What are some of the best ways/positions to place a boom mic when filming? Normally the mic will be above the actors' head or below, correct? However, the mic's most senstive point is at the top and not the side. So by having the mic hovering above the head, will this position produce decent audio?
Ways on placing a boom mic when filming
- Thread starter myCharlie
- Start date
TyFord
Well-known member
Usually from above, sometimes from below depending on the framing of the shot. Pointed at the person speaking.
Best thing to do is try it yourself with good headphones. I strongly suggest the new Audio Technica ATH-M50. After using Sony MDR 7506 for years, I've just bought 4 pair for my studio.
Regards,
Ty Ford
Best thing to do is try it yourself with good headphones. I strongly suggest the new Audio Technica ATH-M50. After using Sony MDR 7506 for years, I've just bought 4 pair for my studio.
Regards,
Ty Ford
TyFord
Well-known member
SQ: flatter, more honest
Fit: covers more of the ear.
Feel: bigger and slightly cushier
Look like they'll hold up.
Ty Ford
One thing i found out is that placement and handling of the boom mic in a film is everything. We just shot a film with the AKG CK93 Blueline Mic. It sounds AWESOME, and i believe it was because we utilized proper placement and handling techniques. (Not to mention its a great mic). I was on my boom operator the whole time, every take, every second , making sure the mic was not only above.. but sort of in front of the actor-. pointing in the direction of the mouth AND as close as possible without being in the shot on every take. I was almost obsessive about it. The actors must have thought i was crazy, I got the sense they hadnt worked with someone so adamant about getting the audio right. But i have enough experience doing films with improper mic placement and I told myself i would never do a film again unless the audio is done properly. To me, its a waste of time if you DONT pay attention to these details. When the actors see the film, they will understand why I was constantly correcting my boom guy (boom guy was not super experienced but took direction really well)
So it sounds absolutley gorgeous when we hit the right spot which was most of the time. I did notice a difference too on some takes when our attentiioin to detail slipped a bit.. Many times, depending on where we had to place the boom holder, we had to adjust our shock mount in order to get the mic to point in the direction of the mouth, and depending on movement,etc..This attention to detail paid off..
We tried to stay above most of the time, but due to shadows, etc.. there were times we had to go below. But i prefer to stay above it at all possible.. it just seems to sound slightly better. But below works too....
So it sounds absolutley gorgeous when we hit the right spot which was most of the time. I did notice a difference too on some takes when our attentiioin to detail slipped a bit.. Many times, depending on where we had to place the boom holder, we had to adjust our shock mount in order to get the mic to point in the direction of the mouth, and depending on movement,etc..This attention to detail paid off..
We tried to stay above most of the time, but due to shadows, etc.. there were times we had to go below. But i prefer to stay above it at all possible.. it just seems to sound slightly better. But below works too....
Last edited:
NeverColdCall
Well-known member
I second the minute attention to detail on sound. I'm not a filmmaker, just a business book author who does a lot of interviews and instructional video, and sound is everything.
The other day a colleague really wanted to do an impromptu interview since I had both my HVX and DVX on hand but thought I was crazy when I refused just because I didn't have my lav mics with me. He doesn't understand that no matter how pristine the video, audio will make or break it.
I did a split-test on one of my websites (meaning incoming traffic is split between two pages and results are measured) - the same exact video, one with average audio and one with pristine audio - and the pristine audio generated 40% more in sales than the average one ... and it was the same content!!
As an online marketer it drives me nuts to see other marketers going out and buying high-end cameras, only to use the built-in mics and put promo videos out with crappy audio, then they scratch their heads and wonder why mine pull so well and theirs don't.
Audio is SOOOOO important ... if I were a filmmaker I'd be all over my boom operator like you are!
The other day a colleague really wanted to do an impromptu interview since I had both my HVX and DVX on hand but thought I was crazy when I refused just because I didn't have my lav mics with me. He doesn't understand that no matter how pristine the video, audio will make or break it.
I did a split-test on one of my websites (meaning incoming traffic is split between two pages and results are measured) - the same exact video, one with average audio and one with pristine audio - and the pristine audio generated 40% more in sales than the average one ... and it was the same content!!
As an online marketer it drives me nuts to see other marketers going out and buying high-end cameras, only to use the built-in mics and put promo videos out with crappy audio, then they scratch their heads and wonder why mine pull so well and theirs don't.
Audio is SOOOOO important ... if I were a filmmaker I'd be all over my boom operator like you are!