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Are Lavalier Microphones Dead?
No, but the reasons for using them in churches are declining.
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Miniaturized mic elements and components available in various skin colors have made headset mics, like this Da-Cappo DA12BL Earset microphone, more attractive to the theatre and house-of-worship markets.
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Headset or ear-worn mics like this Countryman E6 microphone, maintain their position relative to the presenters mouth. Unlike lavalier mics, headset mics are designed to capture clear, consistent sound regardless of which direction the head is turned.
Madonna, Garth Brooks, and Britney Spears not withstanding, headset mics are not just for pop stars and aerobics instructors any longer. As the physical profile of these systems decreases, headset mics are finding their way onto the Broadway stage and into houses of worship as well, replacing the venerable lavalier mic in conditions where hands-free operation and superior signal-to-noise is desired.
Initial headset systems were big and bulky noise-canceling systems that were coupled with headphones and used by pilots and sports announcers. As microphone elements became smaller, headset mic systems began to find their way into use for corporate presenters and they became the de facto standard for aerobics instructors.
With miniaturized mic elements and components available in colors to match skin tones, they became inconspicuous, making them even more attractive to the house of worship market.
So, what are some of the benefits of headset mics over lavalier mics? Jonathan Pusey, national marketing manager for Hosa Technology, distributor of Da-Cappo microphones, says, "The primary benefit of using a headworn mic as opposed to a lavalier mic is that headworn mics maintain the position of the capsule relative to the user’s mouth under all but the most extreme circumstances. With a lavalier the mic position changes every time the user turns his or her head. By contrast, an earset or headset mic moves with the user for optimum pickup every time.”
Chris Countryman, president, Countryman Associates, Inc. expands on that thought. “Headsets have two main advantages over lavaliers. They’re much closer to the mouth for better gain, and they move with the head so the sound stays clean and consistent. For the best sound and the most gain before feedback, it comes down to how far the microphone is from your mouth. Move a microphone twice as far from the mouth and you get one quarter of the sound energy. Headset microphones are usually within an inch of the mouth, while a lavalier hidden in the hair might be five inches away, and one on the chest could be eight to ten inches away. The sound person has to increase the gain as much as 10 or 12 dB on the lavalier to get the same voice level as they would with a headset, which translates directly into 10 to 12 dB less headroom and 10 to 12 dB more ambient noise in the mix. Because a headset microphone always stays the same distance from the mouth, when ministers or performers tilt their heads down the sound doesn’t get loud and boomy, and when they turn away it doesn’t get quiet and thin like it would with a lavalier on the chest."
What's in a name?
Let's talk nomenclature. Typically a system that is secured to both ears is referred to as "head-worn.” Systems affixed to one ear are called "ear-worn.” What are the key differences (aside from where they are worn, of course) and why would you pick one over the other?
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Mark Johnson is an independent technical trainer/writer based in Crockett, Calif., and former editor of Sound & Video Contractor and Church Production magazines. He can be reached at mjohnson6286@sbcglobal.net.
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