Mics and Makeup

[DavidDaMonkey]

I will soon be starting tech week for a youth theater production with full stage makeup on some of the actors. Do you have any tips on how to make sure they don't get any makeup on the mic element? The mic will be run along the cheek and taped to the face. I always have actors put the mic on before makeup, but with this much stage makeup, I'm worried about ruining the element. Also, will the makeup easily wash off of the cable? Is it a simple matter of wrapping some mic tape around the element while they put on the makeup, or should I have the mic go on after the makeup?

[Dillon]

You may have difficulty getting mic tape to stick to the face after makeup has been applied. I'd opt for mic first, makeup second.

That being said, consider the following:
- DO protect the mic element while makeup is being applied. Sennheiser ships little red plastic caps along with their MKE elements for this exact purpose. A piece of tape could accomplish the same.
- Whether or not makeup will come off the cable depends on both the type of makeup and the type and initial color of the plastic cable sheath. Test it out on a small swatch if you are that concerned.
- You can always do the bulk of the makeup, leaving a small area clear for the mic to be mounted on, then fill in around. This may make life easier for you.

[jkowtko]

If these kids have hair, I could consider using wig clips instead and clip it over their hair.

We did this for Mulan Jr a few weeks ago. The mic cords were somewhat visible (since we didn't take the time to hide them under the hair), but it made it easy to mount the mics last, no unsightly cords on the face, and no tape on the mic cord.

And, if your mic cords are black, it will hide better even on top of the haif than over skin.

And, forehead mount generally sounds better than side mount

[DaveySimps]

I agree with previous posts, some method of protecting the mic element is a must, even if it is just tape (it will do the job). I would strongly consider running the mic in the hairline, as previously suggested. Look at some of the sticky posts in the Sound area on CB, there are some great suggestions on how to do so. I would caution against allowing mics to be used before hairspray is applied to hair. That can be horrible on the mic element.

~Dave

[DavidDaMonkey]

Originally Posted by jkowtko

And, forehead mount generally sounds better than side mount

Does it sound better even when the actor is fairly quiet? Anytime I've had to mount the mic not right near a quiet actors mouth, I usually have trouble getting good sound out of it because I have to crank it up so much. I usually start to get a little pre-feedback ringing.

[Eboy87]

Originally Posted by DaveySimps

I would caution against allowing mics to be used before hairspray is applied to hair. That can be horrible on the mic element.

~Dave

Agreed on that. Watch out for sweat as well. Makes the talent sound like they're singing in a pool.

[Sayen]

In addition to protecting the element, can you spend time with the cast teaching them how to use a mic? I see a number of well meaning performers who just don't know better. Train them in how to handle the mic, how to protect them, properly sing with them, not finger the mic, and so on. I do this with any group that uses my gear, and even elementary kids will follow directions if they feel important and part of the show.

[jkowtko]

Originally Posted by DavidDaMonkey

Does it sound better even when the actor is fairly quiet? Anytime I've had to mount the mic not right near a quiet actors mouth, I usually have trouble getting good sound out of it because I have to crank it up so much. I usually start to get a little pre-feedback ringing.

Unfortunately there's really no way to get around quiet talkers/singers other than start moving the mic element in towards the mouth.

If they are medium volume you can still use a forehead mount but bring the mic head down the forehead to just above the eyebrows, and tape it onto the forehead. That's about as far down as you can bring it without it looking really stupid. You might have seen this type of mounting on the lead girls in Wicked -- so yes it is done professionally. Obviously a skin colored mic will work better here

If they are really low volume then unfortunately what is called a "boom mount" is needed -- which is what you are referring to. These are like the ones you may have seen in the TV Show "Grease -- You're the one that I want". The boom extends from behind the head, under the ear, and very close to the mouth, about an inch away, much like a telemarketer's headset mic. This allows you to turn the mic gain way down, pick up the voice well, and be well protected against feedback. If you have a loose cord mic you can make up a boom hanger out of an old wire coat hanger, 18 or so gauge steel wire from the hardware store, or memory wire from a crafts shop. There are other posts that talk about this. There are also a few commercially available boom mic adapters, but they aren't too cheap ($40-60 each) so starting out with a coat hanger might be better. Take a close look at the DPA 4066 and try to copy that design.

you can also just tape the loose mic cord on their cheek, over or under the ear, but I think that looks the worst. If you must do this, then I suggest go under the ear so it looks more like a boom mic, and try tying a small loop of elastic cord around the mic and loop it over their ear to hold the cord in place under the earlobe. Then you just need a piece of tape in the front just behind the mic head, and in the back of the neck.

John

[loki]

The way i always work with Boom headsets, is have them get makeup, then when thats done, some strong medical tape (Elasto-Plaste) will still stick to make up, or failing that, if there the type that go over the ears and then the boom comes out, you can simply tape behind their ears, just be careful not to wax their hair off when you remove it :P. This also allows for the makeup people to touch up and issues when actors are finished getting mic'd

[Hughesie]

I finally got that image to work