User's Manual

Countryman Associates, Inc. 195 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025 US: [phone] Intl: 650-364-9988 F: [phone]
[e-mail] For more information and warranty registration visit www.countryman.com Made in the United States.
B6 Lavalier: Frequently Asked Questions
What are other popular placement tips for the B6?
Attached to EyeglassesBehind a Button
The B6 is also popular on stage
attached to glasses. Placement on
eyeglasses with O-rings or tape is
secure, discreet, and a convenient
alternative to hair miking.
Positioned in the knot of a tie or behind
a shirt button, the B6 delivers flawless
audio and hides in plain sight. When
placed completely under clothing use
the +4 dB or +8 dB protective cap to
boost high frequencies.
Hair Mic
The B6 is very popular as an
ultraminiature hair microphone. This
placement provides good gain before
feedback and natural sound that
doesn’t change when the head moves.
(Microphone extended here for visibility)
Flat
+0 dB
Bright
+4 dB
Very Bright
+8 dB
Which cap should I use?
The B6 Lavalier should always be used with a protective cap in place to keep sweat,
makeup, and other foreign material out of the microphone. Each cap has a different high-
frequency response characteristic that controls the amount of “crispness” or “sibilance”
(response at 15 kHz).
The omni ships with the +4 dB cap fitted to the mic. If you experience problems with high-
frequency feedback, you should switch to the 0 dB cap.
How do I choose the right color for my skin tone?
Tan works very well for Caucasian skin tones as well as olive complexions. Light beige works
well for light and pink tones. Cocoa is the ideal choice for very light brown to chocolate
tones. Choose black for deep brown skin, or on other tones when you want the mic to be
visible. When in doubt, choose the darker option. That’s because a mic that’s too light can
resemble a scar or blemish, while a mic that’s slightly darker than the background resembles
a shadow and draws less attention.
How do B6 Detachable Connectors work?
The B6 is available with permanently attached connectors, or a threaded termination which
can accept B6 Detachable Connectors. A single detachable connector typically works with
many transmitters from the same brand, and a small kit is perfect for traveling presenters
or anyone using several pieces of equipment. Locate your transmitter or recorder model at
countryman.com to determine which connectors you need.
Which sensitivity should I choose?
Making a microphone more sensitive to catch soft sounds means it will overload sooner for
loud sounds. Because sound pressure levels vary between individuals and applications, we
provide three sensitivities with three overload or clipping characteristics.
• The most sensitive (W4, gray band) is for general speaking, such as presentations or
sermons, where the mic is positioned on the chest or lapel.
• The middle sensitivity (W5, red band) is ideal for use as a head mic in theater.
• The least sensitive mic (W6, blue band) with the highest overload sound level is a good choice for
instrument applications, opera, or where the microphone will be positioned very near the mouth.