Topic: Shockmounts, waste of money ?

[silentmark]

OK I am convinced that shockmounts are a waste of money, depending on what type you use of course 

In any case I taped the Crystal Ballroom out in Portland a few weeks ago http://www.archive.org/details.php?identifier=rre2008-06-20.ak4020.flac16&newflash=1 and if you know the venue, the floor is spring loaded. Well it was bouncing alot and my stand was going right along with it, up down and side to side. I used a static M/S mount and I'll be dammed if I can hear any interference that wasn't from onstage or the PA's. This was a true test imho and as of now I am in the camp of "you don't need shockmounts, as they are a taping urban legend."

Anyone else feel the same ? Am I off in my reasoning/"test" ? I am just curious ...

[Matt Quinn]

My main interest in shock mounts is for when someone trips/falls & decides to grab hold of your stand. I have *definitely* heard some thumps that traveled through the stand to the mics on some of my recordings. It's not a huge problem for me, but they are a relatively cheap insurance policy.   

[ethan]

I thnk a lot depends on the low end response of your mics. The affects of low end vibrations can be subtle in some circumstances and downright annoying in others. To my ears the super low end is accentuated. Try touching your stand during the set. Do you feel it vibrating? If so that virbration is getting in to your mix.

[datbrad]

I ran my AKG 460s from '94 until around 2002 using the stock mic clips that come with them, and rarely had issues with hearing bumps, and I know my stand was whacked many times at GD, Phish, and WSP shows in the early '90s where I seldom heard anything on playback that was louder than the sound pressure of the show enough to make it audible. Similar to the OP's recent experience.

However, I started taping more in clubs in 2002, and I definately noticed the vibration caused bass resonance that was picked up through the stand coupling to the floor that you don't get as much when taping in large venues off big line array PAs. For this reason, I got a pair of the A53M Shure donuts and instantly noticed the bass was audibly tighter and cleaner, particularly when taping in boomy clubs.

Shockmounts are clearly beneficial for reducing both bass resonance and bumps in lower sound pressure situations such as on stage for unamplified acoustic instruments, which explains their wide use in professional settings. So, are shockmounts a "taping urban legend"? I guess it depends on your application.

[KenH]

Before I used shockmounts, I've had instances where a jolt to the stand was heard as a kind of snap! sound, not a loud snap, but more of a pop like you might hear on an LP.  After hearing that, went w/ AT shock mounts and have not heard anything like that since even w/ wookies bumping into it...

Due to the size of the AT8053s (I think that's it), I'm gonna try switching to a modified Hercules isolation mount. I removed the springs and replaced them with O-rings like on the Avantone's.  Seems to support the T-Bar nicely, and it's much more compact.  

Some sort of isolation from metal on metal or hard plastic is a good thing, no ?

/Ken

[RobertNC]

I think shocks like the AT8410As are total over kill. 

So I decided to lower my profile and went with a set of Windtech SP20s.  Really liked the concept, nice low profile.  But the bands are not quite elastic enough to prevent impact noises.  I had several loud bumps transfer pretty strongly to the mics taping Ratdog at the Beacon where I had my stand corded to the seat arm rest instead of the tripod spread out and the main risers took the brunt of the impact..

So I compromised and ended up with a set of Avantones, and have no issues with them.  Some people complain they are too heavy.  Heavy is relative. Run LDs a few times and your concept of what's heavy changes completely.

[Kevin Straker]

IMO and experience shock mounts are very useful for deflecting spuntards and beach balls without audible evidence.

[JasonSobel]

I never use shock mounts, and I've never heard anything on my tapes.  I'm definitely in the "you don't need shockmounts" camp.

[newplanet7]

I just use SP20's.
Not sure how much shock absorption they have but, no issues.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Tell these guys.     Man that thing is spendy.   

http://www.lasvegasproaudio.com/m600.html

[china_rider]

Before using shocks I've definitely had distortion from people contacting the stand.  Even with minimal inteference I've had impact my recordings.  At one point I set up my gear in the living room with and without shocks and messed with the stand to see the difference.  It was very noticeable.     Wether or not the music it self creates enough vibes to affect things I don't know... But since I have the shocks I use them all the time.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Tell these guys.     Man that thing is spendy.   

http://www.lasvegasproaudio.com/m600.html

From their website:

WHAT IT DOESN’T DO: As a super rigid mic mount, the M600 would be ineffective at eliminating induced mechanical noise, such a thump on the stand or a big bumps on the floor that could be transmitted up the stand. Shock mounts are designed to mechanically isolate a mic from thumps and bumps, the M600 does not do this.

I have Shocks, but probably don't need them...  But I use them, why not?!?

Terry

[SpareRibs]

At least they look cool and make you look important.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

At least they look cool and make you look important.

Hahaha!  Definitely!

Terry

[SmokinJoe]

Some mics are much more susceptible than others.  I have them for most of my mics and I use them.