The art of attaching & hiding lapel mics

[ktime]

Hi all, i'm about to start recording for a short film for which i will be using 1* shotgun and 2* wireless lapel mic's!.

could anyone please give me tips or links to video's & sites, about the fine art and craft of attaching & hiding lapel mics to minimize the sound of them rustling against clothing.

some fellow recordists have suggested I hide the mic behind the ear or in the hair, but unfortunately the main character is completely bald.

any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Marty

[Ozpeter]

Originally Posted by ktime

some fellow recordists have suggested I hide the mic behind the ear or in the hair, but unfortunately the main character is completely bald.

The only time I've used the behind-the-ear method was when providing sound reinforcement for 'Dame Edna' when she appeared at Wigmore Hall (about which I have many anecdotes...)

On that occasion the whole thing was handled by her dresser/makeup artist who clearly knew far more about how to do it than I did.

So I guess I have little advice, apart from suggesting that it's not only the actual attachment of the mic that is important but also the routing and restraint of its cord.

[John Willett]

If using a clip - loop the cable and trap it in the clip to decouple the cable from the mic. and minimise cable noise.

You will find the Rycote "Undercovers" useful for hiding under clothing - it's worth also checking out the "Overcovers", "Stickies" and "Furries" as well - start here.

[Jim vanBergen]

Use TRAM lav elements and gaff tape them to the clothing.

What has worked for 20 years on TV and film production will work well for you.

JvB

[pkautzsch]

Double-sided tape helps well in fixing the mic to the chest and to the clothing, so nothing will rustle. Doesn't work with very light clothes as you'd then see they are taped to the chest.
Other typical places are inside the knot of a tie (or any other kind of cloth arount talent's neck) or between the buttons of a shirt (again you might use double-sided tape). I've never seen lavs in actors' hair or behind their ear in a film shoot. They'll always be seen there.
Oh, and make sure you got quick access to the transmitter to change batteries.

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

I've never seen lavs in actors' hair or behind their ear in a film shoot. They'll always be seen there.

Agreed. Hair, wig, attached to glasses & over-the-ear are de facto standard miking for Broadway theatre, but a big no-no for TV and film.

[Hic&Nunc]

If you have to tape the mic directly to the body, use medical tape (you'll find this in any pharmacy) so that it won't hurt the actor when removing it and that his skin will keep on breathing.

[hbphotoav]

Location Sound in SoCal (Location Sound Corp: Pro Audio's Resource for the Sale / Rent of Sound Equipment) and Trew Audio in Nashville, Vancouver and Toronto (Trew Audio: Location Sound Equipment Sales, Rentals & Service for Film & Video Production throughout the US, Canada, and the rest of the world.) both can provide info, rentals, purchases, mics, xmitters and receivers, and accessories to do the job right. Certain omni elements (TRAM, DPA, PSC) with a HF boost are necessary under clothing... and a nice selection of vampire, tapedown and magnetic clips (Lavalier Accessories - Mic Accessories - Trew Audio) can't hurt. Be sure to practice before arriving onsite... placement and EQ are crucial to maximize intelligibility and minimize "chest" resonance and clothing rustle.