Some years ago, as many of you may remember, Sennheiser sold a
quick-release product to quickly change shock-mounted microphones from
one boom pole to another, for those times when you change your mind
about mics between rehearsals, or when a GVC is suddenly found to be
needed, and so forth. It was made mostly of plastic and a metal 3/8"
stud, but it worked perfectly, was tremendously handy in the field,
simple to use, and pretty cheap ($14.95 per, or about $45 for a set of
three -- a number I've found to be practical in the field for these).
Here was a product that was well thought out in principle, worked very
well in practice, provided enormous help to sound mixers everywhere,
and didn't cost an arm and a leg. Naturally, it was discontinued and
never manufactured again.

On the last job, we managed to lose the female end of one of these
parts from my very last remaining pair of them. It was a
heartbreaking affair indeed. At a friend's shop this afternoon, I
looked at a potential replacement system currently being sold by
someone else. This system was made of stronger alloyed metal, but it
was clunky and awkward, requiring a hex screw, an allen key, several
easily lose-able parts, and a difficult attachment and release I
wouldn't jump to describe as "quick". Naturally, it is being
manufactured in earnest and costs $120 per unit (or $360 for the
necessary three).

Thanks for that, but does anyone else have any other ideas for
substitutions now that Sennheiser's system has inexplicably gone the
way of the ghost, or does anyone have any of those old Sennheiser
mount quick-releases for sale?

Thanks!

Regards,

Noah Timan

(working email is my name at earthlink)

K-Tek makes a quick release system
http://mklemme.com/pole/quickconnect.htm But it's expensive.

Windtech has a less expensive item http://olsenaudio.com/rapido.html but
I've not tried it on a boom pole.

That's all I know of,
Marty Atias
ATS Communications

Thanks for that, but does anyone else have any other ideas for
substitutions now that Sennheiser's system has inexplicably gone the
way of the ghost, or does anyone have any of those old Sennheiser
mount quick-releases for sale?

I have been very happy with the Ambient system as well, and worth
every penny.

Before, I used to have two booms, different mics, rigged and at
"standby" -- and even changing fully set up booms with an operator
several feet away would be challenging.. now with the
Ambient system, I can change mics as fast as camera can change a
lens..... blimp or no blimp.
I use the Rycote pistol grips with XLR holder-slot, and permanent
cables from mic to the grip.
I used to detest the pistol grips for the added weight, but now those
tiny ounces means little to me as I can be faster, and not be limited
by the time factor in making fast decisions on changing mics.

One note... there is an Allen set-screw that is used to affix the
QuickLock to the threaded
end of the fishpole..... if adjusted tightly (of course my desire) it
can sometimes become PERMANENT, as it will smash into the threaded
ends.... and make it near impossible to remove.

My longest and most expensive vDB now has a permanent Quicklock
attached, but that's OK because I am sold on the system! (There is a
happy medium possible, as I CAN remove the Quicklocks from my other
poles.... )

I strongly recommend the Ambient system...

MF

Michael Filosa, CAS
Atlanta Field Production, Inc
404-636-9988