A Sound Recordist's Toolbox: Rycote PCS-Boom Quick-Release Connector for Boompoles

The Rycote PCS-Boom Quick-Release Connector Product Image

There are some pieces of equipment that make such a difference to how you work and make you think: why has it taken me so long to get one of these!? Well, the Rycote Quick-Release connector for my boom pole is one such piece of equipment. In this blog, I’ll be talking about what it is, how it works and why it’s such a great addition to my equipment.

How Does it Work?

A short unboxing of the Rycote PCS-Boom Quick-Release Connector

The quick-release connector is designed to make the setup and swapping of microphones on boom poles extremely quick and easy. First, the main connector part is attached to the boom pole, then a 3/8” male ‘tip’ is added to the end of the microphone’s shock-mount or windshield which then intuitively ‘clicks-into’ the connector, with a pull collar release mechanism for fast and incredibly easy operation of your boom mic.

Life Before The Quick Release

For most of my career thus far, I’ve never owned or used a quick release for my boom pole. They have always been on my radar, and I have seen other recordists use them before, but never got around to trying one for myself. However, in recent years I’ve been finding I want to prepare for shoots quicker, be able to swap and change microphones quicker and ensure that the microphone at the end of the boom pole is fastened more securely as I keep finding more and more that my microphone loosens at the end which can be become troublesome when you’re on a busy shoot or just about to go for a take and your microphone swings loose!

So, during a haul of purchases I made from Pinknoise Systems recently, I decided to take a look at a quick release system and see how I get on.

Choosing a Quick-Release Connector

The Rycote PCS-Boom Quick-Release connected to a new Radius Mini-Alto shock-mount windshield kit

There are many different brands of Quick-Release connectors for boom poles, including; Rycote, Ambient, Orca and Sound Guys Solutions. All the brands offer a slight variation on design and functionality, but based on factors such as price, brand familiarity and compatibility, I went with Rycote’s PCS-Boom Quick-Release Connector. Maybe at some point in the future, I can purchase all the other brands and do a test of each connector to see what some of the differences are? As I would be genuinely interested to see what the other connectors are like in comparison. Unfortunately though I can’t justify the cost of buying every single brand at this time so I’ll stick with the Rycote quick-release for now.

Initial Reaction to Rycote PCS-Boom Quick-Release Connector

Rycote's PCS Quick-Release in action on set

My first reaction upon setting it up, clicking the mic into the connector and then releasing it with the simple pull collar release mechanism was… why did I not get one of these years ago!? It’s incredible! Honestly, it has changed my workflow so much, making it so much easier and quicker to set up my boom mics! I currently only own 1 of the 3/8” male ‘tips’, so my plan is to buy a couple more so I can have one for each of my microphone shock mounts, allowing me to swap and change my microphones super quickly which will make my life easier and more importantly make shoots run smoother and more efficiently.

Check out a reel on my Instagram page where I dive more into practically using the connector and visually demonstrating and talking through how it works and why it’s so useful.

Dan Guest

Sound Recordist