Hide Your Lav
- Thread starter Terry_Lasater
- Start date
Good basic info, but it would have been helpful if he mentioned different types of lav mics - the capsule can look very different, there are the flat ones, the spherical ones, big, small etc., and all need different handling, and then what about things like air movement in exteriors, how do you handle a situation where you need to put a foam windjammer on the mic and so on. But at a very basic level the info is definitely valid.
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BrianMurphy
Veteran
It's a good video as mentioned. Women's clothing is always more of an issue than guys in my experience. I also use Rycote stickies rather than gaffer tape.
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
Hmm, Anybody recommending putting gaffers tape on skin gets big negative points right off the bat. That is NOT a good idea ever. The gaffer to gaffer sandwich with the mic in the middle I would be really leery of also. That is going to stick like a mother so you are going to have to put a LOT of strain on the mic to free it from the gaffer sandwich. Better options are available.
That and he seems to be putting the mics in less that great locations in some cases as in under a tie, that is how many layers to go through?
The uversity class "down the wire" I think it's called, listed elsewhere in threads is a MUCH better teaching tool. It costs, but as someone pointed out there are often sales, but you get a lot more and better advice. I don't do this that often and I thought it was well worth the money.
That and he seems to be putting the mics in less that great locations in some cases as in under a tie, that is how many layers to go through?
The uversity class "down the wire" I think it's called, listed elsewhere in threads is a MUCH better teaching tool. It costs, but as someone pointed out there are often sales, but you get a lot more and better advice. I don't do this that often and I thought it was well worth the money.
Terry_Lasater
All about the Caption
Moleskin.
I concur with most of the comments posted in response. That said, this was just a video I found online and thought would be informational for those with little experience attaching a lavaliere to someone. I've done the gaff tape paper football/triangle thing for years without a problem or damage to microphone. The loop in the cable is another good suggestion. Yeah, Ive never attached gaff tape to a talent's skin...
I concur with most of the comments posted in response. That said, this was just a video I found online and thought would be informational for those with little experience attaching a lavaliere to someone. I've done the gaff tape paper football/triangle thing for years without a problem or damage to microphone. The loop in the cable is another good suggestion. Yeah, Ive never attached gaff tape to a talent's skin...
Rick R
Veteran
I try to stay away from Gaf tape all together when it comes lav mics and cables.
I normally use Transpore, Stickies, Molskin, Joes sticky stuff and vampire clips. Lav windscreens are too bulky and make noise to hiding under clothing. Undercover or Overcovers are my go to wind/rubbing filters.
I normally use Transpore, Stickies, Molskin, Joes sticky stuff and vampire clips. Lav windscreens are too bulky and make noise to hiding under clothing. Undercover or Overcovers are my go to wind/rubbing filters.
Alpha Beta Omega
Veteran
Thanks for sharing. I found it interesting and gave me some new ideas of how to hide my lav.
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
A theatre I worked for once did a show and cast a harry chested italian actor in a role as a hairless chested character that is always in shorts. Some idiot told him to get his chest waxed. They got one strip waxed and that was that. When the bleeding stopped he went out and got some nair.
A couple of shows later he was still bitching because his manly chest hair had grown back very soft and baby like...
Then they cast him as a zen priest and he had to shave his head ;~)
Rippie
Veteran
One of best tips I could give to someone who is newer to hiding wires is
that it's incredibly easy to make sure the mic capsule isn't rubbing against the clothing.
That's not where most clothing noise is coming from.
More often than not it's the materials itself that rub up against each other or simply make noise on their own.
Invest in double sided tape like joe's sticky stuff or toupee tape (I prefer joes these days)
and tape the clothing down. You'll be surprised instantly at the difference if you are having a tough day of clothing rustle.
I actually find hiding on women much easier than men (of course all depends on wardrobe)
but between having the mic in the natural contour of the ol' boobies and taping down other layers makes it usually pretty easy.
that it's incredibly easy to make sure the mic capsule isn't rubbing against the clothing.
That's not where most clothing noise is coming from.
More often than not it's the materials itself that rub up against each other or simply make noise on their own.
Invest in double sided tape like joe's sticky stuff or toupee tape (I prefer joes these days)
and tape the clothing down. You'll be surprised instantly at the difference if you are having a tough day of clothing rustle.
I actually find hiding on women much easier than men (of course all depends on wardrobe)
but between having the mic in the natural contour of the ol' boobies and taping down other layers makes it usually pretty easy.
j1clark@ucsd.edu
Veteran
I asked a similar question a while ago, having placed the lav in an unfortunate location on the woman's dress, namely near the neck/collar area, since it was sort of a impromptu realization that a lav was required... I had fully intended to boom the dialog, but the directrix wanted this 'wide' shot which pretty much precluded a boom...
Anyway, the next shoot I asked the woman to place the mic better on her chest as she was dressing, and that turned out fine... it didn't do a damn thing about the long passages of expository dialog nor her wooden delivery... is there a sound filter to overcome that?
I paid for a u-demy tutorial on lavs but haven't had time to watch... perhaps as the days grow shorter and I I have nothing to do in the evening...
BrianMurphy
Veteran
When I mentioned women's clothing being more of an issue, I was serious. Now gents, there are some women who have no issue giving free access to their chest area, those who are fine with their bodies and under garments. Then there are those who are not....or there are those who I would prefer not to ask to whip,open a few buttons so I can pin this mic to your bra. Assuming of course that Madame is wearing one...
Actors and performers perhaps...but I would not be asking a Minister or Member of Parliament in my country or a Senator in the USA for access to the top floor.. Just old fashioned or maybe just old...but not gonna go there. Boom or hang it on the outside is my take.
Actors and performers perhaps...but I would not be asking a Minister or Member of Parliament in my country or a Senator in the USA for access to the top floor.. Just old fashioned or maybe just old...but not gonna go there. Boom or hang it on the outside is my take.
Rippie
Veteran
After all the years doing this and literally thousands of people ive had to mic,
I'm rarely the one physically touching the woman anymore (in the chest area).
I have the woman do it herself while I instruct her what to do.
I find it quicker because while she is handling that end I'm watching but I'm also
routing the bottom of the wire/getting the pack on her.
It doesn't invade her space, makes her feel more comfortable and overall works better for me.
When I do have to "get in there" its 99% after they offer for me to.
Side note and hugely important piece of advice. When micing a child..
ALWAYS have a female there standing next to you while you do it.
I've heard nightmare stories of parents making up crap after the fact about inappropriate touching.
I won't ever let that happen to me, nor should anyone.
Not to mention the common sense of why the hell you're invading a kids personal space while
no one else is around.. don't be that guy.
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Rick R
Veteran
Experienced actress' are rarely a problem ("do what you gotta do"), though in some cases I'll have a female from wardrobe assist. On docu's and such I'll enlist another female crew member or instruct the wearer herself, especially when it comes to thigh-strap pack for the transmitter (another common occurrence).