Annoying boom mic headwear at DVinfo.net

James Emory · February 23rd, 2006, 10:19 AM

What do you think about these new headwear boom microphones on TV shows? I thought the whole point was to get sound without showing the source. What was wrong with using lav mics other than occasional clothing noise? I thinks it's very distracting to have that windscreen hovering by the corner of the talent's mouth like that. It looks like something is on their face because the boom is barely visible.

Paul Cascio · February 23rd, 2006, 11:04 AM

Ten years from now, we will laugh at the announcers wearing them. I guess it keeps the announcer's voice isolated from crowd noise at sports events.

My pet peeve is that CBS and ESPN like to boost the crowd noise so much that you can't hear the announcers. Kind of negates the boom headset.

James Emory · February 23rd, 2006, 11:19 AM

The ones on the sports shows, as big and funny looking as they are, are more understandable because of the crowd noise. I was mostly talking about the new smaller ones that are showing up on daytime TV shows. These don't have the mouse ears, they are just the boom that connects from a loop over the ear and booms out just short of the mouth. It looks like something that's not supposed to be there and that the talent is aware of them and want to brush it away but are fighting that urge.

Seth Bloombaum · February 23rd, 2006, 12:08 PM

These are Countryman E6 "Earset".

It's not a fashion trend. The reason you see them so much is that they provide fantastic sound.

Lavs don't do as well when sound reinforcement for a live audience is needed, the lav is perhaps 18" further away from the mouth. Live sound engineers are always concerned with gain before feedback, the Countryman excels at this. We've pretty much converted all our wireless used in large meetings and presentations to the Countryman because the meeting and recording sound great.

James Emory · February 23rd, 2006, 12:13 PM

Oh, I don't doubt that they produce great sound. I just think they are very distracting. If the windscreen could somehow be eliminated that would help a great deal because the boom is much more discreet.

Ty Ford · February 23rd, 2006, 08:33 PM

The countryman E6 doesn't require a pop filter. If you want to see and hear one. I opened my Mic Tutorial mp4 with it. The file is free and downloadable and will let you hear the differences between good mics.

Go to http://tinyurl.com/nern9 and download the Ty Ford Mic Tutorial.mp4

It comes in a variety of colors.

Yes it is a trend and it it's growing, becoming more accepted. AT and Shure now have similar low profile models.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Glenn Davidson · February 23rd, 2006, 09:27 PM

I have worked with a Stand-Up comedian for the past 15 years. He does the usual Beta 58 on a mic stand in his shows. Last year, I saw him at a shoot in New York in a One Man Show off Broadway and he was using the Countryman. My first impression was that it looks odd. Its the same impression I get when I see those glowing blue earpieces on people using their cells.

Lets see..Good Sound vs. Talent doesnt Look Goofy...OK, lets use the Countryman!

Ty Ford · February 23rd, 2006, 10:59 PM

Countryman makes two mics.

The E6i earset and the headset mic. From ten feet, the E6i is almost friggin invisible.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...624#post436624

The E6i is the one I'm talking about.

Ty Ford

James Emory · February 24th, 2006, 12:31 AM

I think they are fine for stage performances. I've shot a stage play where all main characters used them but they were really well hidden with the costumes and makeup. It's when they are used for TV with medium and tight shots that make them stand out more that gets to me.

Ty Ford · February 24th, 2006, 10:24 AM

That's a good point, but when you're shooting a live event and the talent is at the podium giving a Powerpoint presentation in a room with a PA that's amplifying their voice, the E6i is an easy winner.

Regardless as to whether they turn their head away to look at the screen, they are still right on mic.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Greg Bellotte · February 26th, 2006, 08:34 AM

ESPN, ABC and the Golf Channel are using DPA 4088's, not the countrymans...

February 23rd, 2006, 10:19 AM	#1
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Annoying boom mic headwear What do you think about these new headwear boom microphones on TV shows? I thought the whole point was to get sound without showing the source. What was wrong with using lav mics other than occasional clothing noise? I thinks it's very distracting to have that windscreen hovering by the corner of the talent's mouth like that. It looks like something is on their face because the boom is barely visible.

February 23rd, 2006, 11:04 AM	#2
Paul Cascio Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, CT (Home of EPSN) Posts: 1,192	I agree Ten years from now, we will laugh at the announcers wearing them. I guess it keeps the announcer's voice isolated from crowd noise at sports events. My pet peeve is that CBS and ESPN like to boost the crowd noise so much that you can't hear the announcers. Kind of negates the boom headset. __________________ Paul Cascio www.pictureframingschool.com

February 23rd, 2006, 11:19 AM	#3
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	The ones on the sports shows, as big and funny looking as they are, are more understandable because of the crowd noise. I was mostly talking about the new smaller ones that are showing up on daytime TV shows. These don't have the mouse ears, they are just the boom that connects from a loop over the ear and booms out just short of the mouth. It looks like something that's not supposed to be there and that the talent is aware of them and want to brush it away but are fighting that urge. Last edited by James Emory; February 23rd, 2006 at 12:15 PM.

February 23rd, 2006, 08:33 PM	#6
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	The countryman E6 doesn't require a pop filter. If you want to see and hear one. I opened my Mic Tutorial mp4 with it. The file is free and downloadable and will let you hear the differences between good mics. Go to http://tinyurl.com/nern9 and download the Ty Ford Mic Tutorial.mp4 It comes in a variety of colors. Yes it is a trend and it it's growing, becoming more accepted. AT and Shure now have similar low profile models. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

February 23rd, 2006, 10:59 PM	#8
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Countryman makes two mics. The E6i earset and the headset mic. From ten feet, the E6i is almost friggin invisible. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...624#post436624 The E6i is the one I'm talking about. Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

February 23rd, 2006, 12:08 PM	#4
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	These are Countryman E6 "Earset". It's not a fashion trend. The reason you see them so much is that they provide fantastic sound. Lavs don't do as well when sound reinforcement for a live audience is needed, the lav is perhaps 18" further away from the mouth. Live sound engineers are always concerned with gain before feedback, the Countryman excels at this. We've pretty much converted all our wireless used in large meetings and presentations to the Countryman because the meeting and recording sound great.

February 23rd, 2006, 12:13 PM	#5
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Oh, I don't doubt that they produce great sound. I just think they are very distracting. If the windscreen could somehow be eliminated that would help a great deal because the boom is much more discreet.

February 23rd, 2006, 09:27 PM	#7
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	I have worked with a Stand-Up comedian for the past 15 years. He does the usual Beta 58 on a mic stand in his shows. Last year, I saw him at a shoot in New York in a One Man Show off Broadway and he was using the Countryman. My first impression was that it looks odd. Its the same impression I get when I see those glowing blue earpieces on people using their cells. Lets see..Good Sound vs. Talent doesnt Look Goofy...OK, lets use the Countryman!

February 24th, 2006, 12:31 AM	#9
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	I think they are fine for stage performances. I've shot a stage play where all main characters used them but they were really well hidden with the costumes and makeup. It's when they are used for TV with medium and tight shots that make them stand out more that gets to me.

February 24th, 2006, 10:24 AM	#10
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	That's a good point, but when you're shooting a live event and the talent is at the podium giving a Powerpoint presentation in a room with a PA that's amplifying their voice, the E6i is an easy winner. Regardless as to whether they turn their head away to look at the screen, they are still right on mic. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

February 26th, 2006, 08:34 AM	#11
Greg Bellotte Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 291	ESPN, ABC and the Golf Channel are using DPA 4088's, not the countrymans...