How do you make lav mic not sound like a lav mic?

Audio

How do you make lav mic not sound like a lav mic?

Posted by Daniel Stone on July 15, 2013 at 7:01 pm

Anyone have any tips?

I’ve never liked using lav mics because the audio always sounds like I filmed my scene in the trunk of a car. Even my audio guy with his insanely expensive gear and perfect placement… lavaliere mics always sound like what I imagine my baby hears in the womb.

I’ve tried cutting aroun 500 Hz, and boosting at 5500 Hz, which makes it even worse.

Are there any EQing tips or tricks that make them not sound so stuffy?

Thanks!

David C jones replied 12 years, 9 months ago 6 Members · 5 Replies
5 Replies

Ty Ford
July 15, 2013 at 9:44 pm

Hello Dan and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

You can’t outwit physics. 🙂

Sometimes using a side address rather than an end address lav works better.

Lavs with bigger diaphragms usually generate more signal so less hiss.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog
Eric Toline
July 16, 2013 at 1:42 am

What lav mics are you using with what wireless? Sanken COS 11 lavs are the de facto choice in the production sound community. You’ve heard them on just about every movie & TV show that you’ve seen and didn’t know it. More details about how they’re being used in your situation would help.

Eric

“I push the RECORD button and hope for the best”
Peter Groom
July 16, 2013 at 11:42 am

I dont agree that lavs necessarily sound bad. Just dont burry them.
Cos11 for me too.
I think it all depends on the quality of the mic youre using.
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer
John Fishback
July 18, 2013 at 8:32 pm

Amen to Cos 11. I’m also impressed by Voice Technologies lavs.

John

MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz, 16 GB RAM, OS 10.7.4, QT10.1, Kona 3, Dual Cinema 23, ATI Radeon HD 5870, 24″ TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
FCS 3 (FCP 7.0.3, Motion 4.0.3, Comp 3.5.3, DVDSP 4.2.2, Color 1.5.3)
FCP-X 10.0.7, Motion 5.0.6, Compressor 4.0.6

Pro Tools HD 10 w SYNC IO & 192 Digital I/O, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec DSP Monitors, Prima CDQ120 ISDN
David C jones
July 23, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Yes, again to the COS11’s. Place it just above mid-chest level. As was said, don’t bury it (or any lav) too much. Use the rubber mount with it, too.

Dave J

Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up

Creative Communities of the World Forums