Audio Kit for “Extremely Amateur” video production

[Richard Crowley]

Please tell us exactly what camera you are using. Else we can only offer generic advice which may not be useful to you. You say that your unidentified camera does not have balanced input, but that is NOT a show-stopper. Many people use cameras with 3.5mm mini-phone mic inputs. There are many ways around that which produce decent results. You may need nothing more than a decent microphone and a $20 painter’s extension pole from the home-improvement warehouse store.

[Eric Toline]

The main problem with a painters pole is that there’s no easy way to attach a shock mount to the pole. The thread sizes are different.

Eric

[Ty Ford]

[Eric Toline] “The main problem with a painters pole is that there’s no easy way to attach a shock mount to the pole. The thread sizes are different.”

And it says a lot about you when you show up for a shoot with a painter’s pole. They may think you’re there to paint the cyc wall.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide

[Richard Crowley]

You can buy (or make) an adapter to go from the large threads on a painter’s pole to the 5/8-27 threads for western mic threads, or the 3/8-20 euro standard.
Spending some quality time with Google will reveal several clever designs for DIY shock mounts and even windscreen solutions. It isn’t rocket surgery. If you have a zero budget, then DIY is a quite viable way of achieving decent results.
Of course, you can’t DIY a good microphone. Under those circumstances, my entire budget would go into the microphone.

[Richard Crowley]

“Professional appearance” didn’t seem to be one of Mr. Landajuela’s problem statements. My take is that he is looking for something workable, not something “pretty” or “impressive”.

For that matter, experienced professionals have ended up using painter’s poles from the home improvement warehouse because the airline lost their baggage with the $1500 pole in it. Ingenuity trumps technical snobbery every time in my book.

[Luis Landajuela]

Thank you all for your help!

I think i have more than i asked for.Now it’s time for me to make decisions, but i can gather enough info from this thread to make them.

The budget will not grow, that’s for sure, the problem is that if a don’t spend it this year, i’m not sure if i will have more next year.

I think i will definately have to go with a “home-made” pole, and maybe spend more money in the microphone.

Nobody suggested the digital recorder that i was thinkig of, instead, everyone proposed to record directly in the camera (wich has a mini-jack input for audio). I guess it’s a good way to save some money.

Thanks for the effort. If one thing i learned from this thread, it is that 500$ maybe a short budget in order to get a good quality audio kit for video production.

Anyway, as i said, very instructive thread for me ! Thanks!

[Craig Alan]

While I have never regretted spending money on good better best gear, I have solved a lot of problems with velcro
https://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Reusable-Self-Gripping-Inches-91140/dp/B001E1Y5O6
and gaffer’s tape
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353363-REG/Permacel_Shurtape_Pro_Gaffer_Tape_2.html.

You can always do a search for audio recorder on the cow to get the feedback on cost and options. That would mean one that you can use an external mike with and know how to sync in post. Leaves you a lot less for a good mike and the rest. But the sound will be way better. But I’d save for a sound devices 302 first.

You could also use a length of pvc cut at home store and gaffer tape your shock mount to it. It would be light and cheap. However, it will not fold up. Also if outside, if you are using a painter’s pole or pvc they are both more reflective than a black boom pole. So watch for reflections.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Ty Ford]

Richard,

To whom are you responding?

Thanks,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide

[Eric Toline]

A 10′ length of 1″ PVC pipe will bend like a rainbow when you add the weight of a shockmount & mic to the end plus it will sway side to side as there’s no lateral stability. An aluminum Avalon pole from K-tek is a much better choice at under $200.

Eric

[Craig Alan]

There are pvc pipes that are more rigid, but yes they all bend and no they are no where near as good as a real boom pole. There are DIY solutions for low cost video projects. They do not work as well most of the time as buying professional gear. There is a growing need for many people to produce their own videos. It is becoming another form of literacy. At each price point people need to decide what will give them the most bang for the buck. If I had no gear, I’d start with a good mike and cables. I’ve used $200 boom poles and learned why people spend more. Opening and closing can be a wrestling match and it starts feeling heavy pretty fast. Would I use one over a painter’s pole or pvc? Yeah, of course.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.