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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: jnorman on December 26, 2020, 12:34:26 PM

Title: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: jnorman on December 26, 2020, 12:34:26 PM
So I bought a couple of nice new cables with right angle connectors to use with my km184s for ORTF .   However, the configuration of the female end that plugs into the mics means I have to mount the mics upside down, which means that the Neumann badges are on the bottom and interferes with mounting the mics in the clips properly.  For mics with no external badges, this would be no problem, but for the Neumann badges which stick out, I can’t make this work.
Is there an easy solution to this that I am missing?  Thanks
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: voltronic on December 26, 2020, 02:25:30 PM
So I bought a couple of nice new cables with right angle connectors to use with my km184s for ORTF .   However, the configuration of the female end that plugs into the mics means I have to mount the mics upside down, which means that the Neumann badges are on the bottom and interferes with mounting the mics in the clips properly.  For mics with no external badges, this would be no problem, but for the Neumann badges which stick out, I can’t make this work.
Is there an easy solution to this that I am missing?  Thanks

Use Rycote INV mounts instead of standard mic clips. The raised badge shouldn't interfere because you only have the two lyres holding the mic.

Or, are you using a combo mount with them? I assume you aren't using an SRS Recording mount (https://www.shapeways.com/shops/srsrecordingservices?section=Neumann+KM184&s=0) because it seems Scott makes those so they don't interfere with the badge.
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: darby on December 26, 2020, 02:33:33 PM
So I bought a couple of nice new cables with right angle connectors to use with my km184s for ORTF .   However, the configuration of the female end that plugs into the mics means I have to mount the mics upside down, which means that the Neumann badges are on the bottom and interferes with mounting the mics in the clips properly.  For mics with no external badges, this would be no problem, but for the Neumann badges which stick out, I can’t make this work.
Is there an easy solution to this that I am missing?  Thanks

Use Rycote INV mounts instead of standard mic clips. The raised badge shouldn't interfere because you only have the two lyres holding the mic.

Or, are you using a combo mount with them? I assume you aren't using an SRS Recording mount (https://www.shapeways.com/shops/srsrecordingservices?section=Neumann+KM184&s=0) because it seems Scott makes those so they don't interfere with the badge.

I gave a friend a pair of the INVs to use with his 184s and he sent me these pics to show the badge placement
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: jnorman on December 26, 2020, 02:52:11 PM
Thanks guys. I also found a workaround. I can hang the setup upside down.  See photo
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: jnorman on December 26, 2020, 04:51:55 PM
Voze - are those custom cables?
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: jerryfreak on December 26, 2020, 08:46:44 PM
it’s been a while since i made up RA cables but if those in your first pic are switchcraft or neutron, most of those models are rotatable for position inside, at 3 or more detention options
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: voltronic on December 27, 2020, 08:14:51 AM
it’s been a while since i made up RA cables but if those in your first pic are switchcraft or neutron, most of those models are rotatable for position inside, at 3 or more detention options

Right on. The ones jnorman has are the old Neutrik ones, I believe. Remove the screws on the outer housing and the shell comes apart, and you can rotate wherever you want.

No shock mounting?
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: voze on December 27, 2020, 10:12:18 AM
Voze - are those custom cables?
Yes DIY cables
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: jnorman on December 27, 2020, 06:24:21 PM
Thanks voltronic - I took the connectors apart and sure enough they are adjustable, so I am now set.  Still can’t do actual ORTF without spacers, so I will be using NOS 90 degrees at 0.2m separation.
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: voltronic on December 28, 2020, 07:31:18 AM
Thanks voltronic - I took the connectors apart and sure enough they are adjustable, so I am now set.  Still can’t do actual ORTF without spacers, so I will be using NOS 90 degrees at 0.2m separation.

I'm sure if you post an ISO in the Yard Sale, someone will have a riser they are willing to part with.

Alternately, you could buy one of those SRS Recording setups I linked above if you find yourself doing ORTF often. Scott does some great designs, and he will also custom make anything you ask.

You could then easily shock mount the entire thing for cheap using one of these mounts (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1544187-REG/rycote_41138_invision_on_camera_universal_shotgun.html/overview).
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: Gutbucket on January 28, 2021, 11:10:20 AM
I can't see the photos, but are the right-angle XLRs able to be reconfigured so as to rotate the puns 180 degrees, or as much as needed without resoldering? Alternately was going to suggest hanging the mounts below the bar instead of above it, which I find sometimes preferable anyway, but sounds like that solution was already noted
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: dnuggs on January 28, 2021, 04:49:57 PM
The upside down way is how I mount my km184's in the stock shockmounts.
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: jnorman on January 31, 2021, 11:02:58 PM
Gutbucket - yes, I was able to rotate the unit 180 degrees without having to resolder.  I had to be a bit ginger with it so as not to torque the wires/connections too much, but it worked.

Voltronic - I have tried spacers and also shapeways mounts, and did not like the aesthetics of either setup.  I try to keep it as visually minimalist as possible. 
Title: Re: Right angle xlr problem...
Post by: voltronic on February 01, 2021, 07:06:00 AM
Voltronic - I have tried spacers and also shapeways mounts, and did not like the aesthetics of either setup.  I try to keep it as visually minimalist as possible.

I just looked at the SRS / Shapeways mounts for your mics, and I have to agree with you. Other than the NOS mount, I'm not a fan of how the rest of them look. It's all because of that pesky badge which interferes with the clips gripping the mics farther back, and that means you have to vertically offset the mics.  I've never liked that look.  The Line Audio mounts I use don't have that problem because the mics are short and the bodies fully smooth.

You could always email Scott at SRS and ask him to do a custom design using the older open-style mic clips, and gripping the mics close to the connector end so you don't have to vertically offset.