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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: zupanic on March 27, 2011, 02:43:10 PM

Title: needing mic stand help
Post by: zupanic on March 27, 2011, 02:43:10 PM
Can anyone suggest some mic stand options for open taping bands like Widespread Panic, Furthur, etc... ?
I need a tripod stand (either boom or telescoping) that extends to a minimum of 9 feet (preferably a bit higher).
I don't need the heaviest-duty stand since I will be using it for CA-11 microphones. Looking to spend $60-$85.
I have been searching BHPhoto, FullCompass, SoundPro's, and ebay with little success. I found an Apex boom stand (model# TS-394) for $62 shipped that raises to 12', but I've never heard of them and am a tad leary about the quality.
Any suggestions welcome! Thanks
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: notlance on March 27, 2011, 04:38:21 PM
This has been covered many times over in the Microphones & Setup forum.  What you need is a light stand, not a mic stand.  I use this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253065-REG/Impact_LS_13HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253065-REG/Impact_LS_13HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty.html)

The Manfrotto stands are also popular around here.  You will have to get an adapter to go from 1/4"-20 to 3/8" or 5/8" threads that are common in the audio world.  These adapters are also available from B&H, but there are other sources.
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: zupanic on March 27, 2011, 04:45:18 PM
that is precisely what I am looking for!
thank you !!!
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: cashandkerouac on March 27, 2011, 11:50:18 PM
this stand by Manfrotto is a little more $, but it's a good one. - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644444-REG/Manfrotto_1004BAC_Alu_Master_3_Riser.html
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 28, 2011, 01:05:55 AM
Thanks for the links guys. I got mine brand new from Sonic Sense in 1999 and paid $180.00 for it. While that seems expensive, its lasted me very well and is heavier and sturdier than most of those lightweight aluminum ones that are out nowadays. But, since yinz posted that one for $70.00, I may just get another one :) Mine goes up to 18' tho I *think* :)
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: porkchop101 on March 28, 2011, 08:55:29 AM
I'm pretty new here (only taped around a dozen shows so far) but while I was getting my rig together, and spending a buncha money, I had a hard time justifying spending 80+ dollars on the stand, so I picked up a regular old proline boom mic stand for around 25 bucks. After extending the boom all the way straight up, it gets up to around 9.5 feet. That being said, it was a cheap solution, and now after a month or so, I ordered a light stand. Given the fact that I decided to upgrade almost immediately, the boom stand would have been a complete waste of money if I didn't need it for other applications anyway.

Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: notlance on March 28, 2011, 09:38:33 AM
:) Mine goes up to 18' tho I *think* :)

Bean, you may have been a catalyst for that spam a couple of post back.
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: zupanic on March 28, 2011, 02:26:40 PM
this thread has been most helpful. I just ordered the Impact 13 footer ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253065-REG/Impact_LS_13HAB_Air_Cushioned_Heavy_Duty.html ) as it was in my price range and EXACTLY what I was looking for.
It is very difficult to find mic stands for taping and I am thankful to "notlance" and tapersection.com for information leading me to the correct stand. I almost bought a 12' boom stand from ebay which I did not really want. New tapers should read this and find out that they need to search/google "light" stands instead of "mic" stands. It would have saved me about 8 hours.
So happy I found this site !
Happy taping all!!!
Doug
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: notlance on March 28, 2011, 07:19:38 PM
Glad we could help.  Like I said before, you'll have to get some kinda thread adaptor to get from the 1/4-20 thread on the light stand to either a 3/8-16 or 5/8-27 thread, which are the standard threads for mic clips.  If you need a 1/4-20 to 3/8-16 adaptor I can send you one since I have about 6 lying around here.  You can also clamp on to the top stud of the light stand, but I'm not familiar with that technique since I don't do it that way.

Maybe you've got it all figured out already how you are going to mount your mics.  In that case, good luck and happy taping.
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: Shadow_7 on March 28, 2011, 07:24:12 PM
I have a radio shack mic stand (tripod base) and a proline boom arm.  Goes up to about 9' (+/- 1').  Pros and cons.  Top heavy, but I can tilt the boom arm to compensate for the terrain.  The clutch gives you a place to hang cable, or tie down if you need to.  But top heavy, heavy in general, and likely to break / not survive any would be accidents.  I long for a good mic stand, but will likely get a light stand myself one day.
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 28, 2011, 10:15:32 PM
:) Mine goes up to 18' tho I *think* :)

Bean, you may have been a catalyst for that spam a couple of post back.

Really? Ooops.
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: notlance on March 28, 2011, 10:54:23 PM
:) Mine goes up to 18' tho I *think* :)

Bean, you may have been a catalyst for that spam a couple of post back.

Really? Ooops.

Just making a little joke.  The spam listed sites where if you had one that went up to 18' it might be advantageous.  Sorry for the hijack.
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: cashandkerouac on March 28, 2011, 10:58:58 PM
Glad we could help.  Like I said before, you'll have to get some kinda thread adaptor to get from the 1/4-20 thread on the light stand to either a 3/8-16 or 5/8-27 thread, which are the standard threads for mic clips.  If you need a 1/4-20 to 3/8-16 adaptor I can send you one since I have about 6 lying around here.  You can also clamp on to the top stud of the light stand, but I'm not familiar with that technique since I don't do it that way.

Maybe you've got it all figured out already how you are going to mount your mics.  In that case, good luck and happy taping.

if you need some affordable screw adapters, here are a few links:

1/4" female to 3/8" male - http://www.fullcompass.com/product/352379.html
3/8" female to 5/8" male - http://www.fullcompass.com/product/329305.html
5/8" female to 3/8" male - http://www.fullcompass.com/product/329351.html

these three should give you all the flexibility you need.
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: dlh on March 29, 2011, 09:23:33 AM
Bought this one first:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/470092-REG/Bowens_BW_6610_10_Compact_Light_Stand.html
Smaller and lighter but OK. (not air cushioned)

I also have the Manfrotto.  Bigger, air cushioned, well worth the money.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644444-REG/Manfrotto_1004BAC_Alu_Master_3_Riser.html

I like this topper because they're steel and sit over the stud at the top:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546490-REG/Manfrotto_014_38_014_38_Rapid_Adapter_.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/286147-REG/AKG_KM217_3_8_Female_to_5_8.html
Sometimes I thread a boom (with 3/8-5/8 adapter) to the top and some wuss inside me doesn't trust the brass threads atop the original stud.
(Insert nightmare of real nice LDC hurtling 9' to the ground trailing boom and cable as a kite tail) :'(

Dave

Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: zupanic on March 30, 2011, 07:06:25 PM
UPS man just delivered the Impact 13 footer that notlance mentioned. Really happy with it after playing around with it.
Thread size and adapter did not concern me since I made my own t-bar for minimal $ from Lowe's. My mics weigh almost nothing, so my T-bar requirements were minimal.  I'm even cooking up another homemade (redneck-engineered) T-bar made from a set of old TV rabbit ears to try out a 6 foot spread sometime.
Thanks again to TS.com! You folks have been most helpful!!!
happy taping
Doug
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: tom the taper on March 30, 2011, 07:33:34 PM
rabbit ears hear good
Title: Re: needing mic stand help
Post by: Brian E. on April 06, 2011, 05:09:33 PM
this stand by Manfrotto is a little more $, but it's a good one. - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/644444-REG/Manfrotto_1004BAC_Alu_Master_3_Riser.html

pretty sure that's mine.  great stand.