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Booming with a Neumann KU100 head


Diego

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Hi everyone, 

 

I have a "very" special project coming up and I'm trying to capture binaural sound on set with the Neumann head. I have other binaural microphones already in place but for this post, I'm looking on ideas about making some sort of contraption that can hold this 7lb head over a steadycam operator so that the head and lens are as close as possible. 

 

If the head could also pan so it can follows the lens even better. I guess that what I'm trying to make is something like a Fisher boom but portable. We are shooting on location so wheels are not really an option.

 

The closest I've seen is the Kit Cool http://www.boomaudiovideo.com/index.php/en/products/kit-cool-boom-pole-support and their range of harnesses but I need to get some parts locally in Los Angeles. Maybe an articulated pole but I don't know if it can hold the weight.

 

Maybe there's some camera equipment that I don't know of that can do the job? 

 

And what would you use as a shockmount for the head? It can be threaded from the top or bottom.

 

If you have any ideas on how I can build something that works and that is useable by a boom operator I would really appreciate it. I've been scratching my head for a while now trying to figure this out. 

 

Thanks in advance.

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I'd recomnend an aluminium pole and a self-made suspension. Adam Hall, the case maker, sells vibration dampers for their cases, which are rubber lined on both sides by metal with threads for mounting. I have used something similar for the wheels on my cart. This is what I used:

http://www.hug-technik.com/shop/index.php?cat=c34_IG-x-IG-Typ-C-IG-x-IG-Typ-C.html

Sorry, I can only find this in German. You may need a thread adapter, but it should work. And they are very sturdy. It would be like a tough floater.

Oh, and find a really strong boom op. Or go with a Fisher after all.

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I'd recomnend an aluminium pole and a self-made suspension. Adam Hall, the case maker, sells vibration dampers for their cases, which are rubber lined on both sides by metal with threads for mounting. I have used something similar for the wheels on my cart. This is what I used:

http://www.hug-technik.com/shop/index.php?cat=c34_IG-x-IG-Typ-C-IG-x-IG-Typ-C.html

Sorry, I can only find this in German. You may need a thread adapter, but it should work. And they are very sturdy. It would be like a tough floater.

Oh, and find a really strong boom op. Or go with a Fisher after all.

 

Thanks Constantin, good thinking. I found a couple of stores that might have something like it. 

 

http://3diosound.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33&products_id=47

Maybe this would work better. You'd have to negotiate mounting it on the camera...

 

Thanks Pablo, using one of those as well but I'm still being asked to use the dummy head.

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I would be very cautious of that unit - I bought something off the same crowd ( I think - the design/website looks very similar ), it was an expensive '3d' microphone and was poorly made and didn't work, ie I got zero output out of it..  I think these products fall almost into 'scam' territory.  I am happy to be proven wrong

 

http://3diosound.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33&products_id=47

Maybe this would work better. You'd have to negotiate mounting it on the camera...

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http://3diosound.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33&products_id=47

Maybe this would work better. You'd have to negotiate mounting it on the camera...

 

The head is a part important of the binaural sound. For frequencies above 800Hz our head is an obstacle, and this is part our position detection (By pressure above 800 Hz and time below). IMMO this tool forgot this basics

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is this what they are trying to accomplish? there's probably an easier and lighter way to do it, like a diy variation of the original way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jecklin_Disk

No, they are trying to do a dummy head recording and you can only do that with a dummy head. The best alternative would be to use the (dummy) head of the camera op and use an in-ear binaural mic. But he won't hold his head as calm as needed and won't always look in the right direction. But that is essential for this type of recording.

Anyway, it certainly seemed like the OP knew what he was talking about and what he was getting into with this recording technique and I think it's inapproppriate to suggest alternative mics instead of trying to answer the actual and valid question. Besides, personally I find this very interesting. Presumably, the movie is shot from the POV of someone (and replayed on headphones?)? The sound recording technique could certainly fit this very well

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