Last modified on February 6, 2023 by Brad Phillips

How to Hide a Lavalier Mic Wire

Does your next speaking engagement or media interview require you to wear a lavalier mic? Have you given any thought to how you’ll hide the mic cord or the battery pack?

Dangling cords or an ill-placed pack can distract you and the audience, as well as make you appear less polished – particularly if others on the stage have more effectively integrated the hardware into their appearance.

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Simple Fixes To Hide Your Lav Cord

Given the components of a wireless lav (a small mic that is attached to a cable that leads to a small battery pack), you should have a plan for how you’ll handle the hardware.

Here are some options:

  • Once you’ve clipped the mic to your tie, lapel, neckline, or placket of your shirt (the strip of material where your buttons are), run the cord under your clothes and attach it to the battery pack, which is either clipped to your waistband in the back or on the side. The pack can be hidden under your shirt or jacket. Or, you can do this in reverse, running the mic and cord under your shirt before clipping it in place.
  • If you are wearing a collared shirt and jacket, you have the option of hiding the cord under your collar, so that it runs over your shoulder, down your back and attaches to the pack. If you have an interior pocket, you can place the pack in that.
  • If you are wearing a wrap dress, feed the cord of the mic over your shoulder, or across your torso, and out through the small hole on the side of the dress for the belt or waist strap of the dress. Then, connect it to the battery pack, which may be clipped on the belt.
  • If you don’t have a belt or such a placement causes discomfort, you can opt for a flexible strap that wraps around your chest, waist, thigh, or ankle. You wear these under your clothes and they keep the pack concealed and secure. Some manufacturers in this space are Viviana, Versa Flex, and URSA Straps. URSA provides a series of how-to videos on how to wear and position the straps. You can find them here. Here’s an example:

More Tips for Your Lavalier Mic Setup

The clothing choices you make affect the options you have to hide the mic cord and battery pack. So, give your wardrobe some thought before you head to a studio or a lecture hall to be wired up. Here are few tips:

Be smart about style and textiles. Some options are better than others. High necklines, such as jewel necklines, for instance, may force you to clip the mic too close to your neck, which could result in a muffled sound. Some fabrics, such as silk, can create more rustling sounds than others, while similarly lightweight fabrics may cause the mic to sag away from the speaker’s voice.

Consider layers. In order to make for a more streamlined look, or depending on whether you are wearing a jacket or sweater, you may need to tape the cord under your clothes. In fact, most of the options above will likely require tape. If you don’t want tape directly on your skin, wear an underlayer, such as a t-shirt, so the wire can be taped to material rather than directly on your skin. If possible, avoid duct or packing tape, which can be uncomfortable and may damage material. Fabric, medical, or specially made sticky tape is a better option.

Practice in a real-to-life situation. If possible, rehearse your presentation or run through your interview questions while wearing the mic you’ll be using and the clothes you intend to wear. You can assess any discomfort or glitches caused by your clothes or movement prior to going live.

We’ve offered just a few ways to mic up better. The internet is full of DIY and professional tips and strategies on how to streamline your audio look. For instance, you can find tips on to hide your mic in your hair, behind your tie, in a pair of sunglasses, and even in a necklace.

While such options may be useful in some situations, it’s OK to keep it simple. The preceding tips will work for the majority of public speaking and interview situations where wireless lavalier mics are used.