Expendables and accessories are a necessary part of using wireless microphones - some are common place and easy to come by - bobby pins and medical tape are available just about anywhere - even the odd gas station. Some items can only be found in specialty stores or online - things like toupee clips, surgical tape, and sweat block. No matter if you buy them on line or at the corner store, the cost of accessories can add up - so being able to save the odd penny or two can really make a difference. AND Some accessories are simply hard to put your hands on on a regular basis depending on where you're at - so have an alternative doesn't hurt at all.

Here are a few DIY items to add to your inventory/how-to list.

Over Ear Clips

Some element manufactures make clips to go with their

products - others don't. Pictured at the right is a typical ear bud clip that can be modified for use with a wireless mic. And there are a lot of ear clips made for other products (blue tooth devices, walkie-talkies, as well as ear buds etc.) out there - they range in price from 50 cents or so to a couple of bucks. A dollar is fine for me for most shows, but if we're talking two or three dollars on a large scale musical - even if only half of the mics need clips, I'm looking at spending $50 bucks on a throw away expendable. Most frustrating for me, is that ear clips (whatever their intended end use product) don't seem to be a consistent item in my local stores - sometimes I can find them one month before a show, and then the next month when the show is in run and I need a replacement, the store that had them doesn't anymore. The easiest solution to all of these issues, is that that is to make your own.

One of the simplest "home built" ear clips requires two items: a standard sized paper clip, and a matching length of small gauge heat shrink. (31/2-4" of thicker floral wire is another option.) Unbend the paperclip. Cut the he

at shrink a 1/4" to 1/2" longer than the wire - to make sure that the ends are covered.You don't want the ends of the wire exposed - potentially incredibly uncomfortable!

Apply heat - if you don't have a heat gun, a lighter or a hair drier work too. Once the tube has cooled - trim any excess shrink tube. Ta-da! An ear clip.

Top photo: a piece of heat shrink and paper clip ready for assembly.

AND below that a finished clip, and a clip attached to a micro-element.

Mic Pouches

Mic pouches are an alternative to condoms. Out of the gate building a Gor-tex pouch is (of course) more costly than a box of condoms - but being reusable means they keep from having to buy a new set of condoms for each performance.

Gor-tex fabric cab be a bit tricky to find from a local retailer - and can run anywhere from $10 - $50 dollars a yard, so do some shopping around if you decide to go this route. I've found it once in a sporting goods store, but ended up ordering online in the end as even with shipping it was cheaper. It helps that you won't need more than a half a yard or so depending on how many mics you have to build for. There are also a lot of varieties - including lined. I like the simpler, tent or windbreaker type varieties - they're easier to use, and seem to do better with heat.

I would also recommend that if your not a fantastic sewer, that you find a props artisan or a costume shop inhabitant (or the closet sewing electrician or if she lives withing reach, your mom) who can be bribed, flattered into, or otherwise persuaded to help you pattern and sew. (I wouldn't recommend black mail for this specific project - since the end product is in their hands...)

Learning from the skilled sewer, I would recommend making a "mock-up" for the first go - scrap fabric or muslin - rather than using the gortex. That way you can be sure of pattern size, fit, etc. without wasting expensive fabric. The most basic pattern which seems to be the most effective is simply a fold over (in other words, making a U in a strip of fabric) and sewing up the sides, leaving the top open for sliding a pack in and out. I would also recommend using a serger - the seams will be easier to waterproof. (If you don't have access to a serge machine, using a close zig-zag stitch on a regular machine will also work.) You want the seams on the outside so that the fit can be snug and getting the mic pack in and out of the sleeve. If you have packs with antennas on the bottom and the element plug on the top, cut a small hole in the sleeve at the bottom to thread the antenna through. Gortex doesn't ravel, so you don't typically need to hem the ends of the fabric at the top unless you want to.

When the seams are sewn, treat the pouch seams with a fabric water "proofer" - another reason a serge or zig-zag stitch helps - you can see where you're treating! You can find various water proof protectors at sporting goods or outdoor stores designed for tents, boots, etc. in sprays or wash in varieties. I prefer the sprays for simplicity - but can't say that I've found a favorite brand. They seem to all pretty much get the job done.

Once it's dry - it's ready for a mic and an actor!

Since these are a reusable item - I label them to track them with the same mic pack - no sense in sharing body germs via mic expendable. This also means that they may need the odd wash - especially in the case of a heavy sweater and at the end of the show. After either a machine or hand wash, I typically reapply a water proof treatment. (You may find a variety that is "wash proof" but I'd rather be safe than sorry.)

The photo on righ - two lovely finished sleeves constructed by our costume shop.

Hope these tips are useful - share your own if you have them!

Cheers until next time!

~R