Microphone

A microphone is a device that translates sound vibrations in the air into electronic signals and scribes them to a recording medium or over a loudspeaker. Microphones enable many types of audio recording devices for purposes including communications of many kinds, as well as music vocals, speech and sound recording.

Using a lapel or lav mic gives you a much warmer, richer sound as the microphone is that much closer to the sound source. It also helps to reduce the pickup of unwanted background noises and reduces echo.