Lavalier Microphones

Lavalier microphones, also known as, lapel mics or clip-on mics, are small microphones attached to a long cable that is mainly used with a wireless transmitter. Some direct-wired lavaliers are available. 

The ideal application for a lavalier mic is recording a speaker's voice for a live broadcast or recording. An application where there are no speakers being used to amplify the speaker's voice. 

Lavalier mics should NOT be used to amplify a speaker's voice. Most lavalier mics are omnidirectional, therefore, they capture sound from all directions. This can introduce issues when trying to amplify the sound in a venue/space. Because the microphone is several inches away from the speaking source (speaker's mouth), it allows the microphone to pick up and amplify all other sounds it hears as well. While turning up the volume of the speaker you will also be turning up everything else the microphone is picking up, which can then create a feedback loop between the speakers and the microphone. Instead, a headset microphone should be used, because the microphone is much closer to the speaking source than a lavalier. 

Lavalier mic connections are NOT all the same, make sure to select the correct connection for the gear that you may already own.