Topic: AT 8410a VS. Busman shocks?

[mikesalvo]

Any difference in performance? I own the AT's. Thinking about switching to Busman to lighten up the gear bag.

[jbell]

I like the Busman mounts Light, durable, and inexpensive!  I haven't ever used the AT mounts so I can't say that the Busmans are better or worse.

[spyder9]

Busman's are much more low profile than the AT's.  About the same size as Schoeps' shocks, amof.   Make sure you tell him you want the 20mm.

I've run the Busman's for a few outdoor shows, in high wind, and was happy with their performance with the stand blowing around. 

[DigiGal]

Rycote INV-7's

[greenone]

Perhaps not a popular opinion, but if you really want to lighten the bag, just go with a couple of simple mic clips. I made the switch to a couple of WindTech SMC-7's a year or two back and haven't noticed a shred of difference. I've come to the conclusion that shock mounts are highly overrated for what we do. I could see if you're constantly taping in high-traffic areas, but otherwise, $10 will get you a pair of clips and yer done.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/298900-REG/

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Rycote INV-7's

Heartily agreed.  I have a pair of INV-6's that I use for AT3031's and DPA 4021's and they're awesome; well-made, great isolation and reasonably priced.  Having used most kinds of shockmounts in studio and live applications, the Invisions are some of the best I've come across.  Sorry for the Rycote fluffing! 

[acidjack]

^^^ Ditto on the INV-6 (which actually work fine for a longer mic; I run them with both my 4021s and my Schoeps with no issue). 

As to Greenone's suggestion to just use clips, I think it really depends how and where you tape.  Up on a stand, I'm not sure shock mounts are needed as much.  However, I do about 75% of my taping off of clamps to balcony rails or poles clamped or otherwise attached to objects like tables, the board, etc.  If you get one person drumming on a rail that your mics are clamped to, in my experience, you are finished unless you have decent shock mounts.  Now that I run the Rycotes, I've been in situations where I watched my entire rig bouncing up and down as someone drummed away on the rail, and there isn't even a hint of it on the recording. 

The Rycotes also fold up pretty small, which is nice.  And they cost much less than branded shocks like those made by Schoeps, Neumann and DPA.

[greenone]

As to Greenone's suggestion to just use clips, I think it really depends how and where you tape.  Up on a stand, I'm not sure shock mounts are needed as much.  However, I do about 75% of my taping off of clamps to balcony rails or poles clamped or otherwise attached to objects like tables, the board, etc.  If you get one person drumming on a rail that your mics are clamped to, in my experience, you are finished unless you have decent shock mounts.

Now there's something I hadn't considered in the least, as I've rail-clamped less than a half-dozen times in 9 years of open taping. Very useful to know; thanks for the perspective from the clamper side of things.