The Ulanzi U-Mic has an Internal Recording Problem

Welcome to my first KZbin 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

[@P9appleAirsoft]

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.

[@GamadReviews]

Hey thanks for the kind words. Hopefully some of these issues gets fixed with a firmware update

[@mainfisch]

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

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@mikhail823]

Great, so he just got a bad unit. I'm also planning to buy 1 as my 1st mic

[@silverlightphotoco]

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!

[@KieranMcCarthy]

Thanks for bringing this to attention.

[@lovefirst6157]

When you tested it with the lastest firmware, did it fix all your issues and do you still recommend it.

[@btrue2day]

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

[@TheCruisinCrew]

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... ;)

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@dymonmein]

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.

[@GamadReviews]

@@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

[@2abo4]

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?

[@GamadReviews]

I haven't tested this but I'm pretty positive the transmittor would run out of battery life before the internal storage fills up.

[@snapdiscgolf]

You're right. The evidence is there. Great video. I was going to buy this mic, but now I'm having second thoughts.

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole]

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!).

[@danielrabemazava3220]

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.

[@roskapostit2609]

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?

[@roskapostit2609]

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.

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@GerardoHermosillo]

Great video! Between the Fulaim X5 and the Ulanzi wich would you choose?

[@GamadReviews]

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

[@SomethingAzn]

@@GamadReviewsDo 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

[@GamadReviews]

@@SomethingAzn it's unfortunately 16bit as well.

[@JeanLoyens]

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...

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@Bupycnet]

@@GamadReviewsDji mic 2 have same problem with drop frames

[@craigjoe8691]

Fixed with latest firmware version.

[@GamadReviews]

Where can I get the firmware?

[@user-vc8xy8cp7k]

I tried to google the FW for the mic but didn't find anything useful. Could you please provide the link to it? Thanks!

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@user-vc8xy8cp7k]

@@GamadReviewsThanks a lot! I just found it under Specification section, marked with red letters. Now I feel safe to buy the mic :)

[@kaistudio8229]

may i know how to get the on board recording file into your pc. what software you use

[@GamadReviews]

You don't need software to transfer the files onto your pc. Just use the included USB type c cable and transfer it over.

[@GamadReviews]

For editing I use Adobe premiere.

[@xTAK3ITEASY]

Hi! Just got this mic this morning. Is it normal To have a hissing sound when recording audio ?

[@GamadReviews]

It's not normal. What camera are you using and are you using a lav mic?

[@TURBINSKIY]

So, what can i say. At first, LIKE. At second, SUPERB OBSREVATIONS.

[@GamadReviews]

Hey thanks a lot for the kind words I really appreciate it.

[@CliveTrezona]

Hi. Does Ulanzi say they will be able to sort these problems out?

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@ryanwilkins3206]

@@GamadReviewsdid they ask for the mic to be returned.

[@IngVision]

That case when you ordered a microphone and read reviews from people who say that this is a bad microphone...

[@Disuatuhariyangnormal]

Data transfer is very slow 😤

[@GamadReviews]

How'd the mic end up being in your opinion?

[@GamadReviews]

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.

[@user-li8hl1vr1x]

Is it possible to charge a phone with a connected receiver using a type C wire?

[@sahidcervantes5267]

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.

[@florentingavrila2782]

i have same problem and the files are very difficult to copy, maximum 2mbs

[@GamadReviews]

Yes the transfer speeds are atrocious. It's the worst I've come across from every mic I've tried.

[@florentingavrila2782]

@@GamadReviews kzbin.infod4FETOoBnXo?si=y1f4sKvNV2Gd3Wp1

[@SomethingAzn]

@@florentingavrila2782 Is this with the included cable or even with a high speed cable?

[@SoleLiFlicks]

How does this compare to Fulaim

[@GamadReviews]

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.