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How to Make Your Own Boom Pole

Boom poles are the long rods that are seen on movie sets to suspend a shock or other mic above the subject being filmed. The purpose of the pole is to allow an actor or other subject to be equipped with a microphone without it actually being caught in the shot. Having a boom pole can drastically improve the sound quality and professionalism of your movie. Instead of spending upwards of $100 on a professional boom pole, you can easily build your own with basic supplies and tools to get the most out of your movie-making efforts.

Things You'll Need

  • Telescopic rod with plastic thread end
  • Power drill
  • 2 3/8-inch nuts
  • 3/8-by-2-inch hanger bolt
  • Male/female microphone adapter
  • Shock mic mount clip
  • Shock mic with cable
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drill into the threaded end of the telescopic rod using a power drill. The hole should be wide and deep enough to fit the wider thread of the hanger bolt.

    • 2

      Twist the two nuts onto the hanger bolt. Keep twisting until they are centered along the length of the bolt.

    • 3

      Insert the pointed end of the bolt into the hole in the end of the pole. Tighten the bolt in the hole with your hand until it is secure.

    • 4

      Attach the male/female microphone adapter onto the bolt on the end of the pole. Connect the shock mount clip onto the end of the adapter.

    • 5

      Insert the shock mic into the shock-mount clip, and connect the mic cable to your camera.

Film Production

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