Booming a mic with a stand.
 

Hi All.

I was curious what you guys do to rig a mic overhead if you don't have the luxury of a boom operator. In my case it would be for interview, indoors. I know that I could use a lav and that would solve some ambient problems, but to be honest in listening to different tests, I like the warmth of a super/cardiod mic. Just me.

I know the stand itself is going to act as a sounding board and introduce some sort of noise, so a regular photo studio type aluminum stand doesn't seem like that would work well. Would something heavier like a C stand with a broken arm work?

Before I knew what I know now, I had a mike on a regular Guitar Center $20 mic stand boomed in from below subjects head/mouth, just out of picture. No shock mount. I also placed the stand on some blankets to try and reduce any floor noise.

Your recommendations?

Jonathan

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

I use a regular mic boom stand made by Yorkville Sound and come in from above, just out of frame. I've never had an issue with picking up room vibrations but I try to conduct interviews in reasonably quiet scenarios.

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

A good quality shockmount, good quality pliable mic cable and properly routing the cable into the mic with a free loop just before the mic and secured by wrapping gently around the stand on the way down to the floor is always best practice regardless of the stand used. Some stands and cables are worse than others at conducting floor noise to the mic so you have to test what you have to hear if a shockmount will make an important difference to you.
Reasonably nice shockmounts start around $50 online, although they can be found as part of a mic package for less.
Sandbags are also an important part of the setup for any boom arm with a heavy or expensive mic, as well as to protect the interview subject.

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

Jay and Shaun. Thanks.

I'm wonder about the idea of wrapping a sound cable around a metal stand if that might create some noise. Or if just securing it vertically with clips would be better. May be nothing to worry about, just wondering.

Jonathan

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

Generally I wrap the cable around AND secure it with clips.

The two key points are:

The mic cable must be limp between the mic and the last place the cable is secured to the boom arm or stand.

The rest of the cable shouldn't be able to move on its own. Clips usually prevent movement in a broad sense, but don't firmly hold the cable perfectly still. This can allow the cable to become taut into the mic and that can transmit noise. The last few inches of slack cable directly into the mic must be maintained.

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

a normal boom mic stand will be OK for a smaller mic but for heavier use of a larger studio boom mic stand is essential.

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

When I was in this position a while back, I realised I already had a big boom light stand with counterweight. A little adaptor like this and you are in business

McSpud Light Stand to 5/8-27 Microphone Adapter - Filmtools

These stands are strong and will put a mic well over head height of a person standing up.

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

Another option is to use a Century Stand (lighting 'C' stand) for the vertical with an inexpensive fishing rod holder clamped on the top. The use your regular boom as the horizontal arm, resting it in the fishing rod holder with a counterweight on the end.

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

Trevor,

What suspension mount are you using with this?

Thanks,

Ty Ford

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

Ty, at this stage, I am afraid to say none. Just the clip that was supplied with my NTG2, but it is very early days for me, and I am only recently trying to record half decent sound with some of my video. My current project has almost no live sound though. I am building kit bit by bit as I can afford it, but have had to stop all hobby related purchase at the moment because our well is on the verge of drying up, and we need a new one drilled. Just one of the joys of rural living. :-(

In a perverse kind of a way, I am quite excited at the thought of a nine metre derrick going up in our front garden, and will be filming the operation. My wife is less excited however. Both by the not insignificant cost, and having the rig drive over her flower beds.

I couldn't justify the cost of a Rycote mount, so will be getting one of the Rode SM series mounts.

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

Jonathan,

Right, well I understand about domestic issues. Try telling her that she'll get to make new and better flower beds.

We had out patio ripped up and a room built to replace it. That meant a new roof for the entire house and new electric for the entire house.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sq8utx1mz9...New%20Room.mov

With all that, perhaps you could sneak in one of these.....not too dear and very effective.

Rycote INV-7 InVision Microphone Suspension for Stand and 041107

Regards,

Ty Ford

Re: Booming a mic with a stand.
 

As usual, we're overcomplicating sound. You can wrap the cable around the stand tub, or tape it or clip it - the only time you will hear it is if the stand gets moved. If the floor is resonant - think suspended timber joists with wooden floor, then footsteps and other structure born noise can get to the microphone. If it does, use elastic mounts - most mics can be adapted this way - the exact solution being provided by the manufacturer, or a handful of specialists - who also make shotgun mounts, commonly.

The only requirement for cabling up is to use a system that stops it slapping. Some cables are very stiff and transmit any mechanical noise up to the mic, others are softer and noise free.Please don't get hung up on cabling techniques - everyone has favourites - and the audio people pat no attention to this kind of issue. If the floor makes noises when people walk on it, use an iso mount, keep cable tidy, and that is that.