Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup: Best way of attaching body mics

Best way of attaching body mics

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Topic: Best way of attaching body mics

Posted By: jt7724
Subject: Best way of attaching body mics
Date Posted: 3/03/12 at 11:43am

Right now at my theater the standard way of putting mics on actors is to have them on their forehead. I am aware that this is a legitimate way of attaching them and that it is said to give the best sound quality, but at least in my opinion it looks really really bad, especially since a handful of the mics are black, which makes them stand out even more on light skinned actors. We also have trouble with keeping the cords in place on the guys because of their short hair, and the mic tape we are using is not sticking well. I really would love to suggest a better system to the guy in charge of miking the actors, but I am not a sound tech and I don't know what to tell him.

I would love any guidance you can give on what you consider the best way of miking an actor keeping in mind aesthetics, durability, and sound quality.

Replies:

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 3/03/12 at 6:05pm

I've been told that hiding the mic in the hairline is the best. I haven't convinced the kids that put the mics on, or the actors, to try it though.

We mostly use mics that hang over both ears with a little bendable boom that puts the mic close to the actor's mouth. The mics are from http://www.microphonemadness.com/ - http://www.microphonemadness.com/ . They sound great and are pretty inexpensive. However the last 2 middle-school shows had too many failures. I'm still waiting to get the results of the first batch we sent in. I think the problem involves people not leaving slack loops to keep the cables from stressing and general carelessness on the part of the actors. The mics are not likely t be the problem.

We also tape miniature mics right to the actors cheek and that works OK. You do need to get the mic on the actor before makeup. I'm not sure which brand of tape is working the best. It's like a clear surgical tape and it is available at the drug store. We keep a kit of tapes, band-aids, and a variety of clips to secure the cable.

Clipping the mic on the costume will work if the actor projects little, but it is not optimum. The level can change quite a lot as the actor moves his head from side to side.

As for your mics looking bad, you might consider covering the mic and cable with cut-up band aids. Just be sure to leave an opening whee the sound goes in.

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David M

Posted By: sguti39
Date Posted: 3/15/12 at 3:31am

So a couple of things...
Mics not sticking-make sure your actors do not have make-up on in the area where the tape is being applied. You can use rubbing alcohol to remove residue in the area prior to taping. I agree with the translucent medical tape. After the mic is in place add the makeup.
Color of mic----if u own u can paint with a flesh colored paint for the wire and use condoms (yes condoms) to cover the actual mic. U can also buy flesh covers for the booms of the mic.
Attaching mics to short hair- go to a beauty supply store and purchase the clips used for extensions. Clip the cord to the hair...it won't hurt the cord, but will be very secure.
Good luck!

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S.G.

Posted By: razberryt
Date Posted: 3/21/12 at 2:41am

We usually rent wireless lapel mics, then cut apart wire coat hangers to create a frame to hang over the actor's ears. It is bent over one ear, runs behind their head, along the base of their head to the other ear where a longer piece is left on for attaching the actual mic to.

We then use flesh colored first aid tape to secure the lapel cord to the wire frame.

We haven't tried covering the mic itself. It usually just sits along the actor's cheek. For the mics we use this position gives good sound, but I know some mics may need to be more "front and center" in which case you just need to make your frame have a longer "end" for bending in toward the mouth.

Posted By: Scott B
Date Posted: 3/24/12 at 12:17pm

We've never had any problems needing to cover the mics, but we have had to start covering the transmitters with condoms because of all the sweat. Experience has shown us that these units will fail if they get too much moisture. It took us a couple of years to finally figure out that we just have to do it with each production.

The units that have failed us all came back to life the next night after having the opportunity to dry out. You do have to be careful because some are allergic to latex.

Posted By: MusicManD
Date Posted: 3/26/12 at 10:20pm

I'm a huge fan of the over-ear boom mics. I've never tried the hairline mics, but I can't imagine that a mic 7 or 8 inches away from my mouth can be more effective than a boom half an inch from the corner of my mouth. The best tape I've found is the cut-up bandaids. I had extensive makeup and the bandaids stuck just fine. Depending on my costume, I sometimes have to use another piece on the back of my neck to keep the mic cable from getting too tight as it runs up my back and over my neck/shoulder.

My best solution for the transmitter pack is to simply wear a pair of shorts with a pocket under my costume. Then I slip the transmitter into the pocket of the shorts. Don't have to rely on a mic pack clip, and it never comes in contact with sweaty skin. Another advantage- it moves the pack lower to a place where I can fall down on stage without worrying about falling on the pack itself.