Topic: Mic Stand

[krowllaw]

Any recommendations for a mic stand?  I didn't realize there are so many options now!

http://www.fullcompass.com/searchresults.php?search_simple=true&txtAll=light+stand

[voltronic]

For a stand over 10ft, you want a Manfrotto 1004BAC.  Lightweight but sturdy construction, well worth the price.  I wish I had bought one of these in the first place when I was starting out rather than the cheap ones which are far inferior in quality.

If you need a bag to carry it in, this one fits it perfectly.  You don't need the Manfrotto bag unless you're transporting 3 of these stands.

[bucsab12]

If an 8ft stand will meet your needs, I have owned this mic stand for a few years:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284734-REG/Lowel_UN_55_Uni_TO_Light_Stand.html

Compact, light weight and at a great price.

[voltronic]

If an 8ft stand will meet your needs, I have owned this mic stand for a few years:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284734-REG/Lowel_UN_55_Uni_TO_Light_Stand.html

Compact, light weight and at a great price.

Lowel is another high-quality brand.  Keep in mind that this stand will need an adapter to mount it to anything threaded.  The Manfrotto stands tend to come with 3/8" threads on the studs, as well as 1/4" adapters.

[krowllaw]

Thanks guys, order placed!

[The Other Chris]

I have a lightweight 8’ Manfrotto if you’re interested, pm me.

[Limit35]

If an 8ft stand will meet your needs, I have owned this mic stand for a few years:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284734-REG/Lowel_UN_55_Uni_TO_Light_Stand.html

Compact, light weight and at a great price.

I like the stability of that base, do you use it indoors a lot?  I am curious about the ends getting kicked as people walk by, I'm not really a stand blocker and usually try to leg in as much as I can.  On the other hand, I have been really thinking about that type stability lately so multiple mics don't take a dive while I'm away from my rig.

[fanofjam]

Pay extra and get one that goes high...12 feet at least.  You always have the option to run low but going higher is the best solution for talkers that gather around a stand like moths to a light. It minimizes stress too cause you always have a solution to rude talkers that you're in control of.

[splumer]

If an 8ft stand will meet your needs, I have owned this mic stand for a few years:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284734-REG/Lowel_UN_55_Uni_TO_Light_Stand.html

Compact, light weight and at a great price.

I like the stability of that base, do you use it indoors a lot?  I am curious about the ends getting kicked as people walk by, I'm not really a stand blocker and usually try to leg in as much as I can.  On the other hand, I have been really thinking about that type stability lately so multiple mics don't take a dive while I'm away from my rig.

Only once or twice in 17 years with my stand have I used the legs full out. Club shows are usually too tight, and at theater shows, there's no room between the fixed seats, so I tape it to the seat in front of me. The only times I remember having the feet fully open were at a local festival outside where I had plenty of room, and at work where the only solution for what we were doing was to mike a ceiling speaker in a hotel ballroom. Not only were the feet open all the way, but the pole was extended almost fully (14 feet).

[pohaku]

Gaff tape is your friend!  I tape down the legs to my stand to reduce the likelihood of if being moved or knocked over.  Easier than carrying sandbags.

If an 8ft stand will meet your needs, I have owned this mic stand for a few years:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284734-REG/Lowel_UN_55_Uni_TO_Light_Stand.html

Compact, light weight and at a great price.

I like the stability of that base, do you use it indoors a lot?  I am curious about the ends getting kicked as people walk by, I'm not really a stand blocker and usually try to leg in as much as I can.  On the other hand, I have been really thinking about that type stability lately so multiple mics don't take a dive while I'm away from my rig.

[MBHOTAPER]

Gaff tape is your friend!  I tape down the legs to my stand to reduce the likelihood of if being moved or knocked over.  Easier than carrying sandbags.

If an 8ft stand will meet your needs, I have owned this mic stand for a few years:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284734-REG/Lowel_UN_55_Uni_TO_Light_Stand.html

Compact, light weight and at a great price.

I like the stability of that base, do you use it indoors a lot?  I am curious about the ends getting kicked as people walk by, I'm not really a stand blocker and usually try to leg in as much as I can.  On the other hand, I have been really thinking about that type stability lately so multiple mics don't take a dive while I'm away from my rig.

Absolutely correct. Gaff or gorilla tape is always on my strap.

[Gutbucket]

Pay extra and get one that goes high...12 feet at least.  You always have the option to run low but going higher is the best solution for talkers that gather around a stand like moths to a light. It minimizes stress too cause you always have a solution to rude talkers that you're in control of.

Seconded.  For a decade I've been using various extensions both DIY and pro-built in order to get high enough when required, and I'm probably going to finally break down and buy a taller stand in the near future once the one I've been using finally goes kaput.  The key constraint for me in finding a taller stand is a short enough collapsed carry length.

[voltronic]

Pay extra and get one that goes high...12 feet at least.  You always have the option to run low but going higher is the best solution for talkers that gather around a stand like moths to a light. It minimizes stress too cause you always have a solution to rude talkers that you're in control of.

Seconded.  For a decade I've been using various extensions both DIY and pro-built in order to get high enough when required, and I'm probably going to finally break down and buy a taller stand in the near future once the one I've been using finally goes kaput.  The key constraint for me in finding a taller stand is a short enough collapsed carry length.

Don't worry about the short collapsed length; that's going to be difficult to find.  Just go for ease of transport with the proper bag.

Get yourself a Manfrotto 1004BAC, with this lacrosse bag recommended to me long ago by DigiGal.  I have used this combo for a long time and it's like they were made to work together.  There's still room enough for me to put in an extension pole and long stereo bar, as well as my complete carbon fiber stand setup for my 4061s slipped down the sides, with all of those things in their own protective pool cue sleeves to avoid scratching.

[willndmb]

I agree go as tall as you can, I have a 12' that can be rigged to 3 and many times the amount of crowd noise vs stands right next to me that are 15-17' Is night and day.

I use a bag that came on one of those fold up lawn chairs you see everywhere

Also say grab some gaff tape.
I have the legs at least partially out almost 100% of the time

[aaronji]

The Manfrotto 1004BAC is a pretty good stand.  A nice compromise between weight and stability.  Towards full extension, or with something heavy on top, though, it can sway quite a bit.  Mine replaced a K&M steel stand, which basically had no sway at all (at least with the loads I put on it).  That thing was really heavy, though, so the Manfrotto is a lot easier on my back...

[mfrench]

My go to daily driver stand is an on-stage vocal-type mic stand, that I cut in half.  So, its about 2' long, and opens to double that.  To that I carry a series of adaptors made from 3/8-16 all-thread rod, that run between 6" to 3'.  I do have a Manfrotto 9' light stand, that gets broken out occasionally; but, maybe 1 in 8 recordings does it get used. I strongly dislike the sound of music from 12'+ in the air. It just does not sound like what I heard that way.

[MBHOTAPER]

Pay extra and get one that goes high...12 feet at least.  You always have the option to run low but going higher is the best solution for talkers that gather around a stand like moths to a light. It minimizes stress too cause you always have a solution to rude talkers that you're in control of.

Which model # goes 12' and also has a small footprint?

[voltronic]

Pay extra and get one that goes high...12 feet at least.  You always have the option to run low but going higher is the best solution for talkers that gather around a stand like moths to a light. It minimizes stress too cause you always have a solution to rude talkers that you're in control of.

Which model # goes 12' and also has a small footprint?

Those two things together sound like a very bad idea.

EDIT: I just remembered this model which does it, but be prepared to pay almost $1k for it.

http://www.panamic.net/products/cathedralstand

[jmitchell]

I use one of the bags from a camping chair for my stands.  It's big enough to keep the manfrotto & 2 extensions (with clamps attached) in the back of my car.  If I need a bag for the stands/extensions, I just keep what I need and leave the rest in the back of the car.

[kasu64]

Hi

Since 2017, I Use this Manfrotto (13 feet).

https://www.manfrotto.us/combi-boom-stand-black-aluminium-with-sandbag

For Classic (Trio Piano, Cello, Violin)  recordings
an last days for Organ recording.

It is light, and very stable (with sandbag...

Kasu

A écouter et voir :
http://bit.ly/belharratrio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brdfzKVYuTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jSL2n49a9E
https://www.facebook.com/BelharraTrio/

[splumer]

Which model # goes 12' and also has a small footprint?

You could do a standard mic stand with the heavy iron base, rather than a tripod-style stand, then add a boom and an extension pole.

Stand: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/400080-REG/On_Stage_MS7201B_MS7201B_Microphone_Stand.html
Or:
A stand that goes to 8 feet: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1311373-REG/on_stage_ms9312_three_section_microphone_stand.html
Boom arm that goes to 3 feet: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/82338-REG/Atlas_Sound_PB21XEB_PB21XEB_Adjustable_Boom_Arm.html

Kinda pricey, and heavy.

[MBHOTAPER]

For a stand over 10ft, you want a Manfrotto 1004BAC.  Lightweight but sturdy construction, well worth the price.  I wish I had bought one of these in the first place when I was starting out rather than the cheap ones which are far inferior in quality.

If you need a bag to carry it in, this one fits it perfectly.  You don't need the Manfrotto bag unless you're transporting 3 of these stands.

The link picture looks like it has a wide foot print. Is it any larger than the 10 foot bogen and manfrottos foot print?
 

[aaronji]

^ I have never actually measured, but I'd bet that it's about a meter diameter at full extension.  You can lock the legs securely at less than full extension, but, of course, it won't be quite as stable.

[voltronic]

^ I have never actually measured, but I'd bet that it's about a meter diameter at full extension.  You can lock the legs securely at less than full extension, but, of course, it won't be quite as stable.

Yes.  You can make the legs very narrow, but it would be a bad idea.  I use a heavy weight bag when the stand is set high.

If you want to mount full-size mics (not tiny lavs or something like that) and you need tall height, your options are:
A. Wide base (preferably with some counterweight)
B. Narrow base but HEAVY weight.
C. No base, but a rigid, semi-permanent attachment to floor or structure (heavy-duty clamp, bracket / bolt, etc.)

If you don't have one of these, you run the risk of damage to your mics and surrounding humans. 

[Gutbucket]

I recently bought a new "big stand".  Wanted one I didn't need to use extensions on top of to get sufficient height when warranted at open festivals and the clamps were starting to get iffy on my decade-old cheapo Impact brand stand.  I can't justify spending much on a stand and found this PhotoSEL for $45 in time to use it at Wanee a couple weekends ago.  Doesn't collapse down very small but is very solid, far more robust than my old Impact stand, and goes up 13' which was my target.  Staked it down with a single "dog screw" and strap, and it stood like a redwood with zero sway in the breeze with my wide-span rig atop.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GKRMYHO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[larrysellers]

Another vote for the Manfrotto 12'. I liked Ed's so much I had to get one for myself. It is incredibly sturdy at full extension (running actives) and you are over 5' above the tallest person in the room.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644444-REG/Manfrotto_1004BAC_Alu_Master_3_Riser.html

Edit: The one thing I don't like about the Manfrotto is that the stud on the end cannot be changed. FedEx wasn't really gentle and mine was delivered with one end of the box open. Evidently the stud end hit the ground, mashing the threads completely. B&H sent a replacement but if it was on me, a quick release would have been the only fix.

[Gutbucket]

That inexpensive PhotoSEL stand I just posted about has a removable top stud.  This is the only stand I have with that feature.  The included stud can be flipped for either a 1/4"-20 or 5/8" thread.  I was slightly concerned the stud clamping mechanism would interfere with my odd mounting method, but it worked out fine.

[voltronic]

That inexpensive PhotoSEL stand I just posted about has a removable top stud.  This is the only stand I have with that feature.  The included stud can be flipped for either a 1/4"-20 or 5/8" thread.  I was slightly concerned the stud clamping mechanism would interfere with my odd mounting method, but it worked out fine.

That is a pretty unusual feature.  I've only seen that before in the super-tall (and super-expensive) Manfrotto stands meant for high camera angles.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325308-REG/Manfrotto_269HDBU_269HDBU_Super_High_Aluminum.html

[easyed]

I have one of those. And I bought a corkscrew thing to bungie it into the ground, for recording in a crowd

[Gutbucket]

[Gutbucket]

That inexpensive PhotoSEL stand I just posted about has a removable top stud.  This is the only stand I have with that feature.  The included stud can be flipped for either a 1/4"-20 or 5/8" thread.  I was slightly concerned the stud clamping mechanism would interfere with my odd mounting method, but it worked out fine.

That is a pretty unusual feature.  I've only seen that before in the super-tall (and super-expensive) Manfrotto stands meant for high camera angles.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325308-REG/Manfrotto_269HDBU_269HDBU_Super_High_Aluminum.html

First couple times put the pole up, I instinctively loosened the stud-clamp as it looks just like the others on the telescopic sections.  That was correctly ingrained by the third upping.  The air-cushioning on this thing is a bit overboard, but I expect that to relax a bit with more use.

[easyed]

Yes, one of those

[IMPigpen]

That inexpensive PhotoSEL stand I just posted about has a removable top stud.  This is the only stand I have with that feature.  The included stud can be flipped for either a 1/4"-20 or 5/8" thread.  I was slightly concerned the stud clamping mechanism would interfere with my odd mounting method, but it worked out fine.

That is a pretty unusual feature.  I've only seen that before in the super-tall (and super-expensive) Manfrotto stands meant for high camera angles.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325308-REG/Manfrotto_269HDBU_269HDBU_Super_High_Aluminum.html

Another inexpensive option if you are only looking to go 10 1/2' max is Karamy.  I don't own the stand myself, still have my Manfrotto that's 20 years old for height.   But when I was looking for an extension I could use with the superclamp, I stumbled across them.  Checked out reviews and videos online of reviews and they seem pretty solid lighting stands with some nice little features.  They have a reversible spigot with 1/4" and 3/8" threads and it can be positioned in three different directions and locked it.  This is a great feature for the extension I got (which has a fixed 1/4" threaded end on the other end).  The air-cushioned stand also comes with a spike that can be screwed into the bottom for grass/sand, built in hooks to attach carbiners for sandbags or whatever you want to hang, and the pole can also be removed from the tripod base and be used as a boom.   The 126" (10.5') stand is only $43, so might be work checking out.

FYI, I'm not affiliated with them at all. 

http://www.karamyco.com/light-stand/karamy-kls-4320al-air-cushion-aluminium-alloy-126-tripod-studio-light-stand.html