Hi Everybody, Thank you Allen for making this video, and giving great detailed insight in a new generation of boompoles! You really tested the Mighty Boom down to it's core. And we do understand, it past with flying colors! Thank you! However, every product is bound to have a weak point. I hear that in the Mighty Boom's case the "biggest" concern seems to be the diameter bottom section. First, a smaller bottom section will be available with the secret Allen mentioned. A 5 section pole (soon available, in 10 and 18ft) will have a smaller bottom section. Please stand by a couple more weeks, until they are available at your favorite K-Tek dealer. But we didn't decide to make it a bigger diameter so we could call it "Mighty Boom". We of course have a very good reason for it, which comes with a big benefit to the pole and it's way you can use it. Here is the real reason for it: In order to allow the connector to go thru the top section, we had to start out with a bigger diameter on the top of the pole. That results automatically in a larger bottom section. If the connector fits thru the smallest diameter (being the top-section) then the user can exchange, replace, remove or add a, cable as needed without tools and without soldering. And maybe if you practice a little you can beat Allen's time of 1:21:24 ....BIG CHALLENGE!!! 🙂 Another benefit came along. The larger diameter makes the boom more rigid. Less flex, yet enough flex to make it comfortable to swing. A great Boomoperator once said to us: Imagine you have a 10 lbs. straw (thin diameter) in the palm of your hand, and then imagine a diameter of the Mighty Boom same weight (10 lbs.) in the palm of your hand. The weight distributes obviously much nicer throughout the hand with a larger diameter, than with a small diameter. The straw would kind of cut into the palm of your hand. And that made sense! Having said all that, and you are still not intrigued to try out the Mighty Boom, then please know, that the original predecessor the "Klassic" still can be ordered from your most favorite K-Tek dealer. It will be a special order, and it might still take a little extra time to get it, but you still can get it. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us at anytime. We are known to be accessible easy. Social Media channels, or simply email us. We are looking forward to hear from you! Don't Worry, Boom Happy, Boom K-Tek! Your friends @ K-Tek ktekpro.com
That heavy-info bit about how graphite is made you delivered so fast I had to rewind twice to get it. I know I am not paying 100% attention sometimes but damn, you could occasionally slow down during new-scientific-fact segments >.
Thanks for being thorough as ever! Everything I wanted to know, and lots I wouldn’t have even thought to ask. Thank you for your efforts! Also I appreciate that I never have to speed up playback on your videos. You got 45 mins worth of info into a 33 min video. That’s 👌🏼
Hi Allen, I would like a second opinion on boom pole’s length. I’ve ordered 10’ mighty boom pole. I can exchange with a 12’ since it will shipped on Wednesday. I personally work on short films and feature films once in a while. My previous boom pole was 10’ and was quite happy. But I’m thinking of getting another 2 boom poles in the feature. Like 9’ and 20’. According the research I’ve done most of the boom operators in similar kind of jobs used a 12’ in more than 80% of the works and I’m thinking of getting this length too. I would like to hear your opinion too. Would you go a 10’ or 12’ for these kind of jobs?
I discussed this in my Mighty Boom boom review but in short, I usually recommend a boom around 12 feet for 85-90% of indoor work and an 18 footer for the other 10-15% and all outdoor work. If you want to go crazy, having a super long boom does come in handy sometimes too so that's when you'd pull out the 20+ footer but why carry more boom than you need to? It's like golf. It's best to have a tool designed for the length you're going for.
Thanks a lot for your reply Allen. You are legend. I’m Still watching your videos and I’ll email you if something I have in my mind you haven’t yet in your videos.
Yes, that’s true about not caring on a lot of booms. The 60% of the films I’m working on everything is unexpected, they don’t give me an idea about size of a room etc and many times happen to work in very tiny spaces that even a 10’ or 12’ would be long. I hope as long I’m working more and more in this field I’ll get clients that take the sound more seriously and discuss with sound department with the same way they discuss DOP or lighting guy.
Yes indeed. I usually work with very good DPs that know how to light and set up angles to allow for proper capturing. It should go without saying but some newer DPs are only concerned with lighting.
Hi Allen! Out of curiosity when you go to set, do you bring cabled and non-cabled options equally? Or do you preference one depending on the job? Or considering modular boom poles exist do you just bring a modular pole and cable it if needed?
Great question. Before I show up I ask what kind of setup the sound mixer is using for the primary boom. I'll also ask what quick releases they use. Before I go out there, I'll make sure I have booms ready for their setup when I arrive. I own 17 booms setup I'm various cabling configurations and own all the major brands of quick release too so when I show up, I'll be ready. Depending on what shockmounts the mixer owns, I may bring my own to use too.
🤣🤣🤣HAHA!!!! Last week I was at Location Sound in Burbank inquiring about the KTek Klassic, without knowing that the brand new Klassic series came out the week before... And it totally turned into a ‘Who’s on first’, scenario for like three minutes...
What a great review!!! I’m about to order a mighty boom. I mostly going to use transmitter, should I go for the cabled version or uncabled one? Uncabled make more sense as it’s obviously lighter but I’m wondering if the cables version allows you to remove the cable if you need so I would have both options if need. What is your opinion about it ?
Totally your choice. I'm not against wiring books with new cables if I need to but if you get the retro fit cable, it's very fast. How often do you have to switch cable options?
I’m wondering if there is option to remove the cable before go to location, and if anytime I want to use the internal cable , I’ll wire it and boom. I cannot find info about this and that’s make my decision harder. I assume both boom poles would weigh the same if were without cable.
If internally straight cabling your boom, yes. The purpose of the retrofit is to make cabling faster by eliminating the need to solder. If you don't mind soldering, you're fine running the cable and soldering when needed
Wow!! Thanks a lot for your quick reply. Thanks a lot for the answer. I’ll get a cabled version just in case then. I have a suggestion for feature topic unless if you’re already covered and haven’t seen it. I’m new to the channel, you’ve got very good stuff here. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and tips.
Hi, awesome video as always! Quick question: I've had problems with K-Tek boom poles in the past because the pole sections rotation is not locked, and therefore when I try locking/unlocking the knobs, it often spins the pole section instead of locking/unlocking it. So, does this new boom pole still do that? I hope you understand what I mean. Thank you :)
I didn't run into that issue at all. I have on other brands and it is something that happens when too little adhesive is used. That should be a quick fix though.
I’m getting into Steadicam now (don’t worry, still doing sound) and I have this product idea that I’d love some feedback on. Imagine a Steadicam vest but it’s just the waist area and the arm that attaches is much thinner and booms higher than a traditional steadicam arms for boom operators who have long takes with heavier set ups. I know something already exists that solves this problem but what are your thoughts?
The KitCool and Steady Boom are two such devices. They are a lot to get into but serve a purpose of you're doing long takes and people don't move much. It limits mobility and shouldn't be used in tight spaces but I know guys that love them
Good luck folding it when you have coiled cable inside it, I am so annoyed by that, I don't even wanna use it now because I can't fold it to fit it back in to that bag.
If you're wondering which to buy, I can't answer that. They feel so different but this video may help you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ciQqtL9SN3Q.html