GoPro Hero 8 Black Media Mod & Light Mod Review

In this video, we are taking a closer look at the newly released Media Mod and Light Mod for the GoPro Hero 8 Black. The media mod has a built-in directional microphone as well as a microphone jack that allows you to easily attach and use your favorite microphone. It also has a built-in HDMI port for those who need it. The mic quality is decent but definitely not a replacement for a good vlogging microphone. Overall a great compact setup for those who want a nice portable vlogging rig. In this review video, we include some audio samples captured on the media mod microphone both front and back, as well as some sample footage using the light mod in a dark location.
Light mod and media mod can be purchased on the GoPro website.
Hero 8 Black (USA) amzn.to/2Mp5Omh
Hero 8 Black (CAN) amzn.to/2OUhEXe
Rode VideoMicro (USA) amzn.to/2rr7F1S
Rode VideoMicro (CAN) amzn.to/2pXOT1K
Rode Wireless Go (USA) amzn.to/3aLrUcC
Rode Wireless Go (CAN) amzn.to/38Pwm8m
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#Hero8Black #MediaMod #LightMod

[@Driverstein]

well the Integrated mic of Hero8 sound better than the media mod....

[@wendigo1011]

YES a 100 times better

[@sipapito]

Mountain Catz Second that.

[@sipapito]

I am feeling like I’m paying 80€ for a 3mm Jack so I can enjoy and add my Rodé mic or the Wireless Go set up. Rip off!!

[@WillyFoxx]

that's exactly what I thought.

[@MeOwOgai]

Agree lol maybe they will fix that in second revision

[@TAJARIBSAUD]

I've been waiting forever to see that On your channel Thank you for the video and the information

[@GrowingUpWithoutBorders]

Great review. Thanks for sharing!

[@piensluc7444]

I am happy with my hero black 7 still using all the old accessoires no need to buy again all the accessoiries..all they must do was to release a hypersmooth upgrade.

[@wissell4287]

Piens Luc same

[@mikecalton1978]

Thank you so much for your videos! I love your channel and watch all the time! Thanks again

[@BudnMarysMarina]

Thank you, great review. Have mine ordered will be nice to get rid of the big metal cage and not need the mic adapter any longer. I definitely need the external mic with dead cat for my fishing channel it's always windy.

[@DisneyMarkUK]

Thanks for the great reviews

[@DroDem1]

Wow. Thanks for more idea and tutorial. Keep it up 👍

[@lefturn99]

Thanks for the review. Wish you had compared the light to the Lume Cube.

[@fishin2themax245]

Excellent demonstration and review 😄👍💪🏻

[@TheSunnySideofCoffee]

Thank you for this unboxing review! It was very helpful. I am still considering if I should get the media mod or not...

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Ugh! Disappointed about how terrible those mics sound. I was so hopeful! Guess I’m keeping the Ulanzi case & Videomicro combinaive been using.

[@TeamGaymerTV]

They are TERRIBLE!

[@sipapito]

Team Gaymer TV Second that.

[@8Junio76]

Third that

[@TheFaheemrazak]

Fourth that

[@NoahThomas29]

That audio is extremely disappointing coming out of the media mod. I was expecting better, especially for $80! I guess it would be best just to use it as a frame and attach a better mic. At least that horrible dongle is gone!

[@ThorenTravels]

Someone opened the media mod. It has unused mounting holes from what looks like a previous design. The microphones inside are instead two identical mono microphones of extremely cheap build. Looks like they cheaped out on us to save a few bucks.

[@ThorenTravels]

@@BarHarborMoOse Not me. I am done with them unless they release an extraordinary product. I'm going to see what the next wave of releases brings us. Hopefully DJI challenges them with a killer action 2.

[@Asshole58]

What would be a good external microphone for motovlogging in a sport touring bike? And full face helmet

[@Iamsmallfry]

Yeah. Now that everyone that’s going to buy the dongle, has. They’ve milked it for all it’s worth. Mow let’s move on the the other thing they have to buy to make it work.

[@TheDailyDeparture]

love your reviews! Thanks :)

[@Daveortiz693]

Great review, thanks!

[@dronyland]

The light was actually more impressive than the media mod. The media mod however could be just a good accessory to have just to be able to use any external microphone. Overall, great review video !

[@MikeLukins]

That thing sucks..Sounds louder but just as muffled/bad as the built in garbage.. Wish GP would license the mic and lense from Sony.. :P

[@TravelTourTaste]

Thanks for sharing this we really had no idea how this worked so thank you for teaching us. Stay safe Love and Light Sarah and Glenn

[@ScissorVixens]

I shoot video for a living and my main camera is a Panasonic GH5. I also travel a lot with my camera gear and have very limited space in my carry-on camera bag. So, I will be using the GoPro 8 as a backup or secondary camera. So for me, the most important feature on the media mod is the HDMI out for use with an external monitor such as my SmallHD or Ninja V. I always record audio using a separate audio recorder with a shotgun mic attached to it so the mic input on the media mod isn't as important unless I use the GoPro 8 as a secondary camera. Then I'll have another shotgun mic mounted on the GoPro media mod and use it's mic input.

[@Ifayemi1991]

I really need to get both of these for my GoPro

[@LifeonOURtime]

Great review. I’d like to see you do an audio test in a medium to strong wind with the Hero 8. A rode micro attached to the audio adaptor for my Hero 7 results in repeating loud clicking interference. I think it’s the adaptor doing it. No issue in low to no wind.

[@josh_rit8045]

1:16 Honestly, I was not expecting you to say that!! Great video though, thanks for sharing!

[@sharetravel-rj6425]

Thanks for the great content Shawn

[@adsmel5881]

We were going to get one of these media mods but the difference definitely isn’t worth it for the 149 dollerydoos they are asking for it in straya very disappointing. Best review video of it so far though well done.

[@AzmanIsmail]

Thank you very much for yr review. ♥️♥️.

[@Thoniverse]

nice review brother. keeping this up for gopro 8 soon!

[@DaBudaa1]

Thanks for the video, I have a Hero 8 as my first GoPro that I used whenever I ride my motorcycle. Im definitely going to buy the media mod. The one thing that I noticed about my GoPro is that it's horrible at low-light, even with help of my motorcycles headlights, and that it does not recharge while taking videos.

[@muhammadabdullah03]

I use the new gopro hero 8 black, it solved a problem with the media and light mods( I can now record excellent footage during the night with my motorcycle). I also have a sena so I can listen to the GPS instructions. Plus I use my sat nav incase of my phone dies. I also use powerbanks to keep everything charged( gopro, phone, sat nav and sena).

[@groversings]

Is it me or does the regular mic audio sounds fine? Btw, I really like your reviews! Keep up the great work!

[@CustomAddics]

such an amazing camera

[@alexbarnes5626]

Very good Mate, thanks.

[@Ziontastic]

now this is how you do a review haha. i tried to review my media mod and still learning from your reviews!

[@docrio4014]

So disappointed with the shotgun mic on the media mod considering that it’s a whopping $80 accessory. I guess it’s not worth it. Good job on the review though, thank you.

[@sipapito]

Doc Rio I second that was really excited but I just watched Rainmakers review and this is a total disappointment,greetings from Germany.

[@docrio4014]

Cess Outdoors I know, right? I guess I should settle for the Rode mic instead. Greetings as well from the Philippines!

[@SingaporeUntold]

Doc Rio wow. What a babe

[@ikaikacorpus5827]

Doc Rio so without the media mod, it’s better with raw audio on the GoPro?

[@fireislandmavic5939]

thank you for the heads up

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very nice review

[@wildbillgreen]

You convinced me, I just ordered it. Too much wind noise in my last video sent me here.😊

[@AirPhotography]

Hope you like it!

[@TommyKinsey1972]

Thanks for the review. GoPro site here in the US still shows preorder with no ship date

[@fishycomics]

today there was a shot, could not be missed, by the time I now set up, andtear down I might as well just use a real point-n-shoot.

[@TRAVELTIMESINDIA]

Good and crisp 👌

[@popothebird]

love ur videos

[@stevocanuck]

Yeah i'm sticking with my 7 thanks.

[@biggooseadventures]

Great video , quick question....both mics are not always on? You have manly switch between the front and back Mic?

[@Garageaholic]

For the light mod, if you double press the button, it goes into super bright mode, but only for like 30 seconds or something.

[@Garageaholic]

I've also noticed that when using mac computer to download photos, the usb-c seems to only charge, not upload photos, so I must open door, remove gopro and then connect usb-c to that so I can then download photos to the mac

[@NITINCHAWLA]

Well the shotgun mic isnt a massive improvement.... Over tge gopro mivs... Maybe just slight... But would u say that a gopro is good for travel vlogging overall? Love the hojest reviews btw

[@14Mew]

I'm not sure if you were aware, but GoPro partnered with litra for the technology behind the light mod. The diffusion plastic covering the LEDs is the same as the litra torch, it also says powered by litra on the bottom of the light

[@longboardluv2]

the media mod mic does not sound good at all compared to the rode! damn, i was so hopeful for this unit!

[@GasGuzzlers]

Just got the media mod for my channel- the only thing im after is that 3.5 jack, at least it is all one nice package you know will work.

[@Mevi]

The Hero 7 and audio adapter has broken audio sync when powering from usb-c while recording with Hypersmooth on. Does this adapter also have the same issues?

[@devicefuliostutorials]

Nice walk through. Thanks. It would have been nice for you to test out the HDMI out. That looks like a mini HDMI to HDMI, yes ?

[@ANONYMOUSBIKERUSA]

Well done. I have the mod as well. It’s a tad disappointing as I don’t hear a huge difference in sound/audio quality from the standard camera mic. However, I’m hoping it’s better in busy settings when used.

[@aidiamran]

Thank you .

[@TheMangoCouple]

I think rode video micro with go pro 8 will be great. Crisp audio quality

[@tommygunrunner4656]

Please review the live monitoring ability of the media mod. The hdmi out port is important for a lot of users mainly looking for quality of live monitoring output, latency time, and simultaneous monitoring/ recording ability.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Now I'm interested in buying the hero 8 black

[@itsjustjonnoh]

Nothing a little compression and EQ can't fix. Thanks for the upload.

[@JOEZEP54]

I am new to GoPro just bought my first Hero 8. Your channel has a lot of i information. I $ubscribed last week. Seems like the price of the camera is only the beginning LOL. I am still having some issues using the functions. One that may be very simple is the view screen keeps going off, so I am not sure if it is still videoing. I know it has to be on a time setting but I still have to find it. Stay well, Joe Z

[@VOGoalie]

Thoughts on a firmware update for an additional Stereo setting where you could set the 3.5mm input to one channel and one of the built in mics to the other?

[@tjabbie]

VOGoalie hoping on that too

[@spike17spiegel]

That’s nice but 80 seems a bit too much, specially with the build quality and the mic itself. I feel like this might get discounted fairly quick.

[@ive595]

Great review despite my negative comments about the media mod

[@fredrikwardhoff]

I think I’ll go with the GoPro without the shotgun mike but maaan, that little light is just one click away.. Liked it. //freddie

[@CHEFPKR]

I pair mine with the Rode Wireless Go set up and its pretty great. What I can't figure out is if I can use my Media Mod + GoPro as a webcam...I cant seem to get the HDMI out to work

[@TravelerTravis]

CHEFPK How is the volume level with the Rose Wireless Go and its built in mic? What gain setting do you use on the Rode (Low, Medium or High)? Is there a mic gain/input level setting on the Hero when using the external mic?

[@CHEFPKR]

@@TravelerTravis I keep my rode mic at Low for all purposes so I can adjust it in post. I tend to peak sometimes so I keep it there. I also use the "Powered Mic" option on the Gopro with media mod. It's the only one I have found to work well with it. Basically anything with a battery on the mic should get that option. There is a "Powered Mic+" option on the gopro that's adds 20db, but it's easier to adjust the gain on the mic. It's pretty Freaking awesome so far. However, lighting is my key issue. Hoping to fix that soon. I have a video coming out on Tuesday that utilizes the entire set up if you want to see how it is

[@TravelerTravis]

CHEFPK Great, thanks! I have the Rode Wireless Go that I’ve been using with my iPhone but I’m looking to get the GoPro and wanted to make sure it would work well with it.

[@nikhilraj418]

The light did surprisingly good job compared to it's size

[@HVACGUY]

I like the set up, and ability to add other options. But what about all the times it freezes with a red light, or just won’t do anything, causing you to pull the battery out and reset it. It’s already a hassle. It would be maddening, with all that on it.

[@turnerstechtalk7737]

Any idea how the Polar Pro ND filters will work with this? I'm guessing they won't? I'll be using my Smallrig setup instead of this. Much more flexible since I can use a normal ND filter and whatever light and microphone I want.

[@hayabusaTravels]

Hello! Does the media port support running the camera of a power bank? Thank you!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good video

[@pat5431]

I’ve been doing some research and I’ve chosen the new GoPro Hero 8 SmallRig cage with the old GoPro 3.5mm adapter clamped on to the side. The SmallRig cage gives you a 52mm filter thread in front of the lens to add filters, like ND filters. I don’t know how I would use ND filters on this new GoPro media mod case. I need NDs for sure. I could post my setup once it’s ready.

[@garahephtv4162]

Nice video.

[@thegangstagentle]

I am happy that I am not the only one who dislikes the shotgun microphone! And actually I like the built in the most

[@beckinbinderin]

Good lord! The front mic, on the Media mod is awful.

[@monumentsNmelodies]

Thanks for this. What kind of external camera would you recommend for recording drums?

[@Ibrarmughaleverything]

hello i recently purchased media mod for my hero 8 black i use only one time next day i on the camera media mod not detecting audio input n/a i install new firmware manually 2.50 but still not detecting plz help me i live in pakistan and my cousin in Canada he buy for me and sent me i don't have any options to return it reply plzz waiting....

[@FT099]

You have to turn the camera on first using the power button, then start recording. You cannot use the record button directly to start recording if you want to use an external mic. This issue is also present if you use the mic adapter. Must turn camera on first before recording.

[@abdallahzeid2966]

Awesome

[@outdoorinfluencer]

I need this I have two new 8s I am getting that

[@RushiiCreativeMantra]

very nice

[@dkeberhard]

The media mod makes you sound like you have a cold and are recording in a room without sound dampening (a bit of echo). Really not worth $80 unless you plan on getting the light and/or screen. The older microphone adapter for external mics is much less expensive and there are really good cases (like Ulanzi) that don't add too much bulk.

Do you have any idea for having this module over some rain? How waterproof is it when it is raining? Because when motovloging here, sometimes we have to deal with heavy rain. I'll appreciate any hints, thanks.

[@scottyknows]

Did you do any post audio cleanup? I'm getting a ton of white noise with and without the media mod.

[@toppymoo6]

That's very good review , Thank you

[@JakeSloan]

Interesting. I'm glad I didn't purchase the media mod though. I don't see it as worth it

[@anthonywall1228]

I have two 8s both with the media mod and light, I'm very happy with them. They get the job that I need them to do done.

[@lakeshow8102]

Ok they need to make that mod for the hero 7. This ain’t fair.

[@inmy30s]

media mod for its size and compactness really does a good enough job

[@MaximusMJG]

Mine will ship one of these days

[@nenitohx]

Yo quiero saber si al instalarle todos esos accesorios. Va aser resistente al agua o ya no podra entrar al agua????

[@Ryanhothersall]

Thanks to alerting me about a firmware update. The media mod isn't something I would use though.

[@albertoleon4754]

I hope they come out with a battery mode for extra battery life Luke insta 360 r

[@CueTheFun]

is the go pro hero door easy to snap on and off? I noticed you said you had to remove the door to use the mod. Thanks!

[@ChoozeOneOfficial]

Can u use that for hero 5? It will work?

[@maryetdave]

Sounds muffled with the mod, lets hear some wind test.

[@ricklawrencesantos4258]

Cutest baby hands ever!

[@Jesse.135]

That’s rude get lost hater

[@blazingcipher]

Does it comes with a gopro or just the media mode case

[@JasonGolf]

Woulda been nice to see the light compared the the same settings w diffuser on and compared to lume cube.

[@EuropaWill]

Yes and how it improves video quality being shot out of the Hero 8 in normal room lighting vs adding the light mod.

[@FT099]

Hey, i know you've moved onto the newer cameras, but I have a question about the Hero 8 that I was hoping you could answer. Did you ever find an ND Filter kit that works with the Hero 8 Media Mod? I have 2 cameras and one of them I need to use with the Media Mod installed. I want to add a swappable ND Filter kit (as opposed to a tint sticker on the lens) and have had no luck tracking down such a Kit.

[@dunn-do]

How’s the battery life with the media mod? I was planning on buying the media instead of an adaptor for my motorcycle vlog. And since I don’t have a method of charging on I’m just wondering how long it last with the media mod last.

[@theBullringLive]

Is this the only way to add hdmi? I would like to use this as an extra cam for live streaming. Wifi too much lag for what I'm doing

[@9gagerofl]

It is what it is, and im STILL buying it. the cold shoe mounts, HDMI, USBC, and 3.5 all available and easily accessible on the gopro media mod clearly outweigh its bad shotgun Mich. In the end, those serious about their audio will continue to use an external Mich.... like we do for practically EVERY...CAMERA.... this is nothing new to us, but the media mod does simplify the process in which we use those external Mich's.

[@BankyLi]

thanks for upload video. i'll keep using hero 7 lol.

[@andreiter]

Hi. Which microphones are on for the 'stereo' mode?

[@thestonegateroadrunner7305]

What line in setting should you use for a Lavalier micro?