Mounting A Boom

[Jack Barker]

Some recent purchases of equipment include:
• Gitzo 557 mic boom pole (super nice)
• Impact 12' stand and boom arm with clips for reflectors
• Azden SMH-1 mic shockmount (it was free with something)

I looked at these things together and decided I needed to find out how to mount the Gitzo on a stand OR how to fit the shockmount to the far end of the Impact boom arm. This is for those times when I'm working alone and can't boom out the mic by hand and operate the XL2.

Of course, the shockmount fits the 3/8" thread on the end of the Gitzo. Is there any adapter that you can think of that will allow me to mount the Gitzo on a light stand? Non-destructive, please.

The alternative is the Impact boom/stand. It has a 5/8 stud at the end of the boom and a thread at the end of the stud that looks very small - maybe 3/16, measured with a ruler. Is there an adapter that I can screw on to the 3/16, which will make it a 3/8"

Maybe there's ome other solution altogether?

Oh yeah. When I put the mic in the shockmount, I have to fit it between the pairs of "rubber bands" at each end of the mount. There were also four additional bands included loose. Am I supposed to add those on the mount after installing the mic for additional security?

[Dylan Gordon]

I've always put my boom mic's on just a standard mic stand. It's very easy, and very well supported. I use a stand that has a joint in the midle so i can angle it in and also telescope it.

[Pete Bauer]

Jack, I'd guess that the extra rubber holders are simply spares. Even the cheap Beyerdynamics EA86 I have been using came with a spare set.

I just ordered a K-Tek boompole, shock mount, and a boom holder through Zotz Digital (drop-shipped direct from K-Tek); should arrive toward the end of this week (a few days after Halloween). The boom holder, model K-BC, is definitely pricey, but from the look of it would be very convenient for lightstand use by a solo operator. The model is K-BC and a description can be found on page 17 of their catalog:

http://www.mklemme.com/PDF/catalog.pdf

If you're still in the market after I receive my shipment, I'll be happy to post a user report.

Slightly OT: the boompole I ordered is a brand new model that doesn't show in the current catalog. It is a KE-110CCR. This is different from the listed "CC" model in that the base end has a right-angle XLR fitting instead of a straight one, so an operator can set the pole down directly on the base rather than on the attached XLR cable. If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll also report my impressions on this new pole when I receive it.

EDIT: I just noticed that K-Tek has another html page about the K-BC: http://www.mklemme.com/pole/cradel.htm. The K-Tek home page is: http://www.mklemme.com/pole/home.html

[Jack Barker]

Thanks for your replies, guys.

Pete, the cradle sure looks like the solution, but it certainly ain't cheap, especially if you have to add the Matthews grip head. I couldn't tell if that's the case or not, but I don't have a grip head. Let us know how it works out holding the boom when you get it.

Dylan. I thought about a mic stand, but generally speaking, they're not tall enough to be out of shot. There will certainly be times when the boom needs to be near the ceiling to be safely out of shot.

[George Creasman]

A C stand, mathews grip heaqd and boom holder should do the job ... see this link...http://www.taiaudio.com/catalog/prod...roducts_id=160

[Pete Bauer]

Received the K-BC today. Very nicely engineered and rock solid. My only gripe at first blush is that for the price, I think it should have included a swivel mount. As shipped, it has a 5/8" stud that allows it to be mounted horizontally across the top of a stand. To hang your boom obliquely (at any angle other than horizontal), a separate swivel mount that will take a 5/8" stud is needed.

Here's a link to the other thread about the K-SM shock mount and new Boom Pole KE-110CCR:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=53552