Better Sound: How to Boom Your Camera Shotgun Mic
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- When you bought your camera-top shotgun microphone, like a RODE VideoMic Pro, you were expecting to get much better sound. But if you’re shooting a talking head or interview type of video, you may have been disappointed at the results when the mic was mounted on top of the camera.
The secret to getting much better dialogue sound from mics like this is to get the microphone much closer to the talent and boom it from above, pointing down at a 45 degree angle. You’ll generally want to get the mic within 40 - 60cm of the mouth of the person speaking, if you can.
In this episode, we cover how to boom your mic like this so that you’ll get much better dialogue sound. We also quickly discuss the gear you’ll need to make this work.
If you’d like to improve your sound recording skills for film, please have a look at our Sound Recording for Video course over at school.learnlig...
Visit us at learnlightandso... for more updates on how to improve your lighting and sound for video. Also be sure to subscribe to get new weekly episodes!
Gear mentioned in or used to record this episode:
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On-Stage Microphone Boom Stand (I’ve had mine for over 5 years and still going strong)
Amazon: geni.us/QkKrbL7
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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Adapter for RODE VideoMic Pro (5/8” to 3/8” Adapter)
Amazon: geni.us/MskdKi
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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Adapter for most other camera-top shotgun microphones (5/8” to 1/4” Adapter)
Amazon: geni.us/BvBKp
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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RODE VC1 Extension Cable (so that you can connect the mic to your camera)
Amazon: geni.us/mSY0OOb
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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Coldshoe ot 1/4” Adapter for Coldshoe Microphones without a threaded tap
Amazon: geni.us/Wa71d
You could also use one like this instead (smaller and all metal):
Amazon: geni.us/qi4Dn
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Sandbags for Stabilizing Stands (Be sure to put the sand in heavy ziploc style bags before putting in these sandbags to prevent spills)
Amazon: geni.us/XiWiQ1J
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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RODE VideoMic Pro - This is my favorite camera-top shotgun microphone. I often use it when I need to travel light
Amazon: geni.us/kM2WZRo
B&H Photo: www.bhphotovide...
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Copyright 2016 by Curtis Judd
Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.
A fabulous basic video on how to cheaply boom your mic and get good sound. Thank you.
+Basic Filmmaker thanks!
Both of you guys are my favorite. Thanks for making stuff guys.
Basic question here, does the Boom Shotgun microphone Improve the quality of your recorder, say zoom h4n, or does it utterly replace it? Thanks!
I'm here for the pro tips, but I do like how you cater to all levels of experience.
+CZsWorld Thanks!
I've been meaning to comment on this video to thank you for putting this together. I am a relatively new hobbyist filmmaker, currently making films about geocaching. I had been shying away from using dialog in my films when I was using an iPhone but when I went from filming with the iPhone to a Panasonic Lumix G7, I bought a shotgun mic and started researching how to use it well. This video was the best I found. I bought a mic stand and adapter, mounted the mic to the stand, ran a 6 foot audio extension cable from my mic to my camera, and created a film that just recently was selected as a finalist in an international film festival. It took some practice but I found that angling the mic straight down just a little in front of the subject really worked well, and running the audio directly into the camera made editing so much easier. Since I was filming outdoors, I often had to set up the subject, start filming, and become a boom operator too. My film will publish on my channel after the film festival ends in November but I just wanted to say thank you. This was a great video and very helpful.
Thanks and congrats on your film!
Curtis Judd saves the day for yet another new creator! Leaving a comment just to show my appreciation. Thanks, Curtis!!
🙏👍
Thanks Chris - excellent video. And the tip about putting a tripod leg under the boom arm is VERY important. I'll look at some more of your videos to improve my lighting on my green screen. All the best, Cheers Rick
Thanks Rick!
Another fantastic video - straight to the point, no BS, no Squarespace ads, no garbage. You, sir, are a model of the perfect CZcams personality!
Thanks Alexander.
I already have the Vidmic Pro. This video saved me from running out and buying a thousand dollar mic, which I'll do once I make some money. LOVE THIS GUY!
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Thank you Curtis, for providing such useful information.
Also...you'll never know how much I appreciate not adding background music to your narrative.
Thanks.
Your channel is truly a one-stop-shop for all of my video and audio needs. Thank you for all of the fantastic advice!
+The Story Behind Tech thanks!
Every time I think of a solution I look to your channel for proof of concept. If it's a good or viable idea, you will have done it already. Love your channel.
Thanks for the feedback - means a lot!
@@curtisjudd Your channel has saved my butt too many times for me not to thank you for it. Thank you.
Thank you! Changing my boom mike positioning recently and this has made a huge difference to my sound quality! I appreciate the information.
👍 Happy recording!
Was ridiculous how hard it was to find a vide this simple on his subject until yours. Thank you!
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Retitle this video to The DSLR / Shotgun mic upgrade sin all You Tubers are making! Best video ever! I get so frustrated with all of these channels that have "upgraded" their setup bet their audio is still crap. Thank you and send this video to everyone on You Tube.
Thanks Wade!
I know this is an older video but you’ve helped so much with the documentary I’m making thanks Curtis
Thanks! So glad to hear it helped. Best wishes on your doc!
I was thinking about picking up a dialogue condenser mic you've talked about in other videos, but before I watched this video I often wondered how the VideoMic Pro would perform in a boom situation. This seals the deal, the noise floor is relatively low for what is is, and much much better sound than a lav. I really am not a fan of seeing a lav in talking head shots/corporate shots, to me it looks amateur and the lav is ugly. This is a great solution. Thanks Curtis, you're awesome!
+Taylor Montgomery thanks Taylor and best wishes on your shoots!
This video just answered all of my questions having just bought the videomic pro and being disappointed with echoey, tinny sound when mounted on the camera, thank you!
You're welcome!
I think this is one of the highest quality videos I've come across on CZcams. Really well done indeed.
Thanks Pzark.
@@curtisjudd I realize this is a pretty general question to be asking, but any tips on growing a CZcams to 100k subs?
@@pzark3638 I think the two main tips are 1) Produce content that helps people in some way. That can be entertainment, education, or probably 1000 other ways, but just needs to be something people want or need. 2) Post regularly, generally once or more per week.
@@curtisjudd Awesome - thanks so much! I'll message again once I'm at 100k subs 😂
The most sensible video on the Internet!!!
Thanks Eliona.
Just used your video to help me set up a Deity D3 Pro to a mic stand. Cheers
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Great concise video Curtis :)
+Chris Winter Thanks Chris.
Very educational I have the boom Mic stand for this purpose it's adjustable. Great show.
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Note that the 5/8'' to 3/8'' adapter is only necessary in America. In the rest of the world microphones and microphone stands use the same 3/8'' treads as camera tripods, which is very convenient!
I don't quite know how things are over there, but in Europe most XLR microphones come with an adapter which you can leave in for 3/8'' stands or remove for 5/8'' stands. If it's the same in the USA, an alternative to buying an adapter could be to import your microphone stands from Europe. (Beware that you may have to pay customs, though.)
www.thomann.de is where I usually buy sound equipment.
Thanks Lau. It was helpful to have a mini lesson on how Europe does sound. :)
Good note!
I really wish I'd read this before I bought the adaptor
thank you for this 😭😭😭 im a freshman uni student majoring in film and one of my classes just kinda threw us into using a boom mic without a proper lab going over it, so when i filmed with it my audio was kinda janky in certain parts of my short documentary 💀. kinda blew my mind that boom mic stands existed lmao, the way they talked to us made it seem like we had to get someone to boom for us 🗿
When talent moves, this technique won't work, but if they're just seated for an interview, its a great option.
Been looking for exactly this for 30 minutes. Thank you!
👍 Happy recording!
Thank you so much!!! I was wondering why my Rode doesn't work that well! I followed your instructions and it changed my life/video. Thank you soooo much you are the best!
+Victorianme so glad it helped!
Awesome video!! Very helpful
Thanks Dan!
Fantastic video. Excellent either, thank you.
+Rationality Rules thanks!
Short, to the point, well done Sir. Subbed.
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Dude, it's so hilarious how you seem to pick the exact topic for things I've been thinking about doing. Fantastic.
+Robby Huang glad it helped!
Amazing video Curtis, you really think about all the potential issues your viewers might come across and I have a ton of respect for you for that
Thanks Dan!
I've been doing this a while, but instead of screw adapters I've defaulted to using a mic holder that would usually support a Shure SM dynamic stage microphone (typical stage mic made of metal and is quite heavy) - I just clip the VideoMicPro by the hotshoe adapter and it sits perfectly, it has the added benefit of being more positional without adjusting the boom arm - I can rotate, change the angle etc.
Whatever works consistently is the best option! Since my stands come with these mic holders - its a no brainer.
+messianicrogue Great idea, thanks for that!
You have come a long way in 8 years.
Great vid! Quick, precise and to the point. Just what I was looking for thank you
Thanks for the feedback!
I know you recorded this 6 years ago (crazy lol) but do you happen to remember what you used to edit/EQ the audio? Your audio sounds great and I'm going to purchase the stand, adapter, and extension cable all from BH via your affiliate links. Thank you for making this video!!
It has been a while but my recollection is that I just loudness normalized it in Adobe Audition. I probably applied a high pass filter at 70 Hz or so. I’m not even sure I did any EQ beyond that. 😀
This video was too short, I need more...😋
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@@curtisjudd 👍🏻
Simply explained! Gonna try it soon with my Pro+ Thanks!
Good luck!
I had exactly that problem with my Rode Videomic Pro+ mounted on the camera. I have a lot of other mics but saw the reviews of the Rode and thought I may get away with having it on the camera and not using any mic stands. Nope! I'll try your tips, thank you.
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Thank you for this clear and straightforward video 🙏 really helped!
You're welcome and thanks for the kind words!
SO SIMPLE! but effective. Cant wait to try this out.
Can't wait to hear how it works out for you!
Ordered and in the post! I will definitely let you know. Thanks again!
As I am learning this now, I just wanted to thank you for this video. It's really helpful.....Especially the part about the leg on the base needing to be in alignment with the arm holding the mic.
+Jason Ross thanks for the feedback
Phenomenal! I am buying this whole set up now, thank you so much. I have never worked with a mic before and I am wondering how to monitor the audio on this rode mic?? Or if that’s even needed? I am going to be filming interviews. Would you suggest buying some headphones to listen to the audio while recording, or is that not needed? You have NO IDEA how AMAZING your content is! Life changing stuff thank you
Thanks Natasha. Yes, I would recommend monitoring the audio if you can. For an interview, you'd want to monitor from whichever device you're recording to which has both your sound and the sound of the interviewee.
@@curtisjudd amazing thank you!!!! I am planning to buy the Zoom H1N while I start to learn how to pair audio+video, and invest in the Zoom H6 later this year. In your opinion, do you think that will work well? I’m having trouble finding any content related to pairing Rode VideoMic Pro plus with zoom H1N and wondering if it’s even logical? I noticed zoom H6 has XLR ports and I believe the H1N does not. Oh boy I’m starting to confuse myself, Lol….I wish I could pay you for your time!!!!
@@natasha7773 I might be able to help. Tell me, what types of videos are you planning to film? It might just make sense to use a VideoMic Pro, and a microphone extension cable to feed that to your camera.
@@curtisjudd you’re truly so amazing. I am filming individual mini-life documentaries for hospice patients. The mic will be used for interviewing them, I will be using your suggested boom set up. I hope for crispy clear professional audio. My plan is to use the Rode VideoMic Pro Plus. I thought connecting it directly to my camera May negatively affect the quality, but I have never worked with audio before, so I’m probably completely wrong 😅😅😅
@@natasha7773 I would just get the stand and VideoMic Pro+ and an extension cable and run the audio directly into your camera. The biggest way to improve audio quality is to get the microphone off the camera and closer to the person speaking. No need to add an audio recorder unless you'll be more than a few meters away.
This video was EXTREMELY helpful! I just recently approached this problem and this video helped a lot. Keep up the great videos.
+Hien Maeda Thanks, will do!
Thank you so much Curtis, this has really clarified a lot for me and it looks very inexpensive too. Great video! Thanks.
Thanks Kadrian!
Just what i needed and excellent presentation
👍
Excellent video thank you so much, really clear and helpful
Thanks One Life.
I just got a Panasonic Lumix G7 that came with a Rode Videomic Go. I enjoyed this video and have been playing with using the mic on a mic stand with the adapters. So far I'm pretty disappointed with my results but it's because I'm just learning. I'm new to filmmaking and everything I've done so far has been with an iPhone with no audio or using a Rode Smartlav+ lav mic. I'm hoping to put together a short film this summer using the Videomic Go on a boom for audio. I'll be practicing for a while. Thanks for putting this video together, it was very helpful.
Good luck on your film!
The VideoMic Go can be tricky - not a very strong output signal which may be part of the frustration. But stick with it and practice, practice, practice. It will pay off.
@@curtisjudd thank you. I forgot to mention that my film will be shot outdoors and the Rode Videomic Go seems to pick up so much ambient noise. I'm learning how to conceal a lav mic under clothing just in case the shotgun mic on a boom doesn't work.
Good plan! A very valuable skill.
Hey Curtis! I would like to thank you once again for recommending the Rode Video Micro, universal shoe mount adapter, and the sound stage boom mic stand for my iPhone set up! Keep up your great videos! All the best from LA! Brownie
+Brownie Siberian Thanks Brownie, keep those videos coming!
Great content and thank you for the resources, I ordered my extension cable today. Looking forward to clearer audio in the future!
I hope it works well for you!
This is an amazing resource!
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Great video, Curtis! Thank you very much!
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Thanks for the vid Curtis, this was exactly what I was looking for 👍🏻
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A lot of help. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.
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your channel continues to help me so much!!!
Thanks Annesha!
That tip for putting one of the stand legs under the boom arm is worth its weight in... expensive mics.
Yes!
Awesome, this is exactly what I needed to know! And all the links to amazon are super helpful. Cheers!
Thanks and happy recording!
I have a boom mic and my problem is that there are two option buttons. 1) normal ( 2 ) Tele so my question is that what is the use of Tele mode or on which condition we have to use Tele mode ?
I’m not positive but the tele mode probably adjusts to polar pattern so that it rejects more sound from the sides of the mic.
That is a pretty good video with an amazing sound! Thank you so much for sharing those tips, I feel like a pro already 🙂🙂
Thanks and happy recording!
Awesome video man! Very simple and informative! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge 👌🏼🎬
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Thanks for this video Curtis! I just bought the Videomic Pro plus, boomed it and couldnt work out why my sound wasnt rich especially after investing £300! Think i simply didnt have it close enough. Thanks for a simple but (hopefully) effective solution! New subbie :)
Thanks Kirsty and glad it helped! Happy recording!
The mic should be close enough that the talent can reach up and touch it.
A really helpful tutorial. Thank you! It would be great if you could also make a tutorial/guide on how to record audio dialogs/interviews with more than one lavalier or boom mic at the same time.
+knaajo thanks for the idea, I'll add that to the queue. Here is one I did a while back on recording two lavalier microphones to your phone: czcams.com/video/i3E7z3xfeik/video.html
Very informative. Very good video.
Thanks!
Thank you! So helpful. And I really appreciate the links to the products!
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Awww. Thank you. Thats really clever. I hope the adapters and screws will be available near me.
You're welcome. I hope so too!
This is exactly what I needed and was super helpful. Thank you!
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Please reply me.
What if I use blue snowball mic instead of rode mic? I will hang it same as shown in video.
Then you'll just need a USB extension cable.
Very helpful video, thank you!
Thanks Magdalena!
Great video, thanks for the tips.
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Good video Curtis!!
+Steffen Cherry thanks!
Outstanding videos Curtis, keep up the great work!
+Erickson Films thanks!
Will this setup work with two people sitting about 1 foot apart if the mic is right in the middle?
You may have to move the mic back a little and will pick up more ambient noise but it will work.
@@curtisjudd thanks just want I needed to hear.
great video ! i was looking for a set up like this thank you 😊
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Great great great video - I used your links to get the items I needed. Thank you!
Thanks Monica! Happy recording!
Hugely helpful, brother Curtis. Thanks so much. Vid is concise, informative at every turn. New subscriber here. God bless!
P.S., are you by chance a Latter-day Saint?
Thanks Glen. Yes I am.
Curtis Judd Ah, it was not hard to tell. I am about to launch two CZcams channels: “What Latter-day Saints Believe,” and “Latter-day Saint Gospel Teaching.” With zero knowledge of doing video I am immersing in all the remarkable help on CZcams, like yours. So thankful for it. So far, leaning toward using the Nikon Z6, Nikkor Z 24-70mm F/2.8 S lens, Sennheiser MKH416 Boom Mic, Rode VideoMic Pro Plus On-camera Shotgun Mic, Atomos Ninja V 5" 4K HDMI Recording Monitor, the FeiyuTech AK4500 3-Axis Gimbal, and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone. My gosh so much expense! Lol. But it’s going to be so worth it, because we need faithful perspective about us on the net as we both know. One of my first videos will be on the Mountain Meadows Massacre using an honest but faithful viewpoint. I will be filming at the scene. Nice to run across you and your channel!
If you haven’t seen the video shorts from _Book of Mormon Central_ they are priceless. Enjoy General Conference, brother.
Awesome video! Might just have to get a mic stand as my DIY mic boom holder is a bit too meh for what I'd like
+Philippos Slicher this is slightly better than meh. Good luck!
+Curtis Judd Thanks :)
110 with no dislikes... :) you ARE the man haha. Always love your content, great job for those beginners. Any chance you'll be doing an update to the 'budget lighting' videos?
+Sully Cortez thanks Sully. Yes, I'm still searching for some good budget lights but as soon as I find them we'll have an episode on that.
Thanks! Well made, well edited, informative and entertaining.
+Terry C Thanks Terry!
Helpful presentation!
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Good one Curtis, thanks!
+Wytse Koetse Thanks!
I feel like there's an important question that no one is asking is that, does long extension cable degrade the quality? Thanks
Yes, that is always a possibility with unbalanced cables/connections. I have not run into any issues with the RODE VC1 cable which is 10 feet long. As long as you keep the cable at a reasonable length (I'd keep it under 15) and keep it away from power cables, can be just fine.
@@curtisjudd I have a shotgun mic with balanced connections that I would use before the camera mics.
Brilliant, helpful and concise... love it!
+Streets of Vancouver Thanks!
Curtis, great video as usual. Very helpful.
Thanks Mark
Great video and good tips.
Thanks!
Thanks for the video. I loved it!! 2 quick questions... 1) Can I use a wireless professional "singers" mic on a microphone stand and angle it down? 2) what kind of mic stand would I need if I wanted a standing "talking head" video?
Hi Kimi, most vocal/singer's microphones are dynamic microphones and do not work very well boomed out of the picture - this type of microphone needs to be closer to the mouth of the person speaking. They can record great sound, but need to be within about 4 - 5 inches of one's mouth. If you're not over 5'8", the mic stand we have in the description will work. If so, you'll need a taller stand like the Triad Orbit which is a little pricey but very good quality: bhpho.to/2FPfhPk
@@curtisjudd Thank you so much for your quick response! I am under 5'8 so that works great! I will invest in a different mic. Thanks again!
just what I needed... thanks!!!
Thanks!
Good vid man super useful! I just got a rode video micgo and it sounds better than the iPhone built in mic but doing interviews because I am so tall I have to stand back from the mic, this will help me a lot and I had been wondering if I needed a different boom mic or if I could just put the micgo on a boom.
+PRIDECONDITIONING 👍
My good sir, used the links to buy the stand and adapters :) covered all the needs for a newtuber like myself. Thank you Curits appreciate your quick - simple solution! #subbed
Thanks and happy shooting!
I've started dropping a link to this video in the comments to videos with good content but subpar mic technique.
Thanks.
Excellent video.
Thanks Glennesha!
Really good video! Now I know how to improve my sound :) Thank you !
+Josias Zapata You're welcome, thanks for the feedback!
That's exactly the video I was looking for! We started a CZcams channel with lav mics but they add extra time to the whole prep and we just just started to use our Rode Video Mic (~8 years old). Se sound quality is way better and more richer, but the mic was just over the camera.... So, it recorded the room noise/echo that we had to clean up in post (not a great solution). Now, we will buy a mic stand and put it over us like you said!! Check our latest video and please, give us your feedback (I won't put the channel name here to avoid to pollute your comments). Thanks!
I hope it works well for you!
@@curtisjudd we'll see this weekend!
Love you Curtis!❤️
🙏❤️
Excellent. Thank you!
Thanks, you’re welcome!
Very good work.
+Misti Komola thanks Misti
Basic question here, does the Boom Shotgun microphone Improve the quality of your recorder, say zoom h4n, or does it utterly replace it? Thanks!
Hi JD, it depends on how you decide to go about that. THe H4n is both a recorder and a set of stereo microphones. If you're using the in-built microphones, then the boom mic replaces those. From there, you can run the cable from the boom mic to your H4n or directly to your camera. So there are a lot of options.
Very useful, as usual! Thanks a lot!
+Arpad Ambrus Thank you!
What should the settings be on the road Video Mike Pro and also on the Camera to get the best quality crisp audio?
Usually you want the audio input level on the camera set low. Then watching the audio meters on your camera, set the VMP's level until the peaks on the meters hit around -12dB (or stay in the green/yellow but out of the red or hit the arrow - whichever your camera has). Good luck!
Curtis Judd thank you for quick reply. What if the 20 dB setting is too loud but the 0 dB setting is not loud enough? Just got this yesterday and had the same experience you described in the video. I hooked it up to the camera and was very disappointed in the audio. But I just went out and got all the stuff you recommended and I’m looking forward to trying it this afternoon. Thank you,
You'll want to stick with the 0dB setting that case and then do one of two things: 1) increase the input level on the GH5 or 2) normalize the audio levels in post so that they are loud enough. I generally do number 2 with this combination. Good luck!
Bro.... thanks for all you do. Great videos and info
Thanks!
Hey Curtis. Great videos. I'm having difficulties connecting an Innogear standard mic stand with my new Diety V-Mic D4. The Diety has a hotshoe mount with what looks like a 5/8" socket in it. The end of the mic boom is a 5/8" thread. I can connect the two but because the boom arm isn't long enough for my setup I need to point the Diety mic at an angle rather than straight down. (Very similar to the Rode setup in your video here). Is there an anglular adaptor to put in the middle there? I can't find one. Thanks. Keep up the great videos.
Thanks this exactly what we were wanting to know! Very informative and easy to listen too!! Good sound!! We subscribed! Huge like!!
Alice
Thanks Alice!
You are amateurs' hero :) Thanks
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