Topic: Please recommend a stand

[hemiolacadence]

Please recommend a stand to be used with two small diaphragm condenser mics.

The immediate use of this stand is to record friends' gigs in bars for on the field experience.

It would be nice to have a stand that would also work for shows in the future.

Any advice on mic height would be recommended.

Thank you

Plan to run through panicstream and compare the different mic placements. It's abstract you know but I think I have to go by what I read but I need to get out there and do this regularly.

[ScoobieKW]

Stand choice has to do with two things.

Max height
Footprint

Height above crowd in a large venue is a good thing.
When running in a crowded club a small footprint is important.

Also consider clamps and extension poles. Often hanging mics in a small club gives better results with less trip hazards.

So really, the answer is, "Depends"

I have a 13 foot stand for outdoors, a 6 foot round base stand for tables, 2 short stands for onstage taping, and a set of Superclamps, the Manfrotto 099b and assorted other gack that I'll pull out when the gig warrants it.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

You'll want to get an air-cushioned "light stand".  And an "thread adapter" for the top to mount a mic-bar.

I recommend something like the Manfrotto 1052BAC:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Manfrotto+1052BAC&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Depending on what you get, and what you need for the mic-bar you pick, you may need a thread adapter.  You can get one here:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Thread-Adapters-Fittings/ci/14722/N/3991602298

As for mic-bars, there are a bunch, but I use this one:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/534725-REG/K_M_23510_500_55_23510_Microphone_Bar.html

The mic-mounts you get should fit onto this Bar no problem, and it allows mic position adjustment easily...

Good luck!

Terry

[acidjack]

The manfrotto terry recommended. In bars you'll want 12ft or more. if there is a balcony rail or place to mount on ceiling, clamping is almost always better.

[stevetoney]

You can always make a tall stand go shorter.  Can't make a short stand go higher.  Spend a little extra and get yourself a couple extra feet...alternatively buy a short stand and a manfrotto extension for the top (099b is the longer one, I can't remember the shorter one).  I agree with 12 feet or higher though the footprint gets bigger. 

Re-hardware at the top, it's nice to have but not essential...you can also use a clamp to latch onto the pole near the top. 

[voltronic]

For stereo bars, I just picked up two of these, and they are very well built despite the very low price.  5/8 knobs, and wide enough to do NOS or a little beyond depending on the length of your mics:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Professional-Microphone-Stereo-Bar-T-Bar-Thread-Adapter-Beam-Two-Stand-Adjustable-Drum-Mount-Wholesale-Hot/404390_514425580.html

They also sell a narrower version with 3/8-16 knobs:
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Professional-Mic-Stereo-Bar-Black-T-Bar-Thread-Adapter-Stand-Mount-Two-Apart-H50-Professional-New/404390_821363549.html

[capnhook]

Got  these for a few cents over $10/each....when you get a pair.  # days left..

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Professional-Microphone-Clip-Clamp-Holder-Shock-Mount-Suspension-22mm-Shotgun-Pencil-Professional-Wholesale-Hot-Sales/845326327.html

Thanks for the heads-up, voltronic.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

You can always make a tall stand go shorter.  Can't make a short stand go higher.  Spend a little extra and get yourself a couple extra feet...alternatively buy a short stand and a manfrotto extension for the top (099b is the longer one, I can't remember the shorter one).  I agree with 12 feet or higher though the footprint gets bigger. 

Re-hardware at the top, it's nice to have but not essential...you can also use a clamp to latch onto the pole near the top.

Agreed on all points, though I'm of the opinion that a 12ft stand either has a too-large footprint, or is too heavy to conveniently carry to shows...  Most of the local venues in my area have good spots from which to tape, and I don't need a super-tall stand.  But that's just me, you may decide differently...  But like ToneDeaf said - can run a tall stand short, but not a short stand tall...

As for hardware at the top, I started bringing a clamp and a stand to shows.  If someone was already running a stand, I would ask to clamp onto theirs.  If no one was there, I would run my stand.  Windtech makes a good cheap clamp that work great with most Mic-Bars and Mics...  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=298908&gclid=CPmOkpS3ocICFWdo7AodqQgA9A&is=REG&Q=&A=details

Terry

[voltronic]

Got  these for a few cents over $10/each....when you get a pair.  # days left..

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Professional-Microphone-Clip-Clamp-Holder-Shock-Mount-Suspension-22mm-Shotgun-Pencil-Professional-Wholesale-Hot-Sales/845326327.html

Thanks for the heads-up, voltronic.

Yep, I just bought two more of them myself yesterday.  Great mounts.  For those who don't know, these are the same Schoeps A20 clones sold in recent years under the Nady and Busman names, but they are now unavailable from US sellers.  Unlike the Schoeps these have a 22mm cradle, but I compensate with self-adhesive felt pads.

[F.O.Bean]

The Calumet stands are always on sale. I have [2] Calumet MF6045 10' Air-Cushioned stands and I love them both. Perfect size footprint IMO, but they only go to 10'. I use a Lowel Half Pole to get up to 13' if needed

[hemiolacadence]

Ok guys I'm a little confused when you say footprint what do you mean and what contributes to this?


I did buy stereo paired mics and and I have a bar. I'm not trying to be disrespectful but is the bar I have ok?

It looks like I have a similar stand but not tall enough.

I'm about to do some work I put off story of my life. I posted some classical test recordings got the technique down after that lost it again working and I've realized fuck I gotta tape friends (hard work recording yourself and playing).

im intrigued with the 414 XLS and a clamp even though it's unorthodox for this type of recording, it does have a ton of pickup patterns. That mic alone sounds incredible on one and it's almost overwhelming I've accepted to pay this down aggressively move in with parents and live off tax returns until I go back to school.

I have a 8 track input so on the bright side I will be able to record traditional and experiment with the 9 pickup settings.

On the other side it's a huge 8 track input for a computer so I'll look like a weirdo and probably won't get any girls numbers.

[Humbug]

I'll look like a weirdo and probably won't get any girls numbers.

The trick is to get the girl and then go taping. That way you'll be harder to shake off 

Mic stands have raised legs, the larger the footprint (floor area covered), the more likely other punters in clubs will trip over it. In between that, you'll be trying to stop drunktards holding on to it for balance, or trying to take a shortcut through the stand. I find hanging fairy lights off the stand helps a little, and having a couple of friends around to block works wonders, as does gaffa taping down the legs to the floor. Of course, don't try this on a) carpet b) the beautifully polished floor of a posh venue.