What are the disadvantages of a lavalier microphone?

Pickup Pattern Limitations

One of the main disadvantages of lavalier microphones is their pickup patterns. Many lavalier mics have an omnidirectional pickup pattern, which means they pick up sound equally from all directions [1]. This makes them prone to picking up unwanted ambient noise in the surrounding environment, which can make the recordings sound unfocused and muddy [2].

While unidirectional lavalier mics with cardioid patterns are available, they still suffer from proximity effect, causing exaggerated bass response when the mic is close to the mouth [3]. This requires equalization to tame the boomy low end. Overall, the limited directional control of most lavalier mics makes isolation and noise rejection challenging compared to handheld vocal mics.

Clothing Noise

One of the most common issues with lavalier microphones is noise generated from clothing rubbing against the microphone. Since lavalier mics are designed to be clipped to a shirt, jacket, or dress, the motion of the fabric can easily transfer unwanted rustling and friction sounds directly into the mic. This can be very distracting for the viewer. As one Reddit user commented, “You should try taping to the clothing – the lav will make much less noise rubbing against skin than it does rubbing against clothing.”

There are some techniques to help reduce clothing noise when using a lavalier microphone. One is to use mounts, clips or elastic bands designed to secure the mic in place and minimize friction. Products like the Rycote Stickies and Overcovers can adhere the mic directly to skin and reduce contact with clothing. Taping or pinning the cable and mic capsule in strategic spots can also cut down on rubbing. Just take care not to restrict the talent’s movement too much. Finding the right mic position that picks up clear voice while avoiding clothing contact takes experimentation.

Cabling Issues

Lavalier microphones are more prone to cable problems than other microphone types for a few reasons. Long cables running down a person’s body to reach their audio recorder can easily get caught on clothing or other objects. This repeated tugging on the cable connection point can lead to broken solder joints or intermittent shorts over time. As mentioned on the Lav Mic Repair & Service website, “Most lavalier microphone problems are caused by damaged connectors or intermittent wires on the connector end.”

The long thin cables used on lav mics are also more susceptible to radio frequency interference, which can introduce audible static or hum pickup. This is especially problematic when using very long extension cables. As one Quora user pointed out, “In practice, corrosion develops between the pieces and when the connector moves, connection is broken and restored over and over. That’s the…” This intermittent connection results in crackling noises.

Placement Challenges

One of the biggest disadvantages of lavalier microphones is their difficulty hiding yet still capturing optimal audio quality. Unlike handheld or headset mics, lav mics attach to the body, usually on the chest or lapel. This makes concealing the mic challenging, especially if wearing tighter clothing. Yet clipping the mic too far down the body increases issues like clothing noise and distance from the voice.

Ideally, lavalier mics should be positioned high on the chest, within 6-8 inches of the mouth to ensure clean, clear vocal pickup according to experts like Rode (Rode Lavalier Mounting Tips). However, this leaves the mic and cabling visibly exposed. Lower lapel positions can hide the mic better under a shirt or jacket, but at the cost of muffled audio if placed too far from the voice.

Finding the right balance between an optimal mic position yet still concealing the lav takes skill and can be a constant struggle, especially in dynamic recording situations. This is one of the biggest downsides compared to wireless headset mics which are largely invisible yet always close to the mouth.

Limited Dynamic Range

One of the main disadvantages of lavalier microphones is their limited dynamic range compared to handheld microphones (Wired vs. Wireless Lavalier Microphones: Which One Is …). Lavalier mics have very small condenser capsules that are optimized for picking up speech at close range. However, the small size of the capsules limits their ability to handle loud volumes without distorting. Handheld mics with larger diaphragms can capture a much wider range of volumes cleanly.

Lavalier mics tend to max out around 110 dB SPL before excessive distortion occurs. In comparison, a good handheld dynamic microphone can typically handle 130-140 dB SPL or more. This gives handhelds a 20-30 dB greater dynamic range. For applications like singing, loud speaking, or recording loud instruments, the limited headroom of lavalier mics becomes very apparent.

While lavalier microphones excel at clearly capturing speech and vocals at close range, their small capsules limit their capability for handling wide dynamics. For situations requiring more volume range, handheld mics with larger diaphragms tend to perform better.

Vulnerable Capsules

One of the disadvantages of lavalier microphones is that their small capsule size makes them prone to physical damage. The capsules are exposed and can easily be bumped or damaged during use. A quick puff of air or breath on the capsule can also cause distracting popping sounds.

Lavalier capsules are very vulnerable to wind noise and weather conditions. Most lavalier mics require some kind of windscreen for outdoor filming in even light breezes. Without proper wind protection, the sound quality can become unusable.

According to one audio engineer on Reddit, “I was wondering if mics in general can be damaged if they are exposed to audio input beyond their acceptable range/frequency?” (Source). The capsules are delicate and can be damaged by loud sounds exceeding their design limits.

In summary, the exposed nature of lavalier microphone capsules makes them prone to physical bumps, wind noise, and other environmental factors that can impair audio quality or even permanently damage the mic.

Battery Life

Wireless lavalier microphones require batteries for power. This can be a disadvantage compared to wired lavaliers which draw power through the connected cable. Battery life on wireless lavalier systems can vary greatly depending on the model. Typical battery life ranges from 5-18 hours on a single charge according to manufacturer specifications:

The Sennheiser XSW-D lavalier system offers up to 5 hours of battery life on a full charge. The Fulaim X5 lavalier claims up to 18 hours of battery on a single charge. During long recordings or live productions, wireless lavaliers may require battery swaps or external power sources to avoid running out of juice at an inopportune time.

Changing batteries can be inconvenient compared to the always-on power of a wired lav. Short battery life also means having to monitor power levels and stop recordings for swaps. Some users may want to invest in higher-capacity proprietary batteries or external power options to maximize uptime.

Mixing Challenges

One of the biggest issues with lavalier microphones is that they often pick up a lot of clothing and handling noise, which can make the dialogue sound muffled or distracting. As a result, production sound mixers will often simultaneously record dialogue with both the lavalier and a boom mic. The boom is generally a higher quality shotgun mic that captures clear, noise-free audio. To get the best dialogue sound, the mixer then has to meticulously balance and blend the two microphone tracks together ^[1]. This requires a skilled mixer and can be very time consuming to get right during post-production.

While advanced tools like auto-alignment and matching EQ can assist, there is no perfect automated way to seamlessly blend the tracks. The production sound mixer has to listen closely to find the right blend between the clean boom audio and the more muffled lav audio. Often the lav is used to augment and fill in the boom’s missing dialogue. This blending and matching of the two mics with different audio characteristics takes a lot of meticulous effort to make the dialogue sound consistent.

Visibility Issues

One of the main disadvantages of lavalier microphones is that they can be visible on camera if not properly positioned or hidden. Since lavalier mics clip onto a shirt, jacket or tie near the collar, the microphone and cabling are prone to being seen in the camera frame if care isn’t taken (source). Finding optimal mic placement is a compromise between capturing good sound quality and hiding the equipment from view.

There are various techniques to conceal lavalier mics, such as using tie clips, taping under clothing, using wireless transmitters, and more strategic positioning like placing behind ears or hair. However, total invisibility can be difficult to achieve, so the mic may still be noticed on camera if looking closely, especially with certain outfits or blocking.

In productions where aesthetics and discretion are important, the visibility challenges of lavalier mics can make them less than ideal. Proper positioning and concealment takes time, patience and experimentation to find the right balance between optimal sound and minimal visibility.

Cost Considerations

One of the main disadvantages of lavalier microphones is that high quality options can be expensive compared to alternatives. According to Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/lavalier-microphone/s?k=lavalier+microphone), professional grade lavalier microphones typically cost $100-200, with some options going up to $500 or more. In contrast, you can find handheld microphones or headset microphones for under $50. If you are on a tight budget, the cost of a quality lavalier may be prohibitive.

As the Amazon listing for the PowerDeWise lavalier microphone (https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Microphone-Omnidirectional-Recording-Conference/dp/B01AG56HYQ) indicates, you generally get what you pay for. Cheaper lavalier mics under $50 often have quality control issues and may not provide the same clear audio pickup and noise cancellation features. So while lav mics carry a higher price tag than alternatives, their capabilities justify the cost for serious audio recording applications.