Getting the Best Sound from Your Lavalier Microphone
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Getting the right microphone is only the first step in recording great dialogue for your videos and film. The bigger piece of the puzzle is learning the skills to capture great sound. In this episode we take a look at some of the techniques for optimizing the sound you capture with a lavaliere microphone.
This episode produced with the following gear:
- Nikon D600
- Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D Lens
- Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Lens
- Zoom H1 Handy Recorder geni.us/LQoJ
- HMNSound Lavalier Microphone
Music by Curtis Judd
Thanks, Curtis from 2013. You are my number one source for audio and I greatly appreciate you making this video. Have a great day!
Thanks Michael. Wow - this is an old video. 😀
Do you have an episode on mic placement? I'd like to hear your opinion on a lot of things.
Tape vs clip?
Tape to the clothes, or tape to the body?
Male vs female ideal mic position?
Best way to run the wire down into their pockets?
Add gain in the transmitter or the receiver?
Best placement for multiple layers of clothing, (ie: suit and tie)?
+CZsWorld Wow, that's a lot to answer but here are some thoughts:
Tape if you need to hide it, clip if you don't.
I usually tape to the clothes, but it depends. Just have to find what works for the particular situation.
Male, under the first layer of clothing in the mid chest area. Female, if they're wearing a bra that has room behind the strap between the cups, the underside of that is a perfect place to keep the mic from rubbing against clothes.
Running the wire to pockets is only a problem if the talent is wearing tight clothing. In that case, I might look for alternative places to hide the mike like under a collar.
Depends on the wireless system. I use RODELink currently and you can only add gain on the TX. But I would probably try the TX first anyway if you have the option of both. Better to amplify at the mic source than send a weak signal and then amplify.
Under the tie, sandwiched between two pieces of triangle tape like in this review of the Countryman B6 lavalier microphone: ruclips.net/video/Lh1qVoBieVI/видео.html
I hope that helps! Thanks for asking!
Awesome! Thank you so much!! This one of the best RUclips comments I've ever received. Thanks so much!!
I saw your channel on VidIQ's Channel!
I have watched over 50% of your videos and I plan on watching the rest of them too. THANK YOU for taking the time to make them and putting them on RUclips for other people to learn from. If you're ever in Houston, TX I'm buying you a beer!
+Michael D Weinstein thanks Michael, very much appreciated!
Every time I open youtube I see another great Curtis Judd video suggestion with excellent advice...you’ve really filled the internet with wisdom over the years. I have like 20 videos of yours on my “watch later” just trying to keep up and make sure I don’t miss any of them haha
Thanks so much, Sean! This particular one is an oldie!
Curtis, you are well and truly the absolute king! You never leave me with any questions. Thanks so much for all these incredibly thorough lessons. It's pure inspiration and highly appreciated. You've taught me things far beyond anything I learnt in my formal/academic filmmaking education. Keep it up, you're a powerhouse!
Thanks!
Finally someone who knows what he is talking about. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us!
Thanks Matthias!
Hi Eric, My preference would be to use two field recorders (e.g., Zoom H1) each with a lav mic. And then sync all of it back together in post. That sounds daunting but with Final Cut Pro X or Premiere, it is pretty simple and quick. I generally stay away from using the camera to capture anything more than reference audio. If that isn't an option, you could invest into a different wireless system with multi TX and one RX. Shure and Sennheiser both have systems like this.
Yes, this video is 6 years old, but I still got exactly the info I needed 👍
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Hi Kirwin, yes, I believe that the Zoom H6, like the H4n, has a 3.5mm input that provides plugin power (1.5 - 10 volts). The only think you'll want to avoid is adapting the Giant Squid from 3.5mm to 1/4 inch and plug it into the xlr inputs with 48v phanton power.
H6 has with the xy module
Best tips from the best one! :D
+Paulo Nideck thanks!
Nice. I use between 4 and 8 zoom H1 + Sennheiser ME-2 to record audio only outside ... and my real lack was the problem between mic and clothes ... thanks to hear here "HUSH LAV".
You made my day :)
They're a great option as well in terms of sound. They're a little more imposing in terms of appearance but they do an awesome job because they're so close to the mouth.
Thanks DJ! Good luck with the Sennheiser kit--I've heard great things about them.
The main thing is to be sure to turn OFF the iOS Processing setting in the RODERec app. Your mics will sound at least 50% better that way.
Just shows. Avoid getting too technical. Refrain from “Spectacular “ actions. And you remain pertinent. Great vid 😊
Thanks.
Thanks for the tips Curtis. I did just recently purchase the Sennheiser lav kit and will keep these in mind
I can’t believe that you make your own music Curtis! It’s pretty catchy and pleasing!
Just fooling around in Garageband. :)
Curtis Judd it’s better than most stock music folks throw on their stuff: I’m impressed!
Excellent - lots of info delivered without pissing about.
Always good information with Curtis Judd. Best regards and congratulations.
Thanks Mario!
Hi Scott, great video, definitely helpful. I especially liked your BTS episode on interview lighting for the pastor. Great look.
Sure, but first I'll need to get a white backdrop! :) I think lighting instruments and audio gear are the most important things. If you have great lighting, almost any HD camera is good enough. And no camera has a good enough mic (because it is too far from your relent).
Woah! It's Curtis Judd from the past!
Wow - me from 7 years ago. Cringeworthy.
Curtis Judd haha, it’s all good. Still useful content, too.
Great yes I am glad you approve of the Zoom H1. I mentioned it in my comment on your other video. I like its small size and capability. I tried using it for recording river noises but got wind noise and then had to shelter under an umbrella where I picked up raindrop noise too! I resrted to buying a petstore squirrel and cutting its tail off for a 'dead cat' to go over the Zoom H1. A tight fit and it molts some hair occasionally but it works not to badly! :-) Using the microphone separately with a video camera of course you have to pretend you have a clapper board and clap your hands loudly to produce spikes on both in order to line up the audios. But if the ambience noise (including wind) is quite loud I found the 3 spikes can easily get lost in there. :-) Thanks again for a good video.
Terry, that is a clever solution for wind noise! 🙂
You cut the tail of a squirell!!!
DarshanDev 😂Haha! Yes a cat toy. 😀
Your videos are the best you deserve LOT more subs :)
thxs for the reply.
what about those cameras that has optional mic on top where they flash use to be in the old cameras? have you tried those?
will you buy the white backdrop?
What about them ? Inbuilt microphones are no good.
@@pranjalmishra8239 I believe he's talking about shotgun mics you can mount on the camera's hotshoe.
Plugging a mic directly into a DSLR causes A LOT of static noise. So I would never consider that option. Always use a recorder or a smartphone works fine too
+Drafeirha thanks, yes, many DSLRs have noisy pre-amplifiers. However, my Panasonic GH4 is better than most DSLRs. Perhaps the camera manufacturers are getting the message. Nevertheless, I still almost always use a proper audio recorder to capture sound.
Very informative video, thank you Curtis!
👍
This video was very helpful!
Thanks Kim.
Very helpful. Thanks
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Great video. I'm currently shooting video seminars at the university where I work. Common challenge is budget. I've tried to shoot the speaker the first time using a shotgun. Audio was horrible and low. The next shoot I had the audio system in the auditorium turned on where they could wear a wireless mic synced to the system. That was better but still not as good as I like. My next solution is to go with either the smart lav or the rode micme hooked to my iPhone. I haven't tried that yet but my concern would be the lav rubbing in the clothes. I've only got one try at these shoots and many times the talent isn't prepared for the shoot. After all they are concerned with giving the presentation. Luckily the video I shoot don't necessarily be total professionally produced. Me in the other hand want it to be because I used to shoot interviews like your video. Oh well you can only do the best with what you have.
A lav mic usually doesn't experience too many clothing noise issues if attached to a lapel or elsewhere on the outside of clothes. They're always a challenge and you have to be on your toes as you well know. Good luck!
Thanks mate. Good advice.
Curtis.. thumbs up at all times
Thanks Arkadi! 👍
Thanks for the tips. I am sufferring a lot with room echo on my recordings that a lav mic helps reduce but does not cancel out entirely. I notice that your recording was very clean with absolutely no room echo at all. How did you achieve that? Was it the choice of mic, the choice of recorder, the room you were recording in or something else entirely?
The room and sound blankets: ruclips.net/video/uzyEaVYCk3s/видео.html
Thanks.
Love your videos, thank you.
Thanks Matthew.
I have a Sony recorder and a Lav mic, but even in very quiet environment it catches ambient sounds a lot, even when they are subtle, and amplify them quite significantly, even if my recorder is set on low sensitivity, and no auto sensitivity adjustments. Is there something to do about this, or should I keep interviewing people in the most quiet room I can get (which is often not possible)?
Microphones are sensitive devices, indeed. And the main strategies they employ for rejecting ambient sound are 1) Polar pattern and 2) proximity to sound source or signal to noise distance. They cannot defy the laws of physics.
So yes, the best bet is to record in quiet locations when possible. When that is not possible, use one of both of the strategies above: Make sure the mic is much closer to the sound source and as far from the noise as possible. You might also try a microphone with a polar pattern that rejects sound from the rear and sides of the microphone like a cardioid microphone.
Most lavalier microphones have an omni-directional polar pattern meaning they pick up sound from all directions. However, they have the advantage of being worn directly on the person speaking.
If you will be recording in noisy locations, you might need to switch to a microphone with a cardioid polar patterns such as a broadcast mic or a shotgun mic or a supercardioid non-shotgun condenser mic.
I hope that helps. I'm afraid the answer is not simple.
Thanks for your very helpful video. I want to record my voice in a motorcycle helmet to shoot a motorcycle video blog. I have just bought a BOYA by-m1 condenser microphone to record a better sound. When my helmets windscreen is open at the house the sound quality is good. But when I close the windscreen of the helmet recorded voice becomes very disturbing. Can you find a solution for using a lavalier mic in a motorcycle helmet. Thank you.
+Beraber Sürelim Do you have a sample video I could listen to?
Hey Curtis!
Can you do a video on different ways to optimize vocals in software. Also maybe with different mic samples. Or do you have one on general tips that I can check out?
I searched online for something like this and only find stuff related to music bands vocals not regular speech vocals such as for podcasting, tutorials, dialogue etc.
Hey Robert! Here's one where I walk through my dialogue workflow that you might find helpful: ruclips.net/video/WXKtiwsy7us/видео.html
Cool! Checking it out now. Thanks Curtis Judd
That was incredibly helpful. Thank you.
Thanks Anja.
Thanks Lev. Tell your friends! ;-)
Thanks Royston!
What about microphones that connect over your ear and have a boom to your mouth. Like what modvational speaker Anthony Robbins wares.
Awesome idea--thanks!
seano approves this video . thumbs up
Thanks Seano.
Just the tips in the video. :) Unless you run into any particular issues...
Curtis,
I was wondering if you have any videos that describe the best settings to use on the Rode REC app when using the Rode Smartlav +. I am struggling to figure out what to set the gain to. We are shooting inside the kitchen in our appartment, doing food tutorials.
Thanks
John H
Hi, Great Video Thank you! I wanted to ask you if you have any recommended settings inside of OBS to make yourself sound professional. I stream and video chat using OBS and want to get the best sound from my mic. I have the PowerdeWise Lav mic. Thank you.
Unfortunately, I don’t have enough experience with OBS in particular. But we do have some tutorials on how to set compressors, noise gates, and other processors in the RODECaster Pro.
@@curtisjudd so I put my sensitivity to 85 and my boost to +20. Do you think that’s good? Then I used EQ in OBS and added a high pass to the left most band. And a low pass to the right most band. I have 5 total bands.
@@IKanFlyDrones That can be a fine set of settings. The real question is how does it sound? If it sounds good, it is good! Happy recording!
You make excellent work!!!
Thanks!
Hello Curtis, I'm trying out several lavalier mics for amplifying voice for a live small group and none are picking up my sounds. I've done keynotes with all the big, expensive equipment. But I just need small amplification for a group of 20 or so in an exhibitor room, for a startup. None of the lavaliers I'm trying pick up my voice when clipped to my blouse. They work fine when I hold the mic close to my mouth (so all the other aspects are working: sending, receiving, speaker amplification) but, of course, that defeats the purpose of a clip-on hands free mic. Can you recommend lavalier mics that will pick up my voice when clipped to the recommended blouse location?
Not sure what your budget is and whether you need it to work with an existing wireless system or you need a wireless system as well? Maybe start with a RODE Wireless GO?
Hey, great video. I wish yt recommended your video before today...
I have a question though. What are your thoughts on using an android phone as a sound recorder? I'm using an android phone as a voice recorder (not with video, just voice), and although I have set the gain level to -10db (third party recorder app), my lav mic is picking ambient noises like crazy. Like a motorbike passing the road in front of my house, neighbour's dog barking, etc. Unfortunately I don't have any friends that have/are using dedicated voice recorder like the zoom you have here, so I can't try one out. Is the difference night and day in term of ambient noise pickup?
Thank you.
Hi Creatip, how much ambient sound/noise you pick up in a recording has more to do with the polar/pickup pattern of the microphone and the placement of the microphone than it has to do with which recorder or phone you use. Most lavalier microphones have an omni-directional pickup pattern so they pick up sound from all directions. I don't know where you have it positioned, but if you attach it to your lapel and place your back to the loudest noises, that will help prevent pickup of those ambient sounds. But things like loud motorbikes will still creep in. Using a directional, non-lavalier microphone can help as well.
@@curtisjudd wow thank you very much for the answer. I clip it to the neck collar of my tshirt, so it's actually less than a foot from my mouth. More like at the base of my throat.
Yes, I tried searching for a cardioid lav mic, but seems like they're mostly on professional level. They're quite costly, and have xlr connector (which I assume also require phantom power?)
The direction I'm facing makes sense, as my desk (where I'm shooting and recording) is facing the front door. I will try facing the other way.
Thank you again for the answer!
I use Audio-Technica ATR-35S Lavalier Microphone and record the voice on Zoom H4n. Since my AudioTechnica has a 3.5 mm plug I attach it to the Zoom H4n with a Mono ¼ inch adaptor. Only the voice I get is not as strong as the one when attached directly to the Zoom H1/H4n (without using adaptors). Now will a 3.5 mm to XLR adaptor give me a better gain on Zoom H4n for I have an interview coming up and I’ll be needing to record my voice and the guest’s simultaneously on the Zoom H4n using the Stereo or 4 channels mode. This is so important for my next documentary. Greetings from Egypt.
Hi Ashraf, I don't have an ATR-35S to test for sure but I have not had good luck adapting the 3350 to XLR. This mic seems to do best into 3.5mm inputs (like the one on the back of the H4n.)
Thank you for the quick reply. I also tried the AudioTechnica 3350 with ¼ inch adaptor and it did not yield a good gain. So, what kind of (wired) lavalier Mic would you recommend that have XLR input (or that could be connected with ¼ inch adaptor) so that I could use it with my (new) Zoom H4n. One more thing, is using extension cable affect negatively the overall quality/gain of the recorded voice?
What is your budget? The XLR microphones are quite a lot more expensive than mics like the AT3350 and 35s. I like the Sanken COS-11D, the Countryman B6 and the Audio Technica AT899.
Also, extension cables for 3.5mm plugs which are unbalanced can potentially pick up more interference than XLR cables which are balanced. However, I have had good luck with the RODE VC1 extension cable for 3.5mm TRS plugs: amzn.to/29naYd7
Thank you for all these useful tips (your kindness overwhelms me). The XLR lav Mics you recommended are a little bit over my budget. But I have a new Idea/question, would a new Giant Squid omnidirectional lav mic give me a cleaner/stronger gain if I connected it to the Zoom H4n with ¼ inch adaptor. I mean this Giant Squid lav mic is known for its high gain (remarkably higher the AudioTechnica) … will this work?? Could you be so kind and test it for me before I make a purchase from Amazon. The setting I have in mind for my interview is the Giant Squid for me (without extension cable but via ¼ inch mono adaptor) connected to one of the channels of my Zoom H4n and the AudioTechnica lav for my interviewee connected to the 3.5 mm input on the back. What do you think? And if the Giant Squid is not a better choice what do you recommend instead?
Love the Molefoam tip! Thanks!
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You are a legend! Thank you once again my friend!
Thanks!
Hey!! Thank you for this video. Do you wrap the molefoam then use mic tape to stick it under the speakers shirt or is the mole foam sticky enough to just be stuck on
Moleskin is plenty sticky.
Thank you! That was very helpful!!!
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Great information, thank you!
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Great video and tips. What would you use to attach the lav to the inside of the clothing when you wrap it with moleskin?
Great stuff man!
Hey Curtis! Thanks a lot for all of your great videos. I didn't really know a lot about capturing audio, but know after watching some of your tutorials I feel quite confident with capturing it! The only problem I have is that I have pretty much no clue about editing / improving sound in post. I'm confident with using Premiere etc. but not audio wise. Do you have a tutorial about that or could you give some general advice for editing audio (especially voice captured with a lavaliere / shotgun) :) Thanks in advance!!
+Jan Philip Baldus Yes, many episodes on editing in post. About 1/3 of this playlist: ruclips.net/video/VcMOBrdbHgk/видео.html I hope that helps!
Hi Curtis -- great video I actually regularly watch ... as I'm engaged in a *never ending* fight with cloth noise using my Rode Smart Lav+.
I shot various videos with what seems to be exactly the same setting (mic, environment, placement, gain, recorder, ...). Sometimes I have minimal cloth noise (minimal but audible). Sometimes it is much more present. And I start being a little bit obsessed about that...
First of all, I made that critical mistake of wearing a 50% polyester shirt. Noisy ! Then, as you mentioned, moving the upper body is a no-no. In fact, even turning the head produce some noise when my bear scratch the collar. I managed to reduce that by turning my chair maintaining my torso straight rather than using the more natural movement of turning first my head then body :D
Anyway, my shirt is noisy that's a fact. But what is exactly picked up by the capsule ? The "sound" produce by my cloth, or some rustling following the mic cable ? My mic is visible outside my shirt, but taping the cable inside anyway seems to improve things a little bit. Do that have sense ? Do you have some more trick to deal with synthetic clothes ?
Hi Sylvain, this is the bane of lavalier mics and why I very rarely use them as my first or only miking option. In most cases, they will pick up some clothing or movement noise. There are some things you can do to reduce that, not 100% foolproof, but worth considering: ruclips.net/video/isdMkqtHjy0/видео.html
Thank you for your reply +Curtis and for the very informative link you've provided.
After my previous comment, I was told elsewhere too about hiding the mic in my hairs -- it is rather clever as that way it is close to the mouth, but much far away from the clothes. Unfortunately, I *don't* have hairs !
More seriously, as my mic is not hidden but visibly attached with a tie alligator clip, and I made great care to ensure the head do not touch the cloth, I've made more experiments today to secure the cable and reduce its movements.
My best result, by far, was obtained by taping a 7/8cm cable loop behind my shirt "button plate" -- and adding an extra few cm tapes rolled on itself to form a 2cm diameter "barrel". So my shirt, the cable *and* my skin are hold together, firmly for the former two, loosely for the later two. That way the cable do not rub against my shirt, and the movement of my shirt over my skin (and my muscular and hairy :P chest) is really limited, but still maintaining the natural look on my shirt in the middle of my chest (it doesn't look "glued").
All that to say, you're right, properly using a Lav definitely sounds more an art than a science !
Good work, and I agree, that's usually the best approach for lavalier miking; Keep that cable and everything else taped down to avoid rubbing.
does the invisilav help?
I've had hair make noise, this would be one of the last options I choose, not to mention the talent being totally weirded out by having something tucked up into their hair...
Hi Mr. Judd I’m a film student and I notice I always hear a little static in my labs and I don’t know where it’s coming from nor do my peers or Professor. It’s not their movement or an A/C unit but, something we don’t know what it is. Do you have any idea what that could be and how to stop it from happening further?
A faulty cable perhaps? Do you have any sample audio clips online?
Hi Curtis, I am looking to purchase the Giant Squid Stereo Mic for 75US. However, I got an email from them warning - "Don't plug into any XLR or 1/4 inch jack or the mics will get fried by the high voltage. The maximum volts my mics can take is 10 volts." Do you know if the Giant Squid mics will work with the Zoomh6? Thanks for your thoughts bro.
Just got a new lav to try out, it’s the diety W lav. I seem to be getting a lot of noise from the cable rubbing on clothes. I’m clipping it outside clothing and using a tension reduction loop on the mic capsule clip but I still get a lot of cable noise while walking around. My next step is to gaf tape the mic cable to the inside of my shirt just below where the mic clips on, Any other tips? I don’t seem to get the same problems from all the Sennheiser lavs I’ve used but I don’t think I’ve stress tested them the same way with as much movement. Although I have used the MKE 2 with the AVX transmitter/receiver many times with talent moving around a lot with no issues. Should I try the Diety W. Lav pro as well? Have you used that one? Thank you!
Hi Shane, I haven't worked with the W.Lav so I'm not sure whether the cable picking up movement is normal for this microphone or not. I'd contact DEITY Support and see if they can help narrow down the issue. I believe Andrew fields all the support questions and he knows his stuff. Best wishes!
Awesome tips, thanks :)
Thanks Judd for the quick reply. But I'm using Android smartphone. Any advice? Thanks again.
Hey Curtis, if I clip my lav mic on my shirt under layers of clothing, will it still have a crisp sound? I typically put it close to my chin, but it looks like it only sounds good when it’s in the middle of your chest.
No, it probably will NOT be as crisp. Off to one side and several inches down from your chin is where they tend to sound best.
Noob query, but when does one choose between a cardioid lav mic over an omnidirectional one? What are instances when you choose one over the other? Tnx man.
Cardioids are more useful in situations where there is a lot of ambient noise. However, cardioid lavaliers are hard to work with - have to get them aimed just right and many of them don't sound very good. So it would be for cases where the ambient noise is so loud that you're willing to sacrifice some audio quality for being able to understand the person talking.
Hi Curtis. Excellent vid as always. Quick question regarding the lav foam cover. Is it not still better to put the small foam cover on a lav mic (when the lav is on-show and it's an indoor setting) to reduce plosives, or would you say there's no need and it's better overall to have the lav look as small/neat as possible with no foam cover?
Hi Calum, Yes, I'd use the foam cover if wearing the lavalier outside of clothing.
Curtis Judd thanks so much Curtis. Will do!
Hi Curtis. I have a question for you. I am going to realize a investigation with professors. I will utilize a Tascam dr-05 recorder and I need a microphone for capture the professors voice in their lessons. After, I need to analyse these samples in a software for calculate % phonation, cycle doses, etc. What type mic recommended in this case? What are you opinion for headseat or headband, throat mic?
Hi Angela, my preference would be for a headset microphone like this: ruclips.net/video/ifNG-q-sIDg/видео.html
Just discovered your channel, these videos are great.
Out of curiosity would something like the giant squid work plugged straight into a Samsung smartphone?
I once used a shure mic with my phone and the results were surprisingly good.
The Giant squid has a TRS connector by default and most smartphones take a TRRS connector, so it won't work by default. But you might ask the folks over at Giant Squid if they can make one with a TRRS connector for Samsung devices. The RODE smartLav will work right out of the box with most smartphones.
I'm mostly curious how you get that black background! (Considering you had great info on equipment in your description. Although, you're using a tripod as well, right?)
Yes, definitely using a tripod. This previous episode should help: ruclips.net/video/cyGfd_AhofU/видео.html good luck!
+Curtis Judd Thanks for taking the time to dig that up for me! That video was very helpful.
Curtis, I have a Rode Lav Go Omnidirectional mic, I'm going to be using it in a Hospital lobby (somewhat noisy) will it be okay or is there something made to go around the mic to make it more directional?
Hi, no, but Omni directional mics behave somewhat directionally because the wearer’s body blocks sound from behind and because they’re so close to the soeaker’s voice. Give it a try. They generally work pretty well in these situations.
Thanks for the tips.
Hey Judd. I just bought 2 Rode smartlav. Any tips or advice can you give me. Thanks.
Hi Curtis, I'm using a lav mic for shooting yoga videos, how would you recommend placing the lav mic, and any suggestion on clothing? I've hear wearing say a cotton top is better than other textiles? Thanks for great videos!
Hi Anna, most of the yoga presenters hide them under their tops on their chest, usually with tape such as surgical tape or clipped to the center part of the bra, on the inside so that it does not rub against your clothes. Best wishes!
I have bought a "boya by-m1" lav mic and I'm coming across one issue, which is a constant "hissing" background noise of me when recording. Tried this on both desktop and pc, any tips for adjustments that might help?
Hmm, do you get the same level of hiss with earbuds/headset from phone plugged into laptop as with the lav mic? If not, it is probably the microphone which is the problem. Or perhaps the lavalier mic needs a TRS to TRRS adapter.
great tips, thank you!
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Hi Curtis. Can you connect two lav mic's with a splitter to record into a Zoom H1MB? (typically an interview situation).
+Jan Malmström Hi Jan, I haven't tested that but it should be possible with the right adapter.
Our pastor no longer wishes to use the headset mike due to comfort issues and we are changing to a lapel mike. My issue is I now have to increase the gain to compensate for the mike being further away and we are getting feedback issues. Any Ideas?
Hide the mic in the pastor's hair like they do for theater? That's a pretty time intensive proposition, but it usually sounds quite good. Another option is a gooseneck mic at a podium/lecturn. You could also tape the lav mic to the cheek - another thing they sometimes do in theater productions. I'm a little surprised that you're getting feedback. Are the loudspeakers situation behind the pastor? Any chance you can move them to in front of pastor?
I like to ask a question: I use a Lav clip on mic, attached to my shirt. I read text from a PowerPoint presentation and record it. Why is it that when starting to record the first word is always much louder than the following words? It's like the first word starts with an explosion. Is there a way to avoid that? Thanks!
Hi Danker, I would need to hear it to be certain what you mean when you say the first word sounds like an explosion. If your breath is moving air on the first word, and physically hits the microphone capsule, that is called a plosive. Try to ensure your breath is not going into the mic capsule. On the other hand, most of us tend to start a sentence louder than we end it. That just takes practice to change that.
@@curtisjudd My guess is that the solution is in your last sentence: practice to start softer. I have practiced/ am practicing to start speaking more evenly, and that works well. Thanks!
Old video but gold for me. Though my current problem is the talents clothes is very noisy and it get pickup by the mic even though it is clipped outside the shirt. Any way to solve this issue if I don't have a say in what the talents are wearing?
Well, we'd need a specific examples I suppose. Some shirts are so noisy there's nothing that can be done if the mic must be on the shirt and the talent will move at all. Perhaps use a boom mic or hide the mic in the hair, a hat, on the top of the hair, in a tie. Just have to get creative until you find something which works. It can be hard, tedious, and time consuming.
@@curtisjudd Hey, just want to say thank you for the tips. Indeed, I spend so much time trying to 'fix' the audio.
My usual shoots are interviews and sermons so most of the times, my talents will be wearing formal clothing.
From under the shirt, to outside the shit, on the collar, on the coat. However, everything they move their arms, the rustling is bad.
Again, really thank you for your reply and tips. Much appreciated
Hi, jud, whats the problem when i am touching the wire of my Oscar-ST lav mic it there is thunder and lightning? Whats wrong? Is it broken or short circuited? I want to return it after knowing whats wrong. I need ur help!
Most likely a bad connection, yes.
@@curtisjudd thank you so much for replying. God bless
I have found that my lav mic picks up my breathing a lot. It makes me sound like I'm a real heavy breather. Are there specific frequencies that can be reduced with EQ to get rid of this? Or is this one of the drawbacks with using a lav?
Finding a new position for the microphone is likely to make a bigger difference than anything. Many people position their mics too close to their throat. Off to one side of the chest a little lower down often works better.
Thanks Nimal!
Dear Mr. Curtis, most meople in the motorcycle world try to record clean audio for their "motovlog"s. Many people find some way to record clean audio but it doesnt work well for everybody. As you know motorcycles can go very fast and a lot of wind noise is generated with the motorcycle speed. Especially after 50-60 km/hours of speed wind noise is really a big problem. Do you have time to make such kind of explanation video for recording voice while riding fast.
Hi, yes, but I'll need to get a motorcycle and figure out how to do it first! :-D
The first thing I would try is to get the mic up near the forehead instead of down by the mouth where it is likely to pick up more wind noise. Of course you'll have to find a spot that is comfortable.
Yes you are absolutely right :)) Maybe one day motorcycles can interest you. All of your videos helped me so much. I really enjoyed watching your videos and learned many things from them. But still couldnt solve recording a clean audio inside my helmet.
Excellent, thank you!
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback!
Thanks Curtis,
Great video. while using Lav phone, do we need any sound proof set up? if so, how it needs to be set up for indoor room use?
Best if you can record in a room which does not have a lot of ambient noise or reflective surfaces.
@@curtisjudd Thank you. can foldabe matress pads or styrofoam can be used for sound proof?
@@balaji.viswanathan to keep sound from outside from disturbing your recording? No. But those will help with reflected sound in the room for recording.
How good are these lav mics when it comes to recording singing?
They’re ok but if you’re recording, most prefer large diaphragm condenser mics.
Hi CurtisGreat video. Can you give me some advice? How would you advise to put a lav mic on talent that is wearing a t-shirt or blouse with high neck line? Would it be too high on the neckline of the garment? I've tried to just pinch some of the material and fit it lower down but it looks very messy, is there a method to that?Thanks in advance.
+rob stanley there are a couple of options you may wish to try. Some people just clip the lav on the neck band and go with that. Simple and can sound decent though, of course, the mike is in the shot. you might also try mounting the mic under the t-shirt using wig or toupee tape (two sided tape that is made for attaching to skin). You can run into clothing noise this way but if the talent doesn't move much, it can work really well. I hope that helps!
+Curtis Judd Thanks!
Is it possible to use it for amplifying my voice during presentation? What kind of set up do I need? Should I plug this into my smartphone and then connect smartphone with a sound amplifier via bluetooth?
Yes, but I would recommend you look at PA systems instead.
Thanks! How do we solve popping? I suspect we have a bad connection from mic to transmitter? Can we fix this cheaply or do we have to buy an expensive quality mic?
Will have to experiment. I would borrow another microphone and see if it also has the same issue. Or buy one from a place where you can return it if it doesn't solve th issue. Best wishes!
Thanks for the video! I'm using a Boya M1 Lavalier connected to a cellphone and it produces an (expected) hissing background noise. Is it simply related to mic/cellphone quality or can it be improved without software? Thanks in advance.
Hi Luis, it is likely the microphone and the mobile preamp. You could add an amplifier but that makes the whole rig substantially larger and less convenient.
hi curtis i have a question . I got two tentacle sync and i got spill from both audio packs. could avoid that with getting cardiod mic.
Probably not. The spill likely happens inside the recorder, crosstalk, if I understand your question correctly.
@@curtisjudd thanks curtis, but it was a rookie movie, i didnt lower the gain. I was figuring out the app after i sent you the question.
Great video! My lapel mic is making "clicking" noises, at random. Do you know what causes this?
Hi Jill, typically this is an issue with the cable or connector.
How do I make it more sensitive. Like it doesn’t really pick up my voice unless I put it right next to my mouth. Help anyone?
Increase the input level/gain on your recorder while recording. Then in post, normalize so that it is louder.
Hi Curtis! Thank you so much for all your videos, i’m learning a ton! I have a tricky question, but don’t know anyone who could help me so here goes: i’m setting up for a hobby motorcycle trip film with my brother, and i need small microphones for in-helmet pickup. Generally it’s not very noisy but there is wind noise present to some extend (so i’m thinking cardioid?), the mike will be super close to mouth, and needs to be taped to the helmet, so it can be aimed at mouth. it needs to be as flat as possible because there’s very little room inside, otherwise it will rub against the face, so something like that rectangular small microphone from your “pro-level lavaliers” video has the best shape. i’m prepared to spend, uh, maybe a $100 per microphone? but i need to output to rhode wireless go 2 that i plan to mount on the back of the helmet, so that there is no tether and we can take off helmets without thinking about it. so pro stuff with xlr outputs will not work for me. any ideas if such microphones exist? only thing i see are super cheap and awful sounding microphones used by bluetooth communication systems like Sena and Cardo. they are the right shape and size, but the sound is truly horrendous.
Hi Eugene, I haven't used a cardioid lavalier microphone that sounds good. And the closest I've found to the $100 price point are the DEITY W.Lav mics. I'd think they'd work well inside a helmet: ruclips.net/video/4-kM_xN5sPA/видео.html
Hi Eugene, the wind-stopper which fits the base of my helmet significantly reduces wind noise, and when it’s cool, a couple of neck tubes almost eliminate wind noise completely. If you are so inclined, a pin lock double-layer visor may also help, less by way of noise but reducing the need to open the visor for condensation, further-reducing noise.
@@DrRussell thank you, all good advice! i also use windstopper and pin lock visor, it seems to be working fairly well
@@EugeneYunak One other point, flip-front visits tend to be more noisy due to air entry at seams. Even without neck tube just a simple scarf cuts wind considerably (temperature-permitting). Ride safe Brother.
The lavalier mic I got still captures the sound of air even when the ac is off and the recorded sound isn’t as clear as I expected it to be 😕
Lavaliers are tricky that way, especially inexpensive lavaliers.
Curtis Judd I just checked and apparently the reason why the sound of air is still captured was because my lavalier mic (for my phone) was not working 🤦♀️ thanks for the reply anyway I appreciate it
One of the biggest problems I’m having is mic bleed from two lavalier mics during an in person interview. Any recommendations on how to minimize this?
Lavaliers generally have an omni-directional polar pattern so bleed is pretty common. A couple of options: 1) move the two people a little farther apart if possible. 2) If not possible, may have to fix that in the mix in post by cutting out the portion of the track where the person isn't talking. This is typically how they mix films.
Curtis Judd thanks Curtis!
Hey Curtis me and my friend are trying to record RUclips videos and we were trying to use two Lav mics but we pick up each other on our mics. what do you think is the best option to record our voices separately? would a Cardiod Lav work better for this? thanks!
to add we are recording in the same room this is why this is an issue
Hi Glewstik, here are a couple of more recent episodes where we cover this topic:
Mic Placement When Using 2 Mics: ruclips.net/video/6B-ekvkfYf4/видео.html
Mixing Sound for 2 People: ruclips.net/video/UZ0ygMdIICo/видео.html
Good luck!
thanks so much!
Hey Curtis, I'm trying to use a lavalier microphone and Sony audio recorder to record a podcast version of a weekly talk an organization I'm involved in. Is it possible to remove background noise after recording with programs like Audacity? I', using the Purple Panda lavalier microphone kit,
Hi Alexandra, it is possible to *reduce* background noise but to totally remove it, the dialogue usually ends up sounding horrible. We cover how to do this in a couple of longer Sound for Video session:
ruclips.net/video/EnvfFx0xoFk/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/mEZLwPlu0sU/видео.html
I should add: Ideally it is best to find a way to reduce the background noise when recording (where possible).