boom pole accessories

[maestro]

Hi everyone
i am wondering about some boom pole accessories. i have a good mic and know ways to make a cheap DIY boom pole, but what about the accessories? do i really need a shock mount, windjammer, or headphones? this is just a simple short film i am preparing to make, so is just having the mic ok, or do i need those things? if i do, where can i get them for cheap?

 

[ryanfyffe]

good audio - bad audio

good audio - bad audio

Hey Maestro,

Good question. It all depends on what you want: Good audio or bad audio. In my experience with capturing field audio during a production, the accessories made all the difference for getting a good, clean recording.

In short, whatever you do to prepare for getting good audio in this shoot will save you valuable time in editing. Let me know how it comes out & if we can see it when you're done! Break a leg!
RY

 

[maestro]

thank you very much! this is kind of embarassing, but i know absolutely nothing about audio. so i have a few more questions:

can the mic plug directly into the camera, or do i need like an emulator or somethings? (not really sure what an emulator is, but i've heard it when referring to audio. lol)

Also, what exactly does a shock mount do?

finally, how much do windscreens cost?

 

[ryanfyffe]

good audio - bad audio

good audio - bad audio

Hey maestro,

to answer your questions, I'll need to know a little about your gear...

What kind of mic do you have & what kind of plug does it have?
Your options are:
1/4-inch mini (like a basic headphone jack or
XLR (the three prong-plug for professional gear

Next, you'll haveta determine what kind of plug your camera has. Keep in mind, radioshack carries many adapters to go between the different types of plugs. If your mic is a 1/4" and your camera has a mini plug.....get a 1/4" - to - mini adapter (fairly cheap).

Shock mounts isolate your microphone from the physical noises from the stand & boompole. You'll be surprised at just how much you can hear your hands rubbing gently on the boompole without a shock mount. They're not necessary, but definately a good step to take to get the best audio.

and lastly, windscreens are EXPENSIVE....I suggest making your own, if possible. Check out this link for some pictures.

Hope this helps. If you still have questions, please let me know what kind of microphone, camera & other gear you're working with. It'll help me help you!

RY

 

[maestro]

thx very much. my camera is just a sony handycam (i might be buying a better one). the mic is a canon telemic atr55. it has 1/4" plug and so does my camera.

ok, i'll definately look into getting a shock mount. btw, how much are they?

thanks for the websites. i'll check 'em out to see how to make a windscreen.

 

[ryanfyffe]

good audio : bad audio

good audio : bad audio

Here's a couple photos of a blimp (windscreen).
http://flickr.com/photos/ryanfyffe/565615270/in/set-72157600123586638/
http://flickr.com/photos/ryanfyffe/565615036/in/set-72157600123586638/

To make one, yourself, head to walmart & get nylon stockings (2 for $1 or cheaper) and something to stretch it over to make a similar shape (try hardware or thrift stores for 'frames' to use). The important thing is to ensure atleast 1" of empty space all the way around the microphone. With enough layers of stockings & just the right amount of space, you'll be windresistant in no time!

Also, check out this closer photo of a shockmount (click on "all sizes" above the photo to get bigger view)
http://flickr.com/photos/ryanfyffe/565973175/in/set-72157600123586638/
http://flickr.com/photos/ryanfyffe/565972875/in/set-72157600123586638/

In a severe pinch, a friend was able to make one using really thick rubberbands (like the postal worker wraps mail in), stretched across a frame he made out of a plastic cup (hard plastic, not the disposable kind). Anyways, he ended up only using about 3" of the top part of the cup, drilled holes around to secure the rubberbands....ingenious! Oh, if you don't have time to experiment and create the shockmount...have the boom operator wear soft fabric gloves (the kind that won't make any noise when gripped for hours at a time). Glove-noise was my biggest enemy when using my DIY boompole (made from an extendable pool-sweeping pole) (check out indymogul.com for the plan-details!)

As far a DIY movie making stuff, lights can often make the biggest difference. I ended up getting a bung of clip-on work lights with photoflood bulbs (get at Wolf Camera or similar). Easy (and cheap) as pie!

Hope this helps!
RY

 

[maestro]

thx much. what kind of fabric are we talking here? leather? cotton? something else?

i have these stand-up lights that are really, really bright. each stand has 3 seperate lights on it and not all have to be on at the same time. you think they would work ok?

 

[director15]

How good does the mic you have pick up sound?

 

[ryanfyffe]

good audio : bad audio

good audio : bad audio

nylon stockings (pantyhose)

 

[maestro]

i haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but my brother (who is an audio engineer) says it's a good mic, so i trust him.

 

[Bob Kessler]

Re: boom pole accessories

I have a good mic...

I wouldn't consider the ATR55 a "good mic".

 

[ryanfyffe]

good mic : bad mic

good mic : bad mic

Hey Maestro,

I haven't had any experience with that mic, but I can tell you, it's probably better than the onboard mic on your camera!

Break a leg! (and lemme know when you're done with your film so I can see it!)

 

[crusher310]

DO you Have

DO you Have

do you have mount and a mixer ?