Topic: Best mic stand for live recording.

[ChoobieWoobie]

Lately when i've been going to a show to tape, the other tapers whip out these nifty looknig mic stands, when I just have a stage stand.  The stands look kinda similar to a camera tripod.  They look a lot more stable than my stand.  Any ideas on what kind of stand i'm referring to?

[bhtoque]

You are looking for a bogen/manfrotto lighting stand. Shure also makes a big stand, but I can't think of the part number.

You can get a bogen at any big camera store or online from any taper equipment retailer.

JAson

[tradja]

I got one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30080&item=3831163625 from this same seller last winter and have used it probably a dozen times so far.  As I recall, I paid about $20 shipped.

I've been very happy with it, indoors or out.  It's much, much better constructed than I thought it would be for $20.  At the time, I was trying to make a huge mic stand out of PVC and having a hell of a time.   

Good luck!  Having a nice stand is a real pleasure.

[rowjimmytour]

Amen!, I got a manfrooto 3330 from mic supply and am very pleased w/ it
http://www.micsupply.com/standproducts.htm
Peace

[BCostigan]

Check out the lighting stands at B+H Photo.  Good prices and a ton to chose from.

[Rand0mRoll77]

i got this off ebay for 40 bucks, its a lil bulky but only weighs 5 pounds and can extend to 13 feet

its great, very reliable seller too, check it out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3831546989&ssPageName=MERC_VI

[kmanshi]

I got one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30080&item=3831163625 from this same seller last winter and have used it probably a dozen times so far.  As I recall, I paid about $20 shipped.

I've been very happy with it, indoors or out.  It's much, much better constructed than I thought it would be for $20.  At the time, I was trying to make a huge mic stand out of PVC and having a hell of a time.   

Good luck!  Having a nice stand is a real pleasure.

Did you have to make any mod's to attach a t-bar or anything? 

[bl6216@yahoo.com]

I got mine at http://www.micsupply.com/standproducts.htm it is to the best place to the guy Dave was very nice and will take the time to tolk to you and see the best stand for the tipe of tapeing that you most do. When you or if you call just ask for Dave.

[DCDireWolf]

I bought the mic stand in the quote below, any recommendations on a mounting bar for SP C4 mics?

Thanks.

i got this off ebay for 40 bucks, its a lil bulky but only weighs 5 pounds and can extend to 13 feet

its great, very reliable seller too, check it out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3831546989&ssPageName=MERC_VI

[johnw]

I bought the mic stand in the quote below, any recommendations on a mounting bar for SP C4 mics?

Thanks.

i got this off ebay for 40 bucks, its a lil bulky but only weighs 5 pounds and can extend to 13 feet

its great, very reliable seller too, check it out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3831546989&ssPageName=MERC_VI

First you will definitely need a 3/8>5/8 adapter. I would reccomend the kind with a wider base (like in the top picture below), so if you decide to get a stereo bar, it won't thread back off at the bottom. On the other hand, you may get one similar to the bottom picture for free from your local music store. They often come screwed into the mic holders they sell and since most stands are 5/8s, some employees may give you one of these "useless" adapters.

http://www.cascademedia.net/products.asp?catid=133&prodid=678
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284333&is=REG

From there, you have 3 good choices. First is the AKG bar seen below. It allows for flexible spacing between the arms to get ORTF,DIN, etc , but requires some modification to run mics XY.
http://www.daleproaudio.com/product.asp?r=%2D1&SKU=AKG%2A%2DKM2351&web%5Fname=&price%5Fhide=0&subcat1=&subcat2=&subcat3=&subcat4=&subcat=3007&subcat5=&subcat6=2110&subcat7=Choose+a+Category&subcat8=&Subsite%5FName=&mscsid=GAJ0T3LB83EF8HSEVFN8T6UPAGPF6WAE

The second option is the Shure A57 bar which is great for changing angles on mics and can run XY as it comes but is heavy and you can't change the horizontal distance between the threads (you can change vertical distance however)

http://www.cascademedia.net/products.asp?catid=133&prodid=998

The third option is to make something yourself and there are plenty of great ideas already in the photo section, but why not get creative and design something orignal that works for you?

I have the same stand that you do and ultimately found it to be too long and have to wide a footprint for many applications. I still have it and use the Shure A57 bar with it. I also use an APIC 8' stand with an AKG bar since it is a little lighter. Unfortunately the APIC stand is  less stable and more prone to collapse under the weight of the mics unless I really crank down on the thumb screws. On the plus side it is super compact! Hope this helps.

[keepongoin]

IMHO, the AEA 15b is the single best microphone stand available for recording live music.  It is pretty heavy duty, sturdy, it folds up small, and it has the correct thread for t-bars and shure vert-bars attached to the top.  It is a little pricey, but it is sweet.  I will probably buy a second once for running split omni, in which case, I will sell my bogen and my other stand.

[rodeen]

I just picked up a Bogen 3078 13' stand Friday from a local camera shop.  Paid a little more than online prices but they were very helpful showing me different stands and options.  With a little help from OfficeDog I'll get to try it this week (he has a space thread adapter to loan me)  Someone give him a +T for me!

The Bogen stands are a little pricier than some of the others but they are rock solid.  I may pick up a cheaper, smaller stand off the eBay links listed above also.

[DCDireWolf]

Thanks John, very, very helpful.  +T

Every time I think I'm ready to actually tape, I realize I've got one more thing to find/buy.

It's like the freakin' holy grail.

[jpschust]

IMHO, the AEA 15b is the single best microphone stand available for recording live music.  It is pretty heavy duty, sturdy, it folds up small, and it has the correct thread for t-bars and shure vert-bars attached to the top.  It is a little pricey, but it is sweet.  I will probably buy a second once for running split omni, in which case, I will sell my bogen and my other stand.

Do you have a picture of that anywhere? Ever since Bogen discontinued the super tall stand, the 3076 I believe, I haven't been able to find anything over 13 feet that is relatively affordable.
Thanks,

Alex

alex, im just curious- why do you need to run over 13'?  One of the principal reasons we run that high is to get over crowd noise, but I can't think of still having a significant amount of crowd noise over 10-11' unless shaq is in the audience... I'm just curious as to your reasoning.

[keepongoin]

IMHO, the AEA 15b is the single best microphone stand available for recording live music.  It is pretty heavy duty, sturdy, it folds up small, and it has the correct thread for t-bars and shure vert-bars attached to the top.  It is a little pricey, but it is sweet.  I will probably buy a second once for running split omni, in which case, I will sell my bogen and my other stand.

Do you have a picture of that anywhere? Ever since Bogen discontinued the super tall stand, the 3076 I believe, I haven't been able to find anything over 13 feet that is relatively affordable.
Thanks,

Alex

I don't have a picture of it available, but it is nice.  I haven't used it and probably won't use it to run higher than 10 or 11 feet, though.  The top section doesn't seen sturdy enough to extend it fully with the shure bar and the TLs on it.