How to Use Microphones for a TV News Report

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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There are several different types of microphones to use for TV news stories. Some should be used for interviews inside, some for outside stories and still others for picking up audio from background noise. Here's how to use microphones for a TV news report.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Know the differences in microphones. The lavaliere and hand-held stick microphones are unidirectional, meaning they pick up sound coming from one direction. A shotgun microphone, which is attached to the camera, is omni-directional, meaning it picks up sound from all directions.

Step2

Clip a lavaliere ("lav") microphone to your interview subject. Have him run the cable up under his shirt to hide it from view. Attach the microphone using the claw on the neckline of his shirt.

Step3

Use a stick or hand-held microphone if it's windy outside. You will get clearer sound than with a lav microphone because stick mics have better windscreens.

Step4

Pick up natural sound with the shotgun microphone attached to the camera. If you're covering a festival, for instance, the shotgun mic will pick up the band on stage just fine.

Step5

Plug into a wireless battery pack whenever possible. A battery cube is attached to the bottom of the stick microphone or to the lavaliere microphone. The receiver is plugged into the camera.

Step6

Do active stand-ups on camera with a wireless lavaliere microphone. Not only can you move around, crouch or walk freely, but you can also gesture because your hands are free.

Tips & Warnings

Run the lav microphone up along the interview subject's back if they're wearing a turtleneck. Run the mic along the turtleneck and clip the mic to the top of the shirt. This will hide the cord.
Don't freak out if the wireless microphone cuts out sometimes. Listen for this. There can sometimes be interference, and you may be forced to use a mic cord.