OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROPHONES

Some microphones are designed and used primarily for sound sources that are moving, whereas others are used for more stationary sound sources. When grouped according to their actual operation, there are mobile and stationary microphones. Mobile microphones include:  Lavaliere  Hand  Boom  Headset  Wireless mics. Stationary microphones include:  Desk  Stand  Hanging  Hidden, and  Long distance mics.

LAVALIERE MICROPHONES These are the most frequently used on-camera microphone in television. Because of their size, they are unobtrusive and look more like jewellery than a technical device. Lavaliere microphones are omni-directional or uni- directional, with a dynamic or condenser sound generating element. They are designed primarily for voice pick-up. The quality of even the smallest one is very high. The lavaliere is attached to the performer’s clothes approximately 5 to 8 inches below the chin and away from anything that could rub or bang against it.

LAVALIERE (cont.) Because the distance between the mic and the sound source does not change during the performance, and even sound level can be achieved more easily than with other mobile microphones. Lavaliere mics can be used in: News Interviews Panel shows Instructional shows Dramas Music

DISADVANTAGES OF LAVALIERE MICS  The wearer cannot move the mic any closer to his/her mouth; consequently if there is extraneous noise, it is easily picked up by an omin-directional mic.  The lavaliere can be used for only one sound source at a time- that of the wearer.  Although the lavaliere mic allows considerable mobility, a wired lavaliere can limit a performer’s action radius.  The lavaliere picks up occasional rubbing noises because it is attached to the clothing. This will happen especially if the performer moves around a great deal and the mic is concealed underneath a blouse or jacket.  If the performers clothes generate static electricity, the discharge may be picked up by the mic as loud, sharp pops.  If two lavaliers are at a certain distance from each other, they may cancel out some frequencies and make the voices sound strangely thin.

HOW TO USE LAVALIERE MICROPHONES Points to consider are: o Be sure to put it on. o To put on the microphone, bring it up underneath the blouse or jacket and then attach it on the outside. Clip it firmly to the clothing so that it does not rub against anything. Do not wear jewellery in proximity to the mic. o Thread the mic cable underneath the clothing and secure the cable so that it cannot pull the microphone sideways. o If you must conceal the mic, do not bury it under layers of clothing; keep it as close to the surface as possible. o If you use the dual redundancy mic system(which uses two identical microphones for the sound pickup in case one fails), fasten both mics securely and use a clip designed to hold two lavalieres so that they do not touch each other. o Avoid hitting the microphone with any object you may be demonstrating on camera. o If the lavaliere is a wireless and/or condenser mic, check that the battery is in good condition and installed correctly.

Cont:  Double check that the transmitter is turned on(there are normally two switches-one for power and one for the mic) and that it is turned off when leaving the set.  If the lavaliere is wireless do not walk off with the mic still clipped to your clothing.