Remote Audio Boom Cable System—with Talkback!

(MODELS AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING "DESK" MIXERS: COOPER 106, 108 & 208, ZAXCOM CAMEO, AUDIO DEVELOPMENTS, PSC M8)

Because sound for film and television usually begins with the boom microphone, its support equipment is essential in achieving the best possible recordings. With the first priority being a clean signal from the boom mic even with long runs over lighting and power cables Remote Audio Products' Boom Cable System and the second need being return monitoring for the boom operator, the need also exists for private two-way communication between the boom operator and the mixing engineer. Communication can make the difference between good takes and having to loop.

The Remote Audio Boom Cable System with Talkback achieves the three functions needed by the sound department:

  1. Sending the boom microphone signal to the mixer
  2. Sending a monitoring signal back to the boom operator
  3. Private two way communication between the boom operator and the mixing engineer

As in other equipment designed and fabricated by Remote Audio, the goal was to reach the best balance of utility, versatility, reliability, and cost.

Pricing Information

Sony MDR-7506 HP w/TB mic

The five piece system consists of:

  1. A small box worn on the boom operators belt which contains an internal amplifier for the talkback mic
  2. 75 StarQuad extension cables with positive locking 8 pin "quick release" connectors at each end
  3. A connector "fan-out pigtail" for connecting to a mixer or recorder
  4. Optional monitor interface box for the mixer (not needed if console has communication module)
  5. Headset with dynamic talkback boom mic (modified Sony MDR 7506 or Sennheiser MD-25 stereo headphones).

The boxes and extensions are all quickly connected via positive lock 8 pin Neutricon connectors.

Versatility

Being a modular system gives you more options. For instance, if an extension cable is accidentally cut by the dolly track, simply remove or replace only that section theres no need to hook up and run another entire boom cable. Or, if more length is needed, the boom operator simply disconnects the extension from their box and adds another. The alternative would be to either move the cart closer or pull more cable through what may have become an obstacle course. Or, if the cart needs to be moved further away, simply disconnect the extension from the cart, move the cart, then add an extension.

Remote Audio's Boom Cable System

Normally, continuing to add length to a mic cable could cause problems, particularly when trying to route around power lines, lighting header cables, dimmers, and the like. Because the Remote Audio Boom Cable System uses a StarQuad pair within the extensions for the boom mic, induced noise is not a concern. Being able to add extensions when needed also means that theres no need to bring out several hundred feet of cable when 75 will do just fine.

Often, when two booms are needed, cable lengths needed are different. In this case, if a sound department has two complete systems, one boom operator can use extensions not needed by the other.

The extensions can be fitted with XLR adapters turning them into standard, two pair, StarQuad, extension snakes.