Boom recommendation?

Spartacus

Spartacus

Veteran
Guys,
with mics we have certain models, that represent somehow the best bang for the buck e.g. the Rode ntg3. Same with the Sony headphones or the G3 wireless.
But is there sth like a "standard" boom?
Medium length, not to heavy? Inner cabling?
In the sticky I just read "Gitzo" but there´s no model number specified...
So what are you using?

Thanks!

- Chris
 
I'm using a basic Gitzo 4 section boom. My next boom purchase will have internal wiring. Having the wire on the outside of the boom is a pain. Also, don't scrimp on shock mount. I'm using the Rycote lyre system as well as the blimp system and am extremely pleased.
 
Update: I should have answered this first. I don't know if there are "standard" poles because of the issue of length. Some people carry different poles on the same shoot to be ready for both shorter reach needs (lighter/more agile) and longer reach needs (heavier)

I have a K-Tek Klassic 152.

It's internally cabled with a coiled cabled and a CCR (right angle exit) base (so you can put it down). It took a while to get used to the internally cabled pole (and sometimes occasionally takes me by surprise when I'm being foolish and/or careless.) It's also almost 13 feet long when extended which has proved very useful. It doesn't collapse as far, compared to other poles I've had and used but I like it a lot.

One thing that comforted me before I went internally cabled, was that should I hate it, I could simply lop the tip off the cable and yank it out. Some people also use straight cable internally and it's a viable option depending on how you want to work or already work.

Regarding boom brands, lot of people seem to swear by Loon poles - they moved recently but are seemingly back in the swing of things. There's also vdB (which I've used and liked) and Ambient (also used and liked.)

I'd echo gpforet's suggestion that the shock mount is key. Those Rycote lyre-centric mounts are incredible and not particularly expensive.
 
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Thanks guys! Since this will be a long term investment, I decided to stop buy at a broadcast store and try out before deciding on a certain brand, length and way of cabling...
 
Definitely good to try a few before buying...

I've been using a Gitzo GB3560 for a few years that I really like. 12'+, six section, carbon fiber for less than $300...
 
I agree as well, once you reach a certain level of quality it really comes down to personal taste. Try as many as you can and pick the one you feel comfortable with regardless of the price (a hunderd dollars or two aren't really significant when you consider that this is a piece of equipment that will follow you for your entire carreer). Also try to get the longest one you can afford, you'll need the length sooner than you think. You can always get a shorter one later.
If you go long (>12') I'd say carbon is a no brainer. Not only will your back thank you many times but you can also be much more agile with a lighter boom (less inertia).

Personally I've worked with a 12' Gitzo carbon fiber, it was alright, especially considering the cost, but I wasn't a big fan: too much flex, not the best locking mechanism, didn't like the way the tip was screwed-on instead of being permanently attached, plus the "locking ring" they use gets in the way. I also worked with VDB: very light, great locking mechanism, great ratio (size collapsed vs fully extended). The only drawback is that the longer ones have a lot of flex (plus they're rather expensive). If you can afford one and flex isn't a concern then I'd strongly recommend it. I now have an Ambient QX ("extra light" series) 14' and love it: light (though not as light as the VDB's), great locking mechanism, good ratio, very stiff (it stays almost completely straight fully extended with a 416 and softie at the end), plenty of accessories and cabling options available if internal cable is your thing (it sure isn't mine but that's another discussion). I tried a PSC as well, came as a very close 2nd: a little bit lighter than the Ambient but also a little bit more flexible and I liked the locking mechanism better on the Ambient (although I'm sure many people would like the one on the PSC better).

Hope that helps...
 
To jump in here as I too am looking towards a proper boom...

On site in the field a good pole with an operator just makes sense. In a more studio situation, interview or green screen style, do you typically get a boom with stand of some kind? And we're talking the full size ones for video, not the "boom mic stands" of rock band singers like I'm currently stuck with.

Is the boom with stand a separate purchase altogether? Or is there a set or system to purchase as well?
 
TheReverend said:
To jump in here as I too am looking towards a proper boom...

On site in the field a good pole with an operator just makes sense. In a more studio situation, interview or green screen style, do you typically get a boom with stand of some kind? And we're talking the full size ones for video, not the "boom mic stands" of rock band singers like I'm currently stuck with.

Is the boom with stand a separate purchase altogether? Or is there a set or system to purchase as well?
Click to expand...

Something like this? http://www.ktekbooms.com/products.php?id=51

I don't mean to be pointing to K-Tek... I was just sure they had something. I've seen other, much less expensive, equally usable options. This one is nice simply because it will mate to a standard lighting stand/c-stand.
 
Petros Kolyvas said:
Something like this? http://www.ktekbooms.com/products.php?id=51

I don't mean to be pointing to K-Tek... I was just sure they had something. I've seen other, much less expensive, equally usable options. This one is nice simply because it will mate to a standard lighting stand/c-stand.
Click to expand...

Nice! So you get a boom pole, a cradle, a c-stand, and probly some sand bags to weight it down. Sounds good. I'd never heard of the "cradle" before and that's what I needed. Thanks!
 
Rather than pay $185 (MSRP) for the K-Tek boom pole holder you could do something like this from a sporting goods store like Cabela's ($24 for 2 - http://tinyurl.com/2d4jyka):

driftmaster.jpg

I've used this & have seen the one that is sold as a boom pole holder- the only difference is the screw end on the bottom. I plasti-dipped mine & it works fine.
 
Alpha Flying Monkey said:
Rather than pay $185 (MSRP) for the K-Tek boom pole holder you could do something like this from a sporting goods store like Cabela's ($24 for 2 - http://tinyurl.com/2d4jyka):

View attachment 25047

I've used this & have seen the one that is sold as a boom pole holder- the only difference is the screw end on the bottom. I plasti-dipped mine & it works fine.
Click to expand...

That's what I was looking for as an alternative!

The K-Tek one is worth it if you're working on set with lots of autopoles and c-stands. But $185 is steep.
 
Remote Audio (Trew Audio) markets a very similar holder they call the Boom Boy that they have had made for them without the threading on the shaft. Sells for about $32.
 
Alpha Flying Monkey said:
Rather than pay $185 (MSRP) for the K-Tek boom pole holder you could do something like this from a sporting goods store like Cabela's ($24 for 2 - http://tinyurl.com/2d4jyka):

View attachment 25047

I've used this & have seen the one that is sold as a boom pole holder- the only difference is the screw end on the bottom. I plasti-dipped mine & it works fine.
Click to expand...

If you go to Walmart you can get one for $14. I got mine (little different) from Bass Pro Shop for $13.
 
I think a "best" boom can be one of avarage length. 2m (I live in a meters, km's and liters country :-p) is mostly to short. So a nice length would be 5m/6m

Shorter can then be usefull for very small rooms, and longer for wide shots
 
I am writing with a similar problem that I hope you guys can help me with...

I may need to do a group interview with anywhere from 8-12 people seated in chairs ( imagine 3 rows with 4 seats = 12)...
MY thought is to use my Rode NTG shotgun mic but I don't have a boom pole or stand and have never used a boom for this type of inteview..

HELP??

Any thoughts with specifics what to buy, where and cheap is good :)

Thank you guys!
 
if you have money: use 8-12 wireless mices (lavaliers) with a 12 channel (take 20 channels) mixer and a soundengenieer. I wouldn't recommend wirelles handhelds mices because people realy DO NOT know how to speak in
a microphone... No they do not... They start talking and doing some gestures and stuff with the hands....and are very emotional in there answer... So...no they don't know how to hold a mice...


If you don't have money.... (like I think this is the situation you're in)....use one handheld mice and be very clear that who ever wants to speak...needs the mice..
 
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