Tips for working with clip-on, or lavalier, microphones.

Sound recordist Dane Kelly gives cinematographer and documentarian Mark Bone his pro audio and lav mic tips:

• Eliminate clothing rustle – by using thinner lav mics, which have less surface area, or by using mounts
• Positioning – ideally: the centre of the chest; the closer to the throat, the worse the sound
• Wind Protection – a cap, a softie, even tape to help shield the mic, particularly when outside
• Mitigate Rubbing Sounds – attach the mic to the noisier surface (shirt vs hairy chest, pre-sweat)
• Tape – Snot Tape and Medical Tape are options, depending on sensitivity, or can also help as additional shielding

Further Listening

Dane and Mark end by comparing the more localised sound of a lav mic to the more environmental sound of a boom mic – and Parker Walbeck offers more tips on capturing dialogue with a boom mic, as well as other tools and techniques:

Audio School: Capturing Cleaner Audio