Portable set (static boomed mic) for interviews when traveling

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den59

Well-known member
Dear all,

i am thinking of buying NTG-2 for sit-down interviews indoors when traveling.
What do you recommend as a lightweight and relatively compact option to fix the mic?

so far i was thinking of:
- manfrotto micro boom pole 2m
- manfrotto superclamp
- manfrotto nano stand
- manfrotto counter balance weight 1.3 kg

or
- manfrotto 420b

any advices for a good budget combo?

regards,
denis
 
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When you say traveling, do you mean driving, or is flying included?

More difficult for flying, but an easy (and inexpensive) solution is an On Stage mic stand with boom arm. I use these for seated interviews regularly, especially when I'm on a one-man-band shoot. A small sand bag is a good idea, but make sure that one of the tripod legs is parallel (under) the boom arm.

If you need to frame wider, a basic C-stand with boom pole clip is a good idea.
 
thanks for the link, Alex.
It looks very similar to Manfrotto 420b. Funny enough the price in Europe is almost the same.

As for travelling, both driving and flying. But i do not mind checking-in stands, no problems here.
I am just trying to find a good compromise of weight and quality, also in a one-man-band situations.

I also noticed that the base of Manfrotto is 109cm whereas for the On-Stage it's 23'' (60cm).
Unless they refer to different measurements, Manfrotto should be more stable.
 
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Have been using the Boom Buddy for years now, great piece of kit: http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/BOOMBUDDY
You need a dedicated boom pole though, but everything will get lighter and better adjustable then the Manfotto stuff, which is more meant for rigging lights.
Budget options:
http://www.pure4c-shop.de/index.php?page=product&info=25
http://www.amazon.de/Rde-MICROBOOMPOLE-Rode-Micro-BoomPole/dp/B004X4UZB8

I only use the Nanos for smaller LED light, with a boom, I'd rather use a stand like this:
http://www.amazon.de/Manfrotto-Stativ-Compact-AC-Schwarz/dp/B003AM38DG
I put it in my soft back along with the Vinten tripod.

I'd also rather get two large, empty sandbags and on set, put 0,5L soft drink bottles in each pocket: http://www.amazon.de/TARION-OS03254..._sbs_ph_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XD2B6W057Q789BVRZCB
With the BoomBuddy locked in place you just weight down the light stand, not the boom.
 
Boom Buddy for me.. plenty of C-stands already on set. If your a OMB op, and as Alex suggested, a standard sized MI type boom stand will suffice most sit-down interviews. If you need more height/length, the 'Manfrotto 420b Combo', however it's more costly than a MI boom.
 
Thanks guys for further advices! Really appreciate it.

Indeed, it seems the best kit for me is:
- K-Tek KE-69 (with internal cable)
- Boom Buddy
- 2 empty sandbags
- Manfrotto Compact AC

p.s. great advice on 0.5L bottles in sandbags. Have not though about it. Much better than flying with 2Kg extra weight ;-)
p.p.s. MI boom is not much cheaper than Manfrotto 420b here in Germany.
 
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I have the Boom Boy (like the fish rod holder.. not Boom Buddy) The Boom Buddy offers a nice swivel clamp adjustment.
 
den59 said:
i am thinking of buying NTG-2 for sit-down interviews indoors when traveling.
Click to expand...

I would also take a look at the Sennheiser MKE600 shotgun mic that is slightly more expensive than the NTG-2, but it's a much better mic for indoor use. ( better off-axis audio rejection than the NTG-2 mic )
 
Noiz2 said:
I have heard that some folks use a fish pole holder for the same purpose.
Like this one
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what I use(and lot's of others). I think I paid $12-$15 at Walmart for it. Trew sells the same thing, just with an unthreaded post instead of threaded(and declaring it specifically for holding a boom pole), for double the price. Just goes to show you what manufacturers and dealers do to prices depending on what the product(or it's market) is intended for.
 
den59 said:
thanks for the link, Alex.
It looks very similar to Manfrotto 420b. Funny enough the price in Europe is almost the same.

As for travelling, both driving and flying. But i do not mind checking-in stands, no problems here.
I am just trying to find a good compromise of weight and quality, also in a one-man-band situations.

I also noticed that the base of Manfrotto is 109cm whereas for the On-Stage it's 23'' (60cm).
Unless they refer to different measurements, Manfrotto should be more stable.
Click to expand...


I think you have dropped them in your consideration, but in case others may read this, I'd just like to correct a couple things -


1) Manfrotto nano stand is not as stable as the On-Stage stand recommended by Alex.

I believe the nano stand was designed primarily for traveling photographers. It's a portable stand good for small lightweight items (such as a flash with an umbrella right on top of it), not very good if you use a heavy mic that requires counterbalancing. Wheareas the on-stage stand is a dedicated mic stand.

Both stands are about the same size, with about the small footprint (unlike the numbers you quoted seem to suggest).

I happen to have both stands. When not in use, my On-Stage stand is used by my son for hanging his jackets and uniforms; that can tell how stable it is (not as stable as heavier stands, of course). The nano is definitely too flimsy for hanging jackets.

I agree with Alex totally. The on-stage is really cheap & good for what it is. IIRC, I bought my nano for about $55 from B&H, and on-stage for about $20 from Amazon.


2) All such stands like alike; so, no doubt, Manfrotto 420b must look similar to the nano or the on-stage stand. But it's very different in price, size, and load capability. For example, the nano can easily fit in an airline carry-on suitcase, whereas 420bi is way too big.
 
TheDingo said:
I would also take a look at the Sennheiser MKE600 shotgun mic that is slightly more expensive than the NTG-2, but it's a much better mic for indoor use. ( better off-axis audio rejection than the NTG-2 mic )
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! It is indeed a bit more expensive, but not too much. I will definitely consider it.
 
henryqiu said:
I think you have dropped them in your consideration, but in case others may read this, I'd just like to correct a couple things -


1) Manfrotto nano stand is not as stable as the On-Stage stand recommended by Alex.

I believe the nano stand was designed primarily for traveling photographers. It's a portable stand good for small lightweight items (such as a flash with an umbrella right on top of it), not very good if you use a heavy mic that requires counterbalancing. Wheareas the on-stage stand is a dedicated mic stand.

Both stands are about the same size, with about the small footprint (unlike the numbers you quoted seem to suggest).

I happen to have both stands. When not in use, my On-Stage stand is used by my son for hanging his jackets and uniforms; that can tell how stable it is (not as stable as heavier stands, of course). The nano is definitely too flimsy for hanging jackets.

I agree with Alex totally. The on-stage is really cheap & good for what it is. IIRC, I bought my nano for about $55 from B&H, and on-stage for about $20 from Amazon.


2) All such stands like alike; so, no doubt, Manfrotto 420b must look similar to the nano or the on-stage stand. But it's very different in price, size, and load capability. For example, the nano can easily fit in an airline carry-on suitcase, whereas 420bi is way too big.
Click to expand...

The very second sentence in the post you quoted has "Manfrotto 420b", so I was comparing it (not nano!) to On-Stage. Those number also refer to Manfrotto. Sorry for the confusion.
 
Aside from the boom section, the Manfrotto '420b' and the 'Nano' base are different. Maximum load for the 420 is stated as approx. 19lbs opposed to 3 .
 
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