trying to make the shoe fit. If would be the next step down the path if you're serious about your music. .. which is sounds like you are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm just trying to get the best sound without having to spend too much money

TMaLuST said:
What do you record with it?
I'm in need of record our band songs and with normal note 2 mic I have a good quality but some distortion on highs (actually battery snare and my singer's voice :/)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All mics which connect via the headphone/mic TRRS connector have a mono input.
If you're happy with a mono recording of your band, then it may be ok for you
If you need to record using a pro mic with XLR connector, you can have a look at this small preamplifier:
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigpre/
I haven't tried it myself but it should work fine as it connects via the heaphone/mic port.
Does anyone know whether an external USB audio interface connected via an OTG cable works?
This would be the easiest solution to get high-quality recordings

springer.music said:
All mics which connect via the headphone/mic TRRS connector have a mono input.
If you're happy with a mono recording of your band, then it may be ok for you
If you need to record using a pro mic with XLR connector, you can have a look at this small preamplifier:
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigpre/
I haven't tried it myself but it should work fine as it connects via the heaphone/mic port.
Does anyone know whether an external USB audio interface connected via an OTG cable works?
This would be the easiest solution to get high-quality recordings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thanks for the input.
I have an external USB audio interface and it powers up but there is no way I can use it with my note. I think it needs some drivers :/

FloatingFatMan said:
It's a phone, not a professional audio recording device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^ This.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

EvoYas said:
^^ This.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well this doesn't mean that we can't search a way to improve it

We should have USB audio interface support soon
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=363102&sid=cb542f89bf6342383e9a8ca70521e6a5
This should allow you to connect _any_ microphone via a USB audio interface. Granted the audio interface will probably need to be mains powered.
But, it should also allow you to connect any standard USB mic dirctly via an OTG cable.
I was thinking of buying the iMic, but now that Davy has announced that his USB audio solution is almost complete, I think I will buy a Samson GoMic and use that instead. About the same level of portability, but the quality should be better.
If you don't already use it, you should check out his Audio Evolution app it is the best multi track recorder for Android by a long way.

The best idea might be to get a portable recorder with a couple of condenser mics on it. Then you would bypass the amps and dacs in the phone. You could then plubg the recorder in to the phone through usb host and import the tracks into your editor.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

I admit that the phone is not for this job, but most of the competition records better sound. Beside that look at the impressive Nokia 808 with its Rich Recording crystal clear up to 130+db SPL and doesn't distort bass or etc...
I want to record good HI-FI sound from speakers, Live shows, etc... with low bass, clear mids and high, as like, as the sound is going from the speakers.
Look at this video recorded with Galaxy S2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Ys9SIJubc
Go to 1:50min and you will hear the impressive bass recorded.
Anyway, type in YouTube "EIM-003" and check the amazing acoustic recordings with this tiny mic. So YES, I think the problem is in our phones, unless I have fake mic...

vessk0 said:
I admit that the phone is not for this job, but most of the competition records better sound. Beside that look at the impressive Nokia 808 with its Rich Recording crystal clear up to 130+db SPL and doesn't distort bass or etc...
I want to record good HI-FI sound from speakers, Live shows, etc... with low bass, clear mids and high, as like, as the sound is going from the speakers.
Look at this video recorded with Galaxy S2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Ys9SIJubc
Go to 1:50min and you will hear the impressive bass recorded.
Anyway, type in YouTube "EIM-003" and check the amazing acoustic recordings with this tiny mic. So YES, I think the problem is in our phones, unless I have fake mic...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not to be a downer but i went ahead and listened to the youtube link and a few other eim003 review videos...and to be honest they all sound pretty bad on my monitors over here...shrill and "essy" the impressive bass at 1:50 is just an illusion...the guy was cranking his car stereo which had a subwoofer. so with that in mind, the mic actually didn't pump out a lot of bass at all (compared to the amount of bass that i imagine was coming from his system). and remember, if you're just recording things acoustically, you typically aren't going to run into those artificial amounts of bass.
why doesn't the OP post up a sample recording so we have something to compare to....because honestly i didn't hear anything "great" from the eim003 sample videos...

Yes, after a few tests at my home HI-FI system, obviously you are right, but it is way better than stock mics and handles much more SPL.
BTW, I found a solution for improve the recording. Samsung has limited the input signal via HPF filter. I went into the conf files in system/etc and modified a few settings ther. Now it records more bass with stock mics and external one. I turned off the HPF filter and swtched it to "hi-fi" mode.
I used the S3 theme to do that. :good:
I think that the mic has a potential with a better preamp. It is firstly made for iDevices.
PS: If you think there is a better mic for this money, you can tell me.

Audio recording sounds awful

Haven't got the G2 yet, but after browsing through youtube for some video test samples, I found that the audio is terrible. I currently have a Nexus 4 and it too has terrible audio recording. You know what? I think they are the same since both 1) sound starts okay, but, after one second, sound starts getting distorted and 2) distortion sounds like your in a fish bowl.
Obvious sample of G2 mic distortion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRM3DJ4tLMQ
Nexus 4 sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f0b2hQZ9Yk
I might have been able to forgive the N4 because of its price, but its quite disappointing for premium priced phone as a G2.

Was that even using up to date software or pre-release? We dont know.
I think the video sound is fine.
Also, considering you do not have the device I would hold opinions until you have your own hands on and can then give your opinion.

Too many variables in this video. Maybe settings were or weren't ticked. Seemed very loud etc.

Took my phone to a 2 day long concert, here's what I liked

After 12 hours a day and recording almost 100 videos on the highest setting the phone battery never went down past 50% (each day mind you). The phone was starting to get warm about mid way through the day, not sure if it was the sun beating down on my pants (I was in Jacksonville, FL) or due to the constant recording, but it never got extremely hot.
I took some videos zoomed in max at 8x and the quality is honestly not bad. Definitely not HD quality but you can see quite well what you're looking at.
The audio came out better than any other I've seen or heard from others who were with me, two being S7 Edges​, and another an iPhone 7 plus.
The stability when zoomed in 8x was also amazing to me. I could walk around someone who got in the way and it looked like I was barely moving, definitely didn't seem as if I were holding my phone in the air.
The way it picks up light was also better than any other phone I was able to compare with. When the later bands played in the dark I could still see so much detail and wasn't flushed out by either low light or having the stage lights drown out what my camera could see.
Definitely impressed and glad I had this phone with me for this event. Not professional quality but amazing nonetheless, so I figured I'd share with others my experience. I'm willing to answer any questions to anything I may have forgotten to give better details for. I don't really use my YouTube account to upload videos but if need be I could upload a few for those who are curious.

Is there a chance you could share some video samples of what you got?
I haven't had a chance to take my S8+ to a concert yet.

Does the zoom still severely distort the audio?
On the Note 7, audio zoom was enabled by default. It's a good idea, say if you're recording someone talking across the room and when you zoom in it increases the mic gain so you (may) hear them.
Problem is at a gig either on stage or front row with stacks of amps and columns ripping at 120dB and you decide to zoom in the audio distorts horribly. Like makes you want to stab your eyes out with a fork horrible! And there is no way to disable it. The solution is to not use zoom but when recording at 4K using up to 4X optical zoom is generally OK if you re-render your edits at 1080. Fortunately the gigs I did this with I was using a digital recorder and have decent audio tracks to go with the video. Otherwise I'd be screwed. I have not tried recording with mine yet but I may bring it to drum rehearsal and kick things up a bit and zoom in on the kit.

Tw1ser said:
Is there a chance you could share some video samples of what you got?
I haven't had a chance to take my S8+ to a concert yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cpufrost said:
Does the zoom still severely distort the audio?
On the Note 7, audio zoom was enabled by default. It's a good idea, say if you're recording someone talking across the room and when you zoom in it increases the mic gain so you (may) hear them.
Problem is at a gig either on stage or front row with stacks of amps and columns ripping at 120dB and you decide to zoom in the audio distorts horribly. Like makes you want to stab your eyes out with a fork horrible! And there is no way to disable it. The solution is to not use zoom but when recording at 4K using up to 4X optical zoom is generally OK if you re-render your edits at 1080. Fortunately the gigs I did this with I was using a digital recorder and have decent audio tracks to go with the video. Otherwise I'd be screwed. I have not tried recording with mine yet but I may bring it to drum rehearsal and kick things up a bit and zoom in on the kit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the videos up on my Facebook if you guys would like to check it out that way. Just drop me a PM and I'll give you my info through that.
Not too sure about the audio and zoom feature. Didn't even know that existed to be honest. I will say that there are a few I started out with no zoom and I zoomed in during the video but I don't think I really noticed a difference in audio quality. I'm not the pickiest when it comes to stuff like that and none of it is Hollywood material but still impressed nonetheless.

Ok been a while but I finally got to test this and can confirm the audio zoom "feature" is definitely still there! :|
So when recording events such as live venues with loud SPL particularly lower frequencies do NOT use the zoom if at all possible.
Your audio will be very distorted.
Otherwise, it shoots fine.