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Videomaker
 * Video
 * Learn
   * Shooting
     * Aerial Cinematography
     * Camera Equipment
     * Camera Movement
     * Camera Settings
     * Composition
     * Files and Formats
     * Green Screen
     * Visual Storytelling
   * Editing
     * Color Correction
     * Editing Technique
     * Motion Graphics
     * Visual Effects
     * Workflow
   * Audio
     * Audio Editing
     * Audio Recording
     * Sound Design
   * Lighting
     * Lighting Design
     * Lighting Equipment
   * Directing
     * Film History
     * Management
     * Storytelling
   * Planning
     * Casting
     * Organization
     * Writing
   * Profitmaking
     * Budgeting
     * Distribution
     * Promotion
     * Sales
   * Technology
     * Anamorphic Lenses
     * HDR Video
     * HLG — Hybrid Log Gamma
     * How Image Sensors Work
     * How Lenses Work
   * More Topics
     * Documentary
     * Photography
     * Hacks
     * Legal
     * Online
     * Spherical Video
 * Buyer’s Guides
   * Cameras & Lenses
     * DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras
     * Cinema Cameras
     * Camcorders
     * Smartphones
     * Drones
     * 360 Cameras
     * Lenses
     * PTZ cameras
   * Software
     * Video Editing Software
     * Audio Editing Software
   * Production Gear
     * Livestreaming Gear
     * Drones
     * Tripods
     * Camera Stabilizers
     * Lights
     * Microphones
     * Advanced Camera Support
     * Video Monitors
     * Audio Recorders
     * Bags & Cases
   * Editing Gear
     * Desktop Computers
     * Laptops
     * Video Monitors
     * Storage
   * Stock Media
     * Music and Sound Effects
     * Stock Video
     * After Effects Templates
 * News
 * Reviews
   * Audio Equipment
   * Cameras
   * Camera Support
   * Computer Equipment
   * Drones
   * Lighting
   * Software
   * More
 * Downloads
   * Editing Software
   * Free e-books
   * Free Screenwriting Software
   * Music
   * Stock Video
   * Sound Effects
   * More Downloads



HomeAudioAudio Recording
Audio Recording


HOW DO BOOM MICS REALLY WORK?



By Kyle Alsberry
Image courtesy: Jefferson Gomes

In video production, there are many different types of microphones, each with
its own specific uses. One of the most popular types of microphones used on set
is boom mics. Operated by boom mic operators, boom mics are essentially shotgun
microphones attached to boom poles and used to capture audio at a distance. But
how do they work? Let us delve into how these types of microphones work, as well
as where they came from and how to set them up correctly.


HISTORY OF BOOM MICS

While boom mics today are high-tech equipment for professional video
productions, they come from humble beginnings. The first boom mic was nothing
more than a microphone attached to a fishing rod. It was on the set of “The Wild
Party” (1929) to allow the film’s lead, Clara Bow, to move freely on set. She
was reportedly struggling to deliver her performance because she had to stand
still so the microphone on set could capture her audio. Director Dorothy Arzner
— one of the only female directors working in Hollywood at the time — had her
technicians attach a microphone to the fishing rod, and thus, the boom mic was
born. Though Arzner created the first boom mic prototype, it wasn’t
patented until a year later. It was officially patented by a Fox Film
Corporation sound engineer, Edmund H. Hansen (typical!).

Over the decades, microphones have evolved significantly. Modern versions can be
highly directional, allowing sound recordists to capture audio from a farther
range while ignoring unwanted ambient sounds. The directionality provided by the
likes of hypercardioid and shotgun mics has allowed for far more flexibility
when it comes to capturing good audio from a distance. 




UNDERSTANDING THE BOOM MIC

A boom mic setup typically consists of a microphone mounted on a boom pole,
equipped with a shock mount to prevent handling noise. It’s also often covered
with a windscreen to reduce noise interference. Boom mics are the go-to audio
solution in scenarios where lavalier mics could disrupt a scene’s authenticity,
such as an interview or film.

The science behind boom mics lies in their ability to focus on a sound source
from a distance, making them perfect for film sets where the mic needs to be
invisible and not intrude on the scene. The microphones used are usually shotgun
mics, known for their directional pickup patterns that can handle capturing
sound from a distance. But this isn’t always the case. Boom mics are typically
equipped with microphones that have hypercardioid or lobar pickup patterns.


PICKUP PATTERNS: HYPERCARDIOID VS. LOBAR

Hypercardioid mics have a pickup pattern that is tight and focused directly in
front of the microphone and have a small lobe of sensitivity to the rear.
They’re generally best suited for indoor environments, especially ones with low
ceilings and untreated walls that are prone to echoes and sound reflections.
Stationary setups like interviews and dialogue recordings would benefit most
from the use of a hypercardioid microphone.


Illustration of different microphone pickup patterns

Lobar pickup patterns are found in shotgun microphones, which are highly
directional. These mics are designed to record audio at longer distances due to
their interference tube design. This design means they don’t reject
reverberations and reflections as well as hypercardioid mics, so they’re best to
use in outdoor environments. Also, boom mic operators can take advantage of the
mic’s increased directionality in an outdoor setting, allowing them to stand
further away from a subject while still capturing clear audio. Check out this
article by Shure if you wanna learn more about how shotgun mics work.


SETTING UP A BOOM MIC


STEP 1: ATTACHING THE MICROPHONE TO A BOOM POLE

Once you have a microphone (check out our microphone buyer’s guide for boom mic
suggestions) and a compatible boom pole, secure the mic onto the boom pole using
a shock mount. Shock mounts are crucial for reducing handling noise caused by
vibrations and movements from the boom operator. 

Next, add any microphone accessories you may need. If you’re recording outdoors,
we recommend a dead cat (a fuzzy mic cover) or blimp.



Then, attach the XLR cable’s female end to the microphone. Typically, even the
most basic and affordable booms come with an internal XLR cable. This means you
don’t have to run the cable around the pole. But if yours doesn’t, go ahead and
wrap it around the boom pole snugly. Pro tip: Use velcro straps so that the cord
stays secure during operation. Connect the other end to your audio recording
device. If your boom pole has an internal cable, its output will likely be at
the bottom. In that case, use another XLR cable to complete the connection.


STEP 2: POSITIONING

Work with the subject and camera operator to find the edge of the camera’s frame
for the shot. The boom operator should then practice moving the boom pole to
find the best position for capturing audio while staying out of this frame. Once
you’ve got that down, position the mic as close as you can to the subject just
outside of that frame — either above or below.


STEP 3: TESTING

Start monitoring the sound coming from the mic using headphones. Have the
subject stand and speak similarly to how they will in the scene. Then adjust
input levels on the recorder until it’s at an appropriate volume with minimal
background noise. Once the voice is loud and clear, also make sure the subject’s
audio isn’t distorting at their loudest points.




STEP 4: FINAL CHECKS

Before it’s time to start rolling, make sure to:

 * Double-check all connections and settings. 
 * Ensure that the boom pole’s handling noise is minimized during any movements
   you’ll have to perform — such as turning the pole’s direction between two
   subjects engaging in dialogue.
 * Check that there are no obstructions, such as cords, that will trip you while
   recording the scene. If this is a scene that involves moving subjects, make
   sure you know the start and end points so you can keep up. 
 * Confirm that the recording device has enough storage and battery power for
   the session.


STEP 5: ACTION

Continuously monitor the audio through headphones while recording. Be ready to
make minor adjustments to the boom pole’s position or the recording levels if
the sound dynamics change during the shoot.


MORE BOOM MIC TIPS

Here are a few more tips we have for you if you’re operating a boom mic:


 * Use a relaxed grip and keep your movements smooth to avoid creating handling
   noise.
 * Be aware of potential noise sources around the set. If you can, try to
   control them (for example, turning off a noisy air conditioning unit). If you
   can’t, try your best to position the mic in a way that they’re not as
   noticeable — your audio engineer will appreciate it.
 * Use specialized windshields, like blimps, when recording outdoors to
   drastically reduce wind noise.
 * In echo-prone areas, position the mic closer to the sound source or use
   absorptive materials around the set to dampen the echo. In these cases, a
   hypercardioid microphone may be most appropriate.
 * Always keep extra batteries and SD cards on hand.


THERE YOU HAVE IT

Boom mics are important tools in professional filmmaking that are the best
microphone choice in many instances. And now that you know how boom mics work,
take your knowledge to the set and experiment with different techniques. Also,
consider learning more about audio recording for free here.


Kyle Alsberry
Kyle Alsberry is a multimedia producer and audiovisual technician at California
State University, Chico and is Videomaker's associate editor.


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