220 – How To Get Great Sound Using A Boom Pole And Mic

August 22, 2013 29 Comments

There is some science involved in getting better video sound quality. Let me show you how it works.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:51 — 1.8MB)

Video highlights:
00:03 – Sound setup update
00:26 – Getting a closer look
01:17 – Let me know what you think of my new videos

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Quotables:

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Transcription:

James here. I’ve just been filming today and I normally get questions about sound quality because it’s gone up dramatically. I’m getting a more distant shot now with my DSLR so you can see the Canon 60D here. In the background there is the boom mic. So I’ve got a NTG3 microphone, riding on a boom pole that is just above my head so we go down there and have a look at that in a little more detail.

Camera and Mic
So there’s the camera and the cable is running along there up to the stand to the grip to the Rode boom pole to the NTG3 mic. And on the floor is a thick carpet that’s going to absorb the sound as the mic points down.

And when I stand down here, I put my toes in the marker, I always use a marker, I’m using a nice car magazine and right up here is the mic and that is just near my head and just above the top of the shot and this is what’s getting a good sound.

But today, I’m just using my large mic and the iPhone to record this particular video so you’re not listening to this particular microphone that we’re looking at but that’s how it works.

New setup for better sound quality

So I hope you’ve enjoyed that little microphone update. And let me know what you think of the sound of my newest videos on SuperFastBusiness.com. I’m James Schramko. Catch up with you next time.

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Tell us what you think of the better sound quality.

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James Reynolds

Have you tried the boom with the zoomH4 buddy? My sound is echoey inside with the zoom on a mic stand
- http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
  
  I have not however I imagine it will be better than on a stand because it is closer to your head. The NTG-3 is very directional so the thick carpet helps soak up the over run
  - James Reynolds
    
    Yeah makes sense. I’ll get a boom on order and give it a whirl
- http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
  
  Broomstick and gaff tape for a quick result ;)
  - http://www.veravo.com/ James Reynolds
    
    That’ll go great with my pro tele-prompter AKA as laptop on box atop of ironing board
    - http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
      
      perfect. I use laptop on top of bar stool on bench combo with a clicker for long videos.
Steve Brossman

Cool Thanks James. I may try it for interviews. I’m still using 2 Sennheiser lapel radio mics which lets me vary the volume for quiet subjects. But it is always good to shop for new toys.
- http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
  
  I used them for a long time until I got sick of changing batteries and clipping on. I like the hands free nature of a wired Shotgun mic. Only one 9v battery now for the Beachtek.
  - Steve Brossman
    
    Makes sense. Does the beachtek power the Rhode mic? My Beachtek doesn’t have batteries.
    - http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
      
      Yes, it has 48v phantom power.
jazztothebone

What iphone video app do you use to record that allows a mic input for sound? I’ve been searching for that for forever. They all just use the inboard mics, I think. Thanks!
- http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
  
  I am using the normal video mode with this http://www.rodemic.com/mics/smartlav
  - jazztothebone
    
    Thanks for that info. I was checking out your lights setup, too, I like the overexposed background on the 5 tips post. :)
    - http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
      
      With such bright outside it is hard to expose the blue ocean. Ill be trying ND film later
http://www.cubiclefree.com/ Quinn

I am loving these videos! Notice that you have a mixer between your camera and mic – Do you feel this is this necessary? I have the poor mans setup – canon 600d with rode videomic (3.5mm connections) and there is an unacceptable hiss that can be taken out post production (with quality losses) but I think perhaps the mixer may be the solution. If you are looking for ideas for future videos – just understanding your lav mic/ iphone setup I would love to know. It is actually quite amazing how good the quality of that is. Cheers!
- Tim West
  
  Hey Quinn, just reading through some of the replies James received. I’m not sure what he was using but I use a Beachtek for my wife’s Yoga show. The advantage is that it will eliminate the “hiss” you’re getting. The reason for the his is that a 3.5mm or 1/8 mini doesn’t ground well after about 3 feet (1 metre). Once you go longer the “hiss” kicks in. These boxes convert the line to a balanced line (no hiss) and also allow you to adjust the levels coming into your camera. They’re not too expensive and the one I have is passive (no batteries). Basically you use a short mini jack into the box and then use a pro XLR Cable to the microphone. It will make a huge difference to the quality of your recording and probably save you some agro too. :)Cheers from the Great White North of Canada
  - http://www.cubiclefree.com/ Quinn
    
    Thanks for your response Tim – really appreciate it and very interesting. I am in Canada too but I am in Toronto – so not so white :-) My Mic has 3.5mm connection as well though – but perhaps an adapter will be fine.
    - Tim West
      
      Hey Quinn, sorry I’m perpetuating the stereotype of Canada (I’m in Ajax and it’s hot today too). FYI 1/8″ is the same as 3.5mm. If you buy your stuff here it probably says 3.5mm but in the US it would say 1/8″. Hope that helps, no adapter required and Beachtek are Canadian I believe. They used to be in Toronto but I think moved out West. Cheers to a fellow Canuk :)
      - http://www.cubiclefree.com/ Quinn
        
        Great suggestion – Thanks Tim! I got the Beachtek and it has improved the audio significantly. I like the stereo type too :-)
        
        http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
        
        woohoo! epic
        
        Tim West
        
        Awesome Quinn! Knew you would love it :) Cheers
        Let us know the name of the podcast too :) or URL
        Loving the Disqus plugin James :)
        
        http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
        
        I love Disqus as well
- http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
  
  Using the mixer allows me to use the microphone that requires 48 V Power. Also you can turn down the volume level settings in the DSLR camera to reduce hiss. And you can combine a shotgun with a lapel mic if you want to get the nice mixture of both sounds at once. I like recording into the camera through the mixer with good sound so that editing becomes much simpler. One SD card has video and audio perfectly synchronized. Another brand you my look at is called juiced box
  - http://www.cubiclefree.com/ Quinn
    
    Thanks James and Tim! I purchased the Beachtek – the quality is so now much better. Listened to your podcast today with John Lee Dumas – you are right that was a great interview. Hitting record on my second podcast tonight. Cheers!
http://gfmagazine.com/ AndrewCordova007

Thanks James I just purchased my first boom microphone yesterday looking forward to the higher-quality audio. I’ve been filming my videos using my podcasting mic but once you get a few feet away the quality quickly diminishes. Good stuff!
- http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
  
  I would love to hear how this turns out for you!
Tim West

Nice setup James! Looks like you have a Beachtek for Sound levels too…or perhaps a similar brand…love our Beachtek for allowing us the use of pro microphone gear. Cheers for upping your game! :)
- http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko
  
  yes I do :)
http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko

I would love to hear how this turns out for you

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