The boom pole folly

[mckinise]

I have often heard you get what you pay for, well, that is definitely true in Audio recording. I recently purchased a Rode Micro Boom pole. I barely got it set up before I noticed how loud the locking mechanisms seemed to be. With out a microphone the pole rattled when I moved it up or down. It rattled when I turned it side to side. Even when I secured the joints with hard ties it still rattled somewhat.

Once I got a microphone mounted, it became clear that I was going to need to spend more than $50 on a boom pole. The rattling was being picked up. Now, I am in need of an inexpensive but QUIET boom pole.

The Mission: Recommend a Boom pole.

The requirements: Low Noise, Sturdy, less than $200.

Notes: Only recommend Boom Poles you have personally used. This was my last trip into the unknown.

[IndieBudget]

I got the one below from Amazon $40.. It was cheap and it is cheap , cheap , cheap.. The brass fitting to screw on the shock mount fell out, I popped it back in and gave it a good whack. The unit self destructed and the sections shot out the bottom from my hitting it. I got it together and it took a while to get the top section to function right. Now that I know it is cheap, cheap, cheap. I take care of it and it works. It is lightweight and functional. I still want to epoxy the brass fitting into the end to secure it. I hope to eventually replace it or better yet hire someone w/ good eqt << better . SO.. if you want cheap, quiet and functional. this one will do, just be careful, very careful..ohh and buy some 5 min epoxy.

OK so to really answer your question based on my experience..avoid the one below unless you are a patient fixxer upper.



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004N6YJL8

OnStage MBP7000 Professional Microphone Boom Pole

[mckinise]

I thought about that one. Then I read a couple colorful reviews about it. Right now I am thinking of ways to possibly modify the terrible micro boom I bought. I can still return it, but if there was a way to muffle the hideous clicking of metal against metal I would think about keeping it as an emergency pole.

The sound is caused by the smaller two telescopic rods clinking against the larger rods they are encased inside. I thought about buying some insulation tape to go around the areas when in use or getting some type of tight sheath to bind it into place.

[wheatgrinder]

Maybe the Rode boom pole is meant really to only be used extended. I have this similar problem with my boom pole if I don't extend the first extension at least half way I can hear that extension rattle against the outer tube. Locking it down after at least half way extending the section fixes the rattle.

[Alcove Audio]

Cheap boom-poles are meant to be used fully extended. Even with more expensive boom-poles the individual sections are meant to be fully extended; so if you have a five section boom-pole you extend the thinnest section first. You DO NOT extend each section just a little bit.

I've never used a cheap boom pole, so don't know what to recommend. I do like graphite boom poles from K-Tek, but they are way out of your price range.

[PaulGriffith]

I have a K-Tek aluminum pole. I forget the exact specs and model, but it was about $150. It's great.

[mckinise]

I just extended each section of the pole as far as possible. There is a bit less rattle. It is a lot less frequent now. I am sure an experienced boom operator could do a much better job with it than I am currently doing. Then again, that same operator would probably not be happy having to work with the pole.

[Cracker Funk]

I prefer broom poles. Broom-stick+duct-tape+mic-mount=broom pole.

[knightly]

I also own a K-Tec, interally wired boom pole and love it.

[mckinise]

I will check out the K-tecs. IN the meantime I have gotten a couple foam sleeves. They should fit tight enough to keep it in place, but not restrict the locking of the positions. I am going to give it a try first. If it doesn't work then I will go for the immediate upgrade.

[Steve_in_MD]

I agree that it probably is meant to be fully extended. I use that same Rode boom pole, fully extended, with no rattling issues. Obviously it's a cheap pole but it's better than no boom pole at all.

[WBAHouse]

Originally Posted by mckinise

I have often heard you get what you pay for, well, that is definitely true in Audio recording. I recently purchased a Rode Micro Boom pole. I barely got it set up before I noticed how loud the locking mechanisms seemed to be. With out a microphone the pole rattled when I moved it up or down. It rattled when I turned it side to side. Even when I secured the joints with hard ties it still rattled somewhat.

Once I got a microphone mounted, it became clear that I was going to need to spend more than $50 on a boom pole. The rattling was being picked up. Now, I am in need of an inexpensive but QUIET boom pole.

The Mission: Recommend a Boom pole.

The requirements: Low Noise, Sturdy, less than $200.

Notes: Only recommend Boom Poles you have personally used. This was my last trip into the unknown.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...xed_Fiber.html

[Chrisk]

+1 on the k-teks
have an ali one I am very happy with fron their budget line

[gorillaonabike]

Originally Posted by Steve_in_MD

I agree that it probably is meant to be fully extended. I use that same Rode boom pole, fully extended, with no rattling issues. Obviously it's a cheap pole but it's better than no boom pole at all.

Same with me. I have a Rode boom pole with Rode, erm, microphone holding thingy on the end. It works perfectly with gaffer tape, fully extended and zero rattles.

[brunerww]

Best value for money is the K-Tek. Comes with internal XLR cable: http://www.amazon.com/K-Tek-KE-89CC-...ttleforthew-20