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Gamad
South Africa
Приєднався 4 лис 2023
The Ulanzi U-Mic has an Internal Recording Problem
Welcome to my first UA-cam Video.
I review the problems I found using/testing the Ulanzi U-Mic AM18 and share my thoughts on whether or not its still worth it regardless of the issues.
Intro - 0:00 - 0:33
Internal Recording Issue - 0:34 - 1:40
Proof of Issue - 1:41 - 7:26
RF Interference - 7:27 - 9:07
Internal Mic Test - 9:08 - 11:55
Safety Track via Internal Recording - 11:56 - 13:05
Recording Stop issue - 13:06 - 15:15
Overall Thoughts - 15:16
I review the problems I found using/testing the Ulanzi U-Mic AM18 and share my thoughts on whether or not its still worth it regardless of the issues.
Intro - 0:00 - 0:33
Internal Recording Issue - 0:34 - 1:40
Proof of Issue - 1:41 - 7:26
RF Interference - 7:27 - 9:07
Internal Mic Test - 9:08 - 11:55
Safety Track via Internal Recording - 11:56 - 13:05
Recording Stop issue - 13:06 - 15:15
Overall Thoughts - 15:16
Переглядів: 4 635
Mine generates wave files where the size in the wave header does not match the data. Not sure if calculated wrong or data is truncated. I think most programs just ignore this by using the available data only, or maybe adding blank samples. GoldWave causes two errors when loading, as should be with other software. I contacted Ulanzi, taking 3 e-mails to explain the issue, and no reply yet (two weeks ago)
are you able to make a video to show your issue? i've found that once theres something in the public, they respond relatively quickly (for obvious reasons - its how i ended up getting my refund for this unit the day after i made this video)
have you tried converting your wav files to another format and see if that fixes it? really interested to see this issue you have to be honest.
I can fix the wave-files, somehow. But due to the size in the wave-headers being larger than the actual data, I don't know if this means the data is truncated or only the sizes in the wave header are wrong. It's just a few bytes. I was wondering if that is related to your issue, as you also have a few missing "frames". Can you try opening those files in GoldWave and see if it displays errors?
Hello. I had the recording in the internal memory of the transmitter turned off when I opened the charging case. I found a new firmware on the ULANZI website and installed it. As a result of the firmware update I got the following - the red LED on the transmitter is on and the transmitter does not connect to the receiver and is not detected by the firmware update program. The device does not work and the computer does not see it. Have you ever had this situation? You've talked to technical support, haven't you?
have you sorted out your issue? im sorry i cant be of more help but i didn't end up updating the firmware so I did not run into the issue that you are describing
@@Gamad.mp4 ua-cam.com/video/LIANGFM2gZY/v-deo.html. turn on english or other preferred subtitles and this ukrainian dude explains how to upgrade the firmware and re-establish comms between the TX and RX's
Thank you for the detailed review of this system. It helped me figure out why the recording on the transmitter was turned off. I couldn't find out about this anywhere. I haven't tried desynchronization, but the sound is quietly recorded into the internal memory, I have to turn up the volume a lot at the post. Everything is also correct about high-frequency interference, if the base is next to the recorder on the camera, there will be background noise. Thank you very much!
glad the video helped. yep its not a mic to bring on a shoot where theres other mics being used. but at home its okay. leave the mics at full volume and lift it by 10db-20db depending where yu placed it and maybe run it through light noise reducton, that makes the audio usable. i dont use these mics at all anymore though
maybe you allready found the solution but if you didn't: ua-cam.com/video/LIANGFM2gZY/v-deo.html
Very good and clear explaination
i have a problem with this mic, when i connect a 3.5mm lav mic to the TX the audio still comes from the TX built in mic instead of the connected lav mic.
email ulanzi. your unit is definitely faulty. have you tried plugging in other mics?
the Boya M1 Pro II lavalier mic is definetely worth a try.....(better condensor)
Does this work with the insta 360 x3
im not too sure, i dont own any insta360 cameras, only action cam i have is a dji action 2
When you tested it with the lastest firmware, did it fix all your issues and do you still recommend it.
havent tried it yet with the new firmware. i was in hospital a couple weeks ago so im still recovering. when i eventually update it, ill test it and get back to you
Hi mate. Good that you tried to highlight the internal recording issue. Thanks. But I can't help but notice that you mentioned in the comments below, you do not intend to use the ulanzi as a wireless mic. But then why buy the Ulanzi then? The Zoom does a much better job. Just curious
it was because of the small form factor - zoom sounds a lot better but this mic is easy to hide in the frame.
Hi, thanks for your vid and I've use Ulanzi AM 18 for 2 month to record many meeting and no problem > Maybe it's your version that have problem but don't know if you can ask for change.
Is it possible to charge a phone with a connected receiver using a type C wire?
It’s works the other way around, if you connect the receiver whit the phone (iPhone 15 usbc) it will charge the receiver with the phone power, and the iPhone will receive the audio from the microphones. If you connect the transmitter with your phone with the usbc, it will charge the receiver body pack. Hope this helps.
Hi! Just got this mic this morning. Is it normal To have a hissing sound when recording audio ?
It's not normal. What camera are you using and are you using a lav mic?
Excellent work. Btw. What FPS we are talking about when 4 frames disappear from internally recorded audio? And does this mean that the audio is delayed by those 4 frames every 30 minutes, so after say 2 hours we have 4 x 4 = 16 frames lost?
I don't know does it give any help but you can update the trasmitter firmware. The link is available on the Ulanzi AM18 web page.
I've filmed at 24fps and 60. Both has similar results. And how you worded the frame drops is correct. You lose those frames of audio. Might not be a big deal to some, but a big deal to others.
That case when you ordered a microphone and read reviews from people who say that this is a bad microphone...
Data transfer is very slow 😤
How'd the mic end up being in your opinion?
Its the worst speeds I've experienced transferring files. But hey, at least the files always saves. Unlike the dji mic which sometimes just doesn't save.
Thank you for bringing this up. I am pretty disappointed to hear that the internal recording doesn't allow the safety track... And indeed that 30 minute problem is... a problem, but it will probably only be in the internal recording and not in the receiver, so if you record with the receiver as well (into the camera or an external recording device) then you're not going to have that issue. The internal recording is a backup then. The problem is also there on the rode wireless pro, where it cuts to a new file every 60 minutes. It looses a frame or two then as well, but not 4...
I don't use it as wireless mics but you are definitely right. Thanks for the information on the rode. That's definitely a good thing compared to the umic. I think all these recorders have to split the files or else they will run into drift issues which only timecode can solve. I hope to have some extra funds soon and then I'll try the dji mic 2 and see how it performs. Did intense testing on the uwmic and it held up really really well. Currently in the process of 3d printing something to fix an issue I found with. Hopefully I get some time to recoed a video on it.
@@Gamad.mp4Dji mic 2 have same problem with drop frames
Just subscribed...I really like the honest review, plus your style of lighting is really good (in my opinion) and budget products are what I'm into!
Thank you for bringing this information, especially as popular as this mic is. You have a very sexy voice. Very smooth. Go with it! (And incidentally, I’m looking for voice over artists for films and short films. Just saying!).
Thanks for bringing this to attention.
Though this is an oversight, the latest firmware is supposed to have fixed this, but I'd also like to give my 2 cents: This mic is not really meant to be used as a standalone recorder (there are many better options for that), but instead, the receiver is usually plugged into the camera and the audio is recorded right there in the video. I think of the onboard recording function more of like a safety backup, if something interferes with the transmission of the wireless signal or the recording settings on the camera are wrong. It's also much easier to deal with the audio, if its already embedded in the video files... ;)
I totally get that. But standalone recorders with internal mics at a small form factor is quite a small market. Instamic pro plus makes one but it's way too much to get it to South Africa (where I'm from). DJI mic 2 just released though so I'm actually keen to see if they fixed the issues of the dji mic 1. I recently been using the uwmic. It's literally better than the umic. The biggest issue I've found with the umic is it causes noise to EVERY other mic that's close to it. Like a small buzzing noise. But I get your point. It's not meant to be used in the way I wanted to use it. But they marketed it in that way. It's fine though as they did refund me. I will try the new firmware and see if anything was fixed.
A safety track usually saves at minus 6db or some kinda pad, does this one? I just bought it specifically bc it has the safety track and 3.5mm input on the receivers, and my Lark M1 does not. I’m excited to use one transmitter on my person, and the other on my boom mic.
@@dymonmein it does have safety track when using it as a wireless mic thats correct - just note that the safety DB wont translate into the internal recording as it records mono internally. although, note that the mics are still relatively soft even at the max set DB. defintely still usable though
Fixed with latest firmware version.
Where can I get the firmware?
I tried to google the FW for the mic but didn't find anything useful. Could you please provide the link to it? Thanks!
I found it. It's on ulanzis website at the umic product description. Just scroll to the bottom. Haven't tested it yet though and doesn't mention any fixes besides a noise reduction fix. If you test, let me know if anything is fixed.
@@Gamad.mp4Thanks a lot! I just found it under Specification section, marked with red letters. Now I feel safe to buy the mic :)
How does this compare to Fulaim
Fulaim has better sound quality on the low end and doesn't cause noise to other mics close to it. Fulaim is also better at attaching to talent due to being smaller. Ulanzi is better as it doesn't audio drift internal recording.
i have same problem and the files are very difficult to copy, maximum 2mbs
Yes the transfer speeds are atrocious. It's the worst I've come across from every mic I've tried.
@@Gamad.mp4 ua-cam.com/users/shortsd4FETOoBnXo?si=y1f4sKvNV2Gd3Wp1
@@florentingavrila2782 Is this with the included cable or even with a high speed cable?
You're right. The evidence is there. Great video. I was going to buy this mic, but now I'm having second thoughts.
To be honest If you don't have any other mic at all its a good buy. But if you own any other mic, you'll be disappointed. I quite hate that it does not have magnets to attach to a shirt. I never thought I would miss that feature but i do. These mics just lay in my camera bag now as a last resort solution for audio. I bought the uwmic. Busy testing that at the moment and its already a lot better than the umic as it doesn't make other mics close to it buzz.
So, what can i say. At first, LIKE. At second, SUPERB OBSREVATIONS.
Hey thanks a lot for the kind words I really appreciate it.
may i know how to get the on board recording file into your pc. what software you use
You don't need software to transfer the files onto your pc. Just use the included USB type c cable and transfer it over.
For editing I use Adobe premiere.
I got mine today and tested your last problem straight away and found that it worked without any problems for me and the microphone continued to record after I opened the case. I tested both mics, both continue to record
Good to know. Ulanzi has really good customer support. I would not be surprised if they are trying to fix the issues I've mentioned.
Great, so he just got a bad unit. I'm also planning to buy 1 as my 1st mic
Запись выключается только один раз после включения передатчика. Если его не включать-выключать, то все нормально, запись при открывании крышки не выключается. Если один раз это произошло, и база вне кейса или в кейсе, можно открывать и закрывать крышку много раз, все нормально. Мне кажется, это грубая ошибка прошивки. Выключение записи по каким-то непонятным причинам не должно происходить, это сасая главна функция.
Запись выключается только один раз после включения передатчика. Если его не включать-выключать, то все нормально, запись при открывании крышки не выключается. Если один раз это произошло, и база вне кейса или в кейсе, можно открывать и закрывать крышку много раз, все нормально. Мне кажется, это грубая ошибка прошивки. Выключение записи по каким-то непонятным причинам не должно происходить, это сасая главна функция.
Good video for your first one. Thank you for testing this to that length and finding these problems. You've just given me things to watch out for while recording on my U-Mic.
Hey thanks for the kind words. Hopefully some of these issues gets fixed with a firmware update
Many thanks for this video. It's really helpful. One more question. How long can it record to internal memory of transmitter before drain the battery?
I haven't tested this but I'm pretty positive the transmittor would run out of battery life before the internal storage fills up.
Hi. Does Ulanzi say they will be able to sort these problems out?
I'm not sure. I noticed on the receiver there is a way to add firmware to the TX/RX. Whether they will fix it, only time will tell. They have refunded me a day after I made this video.
@@Gamad.mp4did they ask for the mic to be returned.
Great video! Between the Fulaim X5 and the Ulanzi wich would you choose?
Hey thanks man! For pure sound quality i would take the fulaim x5 as it sounds better when clipped to your shirt and sounds less tinny. it also can be attached to shirts via magnets which is really easy to use. but its internal recording is basically unusable as it audio drifts every 2 minutes or so. if you going to use the internal recording i would take the ulanzi. its very cheap for what you get. if you film with your phone though I would take the ulanzi uw-mic. it actually sounds better than both and doesn't have internal recording issues. but its limited to phones only. Hope I answered you
@@Gamad.mp4Do you happen to know the bitrate the uw-mic records internally to? I saw the AM18 and fulaim style ones only record to 16bit, but I think 24bit should probably be the minimum
@@SomethingAzn it's unfortunately 16bit as well.