A guide on how to transform a shotgun microphone into a boom-mounted mic to capture high-quality audio while keeping the equipment out of the frame.
Should you prefer a boom mic or a shotgun mic? Why choose when you can have both? After all, almost any microphone can function as a boom mic as long as it is mounted on a boom pole. Even a large, heavy diaphragm condenser microphone instantly becomes a boom mic when attached to a pole. Therefore, your shotgun microphone only needs to be attached to the pole, and it instantly becomes a shotgun boom mic as well.
A shotgun microphone is the common choice if you want to eliminate unnecessary background noise and capture desired sounds as clearly as possible. However, a shotgun microphone is not always used on a boom pole. You can easily transform your shotgun microphone into a boom-mounted shotgun microphone and take advantage of the setup. Here are the steps required to complete the transformation:
- Screw the shockmount onto the boom pole. Take the shotgun microphone's mount and screw it onto the end of the boom pole. This will serve as the pole for your shotgun boom mic. Make sure the screw is tight enough to prevent the microphone from falling.
- Attach the mic to the mount. Carefully secure the base of the shotgun microphone into the shockmount. Ensure the mic is attached properly, otherwise it may produce popping sounds when moved. Popping sounds caused by a poorly attached shotgun mic are difficult to remove during video editing.
- Connect the shotgun microphone to its cables. Your shotgun boom mic is now ready for use. Connect the necessary cables to the microphone and start recording.
Uses of a Boom-Mounted Shotgun Mic
Boom microphones are typically used to capture high-quality audio while keeping the microphone out of the scene. The mic is held just out of frame, usually right above the speakers. With a shotgun microphone attachment, your boom mic will capture even higher-quality sound.
Boom-mounted shotgun microphones are particularly useful for outdoor interviews. While they may not completely eliminate wind noise, they effectively isolate and capture voices.
These microphones can also serve as a great alternative to wireless lavalier mics if a speaker prefers not to wear one.
Capturing Good Audio with a Boom Shotgun
Properly attaching the microphone to the boom mount is essential for capturing good-quality audio. Otherwise, even a simple movement of the boom can produce annoying handling noise.
Consider adding a filter around the microphone as well. This can be a sturdy windscreen or a commercially available microphone sound filter. This helps the shotgun microphone function more like a unidirectional mic.
In some instances, a boom-mounted shotgun microphone is not the best choice for capturing perfect audio. If superior microphones are available, opt to use those instead.
If you do use a boom-mounted shotgun mic, keep in mind that the real challenge is keeping the equipment out of the recorded video frame. It may sound simple, but many amateur and even professional videographers and filmmakers still overlook this detail.
Boom-Mounted Shotgun Microphones
A guide on how to transform a shotgun microphone into a boom-mounted mic to capture high-quality audio while keeping the equipment out of the frame.
Should you prefer a boom mic or a shotgun mic? Why choose when you can have both? After all, almost any microphone can function as a boom mic as long as it is mounted on a boom pole. Even a large, heavy diaphragm condenser microphone instantly becomes a boom mic when attached to a pole. Therefore, your shotgun microphone only needs to be attached to the pole, and it instantly becomes a shotgun boom mic as well.
A shotgun microphone is the common choice if you want to eliminate unnecessary background noise and capture desired sounds as clearly as possible. However, a shotgun microphone is not always used on a boom pole. You can easily transform your shotgun microphone into a boom-mounted shotgun microphone and take advantage of the setup. Here are the steps required to complete the transformation:
- Screw the shockmount onto the boom pole. Take the shotgun microphone's mount and screw it onto the end of the boom pole. This will serve as the pole for your shotgun boom mic. Make sure the screw is tight enough to prevent the microphone from falling.
- Attach the mic to the mount. Carefully secure the base of the shotgun microphone into the shockmount. Ensure the mic is attached properly, otherwise it may produce popping sounds when moved. Popping sounds caused by a poorly attached shotgun mic are difficult to remove during video editing.
- Connect the shotgun microphone to its cables. Your shotgun boom mic is now ready for use. Connect the necessary cables to the microphone and start recording.
Uses of a Boom-Mounted Shotgun Mic
Boom microphones are typically used to capture high-quality audio while keeping the microphone out of the scene. The mic is held just out of frame, usually right above the speakers. With a shotgun microphone attachment, your boom mic will capture even higher-quality sound.
Boom-mounted shotgun microphones are particularly useful for outdoor interviews. While they may not completely eliminate wind noise, they effectively isolate and capture voices.
These microphones can also serve as a great alternative to wireless lavalier mics if a speaker prefers not to wear one.
Capturing Good Audio with a Boom Shotgun
Properly attaching the microphone to the boom mount is essential for capturing good-quality audio. Otherwise, even a simple movement of the boom can produce annoying handling noise.
Consider adding a filter around the microphone as well. This can be a sturdy windscreen or a commercially available microphone sound filter. This helps the shotgun microphone function more like a unidirectional mic.
In some instances, a boom-mounted shotgun microphone is not the best choice for capturing perfect audio. If superior microphones are available, opt to use those instead.
If you do use a boom-mounted shotgun mic, keep in mind that the real challenge is keeping the equipment out of the recorded video frame. It may sound simple, but many amateur and even professional videographers and filmmakers still overlook this detail.
Boom-Mounted Shotgun Microphones
By Howtodotips
A guide on how to transform a shotgun microphone into a boom-mounted mic to capture high-quality audio while keeping the equipment out of the frame.