In each lapel kit should be the following:

Check which device you will be using to record the audio. If you are recording to the camera, then the audio will be synced with the video and saved to the memory card in the camera. If it is a Zoom or Tascam device, then it will save to the SD card in that device and need to be synced later in post production. In either case, the recording device will either have an XLR or 3.5mm input. Depending on which input the device has, that is the cable you should attach to the Receiver. The Receiver is the device without the Mute button and more often than not has a Hot Shoe mount on the back. It has “Receiver” written on the back.

Next, attach Microphone to Transmitter. The Transmitter will be the device with the Mute button. (So actors can mute it when they go to the bathroom). It has “Transmitter” written on the back.

PLEASE NOTE: The mic does not come with a clip and mic cover (below). 

Some people will prefer to tape mics onto clothing or skin

If you need one ask Tech Ops for one.

A lot of cameras have what is known as a shoe mount.

 Attach the Receiver to the mount by sliding the square part of the mount into the cradle on the camera 

and tightening the screw on the mount until you're happy it is not going to move around or fall out. 

PLEASE NOTE: Do not tighten as hard as you can as it will cause delays and possible damage to the camera mount.

Turn on both Receiver and Transmitter

Turn on both Receiver and Transmitter. Hold down power button for a couple seconds until it lights up

Set the frequency on both so that they match by finding “SYNC” in the receiver menu. Turn the two devices towards each other until the triangular black infrared sensors (see beside “On/Off” button in photo below) are facing each other. Press “Set” button until a tick appears beside the word “Sync.” Alternatively to match frequency, use the set and arrow buttons to navigate the menu and choose the same frequency..

Adjust “Sensitivity” level on the transmitter as well as the recording level on the recording device/camera until you are happy with the audio levels (Often between -18Db and -24Db works well).. 

Now monitor the audio with headphones and keep an eye on the audio levels to make sure there is no Peaking. (Levels should be bouncing between -6 and -12 Db for speaking voice or approximately 2/3rds up the bar monitor).

Peaking is when the audio is being recorded too loudly and will give you noise/static in the files you are recording. 

Peaking will be shown on the recording device and both Receiver and Transmitter. When the bars hit maximum, it is time to reduce the level on the recording device to avoid Peaking

Should Peaking occur, let your fellow students know to cut and record the take again to keep the sound nice and clean

TROUBLESHOOTING

The most common problems are the following…

1. No sound is being received even though there is a frequency match

Solution - 99% of the time the transmitter has been muted. Check that it is off. Dont show actors how to mute the mic themselves as they have a tendency to mute it at their own convenience and you wont know until you are ready to roll. 

2. The lapel mic pop shield is rubbing against the subjects clothing and makes a rustle

Solution - Either remove pop shield and tape mike flat under edge of clothing (for actors) or clip on top of clothing away from cloth (for documentary).

3. Static and interference on the audio

Solution - choose a different bank and channel in the menu - see below. Then resync the devices as above. Check the left hand transmission bar on the receiver is metering at the top. (Strong signal).

4. Peaking sounds harsh

Solution - Adjust the sensitivity of the transmitter to a lower negative number (-18, -21, -24, etc) then adjust levels on the camera or Tascam/Zoom. Adjust up if audio is too low or muddy.