Lavalier Microphones

Personal microphones

Lavalier microphones are also known as Personal microphones or Tie clip microphones. Their small size allows them to be hidden wherever necessary e.g. under an actor's clothes or visible, but not obtrusively so, on a tie or lapel (that's why they are also referred to as Lapel microphones).

The term Lavalier comes from Louis XIV of France's mistress Duchesse de La Valliere who wore pendant jewellery on a chain around her neck. The original lavalier microphones were larger and worn in the same way on a cord around the neck.

Lavalier mic's usually employ electret technology, there are dynamic personal mic's available such as the Shure SM11 or Electrovoice 649B but they can't be made as small as electret lavaliers.

A small size is vital for concealment and electrets have a higher frequency response and also a better transient response too.

Electrets require a small D.C. voltage power supply which either comes from the in-line pre-amplifier it's connected to or from the radio microphone transmitter it's plugged into, in this instance the pre-amp' is integrated into the transmitter.

Because they have a small capsule they are not very efficient at converting sound waves into an electronic signal so they're not used for distant or ambient recording. They should be used close to the sound source.

When used outdoors or close to a person's mouth they will need a windshield to stop wind blasts on the capsule.

Well known Lavaliers used as personal microphones are Sanken Cos11, Sony ECM 77B and ECM 88B and the Sennheiser MKE 2.

Instrument microphones

Lavaliers are not used exclusively on presenters and actors, their transient and high frequency response makes them ideal as Instrument microphones, especially when used in a stage context, also they are cheap to manufacture.

Musicians nowadays want to be able to move about on stage, so if they're playing an acoustic instrument they will mount a personal microphone with a flexible arm and clamp directly onto the instrument itself, this in turn is connected to a radio transmitter mounted on the instrument or worn by the musician. In this way the microphone is always getting a consistent sound (unlike a stand mounted microphone where the artist's movements relative to the microphone causes changes in level and tone).

Lavaliers, because of their size, are fairly delicate microphones and therefore need some care in their handling. If the cable gets broken at the base of the microphone itself it wont be repairable, if it tears at the connector end at least it will be possible to re-solder it.

If it is used in a theatre situation it is best to use a windshield at all times not only to stop wind noise but also to avoid Makeup and sweat clogging up the microphone, you can wash out the windshields separately.

The small size of personal microphones means that there is no room to incorporate any suspension for the capsule, therefore physical noise on the cable will go through to the microphone itself. It is best to make a small loop of cable at the microphone end and secure it under the tie clip, this helps reduce cable noise.