Nagra 4.2 User Manual page 95

E E
QUIPMENT
Education & Training Division
A popular technique is to sandwich the mic head between two sticky triangles made from camera tape.
Start with a two inch long strip of (one inch wide) camera tape, and fold it corner over corner like a flag,
sticky side out. Make a second triangle the same way. Then sandwich the mic between them, being careful
not to block the grill.
In the case of a button down shirt or blouse, attach the sticky triangle onto the fabric overlap, just above
one button. Let the tied off loop hang opposite of the button. Secure the next inch or two of mic line with a
simple strip of camera tape along the overlap, running vertically downward towards the next button.
Any tugging on the cable will be strain relieved by the section taped to the clothing. The floating loop
will isolate the mic capsule, and the twin sticky triangles will prevent clothing from rubbing across the mic
itself.
Wiring a female can be simpler. If she is wearing a bra, arrange the triangles over the mic so that one
point is down. Secure the mic inside of the bra, at the "cross your heart" juncture in the center of the bosom.
A small strip of surgical tape can be used to anchor the mic cable along the upper abdomen.
The natural swell of the bosom protects the mic from clothing contact, as well as positioning it out from
the chest cavity.
Clothing noise can also be acoustic in nature, and is created by clothing fibers rubbing against each
other. Starched clothing is very noise conductive, so soften the cloth with a light mist of water wherever the
camera won't notice it, such as under the sports coat. Soften a patch of clothing around the site where the
microphone is to be attached.
Combat noise from clothing friction with Static Guard.
Wind noise can be alleviated by salvaging the foam tip from a (used) video cleaning swab. Pull the tip
off of the stick, and slice the base off. What remains is a foam hood that will slip over most lavaliers.
These free windscreens can be painted with marking pens to be less visible. And since they cost nothing,
there is no risk of sandwiching them within tape that would destroy the foam upon removal.
Additional wind protection can be achieved by wrapping some cheesecloth over the mic. Cut off the
fingertip from a pair of child's or woman's knit gloves, and pull that hood over the mic and cheesecloth.
Another useful trick for rigging lavaliers is to use moleskin and safety pins. This technique is particu-
larly effective when you have to wire talent quickly, or if talent is going to be very physically active and
might otherwise dislodge a taped on mic.
Wrap a layer of soft moleskin around the head of the mic. Insert an open safety pin, and then wrap
another layer to secure it. The lavalier is now ready to be pinned in place under wardrobe. The moleskin tends
to insulate the mic capsule from most clothing noise. An additional strip or two of tape or moleskin can be
added to help prevent clothing from rubbing against the mic, and to strain relief the mic cable.
© Copyright 2003 by Fred Ginsburg. All Rights Reserved.
MPORIUM INC
Guide to the Nagra 4.2 and
Production Sound Recording
Page 95