How do I use lapel microphones?

Lapel microphone packs are found in the cupboard to the right of the sound desk, in the last drawer. They are on the right-hand side, and are labelled 1-8, corresponding with channels “Mic 1” to “Mic 8” on the sound desk. Please ensure they are in the correct order, with Mic 1 being the closest to you and Mic 8 being at the back of the drawer.

Lay all mic packs out on the desk, and make sure they are in numbered order to simplify the process later. You can also pull out the battery drawer at this point, so it’s easier to put them into the mic packs when needed. The process of micing people up, especially for larger productions, is usually a 2-3 person job. Ensure you have the following items:

• Lapel/Headset Microphones - These are in separate “Pulse” boxes, which are usually stored in the lighting booth in front of the trolley. If you cannot find these, there should be a clear plastic box in a similar location. You should get as many of these as are necessary for the production, which should be communicated to you by the PT. If not, ask them to confirm to make sure you have enough.
• Mic Tape - Found in the clear plastic box (this info might change). Make sure the roll is large enough, and if it is running out please inform a member of the committee/a head of department so that more can be purchased.
• Mic Packs - Should already be on the table from the previous paragraph, but ensure you have all the mic packs. For larger productions, societies may also hire extra mic packs. Ensure these are labelled accordingly, and are on the desk in order.

Once you have all three of these, and there are 2-3 people at the sound desk, you can begin micing people up. The video below explains the entire process, so make sure you familiarise yourself with every step to ensure every mic is attached properly.

(video embed here)

After this, put batteries into the performer’s specific mic pack, plug the mic in and screw it in tightly, before clipping it onto their preferred location (this is usually on a waistband or back pocket).

When packing up lapel microphones, do the same in reverse. Collect all lapel microphones and mic packs from the performers, and lay them out on the sound desk. Ensure you have filled every box with a lapel microphone, and double check to ensure there are none missing. Do the same with mic packs before removing the batteries and putting them back on charge, then put them back into the drawer in the correct order. Once this is done, double check everything again and return the lapel microphone boxes to where you found them.