How to choose between a tie-clip mic and a boom mic for your shoot

Clear audio can make or break your content. Whether you’re filming interviews, corporate pieces, documentaries or branded content, choosing the right microphone setup is essential. Two of the most common solutions are tie clip mics (lavalier microphones) and boom mics — and each comes with its own advantages depending on the environment and the number of people speaking.

At Kit Cabin, we provide microphone hire across the UK, including industry favourites like the Sennheiser G4 wireless system and the Sennheiser 416 shotgun mic. Here’s a simple guide to help you pick the right setup for your production.

When a tie clip mic is the best choice

Tie clip (lavalier) mics are ideal when you want a consistent, close-up sound source. They’re frequently used for interviews, corporate videos, live presentations and documentary pieces where the talent is staying in one place.

Benefits of tie clip mics:

• Clean, direct audio

• Great for single speakers

• Ideal for interviews and sit-down content

• Wireless systems offer complete freedom of movement

Considerations:

For shoots with multiple talkers, tie clips can slow the pace of production. Each contributor needs:

• a pack fitted and ckipped to belt or similar

• a cable run discreetly under clothing

• sound levels checked

If talent changes regularly, this can add a lot of setup time.

Recommended tie clip solution: Sennheiser G4

The Sennheiser G4 wireless kit is an industry standard. Reliable range, clean signal and straightforward operation make it perfect for interviews and corporate shoots. If you need multiple speakers miked at once, hiring additional kits keeps your workflow smooth.

When a boom mic makes more sense

Boom mics are perfect when you need to move quickly between contributors, or when you want a natural, open sound that captures both the voice and some of the environment.

Benefits of boom mics:

• Fast repositioning between speakers

• No need to mic up each person individually

• Great for panels, walk-and-talks and multi-person setups

• Cleaner clothing-noise profile

• Often more natural-sounding than lav mics

The only requirement: you need someone to operate and aim the boom. Positioning is critical for clean audio.

Recommended boom solution: Sennheiser 416

The Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mic is one of the most widely used boom microphones in film and TV. It delivers:

• excellent directionality

• rich, broadcast-quality tone

• great performance indoors and outdoors

If you’re recording dialogue, the 416 is one of the most trusted tools you can put on set.

How to choose for your production

Here’s a simple way to decide:

Choose a tie clip mic (lavalier) if:

• You have a single speaker

• You need clean, close-mic’d audio

• The talent is seated or mostly static

• Clothing noise can be managed easily

• You want a wireless, discreet option

Choose a boom mic if:

• You have multiple speakers changing regularly

• You want the fastest possible turnaround

• A natural, airy dialogue tone is preferred

• You have a boom operator available

• Clothing might cause rustling or interference

Often, the best productions use both - tying a lavalier to the main speaker while keeping a boom mic on standby for flexibility.

Microphone hire, delivered anywhere in the UK

At Kit Cabin, we supply ready-to-use audio kits for productions of every size, including:

• Sennheiser G4 wireless systems

• Sennheiser 416 shotgun mics

• Boom poles, wind protection and audio accessories

• Mixers, recorders and complete sound packages

Whether you’re filming interviews, corporate content, multi-person discussions or documentary pieces, we can help you choose the right microphone setup and deliver it directly to your location.