GoPro Hero 4 mic cable

Thread Starter

Andreas

Joined Jan 26, 2009
90
Hello AAC community.

Been a while since I've been on here.

I have a Go Pro Hero 4 camera and I want to access the audio port on the side so that I can attach a line input.
GoPro used to sell the OEM cables for this but they seem to be impossible to find apart from a lot of dodgy ones coming out of China that claim to work but don't.
So I figured I should make my own stereo mic cable. And what I really need is a link to a cable that would be suitable as well as a schematic/wiring diagram of the connections that I would need to make from the mini-USB to a 3.5mm stereo TRS audio jack.

Can anyone help me with this?

Many thanks.
Mick,
United Kingdom
 

bassbindevil

Joined Jan 23, 2014
824
It's not a regular mini-USB connector; there's an extra row of contacts at the bottom:
https://community.gopro.com/t5/Came...-for-the-Hero-4-microphone-socket/td-p/262866
This page discusses a USB C to Mini-USB cable from an Aliexpress vendor which also has those extra contacts:
https://macandegg.com/2017/04/usb-3-0-3-1-mini-b-connector-doesnt-exist/
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32696622156.html

Here's an adapter from a trustworthy vendor in China with feedback that suggests it actually works:
https://www.banggood.com/Black-Colo...Wire-for-Gopro-Hero-3-3-Plus-4-p-1107973.html
This interface may also be used by some Canon digicams.
 
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Thread Starter

Andreas

Joined Jan 26, 2009
90
It's not a regular mini-USB connector; there's an extra row of contacts at the bottom:
https://community.gopro.com/t5/Came...-for-the-Hero-4-microphone-socket/td-p/262866
This page discusses a USB C to Mini-USB cable from an Aliexpress vendor which also has those extra contacts:
https://macandegg.com/2017/04/usb-3-0-3-1-mini-b-connector-doesnt-exist/
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32696622156.html

Here's an adapter from a trustworthy vendor in China with feedback that suggests it actually works:
https://www.banggood.com/Black-Colo...Wire-for-Gopro-Hero-3-3-Plus-4-p-1107973.html
This interface may also be used by some Canon digicams.
Thanks so much for all your helpful links. I checked out that Bangood company here in the UK. Truspilot gave them 1.8 stars from 81 reviews with 12% being excellent and 86% rated as Bad. Yes the transaction is only £6.20 so I could risk it but I may try elsewhere first even if I have to make my own cable from parts. So it's the schematic that I need.
BW,
Andreas
 

bassbindevil

Joined Jan 23, 2014
824
You left out one "g" when searching Trustpilot. Banggood.com has a rating of 3.9 and 67% of the nearly 40,000 reviews are "excellent".
I've bought from Banggood for several years and have been satisfied. When something didn't arrive, they refunded my money.
 

Thread Starter

Andreas

Joined Jan 26, 2009
90
No it was Banggood, just a typo in my reply.
I believe the Mini-USB connector is a 10 pin connector, unlike many 5 pin versions out there and hence why a lot of them don't actually work. I'm guessing that Go Pro destroyed all of their audio cables once they released the HERO 5 which uses a different audio adapter altogether. I am struggling to find any DIY information on the web (i.e. schematics, brands, part numbers etc.) but I will continue to search so that I can make my own.
If anyone out there in AAC land has made one before or has any information then I'd love to hear from you.
Best Wishes
 

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bassbindevil

Joined Jan 23, 2014
824
I see. Well, that's only 81 reviews (vs 40,000) and many of those bad reviews are from people with poor reading comprehension skills who didn't understand what they were buying, or didn't consider that returning things to China might cost them an arm and a leg, and also didn't post to the correct Banggood profile.
Searching for 10 pin mini usb found these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001993584082.html
No connector shell, but you could goop them up with hot glue or silicone sealant or epoxy and cover with heatshrink.
 

Thread Starter

Andreas

Joined Jan 26, 2009
90
Thanks for the reply and yes, further to researching this, I did see those on a different site and they look just the ticket. I may consider buying those but for now, I have opted for a 10pin Type A male to mini 10pin USB Type B male cable (from eBay) which I will cut and wire up to a 3.5mm stereo 3-pole socket. I will wire up the L & R mics + GND and then wire a suitably sized resistor (50k to 150k or so) across the ID & GND pins. And hopefully with a bit of luck this should disable the internal microphone and give me a crystal clear input line. I will post back once I have it done and assuming it all works.
 
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