Topic: ISO: Spread omni mount/bar options

[boa]

I'm moving to an nbob active setup and want a bar that I can use to spread between two Shure a53m doughnuts. In the past when using 4061's, I've connected a pair of  Shure transmitter antennas and extended them outward from each side of the stand, but what material could I use for the heavier, fullsize MG capsules & nbob colletes?


is there any off the shelf solution I should consider? I have a Manfrotto 154 Triple Bar  but am looking for something sleeker and light weight, preferably something that collapses or folds. Thanks for your help!

[fireonshakedwnstreet]

Check out the SmallRig15 mm camera rails and their mounting hardware. Can go 3 or 4 feet (and probably more) with no problem and they are pretty solid. You can unscrew the different section. I run 2 pairs of SDCs (AT 3031s, Studio Projects C4s) plus the mini omnis on the ends without issue (check my rig pics). Rocksuitcase turned me on to those.

[seethreepo]

https://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-rod-pack-6-pcs-1659.html

[audBall]

https://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-rod-pack-6-pcs-1659.html

+T's for the SmallRig recommendation.

This will really enhance my extendable DIY mounting solution. I love options that have the ability to extend to greater widths, but also allow for breakdown to a very small footprint.

[Gutbucket]

That's a nice modular solution from SmallRig.  It's looks a lot like the system audBall put together for himself in DIY fashion, which is IMHO one of the best solutions I've seen.

[boa]

https://www.smallrig.com/smallrig-rod-pack-6-pcs-1659.html

Thanks Chris. This looks cool.

[audBall]

Mine arrived this week. Very nice and durable.

I also picked up up a pair of M12 > 1/4" adapters for mounting at the rod ends.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KN8GXS

[DavidPuddy]

When I was messing with spread omnis, I used a Manfrotto extension pole attached to my stand with a small clamp. Mic mounts screw to each end of the extension pole and you can adjust width as needed. I borrowed this idea from Jeff Mitchell.

https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/mini-clamp-171/
https://www.manfrotto.com/us-en/3-section-black-extension-pole-for-light-stands-35-92-099b/

[kindms]

smallrig is what I use.

we have a 4ft bar in 4x 1 ft sections. I love that it fits in my bag so I dont have to carry the monfrotto bar and have a conversation about it at the door.

we run nbobs and dpas on it. i dont recall if we've ever run the full 461's with the bodies and rycotes

[boa]

I went with Smallrig parts and put together multiple omni bars of varying lengths. Here is what I plan to use most, setup in a modified Healy method, about 12 inches or so from cap to cap and plenty of space between. I am using a bread bar with 1/4" and 3/8" threaded holes, centered by a rapid connector with a 1/4" stem and have attached a rycote w/DINa bar in addition to the Shure a53's on each end. This is super sturdy and dynamic; you can make the bar as long as you want and add additional adapters to secure more mounts. As I make a switch to actives I wanted a small, compact setup for two and four channels and this is as lightweight as I'd hoped for. Having read Voltronic's review of the 9.solutions Savior Clamp, I grabbed one and it is perfect for this Smallrig setup. Now I'll be clamping FOB more and carrying a stand less.

[rocksuitcase]

very good looking. especially with all four loaded up. Nice and light for carrying. You can then add two more straight 12' pieces, no threading, to go out for a full 3 feet spread with the omnis. 
IMO, when we run OMT, the ideal setup is one where all of the parts are on one stand, as opposed to splitting the omnis on two stands. (All other things considered  )

[dactylus]

I went with Smallrig parts and put together multiple omni bars of varying lengths. Here is what I plan to use most, setup in a modified Healy method, about 12 inches or so from cap to cap and plenty of space between. I am using a bread bar with 1/4" and 3/8" threaded holes, centered by a rapid connector with a 1/4" stem and have attached a rycote w/DINa bar in addition to the Shure a53's on each end. This is super sturdy and dynamic; you can make the bar as long as you want and add additional adapters to secure more mounts. As I make a switch to actives I wanted a small, compact setup for two and four channels and this is as lightweight as I'd hoped for. Having read Voltronic's review of the 9.solutions Savior Clamp, I grabbed one and it is perfect for this Smallrig setup. Now I'll be clamping FOB more and carrying a stand less.

^
That looks great boa!  Can you post a link for the bread bar that you're using?  Thanks!

[boa]

^
That looks great boa!  Can you post a link for the bread bar that you're using?  Thanks!

My bad; its actually called a Cheese Rod, and I got it at B and H Photo:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1421808-REG/smallrig_1462_15mm_cheese_rod_m12_197mm.html

They are also available here: https://www.adorama.com/sr1462.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-o

[Gutbucket]

Nice flexible arrangement.. with Lyre suspension for the Gefells where better shocks might matter, and the Shure donuts making for a nice compact, clean, secure mounting for the omnis, probably not heavy enough to really load them shock-wise, yet shouldn't matter much for omnis.

I should pickup one of those sweet clamps!

[dactylus]

^
That looks great boa!  Can you post a link for the bread bar that you're using?  Thanks!

My bad; its actually called a Cheese Rod, and I got it at B and H Photo:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1421808-REG/smallrig_1462_15mm_cheese_rod_m12_197mm.html

They are also available here: https://www.adorama.com/sr1462.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-o

Thanks boa!

[voltronic]

Awesome thread here. I have been taking note of some threads on TS and elsewhere for when I eventually make a modular setup. I am definitely marking the SmallRig 6 pc rod set. The cheese bar is sadly discontinued.

Two items I will contribute:

15 mm clamp with 3/8" female thread to attach bar to stand:
https://www.camvate.com/products/camvate-15mm-quick-release-rod-clamp-black-ratchet-knob-1680

15 mm clamp with 3/8" male thread for mics (the only one I have ever seen to get you 3/8" male without adapters):
https://www.camvate.com/products/camvate-15mm-single-rod-clamp-adapter-convert-to-3-8-16-mounting-screw-for-dslr-camera-cage-rod-support-2280

[voltronic]

I should pickup one of those sweet clamps!

You have probably seen me sing the praises of that clamp more than once here. boa's 3rd pic perfectly shows one of the ways is blows away all of the Manfrotto options - even with a small grip surface, that thing will not budge laterally even on very smooth surfaces. I will be using mine exactly this way later this week.

For those who don't know, I did a write-up on it. Easily one of the best pieces of taping gear I have ever bought.
https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=193520.msg2322969

[checht]

NICEYRIG version of the cheese bar: https://www.amazon.com/NICEYRIG-Cheese-Locating-Camera-System/dp/B08RHSD9TQ

[dactylus]

Awesome thread here. I have been taking note of some threads on TS and elsewhere for when I eventually make a modular setup. I am definitely marking the SmallRig 6 pc rod set. The cheese bar is sadly discontinued.

Two items I will contribute:

15 mm clamp with 3/8" female thread to attach bar to stand:
https://www.camvate.com/products/camvate-15mm-quick-release-rod-clamp-black-ratchet-knob-1680

15 mm clamp with 3/8" male thread for mics (the only one I have ever seen to get you 3/8" male without adapters):
https://www.camvate.com/products/camvate-15mm-single-rod-clamp-adapter-convert-to-3-8-16-mounting-screw-for-dslr-camera-cage-rod-support-2280

Volt,

The cheese rod is available here: 

https://www.adorama.com/sr1462.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-o

I ordered a few from Adorama yersterday.

[voltronic]

Awesome thread here. I have been taking note of some threads on TS and elsewhere for when I eventually make a modular setup. I am definitely marking the SmallRig 6 pc rod set. The cheese bar is sadly discontinued.

Two items I will contribute:

15 mm clamp with 3/8" female thread to attach bar to stand:
https://www.camvate.com/products/camvate-15mm-quick-release-rod-clamp-black-ratchet-knob-1680

15 mm clamp with 3/8" male thread for mics (the only one I have ever seen to get you 3/8" male without adapters):
https://www.camvate.com/products/camvate-15mm-single-rod-clamp-adapter-convert-to-3-8-16-mounting-screw-for-dslr-camera-cage-rod-support-2280

Volt,

The cheese rod is available here: 

https://www.adorama.com/sr1462.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping&utm_source=adl-gbase-o

I ordered a few from Adorama yersterday.

Nice; thanks! I see they actually have a few sizes:
https://www.adorama.com/l/?searchinfo=15mm+cheese+rod&sel=Item-Condition_New-Items

[checht]

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread!

I've built a rig for 2' and 4' spaced omnis with coincident supercards in the center.

The cheese rod is a real win, bringing easy adjustability for spacing. I use wingbolts and go up through the 3/8" holes for easier aiming than using the 1/4" holes.

~Chris

[Gutbucket]

Nice lookin'.  After using it a few times, let me know what you think of the recordings you get from it.

[boomfizzle]

Wanted to share that I found a different off-the-shelf solution, although a bit bulkier (which in my case was good).  Ran 36" split omnis at Phil this weekend on this baby, and it handled the heft of the full-body Nak300s like a boss.  The counterweight screws off and leaves a 5/8" thread in its place.
 
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01ND0AKV7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

[rocksuitcase]

Wanted to share that I found a different off-the-shelf solution, although a bit bulkier (which in my case was good).  Ran 36" split omnis at Phil this weekend on this baby, and it handled the heft of the full-body Nak300s like a boss.  The counterweight screws off and leaves a 5/8" thread in its place.
 
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01ND0AKV7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Good pricing. Much less than a manfrotto triple bar. Did you get a rig pic?

[boomfizzle]

[Gutbucket]

Nice find and looks to work well.  Too bad it won't go just a foot or two wider for optimal combination with a center pair.  But 3' is good enough, and often optimal for a pair of omnis on their own.

[rocksuitcase]

nice pics. it looks as if one could mount an extender bar on one end and get it to go out wider.
solid piece of EQ from the pics I noted. The 360' mount swivel dealio is much cooler than the traditional boom arm mount.

[vantheman]

Nice find and looks to work well.  Too bad it won't go just a foot or two wider for optimal combination with a center pair.  But 3' is good enough, and often optimal for a pair of omnis on their own.

I bought a few of these short extension poles a year or so ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S3HTTZZ

In collapsed position they're 7" and they extend to 12", so they would essentially fill that gap perfectly. They have a 3/8" female mount but comes with 1/4" adapter. I didn't have a need for them until I started putting together my own spaced omni / center pair array recently. I'll have to wait a bit longer to find out how well they work in the field because the shows that I designed this rig for were cancelled, but they seem to be of decent enough quality.

[Gutbucket]

Looks just right.

Nice to have the option to go wider when possible, realizing that in many situations it may not be possible.. or wise.

[checht]

Too much of everything is just enough!

I like how light the 15mm stuff is. Just got another pair of 1' rods so I can do 6' spread omnis:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZFPK2I/?coliid=I3SB48PQ4MMYMD&colid=3DZZOP8FFXTR&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

[fireonshakedwnstreet]

Gonna try to do 6' at Phish. I know I have at least five feet of 15mm rods.

[Gutbucket]

Right on! 6' is a sweet spot IMO. Please let me know what you think compared to 3 or 4'

[if_then_else]