Music, Sound, and Audio Technology
Lav It Up: Effectively Mic Up Your Talent
By Staff
posted Dec 1, 2009, 08:22
The first challenge in using a lav mic is getting your talent wired up. Since concealment is key in wiring up a lav mic, it�s important you know what your talent is comfortable letting you do...
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Lav
It Up!
Effectively Mic Up Your Talent
by Bryant Falk
Since the early 60�s, the lavalier microphone has been used to
capture audio. Its concept allowed the audio engineer to get the
cleanest voice recording by getting the mic closer to the source.
Some problems we get from doing this include clothing shuffle,
muffled sound, microphones falling off, hand smacks, and many
other issues.
(Pictured) Common placement of lav mic. Fabric sitting on
top will need to be stabilized as well.
The first challenge in using a lav mic is getting your talent
wired up. Since concealment is key in wiring up a lav mic, it�s
important you know what your talent is comfortable letting you
do. I usually explain in a very diplomatic tone that the cable
needs to be run on the inside of the shirt. Usually the talent
will quickly run the cable up and through, then allowing you to
clip the mic on top and the pack, (if it�s wireless) on the bottom.
Some other options include taping the wire inside of a jacket,
or if need be, to the talent directly.
(Pictured) Adding a loop to the cable reduces mic noise.
Checklist for your lav mic travel pack:
(1) Lav Mic
(2) Batteries (for wireless rigs)
(3) Gaffers Tape
(4) Double Tape/Stick (sticky on both sides)
(5) Mini Pop Filter (like the hush lav)
(6) Vampire Clip, Turtle Clip (mic cage), Leather
Strap
(7) Pre-Tape (Medical Tape)
(8) No Tape Glue (used for fake beards and other
facial hair)
(Pictured) Called a �Hush Lav,� this device reduces cloth
from rubbing on the mic capsule.
Okay, got all the stuff? Good, now let�s get some basic rules
in place, so we understand why we have what we have.
(Pictured) One of the first Lav mics ever used. Try hiding
that!!
Rule 1. The lav mic needs to be hidden. (Sometimes
in plain sight works; most times it doesn’t.)
Rule 2. The top or capsule area must be free
of anything rubbing on it.
Rule 3. The cable must be taped down to prevent
unwanted noise.
Rule 4. Make sure Rule 2 is being obeyed!
Using our double-sided tape and other glue material, we are basically
creating a �pocket� or a �bubble� for the lav mic capsule to sit
while getting it as centered and close to our talent�s mouth as
possible. Richard Topham from Pro Sound Services was nice enough
to demonstrate the many lav mic techniques you can use to get
your lav effectively recording dialogue with minimal fabric and
wind noise. One key focus is to get any fabric on the mic taped
or glued down, so it does not rub the mic when talent moves. For
example, after taping a lav mic to the actor�s sternum (chest
area), it�s a good idea to add doublesided tape on either side
of the mic and lightly stick the fabric of the shirt down. This
will keep the fabric in that one area from moving back and forth.
There are a variety of techniques not
included here, but follow the photos to see
how you can effectively mic up your talent.
Notice Yael (Yael Epstein) is wearing many
different types of tops. This illustrates how
to tackle the different challenges posed
by each kind of shirt. Another option to
note is the smallest of these mics (called
the countryman) has many color options
to allow you to further disguise what little
part of the mic might actually be showing. A
little mic can go a long way to getting great
sound!
Photos by the author.
This article may not be reprinted in print
or internet publications without express permission of StudentFilmmakers.com.
Photos may not be copied or reproduced.
Check out this article in the May 2008 print
edition of StudentFilmmakers magazine, page 26.
More photos included in the print edition. Click here to get a copy of the May 2008 Edition,
so you can read and enjoy all of the excellent articles inside.
About the Author:
Bryant
Falk has been a producer and engineer for over 12 years working
with such clients as The Ricki Lake Show, Coca-Cola, Sports Illustrated,
Valley National Bank, and MTV�s The Shop. His company Abacus Audio
(www.abacusaudio.com)
handles many aspects of the audio production field from creative
and production to mixing and final output.
Resources:
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