Topic: Stereo mic bar

[Phil Zone]

Hi,
What do you guys use for mounting your mics? I'm looking for something that swivels and could be mounted in the windtech c clamp, any suggestions?

Thanks

[jkm78]

akg 235/1 stereo bar

[John Willett]

I use the Grace SpaceBar (also available with 3/8" standard threads)

[NOLAfishwater]

this thing is inexpensive, lightweight (aluminum), and can handle large microphones. works like a charm with the windtech.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/K-M-Microphone-Bar-Dual-Mic-Holder-107083222-i1322950.gc

[mccordo]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ZO3LU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=613240924-20

I just got one of these for $10 on Amazon, but haven't had a chance to use it in the field just yet.

[cashandkerouac]

the Grace bars are totally awesome, but very expensive.

here are a couple of basic (but good) bars, $23.99 each...

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/286558.html (this one is the 5/8" version)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/534725-REG/K_M_23510_500_55_23510_Microphone_Bar.html (i'm pretty sure this is the 3/8" version)

[404 Not Found]

do an eBay search under "mic bar" and you will have plenty to choose from at various prices.

[hi and lo]

the Grace bars are totally awesome, but very expensive.

They are also extremely difficult to work with in the field. I have only used mine in situations where I have ample time, space, and (most importantly) lighting to make use of the angle and separation markers. It also helps to bring a tape measure if you are running new mics and/or don't have a cheat sheet to know exactly where you need to be at for each config.

I would recommend the simple K&M 1000x over before even suggesting someone pickup a spacebar for concert recording.

[John Willett]

the Grace bars are totally awesome, but very expensive.

here are a couple of basic (but good) bars, $23.99 each...

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/286558.html (this one is the 5/8" version)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/534725-REG/K_M_23510_500_55_23510_Microphone_Bar.html (i'm pretty sure this is the 3/8" version)

It depends on what you want - and the amount of money you have invested in your kit.

I have used the K&M bars since I started recording back in the 1970s.

But the Grace SpaceBar is well worth the money and I can accurately set up an ORTF pair in less than 30 seconds.

With the K&M bar I need protractor and tape measure and it takes time - every time - to set up accurately.

The very high quality engineering of the SpaceBar and fast and accurate set-up are well worth the money it costs.

But most of my microphones are over £1,000 each and I have good professional recorders.

If you are using cheaper microphones and recorders I can well understand that a SpaceBar is expensive and I would agree that it is far better to put the cash into better microphones and a cheaper bar than to get a SpaceBar.

[achalsey]

It depends on what you want - and the amount of money you have invested in your kit.

And largely what/where you're actually recording.  You can have U89 > 788 but if you're recording a mediocre PA system in a mediocre room, millimeter accurate measurements on spacing and angles is not going to matter all that much.

[John Willett]

It depends on what you want - and the amount of money you have invested in your kit.

And largely what/where you're actually recording.  You can have U89 > 788 but if you're recording a mediocre PA system in a mediocre room, millimeter accurate measurements on spacing and angles is not going to matter all that much.

Yes - but what's the point in recording "a mediocre PA system in a mediocre room", I would not even bother recording something that was not worth recording in the first place.

If it's worth recording at all, it's worth recording to the best of your ability.

[Tom McCreadie]

Can't say I'm enamoured of the angle measurement facility built into some of the more pretentious mic bars. The angle markings are etched onto such tiny, fiddly circular dials that - unless they have machined, detente click settings - a slight setting error is easily made and can pass unnoticed until the distances are extrapolated. (A weak analogy:  no builder would use a 2" long spirit level.).

For most purposes, my go-to is just a clear-plastic, obtuse-angled triangular plate. By marking cm. or inch values along the long edge, plus a few key angle lines - 90°, 110° etc., it's easy to align the mic bodies properly by looking through the plate.  And it's also handy for estimating orchestra angles etc.

Ach, but there again, nobody died from listening to a 113° ORTF recording recording.    :-)

[achalsey]

It depends on what you want - and the amount of money you have invested in your kit.

And largely what/where you're actually recording.  You can have U89 > 788 but if you're recording a mediocre PA system in a mediocre room, millimeter accurate measurements on spacing and angles is not going to matter all that much.

Yes - but what's the point in recording "a mediocre PA system in a mediocre room", I would not even bother recording something that was not worth recording in the first place.

If it's worth recording at all, it's worth recording to the best of your ability.

The point is to record the band.  The problem many of us have is that the bands that are worth recording often play in rooms and with PA systems that leave much to be desired in terms of live sound.  It would be a shame if people stopped bothering to record great bands in dingy bars and big boxy cement halls, just because the acoustics lacked professional design.   

If all our favorite touring bands could play in orchestra halls or prestigious jazz clubs I think I would be very happy, but that is just not the case.

Also, its just a hobby for the vast majority of us.  I know its much more professional for you, so necessarily deserves more scrutiny.   As amateurs we luckily get to choose what level of professionalism to put into it.  So, while I do agree with your last point to a degree, personally as a hobby, I agree with Tom's more:

Ach, but there again, nobody died from listening to a 113° ORTF recording recording.    :-)

[Chuck]

As far as recording crappy PA systems in crappy rooms goes, I feel like those recordings are fulfilling more of a documentary function. I rarely choose to listen those recordings unless there is a specific reason to, like to confirm a set list or something like that.

We are lucky that a lot of the bands that allow recording also have dedicated FOH engineers. Some of them can do a great job night after night making he PA system and music coming from it worth recording.

Some bands, I record, just because they allow me to record them and I like their live shows.
Sometimes it's nearly the same set list every time you see them, but the interaction with the crowd makes it different each time.

[hi and lo]

But the Grace SpaceBar is well worth the money and I can accurately set up an ORTF pair in less than 30 seconds.

Not to beat a dead horse here, but my experience with the spacebar is far different. While it does provide accuracy, it is never a simple 30 second setup.

[John Willett]

But the Grace SpaceBar is well worth the money and I can accurately set up an ORTF pair in less than 30 seconds.

Not to beat a dead horse here, but my experience with the spacebar is far different. While it does provide accuracy, it is never a simple 30 second setup.

Ignoring running the cables - I have certainly mounted the mics. accurately on a SpaceBar in about 30-seconds.

I once arrived too close to start time and I managed to do the complete set-up and start recording in about one minute total using the SpaceBar.  That's a pair of microphones accurately set to ORTF in the SpaceBar on a floor stand and two cables plugged into a Nagra VI and recording.

[F.O.Bean]

But the Grace SpaceBar is well worth the money and I can accurately set up an ORTF pair in less than 30 seconds.

Not to beat a dead horse here, but my experience with the spacebar is far different. While it does provide accuracy, it is never a simple 30 second setup.

Ignoring running the cables - I have certainly mounted the mics. accurately on a SpaceBar in about 30-seconds.

I once arrived too close to start time and I managed to do the complete set-up and start recording in about one minute total using the SpaceBar.  That's a pair of microphones accurately set to ORTF in the SpaceBar on a floor stand and two cables plugged into a Nagra VI and recording.

Just another reason why I LOVE active microphone systems and active mounting setups