Whether you’re a freelance journalist, interviewer, director, or vlogger, a lavalier mic (also known as a lapel mic) can be a powerful tool in the right situation. In this guide we’ll explore what lavalier mics are, how they work, the different types, as well as some recommendations and tips on how to use them effectively.
What Is a Lavalier Mic?
A lavalier mic is a small clip-on mic that is meant to be attached to clothing, typically around the collarbone or upper chest area. They're designed to capture vocals in proximity and make recording clean audio a breeze, regardless of where your subject is in relation to a camera.
When Should You Use a Lavalier Mic?
Lavier mics are best suited for any kind of video recording involving a speaker who is stationary, such as interviews or presentations. They’re also a lot less conspicuous than hand-held mics (and often more practical than shotgun mics), allowing for a cleaner and more natural presentation from the speaker.
They can work well for movies too, such as during a walk-and-talk scene, but avoid them if you’re shooting an action sequence. Rather than following subjects with a boom mic, well-hidden lavalier mics can be a great for walking dialogue, especially when filming at a distance. That said, at closer distances, lavaliers start to become difficult to hide.
Disadvantages of Lavalier Mics
One major disadvantage of lavalier mics is how sensitive they are to movement and brushing up against clothes. Your recording might end up messy, forcing you to clean up/edit the recording or even dub over certain moments in post-production. This problem can happen often and for this reason, some producers and videographers prefer to have a backup boom or shotgun mic recording at the same time.
Omnidirectional vs. Cardioid (Unidirectional) Lavalier Mics
Omnidirectional Lavalier Mics
As their name suggests, omnidirectional lavalier mics have equal sensitivity to sounds coming from any direction, making them particularly useful for on the on-the-move recording. Omnidirectional mics also pick up sounds from a distance. This gives them an open feel and as a result, recordings sound natural and realistic even with the mic positioned close to the mouth. In virtually all recording scenarios, omnidirectional lav mics will yield superior results to cardioid mics.
Cardioid Lavalier Mics
Cardioid mics have a much more limited field of pickup. They are highly sensitive at the front of the diaphragm, but less sensitive on the sides and blind at the rear. Therefore, compared to omnidirectional mics, there is a higher ratio of close to distant sound. For this reason, cardioid mics tend to sound dryer and less comprehensive as they pick up minimal ambience. A situation that may call for a cardioid mic would be if the speaker is in a high-noise environment that needs to be minimized above all else. Cardioid mics, like the Shure WL185, listed below, also tend to provide high gain-before-feedback, which is useful when used near monitors and speakers.
Wired vs. Wireless Lavalier Mics
Wired Lavalier Mics
Wired lavalier microphones have a few advantages over wireless mics, as well as some obvious disadvantages. First, because their technology is simpler, they tend to be cheaper. Another advantage is that a lot of wired mics don’t require batteries, so they are less likely to die on you in the middle of production. Sound quality also tends to be slightly better since it doesn’t rely on wireless technology, which can often compress sound or sometimes run into interference. But naturally, wired mics limit you in terms of movement and distance from the recording source, so you may not have as much creative freedom as you would with a wireless setup.
Still, if you’re simply looking for a lapel mic to hook up to your phone for close proximity vlogging or Instagram posts, you can get something that’s decent quality and wallet friendly, like Sennheiser's XS Lav USB-C Lapel Mic. With a USB-C termination, you can easily plug it into any compatible iPhone or Android device.
Wireless Lavalier Mics
Wireless lavalier mics are the more popular option since they give you so much more flexibility and mobility than a wired setup. And since digital technology has vastly improved over recent years, sound quality has become better and dropouts less frequent. After you get the hang of the it, wireless setups tend to be easier since you’re not having to run cables every time you change recording locations. Of course, the limited battery life should be a consideration, and if you forget to bring backup batteries, you’re potentially wasting costly production time or losing an interview opportunity.
How Does a Wireless Lavalier Mic Work?
To have a wireless lavalier setup, you’ll need a wireless transmitter and wireless receiver in addition to the mic itself. The transmitter, which is connected to your lavalier mic via wire, wirelessly sends the signal to the receiver which is connected to whatever recording device you’re using.
Although this setup might sound expensive and/or overwhelming, you can usually buy an entire system in one package. Of course, your options range from models that are affordable to high-end, depending on your application and expectations with respect to sound quality. But if you’re looking for a decent quality that’s simple, Rode's Wireless GO II might be your best bet. It has a dual-channel receiver, so you can connect up to 2 mics. It’s an optimal solution for casual videographers, vloggers and such, as it’s intuitive and easy to use regardless of your experience level.
The package shown below comes with two transmitters and one receiver. The transmitters have built in mics, so you don’t necessarily have to get a specialized external lavalier mics unless you’re looking for better quality audio or a more discrete look. The transmitters also act as recorders, allowing you to store your recording within the device itself, which is a great backup tool if the signal to the receiver suddenly drops. This model is highly compatible with mobile devices, given its USB-C digital audio output. It also has a range of up to about 650 feet, giving you a ton of creative flexibility on your shoots.
That said, if you’re beyond iPhone vlogging, and instead are using camcorders or DSLR cameras, you might want to consider a professional, industry-standard setup like the Sennheiser EW 112P G4 Camera-Mount Wireless Omni Lavalier Microphone System. It’s a great option for journalists and videographers who need top level sound quality. It’s also solid and durable, featuring a very rugged transmitter, as well as a receiver that’s designed to be firmly mounted to your camera. The system has a frequency scan function that automatically finds the cleanest frequency at your recording location. Also, you can adjust input sensitivity in case you have any particularly loud or quiet talkers in your talent group. You can even add a hand-held mic to this system down the line.
Tips on How Use Lavalier Mics
Get the Right Positioning
Generally, a lavalier mic should be attached to a shirt or lapel about six inches from the subject’s mouth. And when recording interviews, the mic should be placed on the side to which the head is turned.
Make a Broadcast Loop
Creating a small loop in the wire near the shirt clip will help keep the mic up while allowing for some slack.
Use Gaffer’s Tape
Gaffer’s tape is an effective way to conceal a mic or reinforce the hold. In fact, most production teams always have a roll of tape handy when recording with a lavalier mic.
Bring Extra Batteries
Since the battery life of these wireless lavalier systems tend to be relatively short, it’s always a good idea to have at least one backup set when you’re recording on location.
Consider Bringing a Dead Cat
You may have seen mics with fuzzy covers over the diaphragm. These covers, often referred to as “dead cats” or “windscreens,” are a way to protect the mic from any wind disturbance or plosive sounds. Foam windscreens can also help minimize any pops.
Try It Out Before the Big Day
Fortune favors the prepared, which is why it's wise to do a practice run with your new equipment before you officially put it to use—especially if you’re planning on recording audio in a location that’s limited with respect to time.
For more information about the products listed above, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out our detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
