Rock-solid telescoping mic boom arms? - Social Sound Design

Rock-solid telescoping mic boom arms?

2010-07-18T17:51:59Z

I'm tired of using El Cheapo mic boom arms whose knobs don't keep the telescoping arms from rotating, whos knobs are hard to tighten and loosen, and generally possess poor quality control. For heavy rigs - like a mid-side pair in a windshield or a single heavy mic - what brands and models have you had success with, specifically for field use (Boom arms, specifically, not the mic stand itself)?

[EDIT/NOTE: This is not about boom poles, but rather a boom arm that mounts on a stand or tripod.]

Answer by Justin Pearson for Rock-solid telescoping mic boom arms?

2010-07-19T17:04:09Z

I'd go with anything Manfrotto makes...good stuff. They make boom arms and clamps for their lighting tripods that would probably work for field use.

Haven't tried it myself, but that's because I don't like to lug around a boom arm in the field. I just tilt my tripod, or lean it against something if I want to get over a sound source.

Answer by Shaun Farley for Rock-solid telescoping mic boom arms?

2010-07-19T19:08:00Z

We have a pair of K-tek booms that we've been using for YEARS at my company. We've used them all over the place (woods, cities, deserts) and we've never had any issues with them. They're great.

http://www.ktekbooms.com/

EDIT:

I completely forgot about this thread, but I just thought I would share this "Kit Cool" gear by Boom Audio & Video...in case people haven't seen/heard of it before. [Disclaimer: I've never actually tried this rig myself.]