COVID TV

[PGage]

When we see TV reporters reporting from outside with masks on, are they wearing some kind of microphone inside the mask? I just saw a guy reporting from Madrid on MSNBC, and his voice was clear and unmuffled. I went to Safeway yesterday and the checker and I each had to repeat ourselves 2 or 3 times to be understood (and risking infection spread, I had to lift my mask to complete the transaction).

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[Joe Hass]

I can't imagine they are, because the microphone inside the mask would be significantly distorted. My completely blind guess is that there are certain materials that work better than others, and the TV reporters have them.

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[PGage]

I want one.

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[Joe Hass]

My intense research, which consists of finding one CBS reporter wearing a mask during a live shot on CBS This Morning, is that they're likely wearing respirator-style masks that have a better seal around the side, which allows the front of the mask to offer some space for the mouth. If you're wearing something that's closer to your mouth (like most of the home-made masks), it's gonna act more like a muffler and screw up what you sound like.

I will be going to the grocery store tomorrow and will be wearing a respirator-style mask. I'll report back my findings.

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[Kevin M.]

My boss wore a mask to work last week that made him look and sound like Bane from the Batman movie. So whatever mask he was wearing, I doubt the reporters are wearing those. 

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Kevin M. (RPCV)

[Adam Bowie]

The usual kind of lapel mics that TV presenters tend to wear are omni-directional and are usually really good at picking up sound. Without knowing exactly what kind of masks the reporters are wearing, you could find space inside the mask for one of these, turn down the gain quite a lot, and get something reasonable. Of course some of these masks are designed for working environments where communication  is important - e.g. hospitals - so they may not distort the sound all that much. Their primary job is just to block fluids.

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[David Bruggeman]

We've started the second week of mandatory masks where I work.  My admittedly skewed observations of people is consistent with Joe's research.  Space between the mouth and mask matters.  Those with respirator masks can be understood better than those with surgical masks or similar covers that go around the chin.  Those with 'Bane'-style respirator masks are easier to understand than those with the N-95 or similar small vent(s), which offer less room.

If you haven't already been out with a mask, I want to point out that I heat up much faster wearing a mask (non-respirator), so adjust your layering accordingly.

David

[Steve Timko]

Depending on the person, a significant amount of sound comes from the chest. 

TV reporters are in heaven because they get to wear a mask. 

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