For someone moving around, a lavalier microphone makes it easier to stay close to their voice. For a seated or stationary interview, a shotgun microphone can work if it can be placed close to the subject, out of frame. Neither option removes the need to listen to a test recording at the actual filming location. Before buying, borrowing or hiring, start by defining the situation.
The lavalier: close to the person, mindful of clothing
The small microphone attached to clothing stays with the person as their position changes. RØDE describes this use in its guide to microphone types. It is a practical option for a presentation in a workshop, a guided tour or an interview where you want to keep your hands free.
The difficulty is often mechanical: a jacket, necklace or cable can rub against the microphone. The RØDE placement guide emphasises the distance from the mouth and avoiding friction. Have the person speak while turning their head and moving their arms, then listen to the recording. A discreet placement only works if the sound remains usable.
The shotgun: directional does not mean ‘at any distance’
A shotgun microphone targets an area, but it is not an acoustic telephoto lens. The official RØDE support guidance on distance explains that as the microphone moves further away, the voice becomes less prominent and echo and ambient noise may become more audible.
Imagine a seated interview in a wide shot. A camera-mounted microphone remains far from the person; the same type of microphone on a boom just outside the frame addresses a different situation. Check the framing with the person in position and provide stable support away from walkways. There is no universal ideal distance here: the room, voice and model all matter.
Choose the room before choosing the model
A busy glass-walled room and a quiet office pose different challenges. Listen to the room for a few moments: ventilation, corridor, traffic or machinery noise. Moving the interview can be more useful than changing equipment. Ask what can be paused without disrupting operations; do not switch off equipment needed for operations or safety.
Wireless offers mobility, not a guarantee of a permanent connection. The RØDE guide cited above highlights the influence of obstacles and interference. Test the actual route and configuration, not just the connection beside the camera.
Four checks before buying or hiring
- The person: will they stay seated, walk around or often turn their head?
- The framing: where can the microphone and its support be positioned without appearing in shot or getting in the way?
- The complete setup: camera, audio input, microphone, cable, adapter and any receiver. A connector that looks like another does not prove compatibility. The RØDE guide distinguishes TRS and TRRS in particular; check the manuals for the exact models and their power requirements.
- Listening: can you check the recorded sound and immediately do another take if necessary? Test your actual setup, rather than making an assumption based on the connector.
An exercise without buying anything: three thirty-second takes
With the person’s consent, record the same short introduction using your current setup, then in a quieter room, and finally with the microphone closer if your equipment allows it. Change only one element at a time. Listen to the files on headphones and note words that are hard to understand, rubbing sounds and distracting noise.
This exercise is not a scientific comparison of microphones. It helps you decide on the next step: changing the location or placement, or trying a borrowed microphone. If you add a separate phone recording, also check how you will retrieve it and synchronise it during editing; this solution requires preparation and is not automatically simpler.
A successful interview is prepared with the person
Share the topic, planned duration and location, then allow time for tests. Our guide to preparing a session at your premises helps organise the team and spaces; for video, add audio requirements to this preparation.
Written by TimFocus. Official RØDE documentation consulted on 17 October 2026, linked in the text. General advice, without product testing, prices or equipment attributed to Tim.