Definition and Usage
Lavalier (lav) microphones are miniature, omnidirectional or directional mics attached discreetly to a performer’s clothing. Wired or wireless, they provide consistent proximity to the mouth, ensuring intelligible dialogue even during movement or when boom microphones are impractical.
Placement and Concealment
Sound mixers collaborate with costume teams to hide lavs in wardrobe—under collars, inside button plackets or behind wigs—while avoiding rubbing noise and maintaining signal integrity.
Lav Mic: Technical Considerations
- Frequency Management: Wireless lav systems require careful channel planning to avoid interference.
- Gain & EQ: Engineers adjust gain to balance proximity effect and ambient noise, often applying high‐pass filters to remove low‐frequency rumble.
Advantages and Trade‐Offs
Lavs excel in dialogue‐heavy or interior scenes where boom placement is restricted. However, they can pick up clothing rustle and lack the natural room tone that a boom captures, necessitating ambient wild tracks for scene consistency.