Topic: Church mics - Open taping stand recommendations?

[colinw]

Hi everyone - I have the opportunity to open tape some shows in the near future.

All shows I have done so far have been stealth shows using either CA 14 cards or omnis.

I would like to buy a stand and whatever else I need to be able to open tape, and actually tape a show with a real stand instead of using myself as a mic stand! 

From reading the forums I see most taper stands are photography light stands, which I didn't know!
This one looks decent and gets good reviews:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253069-REG/Impact_LS_96HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty_Light.html

I also understand I need an adapter for the top to attach some sort of tbar or mic mount. THis one seems to do the trick:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/805205-REG/WindTech_M_7_M_7_Threaded_Adapter.html

Now, that is the end of what I am pretty sure about. From here on out I need some advice.

Now that I have a stand, and the adapter, what do I need to buy to fasten to the top? Am I looking for a microphone mount, a Tbar, or something else? There mics are just small, and I have the clips on them, so do I just need a bar to clip the mics on? Do I need shockmounts, or are those only for larger mics?

I see this mount from Sound Professionals that looks good, but it isn't clear to me if this just hooks to the top of the stand somehow?
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-GNA-2

Any advice or guidance is appreciated. I know it is unusual to use small stealth mics to open tape, but this is a good first step, and I can always upgrade mics down the road.

thanks for any advice.

[Redrock]

I've never used a stand either other than a tripod and have been looking at taller options too. I think that stand looks good but for a microphone mount I think this might be better since you won't need the extra wind screens with the CA's http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/360/mics.

I'm interested in hearing more options.

[colinw]

I've never used a stand either other than a tripod and have been looking at taller options too. I think that stand looks good but for a microphone mount I think this might be better since you won't need the extra wind screens with the CA's http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/360/mics.

I'm interested in hearing more options.

Which mic mount did you think was best? Which part #? The one I was looking at was SP-GNA-2, which is on the same URL as you sent.

[vanark]

I started open taping with my Church mics and it was a great way to start.  Got a cheap stand off ebay, quick adapter, K&M mic bar and Tensimount mic holders.  Worked like a charm.

[Redrock]

I've never used a stand either other than a tripod and have been looking at taller options too. I think that stand looks good but for a microphone mount I think this might be better since you won't need the extra wind screens with the CA's http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/360/mics.

I'm interested in hearing more options.

Which mic mount did you think was best? Which part #? The one I was looking at was SP-GNA-2, which is on the same URL as you sent.

Sorry. This is the one SP-GNA-10: http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-GNA-10

[cybergaloot]

I made my own mount for CA mics using an old set of rabbit ears from an old TV. I cut the ends off and crimped on a pair of alligator clips and epoxied a 1/4 X 20 barrel nut to the hinge area. I can run them out horizontal for split omni's or up for other patterns. If your CA mics don't have clips, just put some small tubing over the alligator clip's teeth to keep from eating into the mic cable or body. Just make sure whatever stand you get has the 1/4" threaded part on top.

[F.O.Bean]

When I owned and ran CA-14 mics, I used the NOLABARS to get my mics up in the air. IMy CA14's DID NOT have the permanent clips attached to them. I just put on a small piece of electrical tape and they fit in my NOLABARS nice and snug If I were to go the CA14 route again, and since I NEVER stealth, I would get them WITHOUT the permanent alligator clips so I could utilize them w/ the NOLABARS

Someone on ts.com made these t-bars which were flat and spaced properly and you just clipped them onto the homemade T-Bar. I also used Large DPA screens on them since the permanent screens were just the right size, the CA14s fit nice and snug w/ those Large DPA screens, because IMO, the screens on the CA14s just will not suffice when you get a big gust of wind

[adrianf74]

I also used Large DPA screens on them since the permanent screens were just the right size, the CA14s fit nice and snug w/ those Large DPA screens, because IMO, the screens on the CA14s just will not suffice when you get a big gust of wind

Word.  I had an issue last summer with the cards at 10 feet.  Ran dead rats as well and got slammed a few times during a key performance.   Then again, I think that's why I run the omnis outdoors more often than not.

[climbingbear]

what has worked for me on a light stand tripod was this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546490-REG/Manfrotto_014_38_014_38_Rapid_Adapter_.html
with a wooden dowel thru it.  then you can space your mics as far as you wish.  or you can off-set it to gain more of a centered mic set up if your stand placement is not centered. 
i kept a 9" wooden dowel (w/ tapered ends i ground down on a sharpening stone) in my gear bag & i kept a 4' wooden dowel (w/ tapered ends) strapped to the tripod when it was collapsed.

you will also need this adaptor to go from 1/4-20 thread to 3/8 thread:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546500-REG/Manfrotto_119_119_Short_16mm_Adapter.html

its also, probably, your cheapest option.

[colinw]

thanks for all the suggestions folks.

My CA14 cards have the clips attached, so the setup I went with works great.

I now have this set up:
Stand - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253069-REG/Impact_LS_96HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty_Light.html

Adapter for mounting bar - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/805205-REG/WindTech_M_7_M_7_Threaded_Adapter.html

Mounting Bar - http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-GNA-2

The CA's just clip into the tubes on each end of the flexible mounting bar, and are about 12" apart. Stand was run about 9.5' and I was quiet a way FOB left of centre. I recorded 9 different bands over three days, and the recordings turned out VERY well.

This was my first shot at open taping, as I usually would go more stealthy. I was very impressed with the performance of the CA14 cards mounted high above the crowd. It removed all of the loud chatter and reduced the chatty crowd to a buzz in the background and it couldn't be heard except for between songs.

Overall, I am very pleased with this open setup, and I can see it getting used whenever open taping is a possibility.

thanks for the input and advice everyone.

[greenone]

Congrats Colin - welcome to the world of open taping.

[colinw]

thanks Dave. I figure after 20 years of relying on others for my live music, I would see what I could do myself. 

I am mainly going to tape local shows noone else captures, and leave the big stuff to the more savvy tapers with higher end rigs!

[absnj]

thanks Dave. I figure after 20 years of relying on others for my live music, I would see what I could do myself. 

I am mainly going to tape local shows noone else captures, and leave the big stuff to the more savvy tapers with higher end rigs!

That's how the addiction starts... and don't worry, tell your wife and friends you can stop anytime you want to.

[obaaron]

looks like the Church Rig/stand I just got too!!

[colinw]

Just a notice that one of the shows I taped is now up on the archive. Check it out:

http://archive.org/details/ddw2012-07-07.ca14.flac16

I'd be very interested in any feedback.

I was FOB over in front of the left stack, about 60 feet back, stand at 9.5', mics about 12" apart pointed directly at the stack and stage (is this an ORTF config?). The mics were basically 'laying on their sides' horizontal to the ground with the top of the mic pointed toward the stage.