Cool clamp for small recorder on boom pole

D

davefisk

DVXuser Sponsor
Hey All,

Someone "liked" the K-Tek facebook page, and posted a link to this:
http://www.gearninja.com/Images/ZoomH4N_scrn.jpg

I don't know who it is personally, but I thought it was cool how they found a clamp to put at the bottom of the pole in order to mount their H4n. It looks like it could work with any small recorder, since it seems to be a standard 1/4 x 20 thread on the clamp that goes into the back of the recorder. What I really like is the articulation on the clamp so you can angle your recorder any way you need. K-Tek doesn't make this clamp, and I don't know where it's from, but I might be able to help find out if anyone wants to know.
 
Unless the boom pole is stationary and on a stand, it's hard to imagine how this would not be a hinderance to conventional and typical boom operation, and the recorder constantly turned away from you or behind or in the way or... (Never mind how a good boom op on a TV or film set artfully scampers about, moving and twisting the the pole like a circus performer.)
 
I also see the cable is "inside" the boom... This is maybe ok for "one camera crew" (or 2 people). But a cable inside a boom is a little bit more "noisy" (the cable inside moves and ticks)

But maybe they find new ones that doesn't make "inside cable sound" ?
 
dre83 said:
I also see the cable is "inside" the boom... This is maybe ok for "one camera crew" (or 2 people). But a cable inside a boom is a little bit more "noisy" (the cable inside moves and ticks)

But maybe they find new ones that doesn't make "inside cable sound" ?
Click to expand...
With my beat up boom pole, I pretty much solved that. I use a full size XLR cable on the inside of my pole. That extra cable mass makes things very nice. Granted, it's a bit more "cumbersome" and a tad heavier than a factory internally-wired one, but SOOOOOO much quieter.

The problem with internally wired ones is that the coiled cable size is very small and despite being wrapped with fabric, it still moves within the pole. I used a 20' XLR cable, threaded it through the pole with about a foot hanging out the top. Extending and collapsing the pole is made possible by a hole in the rubber plug at the bottom, allowing the cable to slip in and out as the I adjust the pole length. The excess cable, I coil up and attach to my bag.

With my set up, I can make faster pole moves and swings than someone with a factory wired one, without getting any noise.
 
Last edited:
It comes down to personal preference, but generally speaking, an internal coil cable (like the one pictured) is typically used in ENG while internal pass through, straight cabling is pretty standard in film and TV production. Coil cables are usually only used in short and medium length poles and are definitely more problematic than a straight cable (noisier and get kinks when pole sections are twisted), though they are more convenient and easier to use in a sense.
 
I figured mounting the recorder like that would be for a "one-man-band-on-a-budget" type of thing.

Regarding the internal coiled cable...Everyone has their own preference, which is why boom pole manufacturers make poles with different cabling options. I find that with the proper care, I prefer the internally coiled cabled poles...for poles that aren't longer than 16 feet. We don't even put coiled cables in our 20 foot poles. I've found that with the proper boom technique, I don't get cable noise, even when I cue hard. It does take practice. But, like I said, many people prefer internally straight cable poles or non-cabled poles. I don't want this thread to get into a "non-cabled" vs. "cabled" thread, because that's besides the point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top