Boom Cable System with Talkback

Models available for the following "Desk" Mixers: Audio Developments, Cooper 106, 108 & 208, PSC M8, Sound Devices 442, Sonosax SX ST, Zaxcom CAMEO

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 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.

Remote Audio's Boom Cable System with Talkback

Sending the boom microphone signal to the mixer
Sending a monitoring signal back to the boom operator
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.

The five piece system consists of:

A small box worn on the boom operators belt which contains an internal amplifier for the talkback mic
75 Starquad extension cables with positive locking 8 pin "quick release" connectors at each end
A connector "fan-out pigtail" for connecting to a mixer or recorder
Optional monitor interface box for the mixer (not needed if console has communication module)
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 there's 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.

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 there's 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.

Construction

Made of heavy-gauge anodized aluminum, the small boom operators belt box has a belt clip, an XLR input for the boom mic, a " stereo jack for headphone monitoring, an XLR input for the boom operators talkback microphone, a PTT (push-to-talk) button with guard and a short "pigtail" with an 8 pin Neutricon connector for attaching to the extension. The box also houses a 9-volt battery compartment for its internal amplifier. The extensions are made from flexible but rugged two pair Canare Starquad cable. The mixer end fan-out is terminated with an XLR male for the boom mic, an XLR male for the talkback signal, a " stereo plug for the monitor signal at one end, and an 8 pin Neutricon at the other end to connect to the extensions. A loop is provided for securing the mixer end on a cable hook.

Operation

When the boom operators momentary push-to-talk button is pressed, an internal amplifier boosts the talkback mic to line level and sends it down the line to the mixer end. Depressing this PTT button also mutes the program feed in the boom ops right ear which is replaced with their own voice (side-tone). The left ear continues to monitor the headphone feed from the mixer. A trim pot adjusts the gain for the talkback mic up to 70dB. This allows for easy, low level, whispering communication. With a current consumption of only 8mA, a 9-volt battery typically powers the internal amplifier for an entire production week.