Does DJI Avata Record Audio?

Drones manufacturers tend to avoid microphones because the wind and propellers’ noise wouldn’t let us hear anything.

DJI Avata can’t record audio, as it lacks a built-in microphone. Yet, you have some options to record audio with the Avata.

The first option is to mount an external camera that records audio, such as the DJI Action 2 or GoPro Hero 8.

However, you won’t hear anything other than the propellers spinning and the wind. We also don’t advise you to mount these external accessories, as they add extra weight that can make your Avata lose control.

The next best way to record your Avata footage with audio is with your mobile device’s screen recording feature, capturing the Fly app camera view.

There, you can record with audio from your mobile device or a microphone. This will help narrate a tutorial or what the drone is seeing.

And how do you do it?

You are in the right place to find out. Ahead, we’ll teach you how to record video and audio with your Avata and mobile device. And in which scenarios is good to use this trick.

Have you seen the Right Up Our Alley video? A Cinewhoop like the DJI Avata recorded it.

The video and audio matched so perfectly that most of us believed the drone recorded the audio.

However, the editors added the audio after the drone recorded the video.

Mounted camera recording + DJI Avata #

You now know the Avata can’t record audio because it lacks a built-in microphone. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t record audio from another gadget.

You still can record the sound and video simultaneously, eliminating the need for post-editing.

Companies like GoPro make all their cameras as mounting devices and cameras like the GoPro HERO series are lightweight and have built-in microphones. DJI has light-mounting cameras too.

We recommend a DJI Action 2 or GoPro HERO10 Black Bones. These are some of the lighter cameras you can find to install in FPV drones. With these cameras, you can take higher-quality footage.

If you want a no-brainer guide to installing a GoPro on your DJI drone, follow the guide on this link.

» MORE: Can DJI Avata Carry GoPro (Explained)

Be aware of the cons #

DJI designed Avata to fly with 410 grams of weight. DJI also understands people want to install accessories like improved propeller guards or ND filters, so they give us a gap.

The lightest camera for FPV drones adds between 56 to 60 grams. It seems negligible when you compare this value to Avata’s 410 grams, but that extra weight is enough to change how you control it.

The more weight you add to the Avata, the more inertia it has. So the drone will drift more aggressively, and you can lose control of it without notice.

Also, stick commands will respond slowly, so you must be extra aware of the obstacles.

The engines and propellers of the Avata can lift over 410 grams but at a high cost.

Your motors will wear quickly, and you’ll have to replace them earlier. Or you can overheat them fast, as they need to produce more output to keep the Avata flying.

So the more engine output, the more energy the engines require. The battery needs to provide more power. It will have voltage and current peaks that reduce its life expectancy.

From an audio-recording perspective, you always will hear the propeller and wind noise. Your videos will lack quality audio.

When is it helpful to use this audio recording method? #

FPV enthusiasts find it cool to have the propeller and wind noises in their shots.

Have you seen those drifting car cinematics without the engines and drifting noises? Not very exciting. The people who love this activity want to hear the engine accelerating and the tires squealing.

So the best scenario for this method is when you must film with the best quality and to an FPV audience.

Let’s say you want to film a waterfall dive. With a GoPro, you can get the best image quality possible.

FPV enthusiasts will love to watch how you achieved that dive. For them, that buzzing propeller noise is a must in those shots. That noise adds an exciting experience only an FPV lover appreciates.

Mobile device recording + DJI Avata #

The second way is to connect a mobile device to the Goggles 2 via cable. Depending on your device, you should use the USB-C or the OTG cables that came with your Avata

To screen record with a mobile device, ensure the following first:

• Your Avata is fully charged.
• Your DJI Goggles 2 are fully charged.
• Your mobile device is fully charged, and you don’t have any apps running.

Android #

All mid-range and flagship Android devices come with this screen-recording feature. It’s very easy to use, too. Just follow these instructions.

1. Swipe your finger down from the right-top corner of the screen to open the quick settings menu.
2. You should see shortcuts for different actions, such as enabling Bluetooth, airplane mode, and battery saving.
3. To find the screen recording function, you might need to swipe your finger down again to access the other shortcuts.
4. Hold down the screen recording function, which has a video camera icon.
5. A window pop ups with the screen recorder settings. Here, you can adjust settings like the recording resolution, orientation, and sound source.
6. Select the settings of your preference.
7. Pay special attention to the sound source, as it has the mobile device sound as default. If you want your voice to be present on the video, tap this option and select microphone.
8. Go back to the quick settings menu and tap the screen recorder icon.
9. Now you should see a widget floating on the screen with a record button.
10. Open the DJI Fly app on your mobile device.
11. Connect the Goggles 2 with your mobile device using the USB-C to USB-C cable you got with your Avata. If your mobile device doesn’t have a USB-C port, connect the cable that came with your mobile device to the OTG cable. The OTG cable USB-C end connects to the Goggles 2.
12. Now, the Fly app should display the camera view from the Goggles 2.
13. Connect some headphones with a microphone or a microphone to your mobile device if you want to record your voice.
14. Tap the screen recorder button on your device to start the recording.

iOS #

For iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, the procedure for recording audio is almost identical to the Android.

The difference is that for iOS devices, this feature regularly comes deactivated. To activate the screen recording on your iOS device:

1. Go to settings and find the control center.
2. On the right side of the screen, you will see icons with plus and minus signs.
3. If the screen recorder has a minus, leave it.
4. If the screen recorder has a plus, press it. That will activate the feature.

Now you can record the Goggles camera view with audio on your iOS device:

• Swipe your finger down from the right-top corner of the screen to open the quick settings menu.
• Hold down the screen recording function.
• A small window will pop up with the microphone deactivated on the button.
• If you want your voice to be present on the video, tap to activate the microphone.
• Go back to the device home screen to open the DJI Fly app.
• Connect the Goggles 2 with your mobile device using the cable with your mobile device to the OTG cable. The OTG cable USB-C end connects to the Goggles 2.
• Now, the Fly app should display the camera view from the Goggles 2.
• Connect some headphones with a microphone or a microphone to your mobile device to record your voice.
• Tap the screen recorder button on the quick settings menu. The screen recorder starts to record three seconds after you press it.
• Press any place on the screen to go back to the Fly app.

The downsides of this audio recording method #

However, this solution has some downsides.

The first one is that the recorded resolution is the Goggle’s resolution.

The maximum screen capture resolution for a mid-range mobile device is 1080p at 30 FPS.

The mobile device recording quality goes up to 1440p at 60FPS for flagships, but the Goggles 2 maximum resolution is 1080p at 60FPS.

So this method won’t work to shoot cinematics with ultra-high definition.

The last downside is that using the Fly app with the screen recording drains your phone fast. We aren’t talking just about battery charge but resources like RAM.

These two apps are RAM-heavy and will need all the mobile phone’s attention, so you should disable other apps and notifications before using this method.

Also, the screen recorder saves everything on your mobile screen. So if any app notification pops up, the recording will display it. That’s another reason to disable all your notifications first.

When is it helpful to use this audio recording method? #

This method to record audio with the DJI Avata lacks the features to take impressive 4K@30 videos with sound. That doesn’t mean it’s not practical.

Let’s say you want to record your Goggles screen with telemetry for a tutorial. Now you can add your voice without a post edition.

Do you want to teach people how to flip or dive with the Avata? And have valuable information to share while reproducing the video? You now have the tools to make it possible.

It’s also helpful when practicing a video recording. While doing some essays on the flight mission, you can narrate what you want to perform and how.

Now you can return to that recording and listen to your voice, remember what you want to do, and make the necessary changes.

The possibilities are endless, depending on how you use them.