View Full Version : DIY boom stands?
I'm thinking about doing the microbudget moviemaker thing and trying to make my own. A little apprehensive though, since I have the AT4073a and want something nice and sturdy/secure.
I'm going to home-depot tonight to check some stuff out and I got a buddy whose a painter and has some extension poles for using rollers that I might look into.
Actually, the $20 light bulb changing poles at Lowe's aren't bad. It's a lot easier to cut off one of the attachments (they come with 3) drill it for a 3/8-16 bolt, and screw the assembly back onto the pole, than trying to glue something to a painter's pole.
It was easy to attach my AT8415 shock mount and the thing extends to over 10 feet if you need it.
Downside is the pole only collapses to 4 feet, as opposed to a "real" boom pole at about 30 inches.
But, hey, for 20 bucks.....
Ken
Barry_Green
10-30-2004, 10:21 AM
Why would you put a $550 microphone on the end of a $20 pole?
You are using a proper shockmount, right? *At the bare minimum get an AT8415 mounted to a real boom pole. *Even a $40 Markertek aluminum pole will go 7' and weigh only a pound or so.
http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=MFP%2D2&off=5
I know money's money, but... if you were using a $50 Azden mic it might make sense, but why use a premium Hollywood-caliber microphone and then limit it by the mounting mechanism? *Use a real shockmount, a real pole, and a decent XLR cable so you get the quality the $550 mic can deliver.
Actually, my boom pole is at least as sturdy as the $58 Markertek pole and the locking rings have a tighter feel.
I just don't have the foam handgrips.
I'll be getting a Gitzo 557 as soon as I can pony up the extra cash...it has the best feel of any "lower priced" pole that I've seen ($170+). Sometimes, however, one must make do with the tools at hand. :).
Ken
GenJerDan
10-31-2004, 01:20 PM
I just don't have the foam handgrips.
You mean the foam grips you can buy in the bicycle section of a dept store?
(NB: they are a bitch to get on...also buy a spray can of silicone to make it a teeny bit easier.)
Dan
Jim Brennan
10-31-2004, 05:09 PM
or some "personal lubricant" ;)