Topic: Utility tray for mic stand

[vanark]

I am looking for a small shelf/tray I can clamp to my mic stand.  I stream about half the shows I record and have to balance my small laptop PC on top of my bag - a pain to be honest.  Streaming is a bit of a pain with lots of little tweaks to get it going smoothly and I'd prefer to have the laptop in a position that was easier to work on instead of on my knees (insert joke here).

I was thinking something like this.  Still would need to secure it with a strap or bungie cord.  Not too high on the stand or I'll create a balance issue.

http://www.amazon.com/Stagg-MUS-ARM-Attachable-Large-Music/dp/B001RERC7W/ref=pd_cp_MI_0



Any ideas/experiences from you all?

[audBall]

I don't have any experience with them and am actually kinda scared to use one but if you google "mic stand tray" you'll get a few different types.

[vanark]

Yep, done the whole google search thing and came up with quite a few types, just looking to see if anyone has used one and what the experience was.

[flipp]

I fabricated something I had seen on micsupply.com but modified it to use a Windtech C clamp. I used a piece of 3/4" 1x12 pine, drilled a 1/2" hole near one edge then added 2 fender washers and a nut that fit a 12mmx60mm (roughly 1/2x2.25") shoulder bolt and ran the bolt where the 5/8 stud usually goes. I used it to keep my recorder on and mounted the clamp just above the fitting that the top of the stand legs went into. Had to cause at the time my cables weren't long enough to reach the ground when I had the mics above the crowd.

I "think" I still have all the pieces and can snap some pics if you want to see the contraption provided I can find all the parts.

[DigiGal]

The QuickLok MS-329 is smaller and probably more stable, may be too small for a laptop though. 
I have not used it but have seen it used regularly by another Taper to hold a recorder.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285081-REG/QuikLok_MS_329_Clamp_On_Utility_Tray_Black.html

[pdxdanmusic]

The QuickLok MS-329 is smaller and probably more stable, may be too small for a laptop though. 
I have not used it but have seen it used regularly by another Taper to hold a recorder.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285081-REG/QuikLok_MS_329_Clamp_On_Utility_Tray_Black.html

I have one and really like it. I use a Manfrotto 649 quick action release clamp to support it when I use my mic stand or mount it on the clamp when I do balcony recording.

[vanark]

The QuickLok MS-329 is smaller and probably more stable, may be too small for a laptop though. 
I have not used it but have seen it used regularly by another Taper to hold a recorder.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/285081-REG/QuikLok_MS_329_Clamp_On_Utility_Tray_Black.html

Right, I think a little too small, even for my small laptop.  That was the first one I came across and then sent me further into my search.  I'm also thinking about ballast for the other side to balance it some.

[Chuck]

I'm leary of anything attached to a stand that can transmit bumps to the mics.

[vanark]

I'm leary of anything attached to a stand that can transmit bumps to the mics.

Fair enough, but I'm not running a stream setup in a situation where it is tight and I have to guard the gear in some extreme manner.  If I am in such a situation, it is unlikely I am streaming.

[F.O.Bean]

I'm leary of anything attached to a stand that can transmit bumps to the mics.

Fair enough, but I'm not running a stream setup in a situation where it is tight and I have to guard the gear in some extreme manner.  If I am in such a situation, it is unlikely I am streaming.

GZood deal. I would be very warry of putting something so huge on my stand, but if you have the space, then go for it!

[ellaguru]

ive used a drummer's 'shelf' that was for holding extra sticks, tambourine, etc...for holding gear before.  it clamped onto the stand and is very heavy duty.  i just dont recall if its big enough for a small laptop.

[cybergaloot]

I'm leary of anything attached to a stand that can transmit bumps to the mics.

While I generally agree with this, good shock mounts will go a long way in reducing any stand bumps. I've yet to hear anything even when a clod-footed wookie kicks my stand. My worry is that a shelf is something that a wookie could get caught on knocking the whole thing over.

[thunderbolt]

This is more of a "sling" and it's hard to tell how much it could hold, perhaps just bits and pieces, but maybe less chance of noise transmission since it's "soft."

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=554126&is=REG&Q=&A=details

[Chuck]

That looks promising.

[vanark]

I like the idea, but it doesn't solve my problem of not being on near ground so I'm kneeling and bent over while trying to get the stream fine tuned.

[thunderbolt]

Not that you want to carry more stuff, but it seems like your laptop needs its own dedicated stand and tray.

[vanark]

Not that you want to carry more stuff, but it seems like your laptop needs its own dedicated stand and tray.

That is an option and there are quite A few choices out there for that but like you said I'm trying to keep the amount of stuff I'm carrying to a minimum.