Boom Mic Inquiries

[SkepticalMetal]

I'm on quite a tight budget for the feature I plan on making (I'm shooting it on High8 cassettes using a camcorder from the 90s...yeah) and so I'd like to see if there are any cheap options for boom mics. I was thinking about taking a microphone and just taping it to a broom, but my microphone is this one, which I'm not sure would be suitable:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Labt...355634607&sr=8-3&keywords=logitech+microphone

So, my questions are:

1. With what I want to do (attach a microphone to a broom) and assuming my own microphone isn't suitable (please tell me if it is or isn't), what would be a good microphone for me to use for this set-up, that's cheap and yet produces quality sound suitable for the field?

2. Do I need one of those foam pieces that blocks out wind, or can I get by without using one and still have good sound?

3. If I have to have one of those foam pieces, what is a cheap way to get one that does good stuff for me?

4. Would a foam piece be compatible with the microphone that I own right now?

5. How can I tell if the sound is satisfactory that comes from a boom mic when I am out in the field?

6. Do I plug the microphone into the camcorder and plug my headset in to the camera as well, and that's how I monitor the sound?

 

[Alcove Audio]

1. With what I want to do (attach a microphone to a broom) and assuming my own microphone isn't suitable (please tell me if it is or isn't), what would be a good microphone for me to use for this set-up, that's cheap and yet produces quality sound suitable for the field?

What mic do you have?

You can use a piece of junk, and your sound will also be trashy. If you're going to go ultra-micro-low budget at least get something suited for the job like the Audio-Technica ATR6550.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...550_ATR6550_Condenser_Shotgun_Microphone.html (less than $60)

I do not recommend using Hi-Z (high impedance) gear, but at least get something decent if you do go Hi-Z. Don't forget that you'll need an extension cable. Something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...sive_MPS_MJS_25ST_Stereo_Mini_3_5mm_Male.html

You can DIY a passable boom-pole by using a painters pole or a light bulb changer.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...d=-1&keyword=light+bulb+changer&storeId=10051 (16 foot, $27)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...langId=-1&keyword=painters+pole&storeId=10051 (12 foot, $18)
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...langId=-1&keyword=painters+pole&storeId=10051 (5 foot, $8)

Some DIY help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwQJFRec2-E
http://revision3.com/filmriot/diyboom
http://filmflap.blogspot.com/2010/06/make-diy-boom-pole.html


You need some sort of shock mount to prevent the transmission of handling noises and other bumps from the boom-pole to the mic.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/867204-REG/Avantone_Pro_SSM_SSM_Professional_Shockmount.html ($30)

If you're handy you can also DIY a shock mount:

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?18875-DIY-Mic-Shock-Mounts
http://lifehacker.com/5634539/build-a-diy-microphone-shockmount-on-the-cheap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVUuk9fgPGA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vspPF3MSQ0Q

2. Do I need one of those foam pieces that blocks out wind, or can I get by without using one and still have good sound?

Wind is always going to be an issue; even very slight breezes can be a big problem. The ATR-6550 kit comes with a foam wind sleeve. There are quite a few foam wind screens and even "fuzzies" for $5 to $30.

3. If I have to have one of those foam pieces, what is a cheap way to get one that does good stuff for me?

You can always just use some packing foam, wrap it around the mic and secure it with a rubber band.

Be aware that these types of foam will somewhat mute the sound unlike real wind sleeves.

5. How can I tell if the sound is satisfactory that comes from a boom mic when I am out in the field?

You need to test shoot in various situations and then listen to the results on your playback/editing speakers. It's going to be hard to judge if your audio monitors aren't of decent quality.

6. Do I plug the microphone into the camcorder and plug my headset in to the camera as well, and that's how I monitor the sound?

That's how you do it. Make sure that your headphones are of decent quality and have a relatively flat frequency response or you will not be hearing what the mic is actually recording.


C'mon, cough up $100 to $150; it's worth it!!!

 

[SkepticalMetal]

Here's my mic. Prepare to laugh:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Labt...8&qid=1355639143&sr=8-2&keywords=logitech+mic

But thank you very much for all of the tips. What are other audio monitoring options that you recommend?

 

[knightly]

Metal gutter screen formed into a tube and sewn shut with wire.. the ends formed into rounded bits by cutting 4 curved triangles out of them and sewing them as well... metal and screws to mount them to an old mike stand head (just the swivel bit, not the mike holder itself).

Chopstix on the outside of the tube and hair binders shot through holding them in place will hold the microphone where they cross in the middle.

Costume fur around that (mid length hair for light wind, longer hair for heavier wind).

 

[knightly]

Wind suppression from this rig was amazing!

 

[Alcove Audio]

Here's my mic. Prepare to laugh:

What are other audio monitoring options that you recommend?

I'm talking about audio monitors hooked up to your computer. Consumer speakers "color" the sound by hyping certain frequencies to make up for their inadequacies. Professional audio monitors should have a "flat" response, although budget level monitors also color the sound to some degree.

Decent audio monitors start in the $500 to $600 per pair range, although there are some okay monitors priced lower than that. In the 250/pr to $350/pr range are the Yamaha MSP3, KRK RoKit 5, Tannoy Reveal 501A and JBL LSR2325P. The really pricey stuff has names like Genelec, Adam Professional, Focal, Event, JBL and Mackie.

You'll need at least a passable computer audio interface.

The Blue Sky International eXo2 Active 2.1 ($500 for the system) is widely used in video editing suites, and although it is not used by audio professionals, is really very nice.

 

[SkepticalMetal]

Hmm, I'm not sure I can do that.

What do you think about lavalier mics?

 

[Alcove Audio]

You can't afford it as you need wireless to use them in a narrative situation. Sennhieser G3 wireless sets start at $650 each, Lectrosonics go from $1,200 to $3,500 per set. CountryMan, Sanken and Tram are the top names in lavs, $300 and up. The Rode Pin-Mic is around $250.

 

[knightly]

I've got an Audio Technica solution that ranks in the somewhat affordable range. They're a bit older, but gather decent audio. My only issue with them is that they're unbalanced, so I tend to use them outside more than in.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wls_systems/f706c310ed826ec4/index.html

 

[Chrisk]

@knightly
Oh wow! An articulated boom with rear counterbalance??? Genius!!
Serioulsy you must of put that poor kid off boom-opping for life. Hope it wasn't the old fashioned iron stands like mine!
Loving the ingenious blimp. Not sure if you already have but stretching a pair of tights over that would make it perfect.

 

[knightly]

The kid is my son, and was happy when I upgraded to an internally cabled graphite boompole + reasonably sized shock mount He did several shows with that and the following painter's pole booms we fashioned to deal with the weight.