I do a lot of solo shoots with the occasional street interviews at events/brand activations and it's always tricky to catch people willing to say a few words on camera, let alone having to lav them up just for a quick 1-2 question soundbite type of interviews. Most of those shoots are straight-to-social-media content and clients don't really have the budget for more than just 1 videographer. This tool could fill the gap between an on-camera shotgun that's often too far from the subject while still having better versatility than a lavalier.
@@SoundSpeeds I think it'd feel as weird for them as having a camera pointed at them in general. People on the streets or at events are most likely not used to being around camera equipment. Once they see the setup and know what those things are, my guess is they'll get over it pretty quickly. When I do sit down interviews and leave a boom pole on a stand over their head, a lot of interviewees have a similar initial reaction to the whole camera, light, mic setup and quickly forget about it once we get started. I can anticipate similar reactions with this one. I mean it's not the ideal setup but it seems like it'll do what it's intended to do, which is cater to the budget solo shooter market. I don't think camera ops purposely want to handle audio themselves if they could afford having a sound person, but some clients just don't have the budget so you just have to do what you can do get usable audio that's good enough for the job. Obviously if you're a sound pro by nature your job will never expose you to that kind of lower budget shoots since the projects you work on can afford you, so I can understand the reaction you gave in this video. But I think there is a market for it and I'm actually curious to see it in person.
I hear you but it's 2024, people are used to cameras being everywhere but not cameras with a 1 yard boom arm extending out from the lens. For sit down interviews, people expect lighting and overhead micing. It's a great experience for people to experience. In my mind, though, the Micro Boom stands out as really weird to walk around with Maybe for a sit down interview but in that case, overhead micing would still be preferred so you can back off for better compression in frame.
@@SoundSpeeds I’ve yet to test it in a real world situation, but I think the initial reaction would be more of a curious response to a piece of equipment they’ve never seen before, and they’ll quickly move on to worrying about what they actually have to say to the camera. To keep a proper framing for a static shot, the camera could be on a tripod and simply ask the subject to stand still at a marked spot so I don’t anticipate any camera op to go swinging this around to a point that it’d impede their interviewee’s ability to answer some quick questions
All in all, I think this is more of a “special occasion” kind of tool for jobs with some specific requirements. Definitely geared for situations when you’re a solo shooter who needs to prioritize traveling light and minimal setup time. I can envision this being useful mainly at event shoots for clients that want some video content and quick testimonials but don’t quite have the budget to hire a team. I do a lot of freelance gigs like those so this one caught me attention.
This seems strictly for interview setups where someone being interviewed is talking to an interviewer who is sitting just off camera. When you are talking to someone, they aren't going to be looking down. I still think Lav mics are probably your best bet and then have a boom mic over head, just for backup. But that's what I would do.
Well... I could see using it in a very limited scenario (basically, me standing more-or-less still in front of a locked off camera), but that is worth about $30 to me. Not the $160 or whatever they are asking for it.
I could see certain use case scenarios where this might provide some functionality. Possibly a talking head video for YT where the talent is very stationary. Perhaps a reaction video of sorts... LOL. .... or maybe something similar. That being said there are many ways to accomplish this. I believe that at the moment there is no replacement for good knowledge and talented people who know how to implement that knowledge. (BIG Thanks to Allen for sharing knowledge and useful information!) The learning curve is real and can be really tough given all the scenarios, but hey, if it was easy everyone could do it and everyone would be producing next level blockbuster shows for next to nothing cost-wise. There is a reason there are studios that employ a literal army of people it make the shows that we watch and enjoy.
Zacuto products are really over priced and not close to high quality, I am a sound guy but I own an FX6 as well, the 1.5k shoulder rig that I bought years ago was really faulty, I sent it for repair once and when it got back another thing was faulty, they do have lifetime warranty but I live in Mexico, the ship is expensive as well as get it back to my country, besides it's viewfinder horrendus as well, the bracket does not even support the sony lcd weight lol, not sure if they know what the are making anymore, 2 years ago this video would've been good to watch. Great review btw! haha
Things producers and videographers do to not have to pay a sound engineer 😂 It could be useful for some corporate stuff but I still don't understand why anyone would take the risk of bad audio because there was no one actively listening. The walking around with that thing on camera is just plain idiotic though 🤣🤣🤣
This works for videographers who have to do quick interviews on the fly. If I would use this, I would use it in that way. You're at a party and you got to go get quick interviews. You tell them to stand there. It's not that bad of an idea.
Hey Allen! This product doesn't seem like it has... any utility. But while we're on the subject, any update on when your Deity Theos Review will be out? Really looking forward to your thorough testing and what you have to say, before I make a purchase. And thanks for all the knowledge you're constantly sharing.
Not related to this video: I currently use an Oktava mk012 for interior dialogues and I'd like to upgrade. Sennheiser mkh50 is way over my budget, is there anything in between that is worth investing in? Let's say under 1000 $/€. I would avoid proper shotguns, I had bad experience with interference tubes in interior location.
My first instinct is to recommend the Sennheiser MKE-600 because it's about 80% of the MKH-50 for 1/3 the price. As for an upgrade... there's not really anything otherwise I would think you'd be happy with. The MK-012 is already the step under the MKH-50 as far as my recommendations go. There's not really anything between the two that I know of and recommend.
You see.. I could have used this for my home setup just to put it on a pole riser attached to my desk, because most mic arms can't reach up and over my monitors.. but since it has a trrs connector.. And $180?? They lost me..
The only thing this does is replace a c-stand and make it easier for a one man band to operate and control everything all from behind the camera. Not a bad idea for docs, run and gun, RU-vid and for the beginner.
Hol up, I'ma do an interview with someone who IS NOT comfortable on cam, and they think having a giant stick smacking em in the face is better than just clipping the lav on the shirt? I typically dont hide lavs, or just use a stick mic and point it at em. But ya I'll knock em into the answers i need with that stick lol.
Boompole' size dosn't matter, if you know, how to use it!😂 Yes, seriously 🤣 Don't be so hard on the guy who mounted the camera on a tripod upside down😹 I caught up my mind that i saw something like this much earlier. And first i remember DPA 4097 Interview kit, but it was more exact coincidence from CAVISION on their site (/audio/boompoles/features), i think, you'd like it😂 P.S. I also use DPA 4097 in certain situations like a second sound source then i have to work with camera alone without my team and it's impossible just to use lightstand for mic, or use lavalier mic, but i also don't consider it connected on camera as a good decision.
@@SoundSpeeds Yes, I use it just like "arm extention" sometimes in a pair with camera shotgun mic and don't expect much from this. It's just "better then nothing".
I found a better solution, and it’s cheaper and better. I love the idea from Zacuto. I often need to record a static video, and something like this would be great. I have been searching for a solution like this for a long time. But that micro boom pole looks sus. I would never attach something like that to my cold shoe. Plus, we all want to put better mics on it. Right? The answer is the Ifootage 32” camera support arm. I purchased it and love it. Super Solid will not fall. Works great with a 35mm lens, and a camera cage. We use it for church announcements.
I don't know I think that would give me more pause having this weird thing hanging over my head. And it definitely won't be confused with a selfie stick and be banned from the facility you're in. Otherwise a positive review haaha based on previous episodes.
As ridiculous as this micro boom is, I don't blame companies for making something like this that targets the amateurs/low level video operatives that suffer from one-man band syndrome.
I do actually see this being useful in like, a documentary setting where it's just a one-person crew and you have an interviewee that isn't particularly comfortable having a lav mic on. Could even be good if they are comfortable, depending on the mic you put up there Obviously the idea that this is going to replace a boom operator is insane, but a C-stand? Sure, in some cases. EDIT: nevermind that price is wild lmao
Hey Allen I have a question since your the greatest boom operator of all time and know about sounds and microphones, what’s the best usb microphone on a budget sorry for this comment being so outta left field,🫡😂🔥
Thank you for the compliment but boom ops never use USB mics so I'm not up on the newest and greatest in USB mics. That said, I'm still impressed by the Samson Q2U for around $80. It's a hybrid USB and XLR mic so when you graduate from USB mic mode and buy an interface, you can still use the same mic.
