Lapel Microphones

Lapel microphones, also known as lavalier microphones, are small, discreet microphones that can be clipped onto clothing or other surfaces. They are often used in situations where a larger microphone would be too obtrusive or impractical.

 

One of the main advantages of lapel microphones is their small size and portability. They can easily be attached to a shirt collar, tie, or jacket lapel, making them ideal for interviews, presentations, and other public speaking engagements. They are also commonly used in film and television production to capture dialogue and other sound effects.

 

Lapel microphones are available in both wired and wireless versions. Wired lapel microphones typically have a cable that connects to a recording device or mixer, while wireless lapel microphones transmit audio wirelessly to a receiver unit. Wireless lapel microphones are often preferred for their flexibility and freedom of movement, but they can be more expensive and require additional equipment. Another advantage of lapel microphones is their omnidirectional pickup pattern, which means they can capture sound from all directions. This makes them ideal for capturing dialogue and other spoken word content, but they may not be the best choice for capturing music or other sound effects.

 

When choosing a lapel microphone, it’s important to consider factors such as sound quality, durability, and compatibility with your recording or mixing equipment. It’s also important to choose a microphone that is suitable for your intended application, whether it’s a live performance, video production, or podcasting.

 

Finally, lapel microphones are a versatile and convenient option for capturing high-quality audio in a variety of settings. They are a popular choice for professionals in the film, television, and broadcasting industries, as well as educators, public speakers, and podcasters.

History of Lapel Microphones

 

The history of lapel microphones, also known as lavalier microphones, dates back to the early days of radio broadcasting. In the 1920s and 1930s, radio broadcasters were looking for a way to capture high-quality audio without having to be tethered to a stationary microphone.

Early in the 1930s, the RCA Corporation invented the first lapel microphones. These early lapel microphones were large and bulky, but they allowed broadcasters to move around freely while still capturing high-quality sound.

 

Lapel microphones grew in popularity in the television industry during the 1950s and 1960s. They were employed to record dialogue and other sound effects on location, enabling more realistic and immersive sound in television programs and motion pictures.

 

With the advancement of wireless technology in the second half of the twentieth century, lapel microphones became even more adaptable and portable. With wireless lapel microphones, presenters and performers can move around without being bound to a mixing board or recorder.

 

Nowadays, lapel microphones are used for a number of purposes, such as podcasting, film and television production, live performances, and public speaking. For recording high-quality audio in a range of settings, they are a flexible and practical option.

Features of  Lapel Microphones

Lapel microphones, also known as lavalier microphones, have several features that make them a popular choice for a variety of applications:

 

1. Size and Portability: Lapel microphones are small and lightweight, making them easy to transport and use on the go. They can be clipped onto clothing or other surfaces, allowing for hands-free use.
2. Omnidirectional pickup pattern: Lapel microphones have an omnidirectional pickup pattern, meaning they can capture sound from all directions. This makes them ideal for capturing dialogue and other spoken word content.
3. Frequency response: Lapel microphones typically have a wide frequency response range, which allows them to capture a range of sounds, from low-frequency bass notes to high-frequency treble sounds.
4. Sensitivity: Lapel microphones are designed to be highly sensitive to sound, which means they can pick up even quiet or distant sounds.
5. Noise reduction: Some lapel microphones have built-in noise reduction technology, which can help to minimize background noise and improve the clarity of the recorded sound.
6. Durability: Lapel microphones are typically built to withstand the wear and tear of daily use, with rugged materials and sturdy construction.
7. Compatibility: Lapel microphones are available in both wired and wireless versions, and can be used with a variety of recording devices, from smartphones and tablets to professional-grade mixers and recorders.

Classifications of lapel microphones

Lapel microphones also referred to as lavalier microphones, can be categorized according to a number of criteria, including their design, connectivity, and directionality. The following are some typical categories for lapel microphones:

1. Wired vs. Wireless: Lapel microphones are available in both wired and wireless versions. Wired lapel microphones are connected directly to a recording device, while wireless lapel microphones use radio frequencies to transmit the audio signal to a receiver.
2. Directionality: Lapel microphones can be omnidirectional or directional. Omnidirectional lapel microphones capture sound from all directions, while directional lapel microphones capture sound from a specific direction.
3. Size and Shape: Lapel microphones come in a variety of sizes and shapes, including button-style microphones, tie-clip microphones, and pendant-style microphones.
4. Connector Type: Lapel microphones can have different types of connectors such as XLR, TRS, or TRRS. The type of connector needed depends on the recording device being used.
5. Compatibility: Lapel microphones can be designed to work with specific recording devices such as smartphones, DSLR cameras, or professional-grade audio recorders.
6. Frequency Response: Lapel microphones can have different frequency response ranges, which affects the sound quality they can capture. Some lapel microphones are designed specifically for capturing vocals, while others are designed for capturing music or ambient sound.

Advantages of Lapel microphones

Lapel microphones, also called lavalier microphones, have a number of benefits over other kinds of microphones.

• Portability: Lapel microphones are small and lightweight, making them easy to transport and use on the go. They can be clipped onto clothing or other surfaces, allowing for hands-free use.
• Discretion: Lapel microphones are discreet and small, making them perfect for settings where a larger microphone would be distracting or too obvious.
• Omnidirectional pickup pattern: Lapel microphones have an omnidirectional pickup pattern, meaning they can capture sound from all directions. This makes them ideal for capturing dialogue and other spoken word content.
• Flexibility: There are wired and wireless versions of lapel microphones available, giving users a choice in how they use them. For presenters and performers who need to move around freely, wireless lapel microphones can be especially helpful.
• Sound quality: Lapel microphones can capture high-quality sound, particularly when used in conjunction with a high-quality recording device or mixer.
• Versatility: Lapel microphones have a wide range of uses, from live performances and public speaking engagements to film and television production and podcasting. For capturing high-quality audio in a range of settings, they are a flexible and practical choice.

Manufacturers of lapel microphones

There are many manufacturers that produce high-quality lapel microphones for a variety of applications. Some of the best-known and most respected manufacturers of lapel microphones include:

1. Sennheiser: Sennheiser is a German company that produces a wide range of audio equipment, including lapel microphones. Their lapel microphones are designed for professional use and are widely used in the film, television, and broadcasting industries.
2. Shure: Shure is an American company that produces a range of audio equipment, including microphones and wireless systems. They offer a variety of lapel microphones with different features and specifications to suit different applications.
3. Rode: Rode is an Australian company that specializes in microphones for a variety of applications. Their lapel microphones are designed for use with smartphones, DSLR cameras, and other recording devices, and are popular with content creators and vloggers.
4. Audio-Technica: Audio-Technica is a Japanese company that produces a range of audio equipment, including lapel microphones. They offer a variety of wired and wireless lapel microphones with different features and specifications to suit different applications.
5. Countryman: Countryman is an American company that specializes in miniature microphones for a variety of applications, including lapel microphones. Their lapel microphones are designed to be discreet and unobtrusive and are popular with performers and public speakers.

These are just a few of the numerous companies that make excellent lapel microphones. When selecting a lapel microphone, it’s crucial to take into account the precise features and requirements required for the intended application, as well as aspects like budget and compatibility with recording devices.

FAQs

What are the advantages of using a lapel microphone?

The main advantage of using a lapel microphone is that it allows the speaker to be hands-free while still capturing high-quality audio. It also helps to reduce background noise and improve speech intelligibility. Additionally, lapel microphones are often small and discreet, making them ideal for use in situations where a larger microphone would be obtrusive or distracting.

 

What types of lapel microphones are available?

Lapel microphones are available in both wired and wireless versions and can have different directionalities, frequency response ranges, and connector types. Some lapel microphones are designed specifically for use with smartphones or DSLR cameras, while others are designed for use with professional audio equipment.

 

How do I choose the right lapel microphone?

The specific features and requirements required for the intended application, as well as aspects like budget and compatibility with recording devices, should all be taken into account when selecting a lapel microphone. To help reduce background noise, you might want to select a directional microphone if you’re using a lapel microphone for broadcasting or public speaking, for instance.

 

How do I wear a lapel microphone?

To wear a lapel microphone, clip the microphone to your clothing near your chest, and run the cable discreetly down your shirt or blouse. Make sure the microphone is positioned close to your mouth, but not directly in front of it to avoid plosives and other noises from your breath. Be sure to test the microphone and adjust its position as needed before beginning your recording or presentation.