Wind noise
Also known as: wind rumble, wind buffeting, mic wind noise
The low rumble and crackle a microphone records when moving air hits it, the most common audio problem on action cameras at speed.
Updated
What it means
Wind noise is not the sound of wind in trees. It is turbulence hitting the microphone capsule directly, which the mic records as a deep, booming rumble with crackles on top. At speed, on a bike, skis or a boat, it can drown out every other sound in the clip.
Action cameras are especially exposed because their tiny microphones sit flush with the body, with almost no protection. Many models include a wind reduction setting that filters low frequencies or switches between several built-in mics, but no software can fully recover a voice buried under heavy buffeting. The real fix is physical: a windscreen or an external microphone placed out of the airflow.
How it works in practice
Turn on the camera's wind reduction mode when riding at speed. It trades some low-end detail for a cleaner track, which suits engines and voices.
Mount position matters. A camera on a chest mount behind a jacket collar or on the back of a helmet catches less direct wind than one sticking out in front. For voice, a lavalier mic under clothing is the most reliable option.
In post, a high-pass filter around 80-120 Hz removes much of the rumble, and dedicated noise reduction tools can tame the rest. Check the result on headphones, since filtering too hard makes voices thin and metallic.
What to watch out for
Waterproof housings and frames change the sound. A closed housing blocks wind but also muffles everything else; an open frame lets you hear more but lets wind in.
Wind reduction is not magic. In strong buffeting, the track is still mostly noise, so plan to replace it with music or use ducking to keep it low under the soundtrack.
Loud wind can also cause clipping, where peaks exceed the recording level and distort permanently. Clipped wind cannot be cleaned, only cut or muted. Lower the gain or record a safety track when you expect strong gusts.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip highlights come with music included, with cuts synced to the beat, so wind-filled camera audio is not what carries the video. If you plan to use spoken parts elsewhere, protect the microphone while filming.