Lavalier microphone

A lavalier microphone, often shortened to lav mic, is a small clip-on microphone attached to clothing near the collar or chest, wired to a bodypack transmitter or a phone, or connected directly by cable to a recorder or camera. Its small size and discreet placement make it a common choice for video podcasts, interviews and demonstrations where a host needs to move.

Because a lav sits lower than mouth level and off to one side, it generally needs more gain than a mic positioned directly in front of the mouth, and its sound is more affected by clothing rustle, wind and body movement. Careful placement, usually clipped a few inches below the chin and secured against the fabric, reduces these issues.

Wireless lavalier systems add a transmitter and receiver, useful for a host who needs to walk around during a video segment, while wired lavaliers plugged into a camera or recorder are simpler and avoid any risk of wireless interference. For a stationary desk podcast, a boom-mounted mic usually sounds better than a lav, which shines more in on-camera and mobile recording.