How to hide a lavalier mic under a polo shirt and avoid clothing noise
· Audio · Microphones · 4:52
In this review, I demonstrate one way I hide a lavalier microphone under a polo shirt and avoid clothing rustle noise.
Gear used or mentioned
The links below are Amazon, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Bubblebee fur — (to reduce clothing rustle noise)
- Bubblebee cable save — r (to reduce cable noise)
- Rycote stickies — (2 sided tape for hiding lavalier microphones)
- Twinplex TL48 — SHURE lavalier microphone
- Mic Drop — RODE (weight for threading microphone cables through clothing)
Read the transcript
Demonstrating a method for hiding a lavalier microphone under a polo shirt’s button placket to help manage clothing rustle. Using a Shure TL48 lavalier, run it down inside the clothing (normally using a mic drop weight to help thread it through without going too far under someone’s clothes).
Key materials: Rycote adhesive-backed “stickies” (double-sided tape), fur from Bubblebee to place over (not covering) the microphone grille to reduce friction noise as clothing moves, and a Bubblebee cable saver — a silicone piece you thread the cable through on both ends and wrap partway around, creating a spring-like strain relief so tugging or friction on the cable further down doesn’t transfer up into the microphone capsule.
Process: thread the cable through the cable saver and wrap it a few times about 15cm down the cable, then attach the mic to one side of the sticky tape, apply the fur over (not blocking) the capsule, then place the mic near the bottom of the button placket (farther from the chin/throat generally sounds better), and button the shirt back up. Demonstrated with arm movement showing some manageable rustle but well controlled overall. The fur is the biggest factor in taming clothing noise. Thanks to Bubblebee and Rycote for providing the materials. Get out there and make some great sound.