boom pole operation upgrade

[Eric Toline]

A duplex mic cable will do the job. It’s a 2 pair cable with one pair for the mic signal going to the mixer and the other pair for the HP return from the mixer. A small passive 2 connector box connects the mic & the headphone return, the box should have a belt clip for the boom op to wear on their belt. Both the mic & headphones get connected to the box.

The other end of the cable connects to an input of the mixer and the HP output on the mixer. If there’s only one HP connection on the mixer then a HP splitter cable is required for both people to hear the signal.

“I push the RECORD button and hope for the best”

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Eric,
I was considering this but ran into a couple of limitations to this solution. Th duplex cables are relatively expensive. I would go that route if it added significant production value for our use.

It also increased the weight of the cable going to the mixer and I have three teams moving on every shot and the XLRs require quite a bit of cord management.

The passive box for audio tech is needed anyway The only one I see around

(please suggest another if you know ion a better one)

is the Rolls PM55P. all the others seem to have gain control for the actual feed to the mixer which I don’t want.

Once I have the Rolls I don’t see any advantage to the duplex because I want the boom pole operator to be listening to the audio from that single boom not the mix that the audio tech is sending to the camera.

The camera op and audio tech will already be monitoring the soundest and arriving at the camera. If I were to use a snake it would be between the split headphone out the camera to the mixer which does have the ability to monitor RTN.

I know on larger scale productions and higher end mixers with more inputs, the duplex cables will allow headphone communication between the head audio tech and the audio boom pole operators. But our SD 302s don’t allow for this AFAIK. If this could be done I’d get duplex kits for a three camera shoot when we shoot live events rather than our short form movies.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Richard Crowley]

Duplex cable appears to be around 40 cents per foot.
https://www.redco.com/Gepco-D61801EZGF.html
https://www.redco.com/Gepco-D72401EZ.html

Not sure what is your definition of “relatively expensive”?

[Craig Alan]

No doubt I could save some money if I could learn how to make my own. But I was referring to the duplex kits that include the boxes for both the audio tech and the boom op. along with headphones with mikes and the pass through boxes and so forth. I was getting quotes for several hundred dollars compared to $80 for the rolls PM55P.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Richard,

I went with the K-tek classic stage poles. It allows me to run any xlr cord through the pole internally without having to learn Soldering.

The top screws off allowing you to put the xlr through the pole. and the other end comes out the bottom side of the pole to go to the boom op’s headphone amp. Easy to replace and re-configure with different lengths.

Also ordered the boom box which is an overpriced apple box with the center cut out so you can rest the pole in this cradle when taking breaks and then use it as an apple box during a shoot. Nice design.

I also went with the Rolls PM55P so the boom op can monitor but not effect gain to mixer. The stage poles are graphite and 4-5 sections. Looking forward to using them.

Mac Pro, macbook pro, Imacs (i7); Canon 5D Mark III/70D, Panasonic AG-HPX170/AG-HPX250P, Canon HV40, Sony Z7U/VX2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; FCP X write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.