Lav Placement using my Rode Lavalier II

Very often, we can become so engrossed with our cameras and getting a good picture that we just plug in a lavalier mic and expect excellent results from it.
Myself included, we often just throw one in a bag and just don't think about placement, but treating these mini mics in the same way that we would use a more normal kind of mic can result in excellent results.
So here, I'm playing around with different lav placements.

[@Onlinepmcourses]

A double dead cat. 'What are the odds?" Schrödinger would say.

[@iancraig]

Rey low. The old Sony stereo was out years back and one was never developed! I used the old version for years with a digital video tape camera. Just put up with wind noise……

[@fransv1398]

Thank you Ian. A nice educational video on this subject.

[@iancraig]

What surprises me is just how much the treble changes when the mic is taken away from my shirt!

[@fransv1398]

@@iancraig Greater distance and fewer reflections both result in less low frequency.

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Good to see you again. Keith Kuhn

[@screensanctum]

great video. thank you.

[@michaelfinnwildlifephotogr5768]

Great info, as always, Ian. Take care, stay safe.

[@LetsCelebrateTV]

Placement is also important when using them with a host that has to move his head up and down. So in our case, the Chef talk looking forward, but them has to look down when chopping or cooking. The change of head and mouth position changes volume level and tonality. What I also see is when his head is down, the lav picks ups the wind noise of exhaling, even with a foamy. One thing I have found that seems to level is all out is to turn the lav upside down and move it off to the side, so not midline of the chest.. The back of the lav blocks the wind noise from breathing when looking down and keeps the volume level mostly consistant.

[@iancraig]

Great tip. Thanks.

[@lensmanonline]

Hi Ian hope you are well. Great info and demonstration. I just clip the Lav on and hope for the best, in future I'll try different Mic placements to see which works for my setup. Best wishes stay safe Jon.

[@lee8org]

Nice refresh.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Another great video Ian!

[@iancraig]

Thanks Allen. Really appreciated.

[@jimbotski]

Very helpful thank you.

[@chiroguy79]

So helpful, thank you!

[@KTHKUHNKK]

It sounds real good at the 1:12 mark.

[@iancraig]

That’s the Lewitt studio mic. Not a cheap mic Keith so the difference in sound is massive. A studio mic will always make a lavalier sound poor by comparison.

[@WildlifeUKNatureByGlenO]

Great stuff Ian, I've already sub'd you. 👍 I'm only an amatuer, and I learn something every time I watch one of your vids. Nice job tomcat.

[@iancraig]

Thank you ‘Wild thing’. ; ) I’m also ‘only an amateur and still learn masses from others like Curtis Judd, Kevin Basic Filmmaker and Allen Soundspeeds who are really good at KZbin with fantastic experience and knowledge. I’m a retired musician and have always been on the end of microphones rather than a camera which I find hard!

[@iancraig]

Thank you ‘Wild Thing’ ; ) ‘You made my heart sing’! I’m just an amateur too. Learned masses from people like Curtis Judd, Kevin (Basic Filmmaker) and Allen. (Soundspeeds) All much more professional than me.

[@lavieillebranche]

thx

[@JB_Eckl]

I love this advice! I really think the best sound from the Rode Lav II would be if you could aim it up towards the mouth; I can't stand that outward-facing omni sound. Any tips for routing it that way?

[@iancraig]

Thanks JB. Any mic sounds better the closer you have it to you. If you want to point the mic at yourself, you could always do what I often do …… just hold the lav under the camera line pointing at you. I find that lavs improve in sound significantly when held. Or just plant it somewhere close you you on the table or chair arm. I’ve even pinned it to sheets on a table in front of me.

[@JB_Eckl]

@@iancraig That makes sense. What I’m hoping though is to find a way to make it work better in ‘traditional’ lav mode, when out and about or interviewing. If I could mount the lav on my chest or collar but NOT facing out, it would sound infinitely better!

[@iancraig]

It would need a different mount or maybe bend the lugs on the mount that the mic comes with…… All I can think of is to pin a bend in your clothing!

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Quite a difference in sound at the 3:45 mark Keith Kuhn

[@iancraig]

It’s Lewitt studio mic, Keith,

[@terrym1964]

Could this mic be used to record exhaust sound on my motorcycle using double dead cat ?

[@iancraig]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'double deadcat' or why, but mics will record whatever you put in front of them fine. Do you mean one deadcat put on top of the other? What for? The only thing with a lavalier for exhaust sound is whether the sound reaches the timit of the mics max input. Lav mics tend to be lower than others.

[@KTHKUHNKK]

At 4:47 Either you're talking louder or something but it sounds awful Basie / Deep / Loud. Keith

[@iancraig]

Yes, unfortunately with some lavaliers, that can happen when you pin them to your chest. They normally need a bit of EQ later in post to be honest.

[@josedealmeida3051]

hi ian! perhaps you could help me. i need a lavalier mic that can be placed inside a moto helmet (full face), for motovlogging using a gopro, gopro media mod and dji mic wireless system. the mic would be placed just in front of the mouth, 1 or 2 inches away. sort of like the air pilots have. very close to the mouth. i have a shure mvl, but it seems it needs to be placed further away. 7 inchs away. i need something that work well very close, with a sponge due to the wind (which is a big concern). any recommendations? greatly appreciated.

[@iancraig]

I’m sorry Jose. I’ve never tried it. I’d hate to recommend a lav that doesn’t work. I’m guessing that they’re getting overloaded and distorting? That is a problem with lavs…. Lower max spl. When checking lav specs, try looking at max spl. The higher, the better.

[@josedealmeida3051]

@@iancraig @Ian Craig Audio,Video, Reviews & Tips yes, overloaded. and what would be a higher max spl number?

[@iancraig]

Maximum input level for the mic in dB. The higher the figure is, the more volume the mic can take without distorting.

[@KTHKUHNKK]

It does not sound good at all near your belly button too much room ambient noise. Keith Hey I hope you got rid of the covid I did

[@iancraig]

Yes, the distance from mouth to mic is critical. You get this effect very often when you place the lavalier in scene rather than wear it. Not a lot can be done about it either! Covid came and went but left with after effects for quite some time. Sense of smell and taste hasn’t come back the same.