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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: achalsey on August 29, 2011, 09:51:23 PM
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SSIA. I've been really liking the advantages of running onstage but my 1' DIY stand out of a 5 dollar walmart lamp isn't totally cutting it. Am wondering what real stands people are using.
TIA
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I've been using the Manfrotto 012B Backlight Stand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325266-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_012B_012B_Backlight_Stand_with.html) for the past few years and it's been a champ. Minimum height is about 20" but you can easily clamp mics further down the bar if you need to, and it extends to about 3' if you require more height. The three adjustable feet on the base stay pretty low to the ground, too. Been ideal for my on-stage needs.
They also make an adjustable extension pole (Manfrotto 099B (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546540-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_099B_3_Section_Extension_Pole_35_.html)) that you can either plug directly into the base with a stud or attach to the top of the shorter pole. I've hung a few pairs of mics off it running up around 8.5' and, while it's far from wook-proof, I've never been worried that it's going to take a digger. Securing it with some gaffers tape or superclamps goes a long way, too.
FWIW, Impact makes their own, less expensive version (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253077-REG/Impact_LS_3S_3_Back_Light_Stand.html) that's completely interchangeable and almost identical to the Manfrotto model.
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I use one of these, small footprint, easy to toss up on stage, be warned, the foot is about 6 lbs, I've clamped a Shure VP-88 and 2 more sets of neumanns on it and it's stood up to it without falling over. Might be better options out there but this'll get things started:
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-MUS-MS7920B
J
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These are really cheap (not much on build quality) but they do work.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/musicians-gear-low-profile-tripod-base-mic-stand/451038000001000
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I've been using the Manfrotto 012B Backlight Stand (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/325266-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_012B_012B_Backlight_Stand_with.html)
Same here. Works great. The telescopic arm is a good height, but can be a bit tall for some things. I have a DIY vert bar I can plug into the folding base instead of the telescopic part when I need to keep it lower. I also recently drilled and taped holes at the end of each leg that I can screw threaded studs into and attach clips for spaced mics.
A fellow taper uses a weighted base (round, cast iron) with the Sure vertbar screwed into it. That combination about as small, low, and clean as you can get for running standard mics.
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The manfrotto 012B and MS7920B get my votes. If you don't like either of those, then I'd consider a large clamp (superclamp-ish) and something like the manfrotto 396AB and clamp to a rail or monitor hook. Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider pairing the MS7920B & and a clamp/arm setup. That way you can pick either or when you get there and see what sort of environment you're dealing with.
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The manfrotto 012B and MS7920B get my votes. If you don't like either of those, then I'd consider a large clamp (superclamp-ish) and something like the manfrotto 396AB and clamp to a rail or monitor hook. Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider pairing the MS7920B & and a clamp/arm setup. That way you can pick either or when you get there and see what sort of environment you're dealing with.
^^ This, and what Johnny said. It's useful to have both a heavy clamp and an actual little stand because you may not know in advance what type of stage setup you're dealing with.
And yes, the Impact products, while slightly worse in build quality, are very, very close, and cost about 50% as much.
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I bought something like this mic stand to use for onstage, which is nice because it's very low profile and the base weighs a ton and consequently is very sturdy. Sadly, I never got the chance to make an onstage recording.
http://www.amazon.com/Stage-MC7201B-Round-Microphone-Stand/dp/B0002MJTZ8/ref=pd_cp_MI_3 (http://www.amazon.com/Stage-MC7201B-Round-Microphone-Stand/dp/B0002MJTZ8/ref=pd_cp_MI_3)
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Those cheap stage stands are great to mod. Especially if you can get them on sale. I do prefer the stability of a weighted base for on-stage use, though I don't like to carry it.
I like the idea of drilling holes in the legs. With the leg models, you can also easily cut the legs and pole shorter (or replace the pole altogether). Though you usually can't cut the weighted base poles shorter due to the threads. Those cheap extension arms have saved me before. Some performers are rightfully very picky about clean sightlines; even if their stage is otherwise already cluttered.
It's also nice to have the option of rigging really low.
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I do like the low profile weighted base style (I'm using a really cheap version at the moment). The MS7920B is looking like a pretty nice place to start.
Thanks all for the advice, but obviously if there's any more it's always welcome. :coolguy:
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I bought something like this mic stand to use for onstage, which is nice because it's very low profile and the base weighs a ton and consequently is very sturdy. Sadly, I never got the chance to make an onstage recording.
http://www.amazon.com/Stage-MC7201B-Round-Microphone-Stand/dp/B0002MJTZ8/ref=pd_cp_MI_3 (http://www.amazon.com/Stage-MC7201B-Round-Microphone-Stand/dp/B0002MJTZ8/ref=pd_cp_MI_3)
^^^
That's the style of base (without the upright) that the fellow taper screws the Sure vert bar directly into.
The Manfroto 012B telescopic upright and presumably it's Impact equivalent, can attach to a superclamp (or the less costly Adorama equivalent of the superclamp) instead of the three legged foot, which opens up options for ceiling, table, light-bar or balcony clamping as well, like Page mentions.
The three legged foot on mine came with a threaded hole at the end of one of the legs. That's what gave me the idea of drilling and tapping the other two as well. I just used that feature on-stage last week for a second rig with ADK TLs in their supermount shocks at the ends of the two longer legs, which gave me a 24" spacing between capsules, and placed them as low to the stage as possible.
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On-Stage Stands is also a company name...
http://www.onstagestands.com/catalog/home/browse/grp/GRP000020
Not the best quality stands but you may find they offer one to suit your needs.
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http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-MUS-DS7200B-LIST
Cast iron base not too heavy, but deals well with the shure vert bar and a pair of SDC. Small, short profile, sturdy....
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for onstage I use a standard boom mic stand with the boom removed and I clamp to the upright section. I have a pair like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283533-REG/Atlas_Sound_TEB_E_TEB_E_Microphone_Stand.html A lot of the smaller low profile stands aren't high enough for my needs and although I love my little bogen FOB stand I don't like the profile of the legs. The atlas stand (and a lot of others that are exactly the same design) has a very low profile foot print and is sturdy enough to hold a pair of big LDs without swaying. When running split on stage, they blend in well with the house gear. They are very inexpensive new and you can usually find them used for very cheap. Also are heavy and make a nice statement when you have to walk back to your car in a sketchy neighborhood ;-)
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there are lots of them on ebay. I personally use a lightweight one that goes up to 42" for $25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Background-Backlight-Light-Stand-Dual-Stud-New-RF2055-/190569971860?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5edb0094
there a some that are smaller and go for as little at $13. here is a link to all of them:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=backlight+stand&_sacat=0&_odkw=42%22+backlight+stand&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
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On-Stage Stands is also a company name...
http://www.onstagestands.com/catalog/home/browse/grp/GRP000020
Not the best quality stands but you may find they offer one to suit your needs.
I have one of these On-Stage Stands... works great... It stands about 3feet or so, and folds up nice and small...
I found it at a local used music store for about $10... I also think its the base of one of the On-Stage boom set-ups, without the boom, and that's why I got it so cheap...
Terry
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I found it at a local used music store for about $10... I also think its the base of one of the On-Stage boom set-ups, without the boom, and that's why I got it so cheap...
Those are so common, I don't see the point in paying shipping. And like you said, $10.... A steal! Just be sure and have your 5/8 to 3/8 adapts, etc.
Regarding the booms, I have two. One does not collapse and is not that useful. Other other is a three section and is really handy.
I've always wanted to get one of those lightweight bogen stands.. But my $15 on-stage stand, with shortened legs, and telescoping boom, works great. It does things the bogen can't. I've recorded hundreds of shows with it. When I want it to go really tall, I just add extensions and maybe use a couple of connected superclamps to side clamp it to something. I hardly get my big light stand out anymore.
I think a lot of folks looking for small and medium stands make the mistake of overlooking these great, cheap and local alternatives.
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I've found a eaasy solution by taking an old cheap video stand and putting a 3/8 bolt on the top. It's short yet with the extendible legs it can be used part on and part off of a stage (if it's not too high) or can reach about 5' if needed. I had a stand laying around but I bet you could find one used for 5 bucks. Drill a hole and stick a bolt with two nuts on it and you're done.
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I use these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/dmk2-Backlight-Backgroud-Stand-New-/120770538042?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1e7c2a3a
They were very cheap, light weight and pretty durable plus they hold my heavy ADK-tl's just fine with a rapid adapter. I've used these every weekend almost for over a year now and they still work like new.