Two Lav Mics

[Kim Welch]

I noticed a talk show host on the taxi tv here in NYC the other day had two lav mics. I didn't get that in the sound workshops I attended. Is this a new practice?

Update, November 2026
Using two lav mics on one person is common in broadcast. The second mic is a backup in case the first fails or gets rustle. It's standard practice for live TV and important interviews.

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[FredGinsburg]

Officially, talent wears two mics in case one mic or wireless should fail during the broadcast. However, that rarely happens, providing that the mic and radio have been tested before going on air, and a fresh battery inserted in the transmitter.

Most of the time, the only reason that talent wears double mics is because it is a status symbol, and implies that their performance is as important as that of the POTUS (who started that trend a long time back).

 

[Kim Welch]

Then I am going to need three or four.