rigging and hiding lavalier mics

rs170a wrote on 5/4/2013, 7:10 AM
This is in response to a question in another post about how to hide a lavalier mic.
Seeing a lav mic on a subject in something other than a news style shot (where you expect to see it) has always been a pet peeve of mine and, over the years, I've tried to learn various techniques to effectively hide it without the audio being affected.
I've learned that it's a black art with no one technique being the best.
The right kind of mic does help a lot. I got my boss to invested in a pair of Sanken Cos-11Ds a year or so ago and they are great. The mics are quite small and therefore easier to hide and come in a variety of colours. I purchased a white one and black one but beige is also available.

Hint: If you're considering the purchase of a mic such as this, I highly recommend dealing with a pro audio shop such as Trew audio, Pro Sound, etc. as audio is what these folks do for a living and they are best suited to help you make decisions. For example, the Sanken mics come standard with no plug end on them as it's up to you and your needs. I bought mine from Trew audio at the same as I bought a Sennheiser G3 wireless kit and the advice I got from them saved me some money by making some excellent recommendations. Add to that the fact that being in the store was an eye opening experience as they showed me reasonable priced accessories that I had never heard of but could see an immediate use for. While I was there, I bought some individual lav clips which were only available from Sanken in packs of 20. They break the 20-pack out and sell them individually.

Reading various posts on the http://jwsoundgroup.net/ audio forum has taught me a lot.
RIGGING LAVALIERS AND WIRELESS MICROPHONES is a PDF that covers a few different techniques.
How Was it Done? is a list of some of the threads from that forum that deal with attaching mikes, hiding mikes and the accessories and devices used for that purpose. Look for the post by David Waelder.
I hope some of you find this information useful.

Mike

Comments

Grazie wrote on 5/4/2013, 7:24 AM
Mike, thanks for going to all that trouble. Much appreciated.

G

farss wrote on 5/4/2013, 8:29 AM
We're a Sennheiser dealer, one thing they don't advertise enough (at all?) is their range of hypoallergenic sticky things and overcovers to a) hold a mic and lead to the talent's flesh and b) stop fabric noise. Whilst you can fashion your own having them precut saves time and looks a bit more professional.
If anyone's interested I'll get the SKUs, they really are a well kept secret.

Bob.
musicvid10 wrote on 5/4/2013, 9:26 AM
The public has grown used to them over the years, seeing them as necessary, and there are very few situations any more where they are not accepted or simply overlooked. For instance, playgoers object much more to overheads visible below the proscenium than they do to mics visible on the performers.

One exception is cinema and series television, and the usual off-camera miking techniques fill the need here.

For weddings, a single omni on the officiant or groom's lapel is expected; but not on the bride.

Smaller capsules, improved pickup, flesh color matching, and judicious placement have made them much less intrusive than in the past, but concealing them in clothing, hair and hats is pretty much a thing of the past, and doing so always compromises the pickup characteristics. I once saw a micro-capsule disguised as a beauty mole for a lead actress. I remember reading some musings about mic implants a while back, but that isn't something we're going to be doing with amateur talent and church matrons!

While many performers have gone to the miniature Countryman style mics, a few have stuck with the huge CM311-AE, making the mic part of their onstage persona. When amateur talent gets a bit self-conscious about being miked, I tell them since we can't hide it, wear it proudly!



JackW wrote on 5/4/2013, 9:50 AM
I find that the problem more often than not is what the client is wearing rather than what kind of mic is being used.

In the thread that began this discussion the talent is wearing a scoop-neck top, a garment in which it's almost impossible to hide a mic. Shirts or coats with lapels are a great deal easier, as are V-neck sweaters. I know we can't always control what talent is wearing, but it's something to keep in mind.

We often shoot medical people with white lab coats; for this I've painted a couple of lavs and their clips white, which at least minimizes the contrast between mic and jacket.

Jack
rs170a wrote on 5/4/2013, 10:30 AM
Bob, I think what you're referring to are Rycote Stickies. They also have Overcovers and Undercovers. Which one is used depends on the situation.
http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/11102-rycote-overcovers-undercovers/?hl=rycote+overcovers+undercovers is a thread on the JW Sound forum discussing these.
As you said, you can buy them pre-made or make your own with surgical tape. Transpore Medical Tape is the brand I see most often recommended to stick to bare skin.
If it's not bare skin, then moleskin is great. Check out the Dr. Scholl's line in your local pharmacy for a wide range of this product. For example, http://www.walgreens.com/q/moleskin
To repeat, I've found the JW Sound forum to be a very valuable resource for a lot of things related to high quality field audio recording.

Mike
musicvid10 wrote on 5/4/2013, 10:42 AM
Transpore is indeed the industry standard "mic tape," but is quite expensive and can be hard to find under its original "3M" brand name. Their consumer brand line is called "Nexcare."

Your local pharmacy and supermarket may have the same thing under their own house or generic brand name at a modest price, but you need to look really hard to find the word "Transpore" on their packaging. Well worth the hunt, as you can even buy it in bulk.

Its advantage is that it removes easily but resists sweat, is hypoallergenic and won't leave red marks on your talents' cheeks. Never use paper tape -- it doesn't work.
craftech wrote on 5/4/2013, 11:24 AM
Completely agree with Musicvid.

This is a problem only for old school.

I shoot almost exclusively stage productions. Whereas at one time hiding the body mics was considered essential, now head worn mics sticking right out down the side of the cheeks of the performers is the norm and no one today in that business cares.

Neither does the audience. Even when the stage productions are televised it is acceptable to see the head worn mics. Lapel mics - no problem either. It's part of the attire. Now the transmitters, that's another story.

John
musicvid10 wrote on 5/4/2013, 11:49 AM

The CM311-AE, made famous by Brittney Spears.
rs170a wrote on 5/4/2013, 12:14 PM
In the thread that began this discussion the talent is wearing a scoop-neck top, a garment in which it's almost impossible to hide a mic.

Jack, if you're referring to the first set of pictures (the young woman with the long dark hair), I would either use a boom or put the lav in her hair if I couldn't find a way to put it on her dress - and you almost always can find a way to do it.
Garfield Hush Lavs or Sanken RM-11s are another mounting choice that can be taped to a dress like this.
If she's wearing a wireless, NeoPax makes a great line of transmitter belts that can be easily hidden in a variety of ways.

Mike
rs170a wrote on 5/4/2013, 12:17 PM
Transpore is indeed the industry standard "mic tape," but is quite expensive and can be hard to find under its original "3M" brand name.

Is $1.00/roll cheap enough?
Transpore at Amazon. $13.30 for a 12 roll pack (1" X 10 yd.).

Mike
rs170a wrote on 5/4/2013, 12:26 PM
I shoot almost exclusively stage productions. Whereas at one time hiding the body mics was considered essential, now head worn mics sticking right out down the side of the cheeks of the performers is the norm and no one today in that business cares.

John, I shoot a lot of stage plays each year and I don't care if I see the headworn mics or not.
However, I also shoot a lot of corporate interviews and I find that seeing the mic is a distraction. This is strictly my personal opinion and I don't judge others who don't hide it but I do my best to do so.
For example, I did one a few weeks ago where the woman was wearing a red blazer with very large black buttons. I ran my black COS-11 through the button hole and right next to the button. I had a tough time seeing the mic :)
The small size of these things (16mm. X 4 mm.) makes them very easy to hide.

Mike
JackW wrote on 5/4/2013, 1:50 PM
Mike: actually I was referring to the second set of pictures, the blond woman with the scoop-neck sweater and T.
rs170a wrote on 5/4/2013, 2:38 PM
Jack, in that case, I would use a COS-11 with either a Hush Lav or one of these taped to the underside of her blouse.
The guy who recommended the latter bought a package at an art supply store ($2 for a pack of 10) and snipped one end off.

Sofft Cover

Mike
farss wrote on 5/4/2013, 2:55 PM
[I]"Bob, I think what you're referring to are Rycote Stickies"[/I]

You're right, my confusion comes from the local importer handling both Senny and Rycote.

Bob.
larry-peter wrote on 5/4/2013, 4:25 PM
I've liked the sound of some Sennheisers and Countryman lavs I've used over the years, but I've had TRAM TR-50s in my personal kit since day 1. Love them and easy hiding.

I've gotten good sound hidden in hair, behind shoulder straps of gowns, bras and bikinis.

Not only is the freq curve designed for use under clothing, the TRAM clips and attachments for different hiding places are some of the most useful I've seen. Even a Boundary Layer Adapter that you can slip the mic in, flip it over and tape down for an instant PZM. Moleskin and surgical tape are always in my kit too, but rarely needed.
rraud wrote on 5/4/2013, 6:58 PM
I use 'Topstick' a lot as well as Rycote Stickies Over/Under covers & Moleskin for hiding lavs.
No mic is better in hiding a mic in plain sight than the B6. However it's prone to wind noise so that needs to be factored in.
The Oscar SounndTech OST 801 and 802 are about one half the price of the Tram and sound (IMO) very good.. and are the exact same size/shape of the TR50 and the mounting accessories are even interchangeable.
FWIW, I have no connection to OST other than a satisfied customer..Way back when, I was even an acquaintance of Ted Rapp (RIP) when he (Tram) was based in Nyack NY.
rraud wrote on 5/4/2013, 7:08 PM
I use 'Topstick' a lot as well as Transpore, Rycote Stickies & Over/Under covers & Moleskin.
No mic is better for hiding in plain sight than the tiny B6. However it's prone to wind noise so that needs to be factored in. Effectively hiding mics is whole other skill set altogether. Sounds easy, but.. it ain't.. like booming.
Regarding the Oscar SounndTech mics, the OST 801 and 802 are about one half the price of the 'Tram' and sound (IMO) very good.. and are the exact same size/shape of the TR50 and the Tram and OST mounting accessories are even interchangeable.
Disclaimer: I have no connection to OST other than a satisfied customer..Way back when I was even an acquaintance of Ted Rapp (RIP) when he (Tram) was based in Nyack NY.
Barry W. Hull wrote on 5/4/2013, 7:27 PM
Are "stickies" anything like "pasties"? Curious.

Disclaimer, I have no connection to pasties other than a satisfied customer.

I don't know, I thought that was funny.
musicvid10 wrote on 5/4/2013, 7:29 PM
Those B6 / E6 capsules are easily crushed, and expensive to replace. Here's a Senny in the same application, priced 50% less, although it's a little closer to B3 in size.

http://microphonemadness.com/products/mmhigomlapse.htm


larry-peter wrote on 5/4/2013, 7:49 PM
I have heard good things about the OST mics too but never used. Sonotrims are nice TRAM clones to have around for plant mics. Flatter than the TRAMs but not as good under clothing. And I have to admit, I'm so old-school it's ridiculous. Just bought a 80's era Micron wireless off eBay a couple months back, just because it had a TRAM package with it. The transmitter is heavy as a cigarette pack made of uranium, but it sounds great.

@Barry , it was funny.
JackW wrote on 5/5/2013, 12:03 AM
Great idea, Mike.

Thanks

Jack
farss wrote on 5/5/2013, 12:59 AM
If anyone wants an almost unbreakable lapel mic I can certainly recommend the Sennheiser MKE 2-EW gold. Not exactly cheap at just under $400 but we have about 10 being rented out over several years and not one has failed.
Had a few crushed by the Storm case lid but that's just the windshield which is easily replaced.
I would say the only issues is the Kevlar / Teflon cable is pretty springy and once it gets a good kink in it, the kink is there for good.

Bob.
musicvid10 wrote on 5/5/2013, 9:33 AM
+1
Sehhneiser MKE-2

They don't sweat out like the old ones did, but are a little heavy for cheekworn use, thus tend to sag after being taped. Also, they are definitely going to be seen on the face. Warm sound, not as hot as some of the others. 140dB SPL iirc.

They should be taped high on the cheekbone, not to the hollow cheek area, and "point" towards the upper lip, not the lower jaw area.
rraud wrote on 5/5/2013, 9:34 AM
Yes, the Sennheiser 'MKE' series lavs are very good.... but.. not to be confused with the POS 'ME' series lavs, which are normally included with the Sennheiser (bodypack) G2/3 wireless systems.
To elaborate on the OST mics, the 801 is closer in sound to the Sonotrim and good for hiding under clothing, the 802 is closer to the original TR50. OST's end-fire 'oil can shaped' TL40 is slightly smaller than a B3, (Countryman.. not Hammond) and is small enough to be hidden under medium sized buttons and such, it's robust and sounds very good as well. OST mics are made in NJ <USA>, their customer service is outstanding ( on-par with SD, Lectro and Zaxcom... the complete opposite of a certain software company we love to hate)
Lavs are often considered as expendables but any mic or cable squashed by road-case lid is not normal wear and tear IMO.