How To Record Audio With Lavalier Mic

Using a lav microphone is fairly simple, and it delivers excellent results as long as you understand a few basic techniques.

Lavalier mics have revolutionized videography because of the liberty of movement they provide to the subject while recording quality audio. That said, a lavalier microphone is a compact device, but it needs just as much care and caution when you are trying to record with it. Failing to take certain considerations into account while using a lapel mic will get you bad audio and compromise the overall production.

So, in this guide, I’ll let you in on the things you must consider if you want to record quality audio with wireless or wired lavalier microphones. Let’s get to them:

How To Record Audio with Wireless Lavalier Microphone

To record with a wireless lav mic, you will have to follow the given steps:

Step 1: Ensure Right Connections

When you unbox a wireless lavalier microphone, you will get three devices including a microphone, a transmitter, and a receiver. The transmitter and microphone will have to be connected by a cable that comes with them. Whereas, a receiver can be placed far away from the transmitter near the devices which will read the signals coming from the receiver. It can be a laptop, audio interface, or even a video camera.

To get this step right, you must get a wireless mic that comes with connectors compatible with the camera or recording equipment. Once you have made the connections, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Switch On The Devices

After establishing the connection with respective devices, turn them on. The receivers typically power up directly from the AC power output, whereas transmitters are either rechargeable or use AA batteries. After supplying the necessary power, switch on the power buttons on both devices. You will if they are on by the LED indicators on these devices.

Step 3: Pair The Transmitter and Receivers

Transmitters and receivers can communicate with each other only when they are on the same channel, which warrants their pairing. Different manufacturers have varying ways to ensure this pairing. However, most require you to bring both devices in close proximity to each other and press a button on either of the devices. Once the pairing is done, the device will have some sort of indicator to let you know. You may need to repeat the process if you are using multiple microphones. 

Step 4: Clip The Lav Mic On Subject’s Clothes

Wireless lavalier microphones come with a clip to mount them over the shirt of the subject. That said, one cannot clip it just anywhere. You must place it strategically such that it captures everything the speaker is speaking, but also should not experience proximity effects or a form of background noise. 

You will have to be even more careful with the mic clip if the microphone is directional. Those microphones only record from one direction. So, if the placement of the microphone is not right you may need to record the whole audio all over again.

The recommended place for lav mics is on the chest, usually 6 inches down from the chin. Also, ensure that the subject is not wearing any jewelry that might strike the microphone while the subject is on the move. 

Step 5: Hide The Cable Under Clothes

Even with a wireless lav mic you will have to deal with a cable. It extends from the microphone and goes all the way down to the transmitter. You can mount the transmitter at the back of the subject if the shot has to be taken from the front. The position can be flipped if you want to record front the back.

Furthermore, the microphone cable can be hidden under the clothes, but ensure it does not rub against any surface because that can cause distortion in the audio. It can be done by using extra clips to keep the wire in place.

Step 6: Edit The Recorded Audio In Post-Production

Once the recording is complete import the files to your laptop or desktop and remove any distortion or noise that you may get in the audio. You can either isolate the voice and edit it separately before finally syncing it with the video clip or use a powerful software like Adobe Premier to edit video and audio simultaneously.

We have written a complete guide on exactly how to sync the video and audio together. You can read it here.

How To Record Audio With A Wired Lavalier Microphone

Recording with a wired lav mic is easier than a wireless microphone as you do not have to pair the microphone with any other device. You can record with a wired mic by by following the given steps:

Step 1: Connect The Microphone With Audio Processing Device

You have to connect a wired lav mic with the audio processing devices, which can be a smartphone, camera, laptop, or some other Android devices. The important part is knowing which devices you will use the lav mics with because it will let you know which type of lav mic to purchase.

For example, if you want to use it with a smartphone the lav mic should have a 3.5mm connector. Similarly, if you want to connect the lav mic to an audio interface or laptop, it must have XLR and USB connectors respectively. 

The wired mic does not usually require a separate power supply as it draws the power directly from the connected device. So, the moment you plug the microphone in, the indicator on the microphone should turn on. That said, it is important to mention that some wired lav microphones do not come with such indicators. So, you can record a pilot audio to check whether the microphone is working.

Step 2: Clip The Microphone On the Speaker’s body & Hide It

The technique for mounting a wired microphone on a speaker is the same as a wireless microphone. However, the technique of hiding the cable from the camera is a little challenging because the cable is longer than what you get with a wireless microphone.

You can run the cable beneath the speaker’s shirt and take it out from the point that is not the camera’s frame. Again, ensure that it does not rub against any surface because that can distort the audio transmission.

Step 3: Edit The Audio and Sync It With Video

The final step is also the same as a wireless microphone. You import the audio on your device and edit it to filter out any distortion from the audio.

Tips To Record Excellent Audio Quality With Lavalier Microphone

The following tips will help you get the best out of your lav mics:

1. Pick The Microphone Type Carefully

You should put a lot though before purchasing a lav microphone. If you record something where speakers have to move a lot, it is best to get the wireless option. You should also opt for a wireless lav microphone if hiding the cable is a concern for you.

However, if you use the microphone to record video interviews or other applications that do not require the speakers to move a lot, a wired lav microphone is a good option.

2. Remove The Electronics and Jewelleries From The Speaker’s Body

Electronics can interfere with the recording process, especially while using a wireless microphone. So, it is important to remove them from the speaker’s body or at least request them to put their devices on flight modes. Furthermore, if the speaker is wearing jewelry that can interfere with the placement of the microphone, it is recommended to remove that as well.

3. Use Windscreen and Pop Filters To Reduce Noise

When you are recording outdoors, the sound of wind can distort the quality and produce noise in the audio. It can be mitigated by employing a windscreen which reduces the impact of wind noise on the recording. Furthermore, if you are recording indoors and struggling with popping noise because of proximity effects, a pop filter can help you work around it.

4. Always Use Compatible Devices

Lav microphones come with all sorts of connectors, including XLR, USB, TRRS, and 3.5mm Jack. While you can connect all these mics with any device using a conversion adapter, it is not recommended. Using a converter compromises the audio quality and thus does not let the microphone live up to its true potential.

So, before purchasing a microphone ensure that it is compatible with the device you will be using it with.

Conclusion

Lav microphone has made things very convenient for videographers who want to compliment their footage with quality audio. The process of using these microphones is rather simple and does not involve a lot of technicalities. However, it is important to get them right because otherwise, you will not get the audio quality you expect from your microphone.

Frequently Asked Questions