How to choose the right microphone setup: lavalier vs boom

Capturing clean dialogue is one of the most important elements of any shoot. Picture quality can sometimes be forgiven and often can be worked around – bad audio cannot. Whether you’re filming interviews, branded content, behind-the-scenes material or multi-contributor discussions, choosing the right microphone setup shapes your entire sound workflow.

At Media Dog, two of the most commonly hired options are the Sennheiser G4 wireless lavalier kits and the Sennheiser 416 shotgun microphone. Both are industry standards, but they serve different purposes on set. Here’s a practical breakdown of how to decide between them.

Understanding how dialogue is captured

There are two main approaches:

1. Mic the person (lavalier/tie clip)
2. Mic the space around the person (boom/shotgun)

Each approach has benefits depending on how many contributors you have, how fast the production needs to move, and how controlled your filming environment is.

Lavalier microphones: reliable, close-up dialogue

Lavalier (tie clip) mics capture a direct, intimate signal because the microphone sits close to the speaker’s chest. They’re commonly used for interviews, documentary pieces, YouTube content, corporate work and any situation where the same speaker is used for longer periods.

Where lavaliers excel

Consistent sound regardless of head movement
Discreet on camera
Ideal for one-person setups
Great when the operator is working solo
Wireless freedom with the Sennheiser G4 system

Workflow consideration

When your shoot involves multiple contributors, lavaliers add time:

Each person needs a pack fitted
Clothing must be taped or carefully routed
Levels must be rechecked every time a mic changes hands
Clothing rustle can be a factor

For controlled, one-speaker scenarios they’re efficient. For fast crew turnarounds, they can slow things down.

Recommended lav mics: Sennheiser G4 and Sony UTX-B40

The Sennheiser G4 wireless system is reliable, simple to use and broadcast-ready. It’s the go-to for documentaries, interview setups and any production that needs stable wireless performance.

The Sony UTX-B40 Transmitter transmits to a Sony P03D Receiver, and can give you a dual kit with two Transmitters going to one Receiver. This system is especially popular paired with Sony cameras, as the Receiver unit can communicate it’s signal through the Sony Camera’s hot shoe, not only reducing cables but giving you two extra recording channels; with the hot shoe signal from the Sony pack going into Channels 3 and 4 – leaving 1 and 2 vacant for the more standard XLR inputs. However bare in mind that you can only monitor 2 channels still – so putting 4 channels into one camera is not ideal.

Boom microphones: fast, flexible and natural-sounding

A boom mic (usually a shotgun microphone mounted on a boom pole) captures the voice from above or below, allowing the operator to reposition quickly between speakers.

Where boom mics shine

Fast switching between contributors
No need to attach anything to clothing
Avoids rustle and mic-pack challenges
Produces a natural, open tonal quality
Ideal for panels, dynamic interviews and walk-and-talk shots

Boom operation does require a trained ear and good mic placement — but when done well, you often get the most natural dialogue sound.

Whilst you can put a boom mic on a stand, or an overhead arm, the mics rely on direction, so the more accurately they are pointed at the spreaker (and specifically the speaker’s mouth) the better audio you will get. This means if a boom mic is just fixed on a stand and the spreaker moves, you will notice a change a the audio clarity and volume.

Recommended boom mic: Sennheiser 416 or Sony ECM-678

The Sennheiser MKH 416 is a production workhorse. Directional, crisp and dependable indoors or outdoors, it’s widely used across film, TV and commercial work for a reason. If you’re recording dialogue, very few mics deliver its combination of clarity and rejection.

The Sony ECM-678 is very similar to the 416, it creates a slightly deeper sound which can compliment certain voices, however the difference is very small and we consider these two mics the quintessential industry standard. Yes, you can get ‘better’ mics, but they are diminishing returns with the cost increase. These two hit the right point for quality, directness and reliability.

Which should you choose? A real-world analysis

Instead of comparing features, think in terms of how your production works:

Choose a lavalier (e.g., G4) when:

You have a single contributor and want a quick, wireless setup for one person
You need consistent audio regardless of movement
The camera operator is also handling the sound
You need a discreet microphone

Choose a boom (e.g., 416) when:

You have multiple speakers and quick changeovers
You want the most natural, open dialogue tone
Wardrobe may cause clothing noise
You’ve got a sound operator available (or at least someone to hold and adjust the boom)
You want minimal setup between takes

In many professional environments, both are used together for redundancy and tonal options.

Microphone hire for productions of all sizes

Media Dog hire both Sennheiser G4 and Sony Dual lavalier systems as well as Sennheiser 416 shotgun microphones. Along with boom poles, wind protection, mixers and accessories we have equipment to keep your audio crisp and clean. Whether you’re handling a single-person interview or a multi-contributor shoot, we can help you choose a setup that suits your workflow and location.