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The GoPro Media Mod is an accessory that can be attached to the GoPro cameras family of action cameras. It features a directional mic that can increase the quality of sound capture, along with additional ports and mounting choices. The audio quality isn’t always great, and there’s no option to bring in additional wiring when you’re on the move with the GoPro HERO 10 Black or GoPro HERO 9 Black, but both of these GoPro cameras are quite handy tools for capturing video.
The GoPro Media Mod promises to tackle these concerns at once, adding a significant amount of value and making the greatest GoPros available today even better. If you really want to get the most out of your HERO, you can also get it as part of the Creator Edition Bundle.
GoPro Media Mod Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Microphone | Directional microphone |
| Mic Port | 3.5mm mic port |
| Connectivity | HDMI-out port |
| Cold-shoe mounts | Two cold-shoe mounts for attaching accessories |
| Compatibility | Designed for use with GoPro Hero 9 camera |
Design and Build Quality
To the already potent GoPro HERO 10 Black and HERO 9 Black, the GoPro Media Mod offers a variety of media-specific upgrades in the form of a skeleton case. The GoPro Media Mod has two cold-shoe mounts for lights or other accessories, a 3.5mm mic connector, an HDMI-out for playing on external monitors, and a directional mic for improved audio recording; it costs GBP £89.99 / USD $79.99.
Two rubberized buttons on top and side are exact replicas of the original GoPro buttons, and although installing the mod requires removing the original battery cover, the new case slots in comfortably; however, GoPro only advertises the GoPro Media Mod as “weatherproof,” not as “10m waterproof,” like the standard GoPro. Despite advertisements showing influencers snorkeling, the instructions state that the mod is not watertight. You can buy this camera from its official website
GoPro Media Mod: Usability
The Media Mod is fully compatible with both the Hero 10 and the Hero 9 cameras. It has the appearance of a plastic cage with a microphone fastened to it, and its interior is molded in such a way that it can perfectly enclose a GoPro camera that is compatible with it. The only modification that has to be made to the GoPro that you already own is for you to remove the door.
Everything is perfectly constructed, with the exception of the fact that the original USB-C port has been covered up. The Media Mod provides a solution to the problem by adding a replacement port, in addition to a Micro USB socket and a 3.5mm line-in for an additional microphone. There is also a space under the case to ensure that none of your other GoPro mounts will be damaged by it rubbing against them.
Audio Quality
The GoPro Media Mod is an attachment for the GoPro Hero 9 camera that has a directional mic, 3.5mm mic connector, and gain controls. There is very little ambient noise and the sound is crystal clear. The cover’s ability to deflect wind helps keep outdoor events peaceful. If you want better audio in your GoPro Hero 9 videos, this is a must-have device.
GoPro Media Mod: Performance
The mics from Media Mod are good. During our test, we first used a Hero10 Black to record some sounds as a control. Then we added Media Mod so we could test its built-in shotgun mic. The Hero10’s built-in mic did pretty well with voice, but it didn’t do as well in places with a lot of background noise. It was also not very good at keeping the wind out. The shotgun mic from Media Mod fixed both of these problems. It worked pretty well in windy conditions and made the sound from the video’s subject much clearer, even in a busy, loud place.
Final Words
One reason why it’s worth paying more for an action camera is the dreamy HyperSmooth picture stabilization, but that’s not true of GoPro’s built-in mic. So it’s great to be able to use the Media Mod.
We were pleased by how well its built-in directional mic worked, and we can see many buyers being happy with just how much better their GoPro works when used in noisy or windy places. But it’s not nearly as much of an improvement as we had thought. The voice it makes is clear, but it lacks a little depth.
Filmmakers might find it more useful to be able to use an extra mic, whether it’s wired or wireless. The only real problem with Media Mod is that it gets in the way of GoPro being waterproof.
GoPro Media Mod review: The good and The bad
The Good
- Expansion ports
- Shoe mounts for accessories
The Bad
- Removes waterproofing
FAQS
The verdict is in: Media Mod excels in vlogging or narration and in windy scenarios, but is otherwise not worth the money. Media Mod is essentially an audio device, but its considerable adaptability because to its two cold shoe mounting means it should be treated as equally important.
This mod is tough and weatherproof, so not even the wind can stop it. Wind gusts of up to 20 mph (32 kph) are stopped by the foam mic cover, which can be taken off. Media Mod is not made to be used underwater and is not waterproof.