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Sound
> Mikes > Types > Lavalier
Use
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ABOVE: Notice that the top of the
lav is NOT actually touching the shirt.
(The lav is the black thing--the silver
thing is just the clip). This is the
correct way to position a lav.
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Lav
use:
Lav
mikes should be placed fairly close to the subject's
mouth, not way down by the subject's navel. There is
a natural temptation for beginners to slide lavs toward
the navel--but the sound quality goes down quickly as
the lav moves further from the mouth.
For
news-style interviews, the lav can be clipped on quickly
with the cord visible, but in fancier settings (say
that PBS documentary) the lav cord can be snaked inside
the subject's shirt. But--please--let the subject do
this themselves! This advice will keep you out of jail.
Some
types of clothing (like turtlenecks) can be a lav challenge--in
a pinch you can always bring the lav around the neck
from behind. Some producers prefer thistechnique all
the time; I think it's kind of awkward.
Always
remember to keep the tip of the lav away from any clothing.
I once hired a sound guy who--inexplicably--put the
lav under the subject's tie. The resulting audio sounded
like the subject was talking through a pillow--and it
was a four-hour lecture!
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Left
GOOD, right BAD: There is a natural
tendency to place the lav low--but
you should place it fairly close to
the mouth.
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