how to mic someone like a pro

Audio Gear:

0:00 - Intro
0:32 - Why audio matters
0:49 - Learn where to place your Shotgun Mic
1:55 - Why you should replace the default lav options from your pack
3:01 - Where to place your lav Mic and why
4:21 - How to Lav a human being from earth
5:52 - Another quick tip for audio to bare in mind
6:14 - Final thoughts

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[who]

As someone who went to film school and learned how to properly lav people some 20 years ago but who works at a news station and has to mic people twenty times a day I can't tell you how much I both love and hate this. Because yes, you're right this is exactly the right way to do thing, but in practice it's almost never going to happen, half the time it's a struggle to get people to understand why I need to clip a mic to their shirt or get them to carry the pack in their pocket, let alone to get them to tape something to their chest/under their clothing. I've tried to explain it about a million times, but typically the cost of getting it there is losing the comfort/space/time you need your subject to have to tell the story. In a situation where you'll be working with someone over an extended period of time, what you're saying makes total sense and is completely right, but when you're meeting someone for the first time about thirty second before and interview where you're lucky if you've got five minutes of your time and patience, it just doesn't happen.

[sushi_donut]

Can people start posting how to properly EQ lavs please? Placement first, sure, but they always sound so out the gate 😭😭🎤

[johnrohdejensen]

Finally someone who puts the LAV in the right spot. Just below the bump on the sternum. It's my go-to trick for good audio when filming.
It's also why I hate subjects in t-shirts with a passion and have bought vampire tabs for my lavs.

[quantumimagesQC]

Don't cheap out on your mic! Few years ago I decided to get the Sennheiser MKH50 P48 mic. Best. Move. Ever. No more room sound, no more hissing or humming noise, just pure high quality audio 🎤

[xlrsecurity]

I just tested the Countryman B3 lav mic in the chest position like you said. What a game changer – it makes a huge difference to the tone of my voice compared with the collar position. Thank you!

[benjamin.kelley]

Sanken Cos11D with bubblebee mic concealers mounted to a subject's chest is ideal. The neck area is a dead zone. As primarily a wedding filmmaker, I do this mic technique EVERY TIME I mic someone.

3:30 i think you demonstrated very well that locser to the mouth and throat you will have more bass, more proximity effect. on the chest you have a fuller picture and nicer highend

[kevincencio]

This is gold, I've always thought that the way people use the wireless mic packs was weird. This confirms.

[cinemabryce]

Congrats on 300k subs Mark! Well deserved. Thank you for all the helpful information throughout the years.

[GeorgeHolden]

most helpful reminder I've had on lav placement, been too fooled by the convenience of the internal DJI mics

[joelcarrsound]

Good vid. Sound recordist of 10 years here. Just thought I’d add a couple of things regarding the brands/products you mentioned

- dpa 4060/61 and 6060/61 is a superior sounding lav to the cos 11, fact. Though many sound recordists use Sanken cos 11’s for the cost factor (around 35% cheaper) and because they’re a bit more durable. Nervous contributors love to tear their mic off as soon as an interview finishes, and a well-terminated cos 11 is a bit more resistant to that sort of wear and tear.

- rycote consumables such as stickies and undercovers have been superseded by superior products from ursa, bubblebee and viviana. Those stickies for example are thick and just not great.

[MaineMountainMedia]

All great info, nice one Mark. Can't have too many reminders to pay attention to audio. Also, the Goldeneye menu song will never get old! 🎵🎤

[joeumali]

i've been rockin the 416 for over 10 years now and will continue to do so for another x number of years

[djangokroon]

🎤 I must say, normally when an average content creator puts up a video about audio my inner nerd feels violated but this video is perfect! You are also not the average content creator of course. I studied Sound Design at filmschool more then 10 years ago (yes still paying that off and yes I am learning how to tell a story now in AOD) and been a sound recordist on set for as long and these tips are perfect for people that "have to deal" with audio. Very well done sir!

[ToldbyNick]

“Audio brings out……nerds.” 😂 had me dying

[BelindaFarage]

Always always ALWAYS love your tips on audio. Absolutely the best advice whether you're on set or on location. Chef's kiss. 🎙🎤

[YoungBlaze]

my issue is that i buy all these 32bit float recording systems, but the real issue is that the actual LAV at the capsule distorts, so a lot of lavs cant handle high yelling etc, so when i try to recover the distorted vocal, its burned into the lav,

[drmatthewhorkey]

Short and to the point!!! I feel like I’ll watch this over and over

[JakubChlouba]

Always great to get reminded of audio basics!! I started using Reycotes last year and loving them.

Also my Rode Wireless Pro mics got stolen yesterday so time to get something better😂😂😂

[NickMirro]

Such a great topic! I personally prefer the sound of either a boom or headset mic. Not too crazy about the boomi chest sound of a lav, but no getting around it.

For lavs, precut moleskin is my old reliable. One trick to make it comfortable is have the person who the talent is with put it on for them. Very easy to point to the spot on the chest and say angle it toward the mouth. They're always happy to help and everyone's comfortable 😁