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How do I protect my boom mic from the rain?
If really heavy rain is expected, slip a dry condom (Trojan red) over the shotgun mic itself. To avoid rain pitter patter, purchase some “hogs hair” crate packing material from an industrial shipping supplier (or from a motion picture sound specialty shop or expendables shop).
Where should boom mics be placed?
Suspend the microphone above and slightly before the talent, either placed in the center of multiple actors or angled slightly towards whoever is delivering dialogue. Because the microphone is closer to the head, booming from overhead is an industry favored technique. Vocal presence is important to a clean recording.
What is one thing you should look out for when using a boom pole?
If you put your boom in front of a light, it’s going to cast a shadow and potentially ruin the shot, so take note of where lights are placed and where the light is in the scene—this goes for windows and mirrors as well.
Can you use a microphone in the rain?
Whether using handheld, shotgun or lapel microphones, it never a good idea for the mic to get wet. For a quick shoot, a basic foam windscreen should keep the mic dry. But that won’t work in extended wet conditions. Protecting the mic gets tricky.
Is humidity bad for microphones?
Extreme temperatures and high humidity can negatively affect the performance of a condenser microphone. Humidity problems generally manifest themselves as crackling and/or a loss in frequency response. Never store your microphones in a damp environment or allow a singer to put a humidifier in the vocal booth!
What are boom microphones used for in film?
Boom microphones are a staple in most film sound engineers arsenal of tools. The 4017B Shotgun Microphone has a hypercardioid pickup pattern designed with a unique interference tube that provides excellent off-axis rejection. This unique directional pattern is useful when you need high directivity with high background noise rejection.
Can a video mic be used in the rain?
If you use a video mic, it’s going to get hit by rain drops and be unusable. The best option in the rain is a lav mic, but even then your run the risk of getting a lot of unnecessary ambient noise. So if you need to shoot in the rain, there’s a good chance you’ll have to do some ADR work in post.
Where does the microphone cable go in a boom pole?
Some poles have a microphone cable routed through the inside of the pole, which may be a regular cable protruding at the bottom end, or a coiled cable that can extend with the pole, connecting to a socket at the base into which the operator plugs the microphone cable.
Can a documentary be filmed in the rain?
If you’re shooting a documentary, then you may have no choice. But for narrative film, you’ll always want to control your environment by simulating fake rain. There are tons of tutorials out there on the subject. You can even use a water hose if you’re in a pinch.