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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: mattmiller on May 19, 2006, 01:29:57 PM

Title: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: mattmiller on May 19, 2006, 01:29:57 PM
I've been reading on here for hours and bouncing back and forth between numerous online merchants trying to figure out exactly what I need to finalize my setup.  I'm using AT933 mics, and have decided to go with Brian's recommendation in another thread to use the Bogen 3373 stand and the 20" flexarm extension.  I'm also going to pick up a Super Clamp to have handy when the opportunity to use it arises.  These should serve me well for my purposes, which generally involves taping rather obscure bands in small clubs.

That's all I've got though -- I need to find all of the right adapters, a good mounting bar for my mics, and a bag for the 3373 stand.  I called the folks at bhphotovideo.com and received absolutely no help.  The guy in lighting said he couldn't help me because he didn't know anything about microphone setups.  He transferred me to a guy in audio, who said he couldn't help me because he knows nothing about lighting stands and, further, that he really didn't understand why I was looking for a lighting stand for microphones anyway.

Can someone please point me (i.e., link) to what I'm looking for (and anything else you might recommend for my setup)?  As I see it, I need a mounting bar, a stand bag, and any adapters needed to go between various combinations of the 3373 stand, the flexarm extension, and the Super Clamp.

Thanks in advance for any direction you can provide.  Despite being unimpressed with their customer service, I'm still willing to purchase from bhphotovideo.com if they carry everything I need.

Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: mattmiller on May 21, 2006, 02:41:51 PM
Anyone?
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: terrapinj on May 21, 2006, 03:56:47 PM
if your stand terminates in a non-threaded stud you will need a stand adapter - if its threaded it will most likely need to be 5/8" for most standard t-bars/mounts

(http://www.micsupply.com/newstandfitting.jpg)

there are a number of differnt bars you can use to mount the shockmounts to the stand. the most common one is the AKG - KM-235 T-bar which will run you around $20 or so, you will need adapters to run XY. if you want much more flexibility i suggest the Shure A27m Vert bar - that will run you closer to $65 new but will allow you to pretty much use any config you want for SD mics and can be modified to use other patterns with LDs.

micsupply.com will have pretty much anything you will need - Dave is really helpful and a taper I believe

not sure about the mounting for the flexarm extension, never used one so I can't help you there.
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: Brian Skalinder on May 21, 2006, 04:43:43 PM
Bogen SuperClamp + Bogen Heavy Duty Flex Arm

Bogen 3373 Stand + standard 5/8" female thread mic mount bar (KM235, Shure A27M, etc.)*
Bogen 3373 Stand + Bogen Heavy Duty Flex Arm
Bogen 3373 Stand + Bogen Heavy Duty Flex Arm
Bogen Heavy Duty Flex Arm + standard 5/8" female thread mic mount bar (KM235, Shure A27M, etc.)
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: mattmiller on May 21, 2006, 07:21:00 PM
Thanks for the help.  I think I'm 80% there.  A couple more questions that will definitely show my ignorance in this arena:

1.  My mics are SP-CMC-8, which I know simply as being miniature unidirectional cardioid mics.  I'm not sure what LD and SD stand for.  That's either the one forum whose threads I haven't completely exhausted yet, or I didn't retain the information when I came across it.  I even googled it, but learned more about the Latter-day Saints than I did about LD mics.

2.  I've looked at the KM235 stereo bar and it's not immediately obvious to me how my mics mount to it.  I simply have Audio Technica's alligator-type clips, but I suspect there's a preferred mounting technique for miniature cardioids other than simply clipping them to the bar.  Or maybe not.  Please advise.

3.  B&H sells several manifestations of Bogen Super Clamps.  Is the cheapest, presumably most "standard" clamp, all I need, or would I be better served by one of the more expensive alternatives.

4.  Brian -- I've been looking at pictures of the heavy duty flex arm.  Where does the 1/4" connection come into play?  I know it's only one of a couple options, but I'm trying to digest everything so I know what to expect.

Thanks again for the help.  I'm looking forward to getting this all put together in time for a June 14 show.  For several years I've been serving as my own mic stand by clipping my mics to the shoulder straps of a backpack and standing absolutely motionless for 2 hours.  I got very nice recordings with the method, especially in Cleveland at the Beachland Ballroom (which is apparently a favorite venue for many tapers), but needless to say it contributed to more than a few backaches and a whole lot of pre-concert anxiety.

Looking forward to some final advice...
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: johnw on May 21, 2006, 07:37:55 PM
SD stands for small diaphragm and LD stands for large diaphragm. An example of SD mics would be AKG480 series. An example of LD mics would be the Neumann U89s. Yours are definitely SD, but are much smaller than the 480s and this limits your ability to mount your microphones to a stand. Most shockmounts and clips are designed for microphone bodies no smaller than 18-22mm and I would guess your are more like 10mm. Do a search for creative ways to mount your mics.

In all honesty, they superclamp may be a bit of overkill for your microphones, but it will definitely work. I would also recommend this:
http://www.posthorn.com/Ats_2.html (http://www.posthorn.com/Ats_2.html)
since it is smaller, lighter and maybe more configurable. Works great with lighterweight microphones and you might be able to find it at a camera shop locally (I did).

For a Bogen 3373, there is a non-threaded stud on top of the stand, so you need the thread adapter, either a 1/4" or a 3/8" like this one (I'd go with 3/8"):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5357&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: mattmiller on May 21, 2006, 08:09:43 PM
So am I going to be laughed out of the club for being the idiot mounting my little baby mics on top of the big bad stand?  Surely I'm not the only one trying to do this (I hope).  I don't want to part with the mics because I love their performance, and I just dropped a grand on the Tascam HD-P2.  My mics have always been the one component of my mics > battery box > minidisc setup that I was happy with and confident that I wouldn't need to put more money into.

Any mounting advice welcomed....
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: Brian Skalinder on May 21, 2006, 09:07:13 PM
Quote from: mattmiller on May 21, 2006, 08:09:43 PM
So am I going to be laughed out of the club for being the idiot mounting my little baby mics on top of the big bad stand?  Surely I'm not the only one trying to do this (I hope).

If anyone laughs, just ignore them - they've immediately proven themselves idiots.  I'm sure there are others who've mounted the little AT/SP-CMC-x on a stand.  If you don't get a good enough response here, maybe start a new thread specifically asking how people are mounting their SP-CMC-x mics when open taping.

Quote from: mattmiller on May 21, 2006, 07:21:00 PM
2.  I've looked at the KM235 stereo bar and it's not immediately obvious to me how my mics mount to it.  I simply have Audio Technica's alligator-type clips, but I suspect there's a preferred mounting technique for miniature cardioids other than simply clipping them to the bar.  Or maybe not.  Please advise.

I've not used these mics, so not sure what's best for mounting.

Quote from: mattmiller on May 21, 2006, 07:21:00 PM
3.  B&H sells several manifestations of Bogen Super Clamps.  Is the cheapest, presumably most "standard" clamp, all I need, or would I be better served by one of the more expensive alternatives.

Probably.  I went with whichever one comes with the "standard stud".

Quote from: mattmiller on May 21, 2006, 07:21:00 PM
4.  Brian -- I've been looking at pictures of the heavy duty flex arm.  Where does the 1/4" connection come into play?  I know it's only one of a couple options, but I'm trying to digest everything so I know what to expect.

The top of the flex arm has a combination tip:  1/4" male thread on a 5/8" stud.  So you can convert this to the 5/8" male thread needed for the KM235 any one of the ways I mentioned.  FWIW, I like the first option:

Quote from: Brian Skalinder on May 21, 2006, 04:43:43 PM
Bogen Heavy Duty Flex Arm + standard 5/8" female thread mic mount bar (KM235, Shure A27M, etc.)
  • Bogen 3102 5/8" stud > 3/8" male thread adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5357&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) + 3/8" female thread > 5/8" male thread adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=400109&is=REG&addedTroughType=search)
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: joekar on May 21, 2006, 10:17:04 PM
Try checking out the Sound Professionals website. They make a flexible mount that will mount/hold your mics. http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/360/mics   you should find several to fit your needs.

Peace
jk
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan on May 21, 2006, 10:25:18 PM
Quote from: joekar on May 21, 2006, 10:17:04 PM
Try checking out the Sound Professionals website. They make a flexible mount that will mount/hold your mics. http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/360/mics   you should find several to fit your needs.

Peace
jk

ditto that

I've seen the flexible mount in use with the sp mics, it looked like you could do just about any configuration with it.  Very quick and easy to set up.
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: rdflash on May 21, 2006, 10:30:18 PM
heres what I use.

1.  Swivel T-bar found here  http://www.micsupply.com/standaccessories.htm
2.  These semi-fancy mounts for my AT831s  http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?q=Audio+Technica+8438&pid=4838477716349244105&oid=13123986831479465078&btnG=Search+Froogle&scoring=mrd&hl=en

I used this (minus the mounts, just pro-gaffed mics to swivel t-bar) ront row RRFB at HOB with homemade windscreens for stage lip recording adventure - nobody laughed, I was only taper and ppl bugged me the whole night as for what I was doing w/ the show lol.

Dont worry about what it looks like, but worry about how it sounds!!

I used expensive duct tape to hold them on lol, didnt look good, but my ears likey!!
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: johnw on May 22, 2006, 11:14:06 AM
Quote from: rdflash on May 21, 2006, 10:30:18 PM

2.  These semi-fancy mounts for my AT831s  http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?q=Audio+Technica+8438&pid=4838477716349244105&oid=13123986831479465078&btnG=Search+Froogle&scoring=mrd&hl=en


This is what I had in mind for your mics. Add this to the KM235 bar previously mentioned and you will be good to go.

This http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-TFB-ISI (http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-TFB-ISI) also seems like a feasible plan.
I've seen several creative DIY ideas for mounting mics like yours. The most recent involved clipping them onto a cd that sits on top of the stand. I've also seen pictures of converted rulers and homemade bars made out of the AT 8410 shockmount. Just visit your local Lowes, Home Depot, corner hardware store for ideas.

Good luck
Title: Re: Mic Stand and Accessories Help
Post by: mattmiller on May 22, 2006, 01:11:35 PM
Okay -- everything is ordered.  I spoke to Chris at Sound Professionals, and he said the flexible mount would work well, but recommended this, to include the AT8438 mounts:

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-DTS-11 (http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-DTS-11)

I also talked myself into going with the 9' Bogen 3333 stand instead of the 3373 just to give myself a little versatility.  The collapsed size of the 3373 is nice, but I don't think I'll mind carrying around the larger 3333.

Thanks to all for all of the suggestions!