Really Right Stuff Boom Poles - Sound Speeds Review

Really Right Stuff has discontinued the shorter VMB-35 boom pole. Only the full length VMB-34 is sold as of May, 2022.
Really Right Stuff was formed in 1990 and for nearly 30 years they made camera related products but in 2019 they launched their boom pole line. The RRS VMB-34 and VMB-35 microphone boom poles, as of the time of this video, are the only two models of boom pole currently in their product catalog. If you're looking for a deep dive of these boom poles, look no further!
For more info about these booms, visit Really Right Stuff online at:
www.reallyrigh...
To purchase the cleaning products show in this video:
Pledge Furniture Polish w/ Orange Oil: geni.us/Pledge...
Boom Shine: geni.us/BoomShine
Protect All: geni.us/Protec...
Plush Microfiber Cloths (similar to the ones I use in this video): geni.us/Premiu...
Ultra Plush Microfiber Cloths (similar to the ones I use in this video): geni.us/UltraP...
To watch the videos I referenced and showed clips of in this video:
Really Right Stuff's New Logo Announcement Video: • Really Right Stuff: Ne...
Really Right Stuff's Really Right Stuff Tripod Maintenance Part 3: Twist Locks: • Really Right Stuff Tri...
Kelly On A Tangent's Really Right Stuff at CineGear 2017 Video: • Really Right Stuff at ...
NOTE: Following this review it was brought to my attention that the low profile connectors are available on Ambient's website. Check them out here: ambient.de/en/...
To Ask A Question For The Sound Support Podcast, email: [e-mail]
Gear Commonly Used In My Videos:
Panasonic Lumix FZ-80: geni.us/SoundSp...
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7: geni.us/SoundSp...
Aputure Amaran AL-MX LED Video Light: geni.us/Aputur...
Tascam DR-40: geni.us/TascamDR40
Sound Devices MixPre-6: geni.us/SoundD...
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links and if you purchase something using one of these links, you'll pay the same price that you'd find on Amazon if you looked it up yourself but Amazon will pay me a small referral fee for sending you there to make a purchase.
FULL DISCLOSURE:
Really Right Stuff sent me the VMB-34 and VMB-35 boom poles for free to review in this video. Although I get to keep these booms in exchange for this review, I'm not going to allow that to affect my opinion so you can expect this to be a fair and honest review.
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[@levicarter4577]

Oh that's a Cable techniques xlr connector.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Never heard of it. Is it a good one? I'm assuming it is by the feel.

[@levicarter4577]

@@SoundSpeeds Yeah I really like them. I believe the cable out is rotatable to change the angle. So it can be a 90° or 45°.

[@SoundSpeeds]

It felt good and has a good weight to it. It didn't feel like garbage. Thank you for adding this comment. Pinned.

[@levicarter4577]

@@SoundSpeeds They also come in different colors and such.

[@SoundSpeeds]

I think they chose correctly for a boom

[@curtisjudd]

Nice review, Allen. Great to see a review from a guy who actually put it to work on a demanding production set. Hopefully RRS can use your feedback to make a better set of boom poles.

[@SoundSpeeds]

We'll see what they choose to do. They are a great company and I'm interested to see what they choose to do.

[@FJamesPrice]

I have a thing about wasting food, and I'm still shocked while typing this that you would put shaving cream on camel's milk and there was no explanation to the tune of "that was fake shaving foam" or "It didn't ruin the hot chocolate and I drank it anyway". The review itself is greatly appreciated, and I understand where you're coming from; I take audio pretty seriously as well, just had to say something about this one. It's more of a me problem to be sure.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Pretend everything was expired. 🤓 Thanks for watching.

[@chakerian]

I purchased one of these right when covid lockdowns started, and was going to return it because I couldn't test it out due to productions shutting down ... the tests I did showed many of the same annoyances you saw. They have a 30-day money back return policy and a really good warranty. I chose to keep it and try to fix it myself, as I think it can be salvaged into a good pole. The pass-through cable does not have the butterflies on them to prevent noise. I added some to the first segment. A piece of paper tape a few inches inside the bottom of the inner segments prevents full (and therefore, weak) extension (similar to how ambient does it using velcro). It's a very simple and effective fix. Much better than using a marker. That solved two of three major issues, cable noise and damage due to full extension. The only big one left is the handling noise of sliding your hands... and I'm going to test sanding it with 1000 grit sandpaper, and if that doesn't work, varnishing it with automotive clear coat.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Great comment. I'm curious as to how sanding works. Sanding worked only so so for taking off the high gloss I ran into on one boom. Be careful as sanding will void your warranty, will reduce the segment diameter and I doubt it'll work because it's not coated.

[@WORTHITORNOT]

Shaving cream in the Coffee said it all :)

[@SoundSpeeds]

It wasn't coffee. You have coffee on the brain.

[@WORTHITORNOT]

@@SoundSpeeds Haha same thing :)

[@SoundSpeeds]

Wait... are you saying you'd be fine with hot chocolate instead of coffee?

[@WORTHITORNOT]

@@SoundSpeeds Haha , yeah right, just like you’d be okay with replacing Zipfizz with alka seltzer

[@SoundSpeeds]

Now I KNOW you have coffee brain

[@Podcastage]

OUtstanding review!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thanks dude. This is my world and I love it.

[@TheXupload]

Lol @ the waking up the sound mixer! Outstanding review. I hope that RRS will learn from It. And the next revision will attempt to address some of those issues mentioned.

[@SoundSpeeds]

They have been very positive about my feedback so far. They are a really good company.

[@rickymcc8624]

Thanks good review. I think RRS make pretty good photo pods, heads etc ..... but ..... it seems they need to learn a little more about nuanced sound use to make the best poles. Perhaps another example where the mk. 1 model is best avoided until the manufacturer corrects minor design defects in mk.2 or mk.3. Kudos to you for a straight talking review and not glossing over some minor design deficiencies. IMO these look like pretty good boom poles, compared to basic cheapo models but don't fully justify the premium price as currently offered.

[@SoundSpeeds]

As I said, there's nothing poorly made about it... It's just not what a boom pole should be.

[@ToddWhirley]

I bought a Gitzo boom pole for an absolute steal a year and a half ago. I think they quit making them. Reminds of these RRR poles. Built like a tank. Quality. I like RRR gear...wish I could afford it.

[@SoundSpeeds]

There are a lot of poles on the market to consider. Try as many as you can and pick the one that picks you.

[@nickr5213]

Oh no! This could have been really good, but, ugh, a boom really needs to be quiet. That’s one of the most important aspects!

[@SoundSpeeds]

This is also v1. I think they'll get it.

[@timothythompson3068]

Now I'm even more glad I just bought the Ambient QP 5100! I told them Allen Williams made me get it! 😳😄😁

[@SoundSpeeds]

LOL. Who is "them"? Keep in mind that it's important to try every boom you can and then pick the one that's best for you. Don't just buy one because someone told you to or because a video convinced you. It's about your relationship with the boom and how you work together.

[@timothythompson3068]

@@SoundSpeeds Gotham Sound

[@SoundSpeeds]

They love me over there. ;-)

[@00solman]

Well done, fact filled, knowledge based review.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thanks Jon. :-)

[@soundhobo]

You should never have said “reasonable” consultation rates...they need you 👍 You’ve been very fair though, shame you’ve gotta keep them 😉 Nice and as I said fair review fella 👍

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thank you. Time will tell what they decide to do. It would take something special to enter the boom pole market at this time when the major players are constantly innovating. I do think they have what it takes if they choose to commit.

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

Camel's milk! 😮😂 Great segment, Allen.

[@SoundSpeeds]

It makes sense although an odd analogy

[@davidkirk1426]

Hope they take heed of your suggestions and improve the design - would be nice to see a swappable cage at the base to fit a transmitter.

[@SoundSpeeds]

They have been very open and accepting of my feedback. I really do believe they are a good company that cares about making great products.

[@davidkirk1426]

@@SoundSpeeds Looking at the design of the cage, it looks a straightforward enough job that they could either offer a simple retaining ring and/or a cage for a transmitter as an accessory.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yeah, they could even notch the red ring and bottom of the cage to allow it to slip out.

[@davidkirk1426]

@@SoundSpeeds lol quick file a patent!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Ah, let them have it. It's their product and they deserve it.

[@supahmac]

Good info.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thank you.

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

Gotta get get boom boom pole! 💥

[@SoundSpeeds]

Decisions decisions. Just make sure you try them all and determine for yourself what works best for you.

[@IWTBFOY]

Thank you 🙏

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thanks for watching.

[@SuChingYu]

please review VDB xl-qt boompole

[@SoundSpeeds]

I would but VDB hasn't responded to any of my emails and from what I've seen online in pro sound forums, they don't reply to customers inquiring about warranty service. Take that as you will (heresay).

[@SuChingYu]

@@SoundSpeeds That’s so irresponsible. Couldn’t tell that when I talked to them in their shop. Will talk to them about that if I have another occasion to go to their shop.

[@SoundSpeeds]

I don't want to believe it but it's still what I heard in the pro forums. I've emailed them twice and no response either time. Consider it heresay.

[@pingpongowo]

3:10 "Unloosen" So tighten. Lol.

[@SoundSpeeds]

That's your take away? ;-) I caught that flub but someone else pointed out that around the 3 minute mark I said the cube transmitter wouldn't fit in the cage because it's too small instead of the cage being too small.

[@RobertLinthicum]

This reminds me of mistakes I see in military movies and in cases Japanese products with unintentionally humorous Engrish names. Hiring an expert for an hour of critical guidance could have made all the difference. Had RRS hired Allen to as a design consultant for this thing, they might have had a winner.

[@SoundSpeeds]

We'll see what direction they go in the future with their sound products. I do believe the company has what it takes to become a major player but just need help going in the right direction. I'm willing if they are.

[@onocoffee]

Camel's milk is too salty!!!!

[@SoundSpeeds]

That's weird. It's not in this.

[@onocoffee]

@@SoundSpeeds I tried it when I was in Saudi Arabia. It's quite extreme, Liked the video, btw. Nice to see someone giving a truthful and even encouraging product review. And Channel Idea (from when you were running back and forth with the boom): Sound Speed Allen's Movie Magic Workout!!!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Nobody wants to watch me exercise! I'm trying to build an audience not scare everyone away. :-) Thanks for watching.

[@ilyakurtov9515]

Top crap for ton of bucks :)

[@SoundSpeeds]

It's well made just not what we need. I think they can turn it around though... if they want.

[@ilyakurtov9515]

@@SoundSpeeds totally agree! But there are good enough booms from China 10 times cheaper:)

[@SoundSpeeds]

That's a matter of opinion. I haven't seen a cheap Chinese boom I like yet and doubt the craftmanship is anywhere near the RRS.

[@ilyakurtov9515]

@@SoundSpeeds this why they are 10 times cheaper:)

[@SoundSpeeds]

"Good enough". I should buy one and talk about it...

[@ironfistvail]

I guess this boom boom went boom glad I didn’t buy it

[@SoundSpeeds]

I know they went down to one model as of last year. Did the other go away too?