Topic: Quick question for users of the K&M 23550 stereo bar

[mysticeyes]

Hello everyone, I'm a novice putting together my first decent rig. I'm ordering this:
http://www.amazon.com/K-M-23550-500-55-Microphone-Bar/dp/B001G43G96/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1337611220&sr=8-16

The description says, "5/8" locking screws," which is what I expect. Now, can someone tell me the size of the mounting hole in the middle of the bar - is it 3/8" or 5/8"? I need to know if I'll need any adapters. Thanks.

[bryonsos]

Hello everyone, I'm a novice putting together my first decent rig. I'm ordering this:
http://www.amazon.com/K-M-23550-500-55-Microphone-Bar/dp/B001G43G96/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1337611220&sr=8-16

The description says, "5/8" locking screws," which is what I expect. Now, can someone tell me the size of the mounting hole in the middle of the bar - is it 3/8" or 5/8"? I need to know if I'll need any adapters. Thanks.

Should be 3/8. I have the "same" bar, but the locking screws on mine are 3/8. I read around here somewhere that that is the only difference between the 2 models.

[heehaw]

I've ordered mine from B&H. Size of the mounting hole is 3/8.
But it came with the 5/8 adapter to this hole straight out from the box

[mysticeyes]

Thanks for the replies, I'll just order the bar then.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

I've ordered mine from B&H. Size of the mounting hole is 3/8.
But it came with the 5/8 adapter to this hole straight out from the box

Same here.  What's nice is the the 5/8-to-3/8 adapter it comes with (something like THIS) can also be used as a riser if you run microphones in an X/Y coincident configuration.  If you're mounting the bar on the top of a stand, the stud on this Manfrotto Rapid Adapter will fit the 3/8" hole on the bar.

[NOLAfishwater]

imo. this is the best stereo bar out there. its made of aluminum so its super light.

[John Willett]

imo. this is the best stereo bar out there. its made of aluminum so its super light.

No - definitely not the "best" - that has to go to the Grace SpaceBar which has distances and angles marked as well.

However - the K&M is 1/20th the price of the Grace and is cheap and effective and everyone should have a few of them (I have 10 I think, I lost count).

[NOLAfishwater]

I would never pay for or want to lug around a grace space bar. seems like overkill.

[hi and lo]

I would never pay for or want to lug around a grace space bar. seems like overkill.

Tell me about it... 'tis why mine is in the YS. It's a GREAT bar, but there's simply no room in my bag when running 4 or more channels.

[mysticeyes]

While the Grace Spacebar is a beautifully machined contraption, and I'd love to have one, it is definitely overkill. The way I see it, there is a serious penalty there in terms of price (new, $300 vs. $18) and weight (4 lbs. vs. a few ounces, I think). The humble K&M bar should be all I need to have fun with, at my level of experience. I'm a beginner at this taping hobby, but my first love is photography, and as a result of that I've accumulated an ungodly number of camera bodies and lenses, so I'm trying to avoid the acquisition of too many gadgets and other "shiny things," especially those that are expensive  .

[F.O.Bean]

While the Grace Spacebar is a beautifully machined contraption, and I'd love to have one, it is definitely overkill. The way I see it, there is a serious penalty there in terms of price (new, $300 vs. $18) and weight (4 lbs. vs. a few ounces, I think). The humble K&M bar should be all I need to have fun with, at my level of experience. I'm a beginner at this taping hobby, but my first love is photography, and as a result of that I've accumulated an ungodly number of camera bodies and lenses, so I'm trying to avoid the acquisition of too many gadgets and other "shiny things," especially those that are expensive  .

Welcome to ts.com. Please leave your wallet at the door

I would never pay for or want to lug around a grace space bar. seems like overkill.

Agreed! I use your NOLA mounts 99.99%m of the time. Fuck those expensive Grace Spacebars. Theyre for full bodied mics anyway

[Hypnocracy]

...I'm a beginner at this taping hobby, but my first love is photography, and as a result of that I've accumulated an ungodly number of camera bodies and lenses, so I'm trying to avoid the acquisition of too many gadgets and other "shiny things," especially those that are expensive  .

good luck

[John Willett]

I would never pay for or want to lug around a grace space bar. seems like overkill.

Ahhh - but I can accurately set up an ORTF pair of cardioids in less than 30 seconds as distances and angles are all accurately marked.

[hi and lo]

I would never pay for or want to lug around a grace space bar. seems like overkill.

Ahhh - but I can accurately set up an ORTF pair of cardioids in less than 30 seconds as distances and angles are all accurately marked.

As a Spacebar owner, this is a pretty far stretch from my user experience. The distance markings are only relative and you still need a tape measure to determine exact spacing between the capsule diaphragms or you will need to have a chart, specific to the shockmounts and microphones being used, to accurately space the microphones. In addition to that annoyance, the angle markers are accurate, but it is very difficult to keep the shockmounts perfectly aligned with the 0 degree marker because the black spacer (or I guess it's really a stopper) easily turns. In the field, this means setup time is more like 5-10 minutes and NOT 30 seconds, but YMMV and perhaps your fingers are less klutzy than myself.

The Spacebar excels when it comes to needing to reproduce an exact configuration, but setup time is not quick by any means, especially if you use more than one type of shockmount or microphone and for what we do the K&M is usually better.

[John Willett]

I would never pay for or want to lug around a grace space bar. seems like overkill.

Ahhh - but I can accurately set up an ORTF pair of cardioids in less than 30 seconds as distances and angles are all accurately marked.

As a Spacebar owner, this is a pretty far stretch from my user experience. The distance markings are only relative and you still need a tape measure to determine exact spacing between the capsule diaphragms or you will need to have a chart, specific to the shockmounts and microphones being used, to accurately space the microphones. In addition to that annoyance, the angle markers are accurate, but it is very difficult to keep the shockmounts perfectly aligned with the 0 degree marker because the black spacer (or I guess it's really a stopper) easily turns. In the field, this means setup time is more like 5-10 minutes and NOT 30 seconds, but YMMV and perhaps your fingers are less klutzy than myself.

The Spacebar excels when it comes to needing to reproduce an exact configuration, but setup time is not quick by any means, especially if you use more than one type of shockmount or microphone and for what we do the K&M is usually better.

What you say is correct for the first time use - but once you have done it once you will know the bar measurement for that mic.

For instance I know that with my MKH 8040s in Rycote InVision mounts, the bar measurement is 3.5 each side to give me the correct 17cm capsule spacing.

All you have to do is to note the bar spacing the first time and you can set up exremely fast the second and further times.

My 30-second quote was based on the second time I did it, not the first.

All you need to do is to note the bar distance the first time you use a new mic. and it's quick and easy after that.

I always find the angle very difficult with an unmarked bar, more so than the distance measurement - the SpaceBar makes it very easy.

That's my personal experience, using it in anger.