If you need to record one person speaking clearly in a windy outdoor scene, what type of external microphone would you use to clip onto their clothing?

To record one person speaking clearly in a windy outdoor scene, clipped onto their clothing, a lavalier microphone with an omnidirectional polar pattern and appropriate wind protection should be used. A lavalier microphone, also known as a lapel mic, is a small, discreet microphone designed to be clipped to clothing, typically near the speaker's chest. This close placement to the sound source ensures the voice is captured clearly and prominently, maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio, which means the speaker's voice will be much louder than background sounds. An omnidirectional polar pattern is ideal for a lavalier in this scenario because it picks up sound equally from all directions. This characteristic makes it less susceptible to handling noise from clothing movement, eliminates the proximity effect (an unnatural bass boost when a directional microphone is too close to a sound source), and maintains consistent audio levels even if the speaker slightly turns their head. For windy outdoor conditions, robust wind protection is essential. A basic foam windscreen covers the microphone capsule and offers minimal wind reduction. For stronger wind, a specialized furry windscreen, often called a "dead cat" or "windjammer," is crucial. This type of windscreen uses synthetic fur to diffuse and break up wind turbulence before it reaches the microphone's diaphragm, effectively reducing wind noise without significantly affecting vocal clarity. The microphone should be positioned approximately 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) below the speaker's chin, with the furry windscreen attached and correctly oriented towards the mouth.