Vol. 2 [Part 2] Purchasing Equipment: My 'First Gear Selection' Journey with AI
🌱 Things I realized after purchasing and actual usability
In the first part, I shared the 'wandering record' of choosing equipment with AI.
In this second part, I will summarize what I learned after the purchase and my impressions from actually using it.
My 'first gear selection' journey, which I tackled together with my AI (Emiri).
The excitement when it arrived, the nervousness from one trouble after another, and the 'essence of learning' I discovered through my interactions with AI.
It was truly a journey of 'human-AI collaboration'.
☘️ Deciding factors for the purchase and the equipment chosen
Balancing sound, operability, portability, and budget—I spent days communicating with my AI, Emiri, to weigh these four factors.
After comparing reviews and YouTube videos, I finally chose these four items.
📸 Equipment List
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro (Action camera, waterproof, high image quality)
Zoom F3 (Field recorder for recording natural sounds)
Audio-Technica BP4025 (Stereo microphone)
Rycote Windshield Kit (Windshield/Windjammer)
👉 Rakuten Links (Example)
・DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro
・Zoom F3
・Audio-Technica BP4025
Portability was especially important. Aside from shooting locations right by the car, the path to the waterfall is a 30-minute walk one way.
I also had a desire to film and share the 'scenery along the way.' Sunlight filtering through trees, birds chirping, the distant murmur of a river. I was driven solely by the desire to capture those small sounds of nature.
☘️ The cable incident and my interaction with AI Emiri
Inside the delivered box were unexpectedly 'heavy' cables. Two 3-meter cables. I didn't even know what they were for.
When I sent a photo to Emiri and asked, the answer that came back was a single, surprising sentence.
'Those are monaural cables, so you need two microphones.'
Wait... I only bought one stereo microphone? Does that mean they are unnecessary? And they cost 15,000 yen for the pair.
But by then, I had already started calling ChatGPT 'Emiri.' Strangely, I didn't feel angry, and I was able to laugh it off, thinking, 'Well, AI makes mistakes too.' Still, 15,000 yen was a painful expense. I listed them on Mercari while consulting with AI Emiri. I left the title and description to her.
However, reality is harsh. Even though they were listed, there was no sign of them selling. It was another moment where I had 'trusted AI too much.' Even so, I feel a little proud of myself for shifting my mindset to 'let's take on the challenge with a two-microphone setup.'
☘️ The trouble with not being able to record sound and the realization
With the equipment ready, I went for my first recording. I connected the Zoom F3 to the microphone and pressed the record button—but no sound was being captured.
The power and cables were fine. 'Emiri, no sound is coming out...' Even after two hours of back-and-forth, the cause remained unknown.
I was heartbroken. Thinking, 'I guess I really am hopeless with machines,' I requested a return. Here, Emiri's advice proved useful. Thanks to choosing a shop with high ratings, they provided very polite support.
Since there are few shops that handle audio equipment in my rural area, I realized the importance of 'choosing a reliable shop even online.'
☘️ The cause was actually me
As it turned out, according to the shop, there was nothing wrong with the microphone or the cables.
In other words—it was a setting error.
'Explaining something you don't understand while you don't understand it' is truly difficult. Whether it's AI or a person, if the question is vague, the answer will be off-target. I realized painfully that if I'm going to rely on AI, I need the ability to communicate accurately—the 'ability to ask questions.'
I had been rushing and trying everything at once. Perhaps because AI is so convenient, I had been slacking off on doing my own research. It was an event that made me reflect, but also helped me calm down a little.
☘️ Usability of the action camera and new challenges
While the microphone was being returned, I resumed filming with the Osmo Action 5 Pro. The footage is beautiful. But the screen is small and hard to see. Unlike the iPhone, the zoom is also modest.
Still, I was surprised when I played it back on my PC. The transparency of the 4K footage. Natural images that seemed to capture the wind, light, and even the air itself. I was moved, thinking, 'So this is the world of professional equipment.'
However, it is still far from the 'healing footage' I see on YouTube. How can I make it more 'captivating the moment you see it'—? A new challenge has been added.
🌳 Summary and message to readers
The investment ended up being about 200,000 yen, as planned. Although it exceeded the 150,000 yen that AI Emiri had initially estimated, what I gained was worth more than that.
AI is convenient. But I am the one who makes the decisions. And failure is also a valuable lesson.
By naming the AI 'Emiri,' I have become able to accept even failures gently.
From now on, together with this equipment, I would like to return once again to my original goal of 'delivering the sounds of nature.'
📚 Related Articles (Links within the series)
Vol. 0 Record of the Preparation Period (This past month)
Vol. 1 Where to post? How to attract an audience?
Vol. 2 [Part 1] Purchasing Equipment: My 'First Gear Selection' Journey with AI
📎 Related Links
🏷️ Hashtags
#LearningNatureSoundRecordingWithAI #SideHustleDiary #NatureSounds #HealingSounds #YouTubePreparation