Choosing a Boom Pole

jrod81

Veteran
I was directed to the Lightwave 185702 which has the coiled XLR cable running inside it and is apparently quite nice at extending and locking, but its $280... Anything more budget friendly or should I go w/ this one? It would mostly be used for sit down interviews that consist of more than one person (since I only have one wireless lav mic), but occasionally there will be some event shooting (weddings, etc)
 
K-Tek has aluminum, internally coiled, side exit poles for $230. Very nice product, though not the lightest. It you skip the internal wiring, and many sound people prefer to, you can knock the price down more.

My scenes are usually pretty short, so an aluminum pole is OK for my use. If you are humping one around all day, spend the money for carbon fibre, you won't need as much ibuprofin.

If you do go internal, I have a strong preference for the side exit models.

Grant
 
so you have an xlr cable running down your pole and just put zip ties around it or what if you don't go internal?
 
I was directed to the Lightwave 185702 which has the coiled XLR cable running inside it and is apparently quite nice at extending and locking, but its $280... Anything more budget friendly or should I go w/ this one? It would mostly be used for sit down interviews that consist of more than one person (since I only have one wireless lav mic), but occasionally there will be some event shooting (weddings, etc)

Hate to tell you this, but $280 IS a budget price for an internally cabled boom pole. Won't mention what my Loon ran me...

Careful to insure you record that lav and your boom on separate tracks when shooting an interview. Mixing them is a recipe for phase disaster.
 
Internal wire I would not do.... The moment you move a lot...you hear it...

I have an ambient.... which are very good..

Panamic boompoles are good also.
 
okay, i understand the advantage of side exit now from reading this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/newsLetter/pro_audio_may07/pro_audio_guide_boompoles_may07.jsp

I also understand why some sound guys would not want a cabled pole due to its noise as it hits the pole in movement, but what I am not understanding is what you do with the cable that will still have to run down the pole... are you just gaff taping it, or zip tying it? Is that making it a better option because it is secure against the pole and not bouncing around inside it? Am I missing something else here?
 
I opted not to get a cabled boom when I purchased my Gitzo G557 a couple years ago. I simply wrap the cable around the pole a few times and use a couple pieces of gaff tape to be sure their is no rattle. It is not as convenient as having a cabled pole, but works fine for me. Be sure to keep some slack at the mic end to allow the shock mount to work properly.

Gitzo makes great products, I have an older "Reporter Tripod" and the G577 boom pole and both are top notch quality. I was not able to find a link to the G577, but you might consider the Gitzo GB0530 Carbon Fiber 0 Series 6X G-Lock Microphone Boom instead, Amazon has it priced at $160.

I hope this helps.
 
if you're an experienced boom op cable slap from an internal cabled pole isn't an issue. i've always used internal cabled poles. its especially handy if you do any eng or run n gun stuff. i've got a ktek 152cc 12'er and the cheaper ktek 9'er, both internally cabled.
 
why are some boom poles called fishing poles? skinnier? lighter?

Technically, everything discussed in this thread is classified as a fish pole. As people have gotten lazier about details over time, "boom pole" has become the vernacular much like "Coke" in some regions of the country may be used as a generic reference to any soft drink.

The difference? A boom is a pivoting arm attachment on a stand. Historically, a boom is a very large device, operated by a system of pulleys and cranks. It's big. It's on a massive stand, and the boom pivots from there. They guy (or gal) who operates it has to have some severe coordination, and uses a combination of the pivoting boom for coverage from side to side, and the crank/cable system to elongate and shorten the boom's reach. These are still in use, both on traditional sitcom sets (think Big Bang Theory, not The Office) and on productions like SNL. Both the boom and the operator are usually located "on the greens," or overhead on the edge of the set... above flats and set pieces.

Here's a Mole Richardson model:

Mole-Richardson-103B-Microphone-Boom-600x400-Gal2.jpg


In action:

158b.JPG


The other difference between a boom and a fish pole? No less than $3000.
 
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