Paperclip as a Lavalier Spacer

[henrirapp]

Using A Paperclip To Create An Air Pocket Around A Lavalier Capsule

 

 

Quote

Written by Henri Rapp

 

Arguably one of the biggest learning curves there is in the knowledge base required as a sound recordist is the art of lav placement. They are an essential part of modern production workflows to allow quality audio in scenarios such as extreme wides or scenes with unpredictable dialog from multiple talent. That being said there are a lot of challenges that come with lavaliers as well, including clothing rustle or muffled sound due to being buried in heavy clothing. I’ve had excellent experiences using a paperclip as a spacer to create an air gap while mounting lavaliers under clothing to minimize rustle induced by movement. While there are commercial products available that achieve a similar thing, this cheap and readily available expendable works great. It is my absolute goto technique when micing people wearing sweaters, jackets, heavy shirts, and more. 

 

Read Full Article At:

https://wavreport.com/2020/02/15/paperclip-lav-technique/

[Olle Sjostrom]

But.. In the photo of your post are safety pins? Wouldn't use that as a spacer. Paper clips are fine. 

 

On a documentary I did a few years back I used undercovers wrapped around like a burrito (It created a sort of cone in the end) on the lavs (dpa4060), and then I mounted the lavs upside down on the subjects. Worked great on t-shirts. I wanted a non stiff solution to a quick mount.

I'll see if I can find an image 

 

Here's one.

 

[henrirapp]

16 hours ago, Olle Sjostrom said:

But.. In the photo of your post are safety pins? Wouldn't use that as a spacer. Paper clips are fine. 

 

On a documentary I did a few years back I used undercovers wrapped around like a burrito (It created a sort of cone in the end) on the lavs (dpa4060), and then I mounted the lavs upside down on the subjects. Worked great on t-shirts. I wanted a non stiff solution to a quick mount.

I'll see if I can find an image 

 

Here's one.

 

Whoa! That's a technique I've never heard of or even considered! I'll have to try and employ it sometime!

 

Yeah....it's a mix of safety pins and paperclips....guess I was on the lower side of paperclips vs safety pins. I keep both in a film container in my kit. 

[Techie23]

On 2/15/2020 at 8:49 PM, henrirapp said:

Using A Paperclip To Create An Air Pocket Around A Lavalier Capsule

 

 

 

Read Full Article At:

https://wavreport.com/2020/02/15/paperclip-lav-technique/

Hi Henri,

 

You wrote an insightful article; thank you for sharing it with us!

 

If I may respond in kind, here is an article on Televisa who uses the EMBRACE Ear-worn microphone. Read how they're using it in their studio broadcast on actors.

https://www.point-sourceaudio.com/2019/03/23/televisa-adopts-embrace-a-rapid-and-concealable-micing-system-for-its-television-productions/

 

Also, check out the video here from a location sound mixer in Los Angeles: https://www.point-sourceaudio.com/markets/broadcast/