Can I use my Rode NT1a on a boom
 

Hello,

Do you think I could get away with using my Rode NT1a on a boom in an overhead indoor interview situation?

I appreciate that this might not be the most suitable mic but it is the only one I have at the moment.

Alex

That would work..... but it's a bit heavy!

Don't worry I have got that bit sorted. I have a lighting boom, counterweight and shockmount. I have not had a chance to try it yet so I thought I would see if anybody else had done it or knew if the mic would be ok for this.

Alex

The NT-1a is not a hypercardioid.

You will hear a lot more room than you want. The nastier your room, the worse the sound.

Relative to a good boom mic, you will be disappointed.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Does not hurt to try. I have used NT-1A to record a tight group of people, mic hanging from above about 0.5 m distance from the talents. Worked fine, better sound than from Oktava 012 hyper I had next to it. It was a hard walled photo studio about 15*9*6 meters in size.

You're actually going to hold a boom with an NT1-a (or any studio condenser)? Holding it with your arms?

Having someone actually operate a boom makes a big difference. It's not unusual to move a boom even with only one person.

Maybe because a cardioid is wider than a hyper and would cover the group better, but at the expense of the sound of the room. Please let us hear that audio.

I don't want to have the idea that sticking a mic on a static boom on a regular basis is a good operating practice.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Given the choice I think I'd rather stick a SM57/8 up there. The added sensitivity of the NT1a will just pick up all the stuff you don't want... ie room ambiance. I've acheived more reach than expected with a good old 58 in the right situation. Being less sensitive they don't hear as much indirect (reflected) sound if you ask me. - Well maybe, when you want to try the Rode on a boom then I guess anything's an option worth trying!

Stop Press: just tried it and I think I'm right, but not by far!


Good Luck