You can position the pole up and over the obstruction, and then back down toward the subject to get the mic in the best location possible. Or you can invert the configuration and go under something then back up toward the subject. If you're using a good shockmount with your mic (see next month's review of the new K-Tek shockmount), feel free to try putting the hinge on the ground if you need a breather. Be careful though and listen for the "boom, boom, boom" of footsteps resonating through the pole, especially if you're on a floor that's got any flex to it. If you're uncertain whether or not you're getting any of this unwanted sound in your recording, be on the safe side and just hold the pole up off of the ground like a normal, diligent person.
Performance
This pole performed flawlessly in every setup I tried. As I mentioned, the locking mechanism was a little stiff at first but became easier to use once it was broken in a bit. The high-quality internal cabling in this “CCR” version is excellent and the quality Switchcraft connectors should last for a long time. The gold-plated connections on the output XLR jack will ensure the highest quality connection. The female XLR plug at the mic end doesn't appear to have the gold-plated connections, but should be quite adequate.
While the specially created articulated hinge is a bit stiff, this resistence actually makes sure this rugged pole will last for years in the future.
Value
So, the big question: is the KA-113CCR worth it's $860 price tag? If you are recording a lot of dialog or interviews where subjects aren't walking around, etc., the answer is: definitely! You can save your arms and shoulders a ton of work! If you are doing guerrilla style recording where you never know what obstructions you'll have to work around, the answer is absolutely. If you just want to buy one high-quality boom pole that can handle pretty much any situation you can throw at it and is going to last a long time, again, I'd highly recommend this one. If you spend most of your time running around and need a pole that fits into a camera bag, or if you simply can't scrape the cash together for this nice pole, you may want to look at some of K-Tek's other offerings. (If this is the case, be sure to check out our earlier reviews of the less expensive and more portable Avalons or check K-Tek’s website for additional options and price points.) I encourage people to buy quality gear. It's usually actually cheaper in the long run, less frustrating to work with in the meantime, and helps users get a better final product.
Final Comments
As I’ve learned through lots of hands-on testing and working with audio products, K-Tek equals quality and reliability. An articulated boom equals flexibility. This pole represents the best of both worlds for boom operators. While the KA-113CCR is not the cheapest boom pole that K-Tek offers, the savings in muscle strain as well as the creative flexibility it offers make it something worth investing in.
Ease
of Use
9.0
Depth
of Options
10.0
Performance
10.0
Value
8.0
Overall
Score
9.3
John Howard has been perfecting sound as an audio engineer for over 10 years. When he's not reviewing gear and software for Microfilmmaker Magazine, he's in the studio recording vocalists and bands, as well as doing post for TV shows and films, through his audio post/recording company, Oakwood Sound Design.
