Taperssection.com
Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: HarpDoc on March 11, 2008, 02:06:01 PM
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I've been putting them (CA-9100 and H120) in a mesh bag that hangs from the mic stand. I'm thinking that something more solid would be better, for when people bump into the stand by accident. What do you guys use?
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well, you could always use this guy's quick and dirty method... ;D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/KCMoeJoe/Wakarusa%202006/section-kw.jpg)
but seriously, I can't find the small tray shelf I used in the past when I would mount the mini mics to a stand, but without getting longer extension cables you could use something like this and even have room for a drink!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mike-Caddy-Mic-Stand-CD-and-Drink-Tray?sku=421460&src=3WBZ4DS
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I use a DIY version of the Stand Mounted Equipment Shelf I first saw on MicSupply.com. Too bad there are no longer any pictures on the site. Guess too many folks like me stole the idea and modified it. Instead of a super clamp, I use a windtech style clamp, a board with a hole drilled in it and some fender washers on a large bolt. Got the fender washers at the local hardware store, everything else I already had.
Most of the time I don't use the shelf (more stuff to carry), instead I just leave the equipment in a bag at the base of the stand.
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Rather than attaching the pre/ADC/recorder to the mic stand, you'll likely be better served using longer cables and storing your pre/ADC/recorder at the base of, and not attached to, the stand.
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I think the mechanical noise through the mic stand/cables and the use of shockmounts is a bit overrated here on ts. In a typical rock show it would take one hell of a jar to the stand to hear it in the recording. Test it out during an opener some night. Bump your stand, hit your stand, shake your cables, etc... You won't hear much.
Now, in chamber/orchestra recording I could see this issue being more of a problem. If you can hear a pin drop in the venue, you will be able to hear vibrations running through the stand or cable...
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but seriously, I can't find the small tray shelf I used in the past when I would mount the mini mics to a stand, but without getting longer extension cables you could use something like this and even have room for a drink!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mike-Caddy-Mic-Stand-CD-and-Drink-Tray?sku=421460&src=3WBZ4DS
... this is almost exactly what I've been looking for. :o
I think the mechanical noise through the mic stand/cables and the use of shockmounts is a bit overrated here on ts.
Agreed. I had a few guys try to punt my stand at a recent Mofro show and I was shocked at how little noise actually made it onto the recording.
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Agreed. I had a few guys try to punt my stand at a recent Mofro show and I was shocked at how little noise actually made it onto the recording.
You guys are the lucky ones then. At a college rock show a year or so ago I had people bumping into my stand like crazy. Afterwards you could see the signal spikes while editing. I was running real low-pro shockmounts at that show. Now I always use good reliable ones.
The use of shockmounts is only overkill when they work and you have no problems. Its when you have noise on your tapes from not having them do they show their real value.
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...The use of shockmounts is only overkill when they work and you have no problems. Its when you have noise on your tapes from not having them do they show their real value.
^^^^
There's truth.
I've noticed that, like everything, the need for shock isolation is highly dependant on a lot of things.
I mostly run omnis so handling noise is a bit less of an issue than with more directional mics. I keep my recorder and preamp in a shaving kit bag that I place in a backpack on the floor or ground or in a chair and try to keep anything from jostling the stand for the reasons mentioned above. However, if I'm recording a loud performance, if I'm moving rapidly between stages and don't have a chair, and/or if I'm in a crowded FOB situation where I might have to get out of the way (or assess the opportunity to quickly move to a better location), I have a small loop of line tied to the handle of the kit bag so I can hang it from one of the stand knobs near the base. That way I can get rolling and set levels with the bag in hand, then carefully hang the bag on the stand instead of setting something on the ground or holding it the whole show. The line fits over the knob pretty securely and I can grab the stand and move the whole rig without discernible noise at a typical amplified concert.
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Rather than attaching the pre/ADC/recorder to the mic stand, you'll likely be better served using longer cables and storing your pre/ADC/recorder at the base of, and not attached to, the stand.
What he said!
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I am not in the concert scene with large crowds so it is not an issue. One band I do record now and again is in a very crowded bar. The mics are shock mounted, if cards, and the recorder is remote from the stand, isolated by distance. I tape the cables to the stand just because it makes me feel good and acts as a strain relief.
I do essentially the same when I have the luxury of setting up. I am just more careful with everything and run longer cables to where I am, out of the way.
In short, I do all I can to always isolate the cards from mechanical vibration. I tape the cables to the stand(s). I put the recorder as remote as practical.
Cheers
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I use a DIY version of the Stand Mounted Equipment Shelf I first saw on MicSupply.com. Too bad there are no longer any pictures on the site. Guess too many folks like me stole the idea and modified it. Instead of a super clamp, I use a windtech style clamp, a board with a hole drilled in it and some fender washers on a large bolt. Got the fender washers at the local hardware store, everything else I already had.
Most of the time I don't use the shelf (more stuff to carry), instead I just leave the equipment in a bag at the base of the stand.
(http://www.micsupply.com/diytable.jpg)
http://www.micsupply.com/standaccessories.htm
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That pic is of the DIY parts they sell; there used to be a pic of the finished unit with gear on it that hasn't been on the site for a year or so. Easy to take their idea and mod it which is probably why that one pic isn't there any longer.
Basically I only use the shelf when I don't have to worry about the general public getting close to my stand and when I know the oklahoma wind will be less than 10 mph, which isn't very often. That's why the gear is usually in a bag at the base of the stand.
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Now, on the other hand, there may be some evidence that shock mounts have a noticeable affect on how low frequencies are reproduced at the diaphram...
I remember reading something about that too. I would love to learn more. Perhaps Dsatz or some other knowledgeable individual can speak to that. (please!)
What is the name brand of that microphone shockmount that is expensive and made of some alloy? It was in that thread I think....
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These are great ideas. I really appreciate the help. The CA-11 cards that I'm using have a 5 ft. cable built in, so it's not long enough to place the recorder on the ground. So I'll have to either use a shelf, perhaps padding it with some foam, or use a cable extender. Has anyone ever used a 3.5mm cable extender while recording?
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Has anyone ever used a 3.5mm cable extender while recording?
Yes and I think it's the only way to go when recording with a stand. That way I can safely tuck away the rest of the gear in my bag at the bottom of the stand.
I had Sound Pros make me the cable, but I am sure others here are willing/able.
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(http://soundmann.com/hanging-mics.jpg)
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First of all, shock mounts work like a freakin champion! I used to have some earthworks sr77 that I used with the stock, non shock, mounts. You could most definitely hear when someone bumps the stand. You can also hear the pole slide if you raise or lower the stand. I later changed to the big Shure mounts and finally to the Schoeps standard shock mounts. Problem solved.