Excerpt from LocationAudioSimplified - Chapter 7: Lavaliere Microphones
EXPOSED LAVALIERE TECHNIQUE
When you expose a lavaliere you must use the wind sock! I know it can be a little
unsightly, but lavalieres have no wind protection at all and it takes a very small puff of
air to distort the diaphragm of the mic. If you’re thinking you can go sockless indoors,
think again. It will take only one actor that’s a nose breather to change your mind.
NEWS STYLE; TIE CLIP
Figure 7.6
I use the news style micing technique just about every time I expose a mic on the chest
area of talent. It can be used on ties, button shirts, and zipper or button jackets. The
technique and placement is the same - news style loop with a wind sock and placed as
close to the centre of the chest as possible.
1. Choose the tie clip from the case. See figure 7.6.
2. Place the mic in the clip with the capsule facing out. See figure 7.7.
Figure 7.7
3. Put the wind sock on. See figure 7.8.
4. Feed the cable through the clip. You’ll have to squeeze the clip to
open the jaws. Make a 1” loop with the cable under the clip. It’s
important to have a nice symmetrical loop. Not too big, and not
too small. See figure 7.9.
5. Unzip or unbutton the talents shirt in the area you are attaching
the tie clip so that you are able to work more efficiently. This
does not mean you unbutton the whole shirt or blouse. One or
two buttons will suffice. With a coat or jacket, open it up all the
way if it’s appropriate.
Figure 7.8
7. Feed the excess cable through the talents clothing and out the
bottom of the jacket or shirt. Never leave the cable exposed
down the front of the clothing. See figure 7.10.
8. Attach the clip with the cable still in the jaws at approximately
bottom of the sternum height.
9. Snug the clip to the edge of the tie or clothing. See figure 7.11.
Figure 7.9
10. Flip the tie or clothing flap back and make a second loop by
running the cable back through the jaws of the clip. Have the
jaws grip the cable. This acts as a strain relief to prevent
damaging the mic from a sudden tug. See figure 7.12.
11. Button up the shirt or blouse and make one last adjustment to
the visual appearance of the mic and clothing. The mic should
be straight with a nice symmetrical loop and the clothing should
look like you were never there. This final adjustment is very
important. Take the time to step back and make sure it looks
Figure 7.10
good. See figure 7.13.
12. Connect the lavaliere to your system.
If you are using a hardwired lavaliere, clip the power supply to the
talent's belt,
top edge of pants or skirt, or back pocket. See figure
7.14. Run the cable (still
under the clothes) around the talent's body. Coil up the excess cable (make sure to
leave slack for movement)
and tuck it into the top of the talent's pants or skirt. See
figure 7.15. Connect a 25’ XLR cable to the power supply, and attach that to your
mixer.
Figure 7.11
If you are using a wireless system, the most common place to
attach the transmitter is the top edge of the talent’s pants or
skirt at the small of their back. See figure 7.16. The transmitter
will have a clip to make it easy. Run the cable (still under the
clothes) around the talent’s body. Coil up the excess cable
(make sure to leave slack for movement) and tuck it into the top
of the talents pants or skirt. See figure 7.15
See Chapter 8 (RF Signal and Transmitter Calibration) to insure
correct operation.
Figure 7.12
Figure 7.13
Figure 7.14
Figure 7.15
Excerpt from LocationAudioSimplified - Chapter 8: Lavaliere Microphones
Figure 7.16