How to properly hold a boom pole | Pro Advice from experts

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The microphones are attached to the boom pole rather than mounted on the camera in filmmaking. The best output comes when you accurately hold the boom pole. This article explains the right process of holding the boom pole for perfect sound quality.

How to hold a boom pole:

Before learning the proper way, we must know,

Why do we use a boom pole with a mic?

Using a boom pole for the mic keeps the microphone closer to the performers. When pointed directly to the subject, it eliminates the ambient noises for perfect audio ramification.

Demonstration of boom pole usage

The process of holding a boom pole:

Follow the procedure explained below to use the boom pole perfectly. Professional boom operators working in the industry follow the same approach and get outstanding audio output.

  • First of all, use a high-quality shock mount to reduce the handling noises.
  • Crisscross the bands when putting a shock mount in it. In this way, the microphone is mounted securely.
  • After inserting the microphone into a shock mount, attach the audio cable.
The best way to prevent the cable from hanging is to wrap it around the boom pole. The professional boom operators suggest wrapping the tape around the part where the mic is attached to the cable connector to reduce any mechanical banging.
  • When you are done attaching the microphone to the boom pole, now set up a frame line of the microphone with the cameraman.
The best way is to bring the mic in the camera frame above the subject, then steadily lift it until it disappears from the frame.
  • Point the microphone towards the nose of the actor at a bit slight angle to get phenomenal audio results.

Holding a boom pole of a mic

Picking the boom pole for long shots is so tiring. Grip the microphone from the center to balance the pole to relax your arm.
Infographics explaining how to properly hold boom pole and microphone
Infographics on “How to hold a boom pole and microphone”

Boom pole holding positions angles:

You might see boom operators in the following standard positions and angles:

  1. On the back of the shoulder with hands making “W”
  2. On the head with hands making “U”
  3. Lower inclined with the microphone pointing above
  4. Lower inclined with the mic pointing on a normal plane
  5. Sitting on the ground and holding with the left hand

Boom-pole handling positions and angles

Boom pole handling position for best results

Holding the boom pole of microphone while sitting on ground

Video demonstration on holding a boom pole:

For the best audio output, one has to look for many technical aspects in a microphone. To cut your effort short and save your time, we have added a list of the best shotgun microphone on our website.

by Harry Olson
I am audio engineer by profession and worked with many renowned brands. I spend most of my life in audio technology. Testing different microphones and doing research on them is my passion. I am here to spread my knowledge with readers.

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