Cheap poles

Blanc/Noir

Blanc/Noir

So I went looking on the internet for boom poles. Most of them were expensive for just being a piece. But a lot of people were selling mic attachments that you could put on top on a normal wood or fiber glass pole like 5$, with the regular pole it comes out maybe 15-20 bucks. I know it's not a pro pole but should I consider investing or just not even bother.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Blanc/Noir said:
Most of them were expensive for just being a piece. But a lot of people were selling mic attachments that you could put on top on a normal wood or fiber glass pole like 5$, with the regular pole it comes out maybe 15-20 bucks. I know it's not a pro pole but should I consider investing or just not even bother.
Click to expand...

Huh? Just a piece? A piece of what? And I have never seen a boom-pole made out of wood. I have also never seen a shock mount that was worth a damn that sold for less than about $40. Yeah, there are cheaper ones, but they don't last long, nor do they do a good job in the field, although they are okay for studio usage.

Yeah, a good boom-pole is relatively expensive, but a good one will fold up compactly and the locking collars will not wear out. You can add for an internal cable as well. They get more expensive as they get longer; most say the minimum length should be 12', others say 16'. They also get more expensive as they get lighter, carbon/graphite poles being the lightest. You'll be holding it over your head for hours at a time so weight becomes an issue.

You can do a DIY boom-pole and shock-mount if you are handy, but you're still going to spend $50+ when all is said and done. You can use a painters pole, window cleaners pole or light-bulb changer, but they will be on the short side and heavier than a real boom-pole. The DIY shock-mount will end up being noisy if you do a crappy job of making it.

You may want to check these out:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Boom-Pole-for-Under-$30.00!!!/

http://www.indymogul.com/episode/imwe_20070727

http://maxwellander.ca/max/index.ph...article&id=44:diyboom&catid=33:tech&Itemid=65

http://forum.indymogul.com/showthread.php?t=12935

http://joelandkaren.com/mic-zeppelin/

http://www.microfilmmaker.com/tipstrick/Issue10/shock3_1.html
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I put together a boom pole from a part of a hanging metal shoe rack. I had to attach the mic holder to the end, but it works really well. I'll post a pic of it. The rack was one someone was throwing out, and the pole is about 6 feet, though I can adjust the length with the turn of a screw.


Cost me zero for budget :) Also have a lead on someone who has a bent mic stand(perfect!) I may grab that, already threaded! :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
When I was just getting started I used a painters pole, a wire
coat hanger bent into a circle and two rubber bands to attach my
shotgun mic to the bend coat hanger. Some duct tape to attach the
coat hanger to the pole. Cost me nothing and did the trick. I got
good audio while spending no money.

I know I have a picture of this thing somewhere. If I can find it,
I’ll post it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
how fit are you?

Here's my experience: There are two things that separate a quality boom pole from a paint pole and adapter.

1. A quality boom pole will be much lighter for a given length. And if you've every held a 12 or 15 foot pole during an all day shoot, that weight difference will be worth every penny.

2. Sound dampening/isolation. Even with a quality shock mount, it's very easy to transmit sounds from your hands moving to the microphone. A quality boom pole will have grips and be designed to less that transmission.
[

QUOTE=Blanc/Noir;118021]So I went looking on the internet for boom poles. Most of them were expensive for just being a piece. But a lot of people were selling mic attachments that you could put on top on a normal wood or fiber glass pole like 5$, with the regular pole it comes out maybe 15-20 bucks. I know it's not a pro pole but should I consider investing or just not even bother.[/QUOTE]
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I also made my own:


The $26 microphone boom.

Thanks to knightly for the inspiration.

Materials:

12' Painter's extension pole with twist lock - $14.97
3' x 3/4" oak dowel - $3.29
3/8" x 4" hex bolt - $0.30
3/8" cut washer - $0.09
3/8" nylon lock nut - $0.98 for a pair
A pair of 1/2" pipe U-bolts - $1.44
Flat black spray paint - $3.12
Sand paper - $0.00 (already had it)

Grand total with tax: $25.94

Tools:
Power drill with various drill bits
Sand paper to rough the pole for painting
Box/open wrench set (or just a crescent wrench would work)
Hack saw
Black Gaffer's tape
Rotary sander drill attachment

Now since this is a forum of visionaries, I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

BoomMaterials.jpg


Boom-Step1.jpg


Boom-Step2.jpg


Boom-Step3.jpg


Boom-Step4.jpg
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Problem with that, wheat, is that the mount needs to be held absolutely rigid, otherwise the weight of the mic and zep will rattle it and you'll hear the noise on your track. It's unlikely a screw would hold solid enough.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Oh man, a Chicago girl. I should have known there'd be a Polish connection. Czesc.

How come boom poles are always straight and the mic mounted so close to the end. Wouldnt it be easier to hold and position over obstacles if it was bowed or arched?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
2001 Productions said:
Problem with that, wheat, is that the mount needs to be held absolutely rigid, otherwise the weight of the mic and zep will rattle it and you'll hear the noise on your track. It's unlikely a screw would hold solid enough.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Between the wood and the cushion of Gaffer's tape, it makes a nice vibration dampener. :)

Thanks for the compliments. I actually designed it in my head while standing in the aisles of Home Depot, although I can't take full credit (remembering Robert's, Knightly's and directorik's posts in this thread: http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=8863&highlight=microphone+boom) .
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top