Boom poles are simply a means of placing your shotgun mic close enough to the talent to get clean audio. It sounds simple, yet in practice I find that the quality of the actual boom pole can make a difference.  Over the years, I've tried many different poles, and I really like the new poles from Loon Audio, as they are light, quiet, and well-designed.

If you have ever boomed a mic over your head all day, you will understand why it is imperative that the pole be as light as possible. Aluminum poles are inexpensive, but get quite heavy by the end of the day. Graphite poles cost more, but are the choice of professionals because of their light weight. Loon Audio has improved on the idea by custom designing each section of their poles.

Loon Booms have six graphite sections, but each section uses a different graphite makeup, so that the whole pole maintains the same wall thickness. This makes them strong, yet light, and keeps the weight out of the tip of the pole. For example, the top three sections, located toward the microphone, are modified to be lighter and more durable, and they reinforce the tail end of all six sections for increased support and durability. This alteration creates a more responsive boom for the operator, while keeping the rigidity necessary for accurate work.

The Loon poles also have a very quiet locking system. To understand it, you need to know what "Collets" are, because Loon poles have two types. Their standard Collet is a piece that goes between the pole and the collar, the Tail Collet mounts internally on the smaller tube. Normally, when a section is fully extended, the joints can have movement, which results in noise. This is not the case with Loon poles.

When the loon collar is tightened, it tightens the joint just like any other pole. The patent pending difference is that it also simultaneously activates the Tail Collet system at the end of the smaller internal graphite tube. This creates an extremely secure and quiet connection, because the smaller tube is now held securely, as well.

Loon has carefully thought out their design, and has added features that make sense in the real world of pro audio. Each point of the collar is geometrically designed for a purpose both internally and externally. The rectangular bars on the exterior provide a substantial grip without hurting your hands. The internal Dual Locking system tightens with a one third turn of the collar, making for quick adjustments.
Also, every collar is O-Ring-sealed to keep out the grit and grime when you have to work in nasty conditions. If something truly evil happens ─ like dropping your pole in the swamp ─ you can take apart the whole pole and clean it. No other pole offers this feature.

Loon Audio calls their microphone connector the “TogLoc.”  It is easy to remove by simply loosening the collar three turns. This allows the Collet to return to its natural state, allowing TogLocs to be removed or inserted. Removing the Tog Loc allows for easy cable interchangeability and if you have ever had an internal cable go bad during a shoot, you will like this feature.

When you twist the collar, it forces the internal Collet into a dual cone shape. This deformation creates such a secure connection, that it can resist several hundred pounds of pull out force.

The last feature of these awesome poles is called the "BaseMate + Wing." This gives you a rubber pad at the base of your pole and moves the audio XLR connection to a plate that faces toward the mic end of the pole. Now when you go wireless, you simply plug your transmitter onto the XLR Wing. Because of the BaseMate, you can rest the base of your pole on the ground and not crush your transmitter in the process.

I took the 8-inch pole out on various jobs and tested it with a Sennheiser 416 and a ME66. I also tested both the Sennheiser Blimp and a K-Tec Softies. It was amazingly light and well balanced, making my days much easier.

I was busy directing a TV pilot so my audio guy, Chaz, used the 21-inch model with a Sennheiser 816 and a K-Tec blimp. Even at full extension, the Loon pole held the weight of 30 inches of mic and blimp. Chaz raved about how light it was and actually used the 21-inch pole throughout the shoot, rather than transferring the mic to the shorter pole.

Loon Audio has made some unique and awesome products that work well in the real world. Their poles are well-designed, and do a great job. They are a must-have tool for professional audio.

MSRP: Starts at $465.00
Contact: (888) 582-7083
www.loonaudio.com