My Versatile Extension Pole - With Pics

[dactylus]

The only two downsides to the APIC is the initial cost - about 2.5-3x the cost of the Mathews and the difficulty finding their webite - http://www.x-tendtechnologies.com .

more direct link for the APIC?

TIA

Hello Todd,

APIC = X-Tend Technologies

http://www.x-tendtechnologies.com/clientmanager/Live/Sites/1Frame.asp?source=&cid=622&DataID=1&DataCatID=1

Call their toll free number and ask for Richard Roberts.  He will take care of you.



http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,111220.msg1485885.html#msg1485885



http://www.x-tendtechnologies.com/clientmanager/Live/Sites/1Frame.asp?source=&cid=622&DataID=1&DataCatID=1  is their homepage (www.x-tendtechnologies.com should auto redirect you to the long address) and


their contact form is
http://www.x-tendtechnologies.com/clientmanager/Live/Sites/ContactForm.asp?source=&cid=622&DataID=8&DataCatID=0 but I suggest calling the toll free number

[bucsab12]

I was trying to find this company online and all the links to their sites seem to be dead. A google search didn't turn nothing either...

I would also like to use some pole to mount my mics on but I am not sure how to connect my mics to the pole. I am a real beginner so I will really appreciate it if someone could tell me what is a possible way to connect my mics (CA-14) to a mic pole?

Thank you very much in advance.

[flipp]

try calling them - (800) 600 1147

if the links are dead, maybe someone will answer the phone; or try B&H for the extension mentioned

as for mounting them maybe someone with some CA14s will chime in

[acidjack]

I was trying to find this company online and all the links to their sites seem to be dead. A google search didn't turn nothing either...

I would also like to use some pole to mount my mics on but I am not sure how to connect my mics to the pole. I am a real beginner so I will really appreciate it if someone could tell me what is a possible way to connect my mics (CA-14) to a mic pole?

Thank you very much in advance.

For a good start I'd talk to the folks at Sound Professionals.  For CA-14s, refer to the other recent thread on here if you haven't already.  The SP-GNA-3, which I use with some other comparable mics, should do the trick for you. Or, if you have clips, SP-GNA-2.  Just make sure they provide a stud to screw into the top of the stand if the stand doesn't come with one (most stands do). 

But the short answer as to what you need is:

Mics (you have)
Cables (enough to run on stand) - Sound Pros can do custom length cable for you too, as can Darktrain and Nick's Picks on here.
Stand - there are good Bogen knockoffs available on eBay for $50.  Mine is 13.5' and works great.
Clamp/Pole - Sort of an either/or with stand. I find I clamp a lot and add a 7' Manfrotto pole because venues get less upset about clamps than tripod stands.  For this you need a few more things (Bogen Superclamp, pole, short extension (sometimes), thread adapters)
Mount - as I suggested, the SP-GNA-3 is good for the type of small mics you're using
Stud - I may be misusing this term, but it's the gold-colored piece that inserts into the top of a stand that provides the thread onto which you screw the mount.  Almost any stand you buy will have this.
Thread adapter - if your stud isn't 5/8' for the SP-GNA-2, you'd need to get an adapter. B&H Photo and Audio has those....

I'm not any huge expert on this, but I just bought all this stuff and have been using it successfully, so it's mostly fresh in my mind at least....

[bucsab12]

Thank you very much acidjack for the detailed answer.

After reading everything you wrote I think this will be the setup I will go with:

Mount - SP-GNA-2 mount (since I have the built in clips). Is it worth to add the shock mount for $35? Will it fit with this mount?

Stand - 13 feet is huge... you are probably be getting great recordings with such a big stand. Do you know what is the collapsible size of yours? I was thinking more in the direction of a smaller stand so it will be easier to carry and won't raise eyebrows with in the venues that I am going to. The clamp option won't be possible in most venues though because many of the concerts are outside. This is why I am leaning in the direction of a smaller light stand like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-750-Photo-Basics-7-0-Foot/dp/B000NIKQ7Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254412376&sr=8-1

The problem is I can't find any info about it so I am not sure what is the thread at the top of it and if it has the "stud" that you mentioned. It will really help me if you could add a link to one of the bogen knockoffs on ebay so I could compare them to some of the cheaper stands on Amazon.

Do you have both a light stand and an extension pole that you use is shows or you somehow connect you clamp to the folded light stand and use it as an extension pole?

By the way, if you have any photos of your setup, it will be great if you can upload them here so I could see what it looks like...

Thank you very much for your help.

[stevetoney]

Although I'm ashamed for looking, I thought this thread was about gay porn when I read the subject.

[bucsab12]

  Didn't think about it that way till you brought it up...

[acidjack]

Stand - 13 feet is huge... you are probably be getting great recordings with such a big stand. Do you know what is the collapsible size of yours? I was thinking more in the direction of a smaller stand so it will be easier to carry and won't raise eyebrows with in the venues that I am going to. The clamp option won't be possible in most venues though because many of the concerts are outside. This is why I am leaning in the direction of a smaller light stand like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-750-Photo-Basics-7-0-Foot/dp/B000NIKQ7Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254412376&sr=8-1

The problem is I can't find any info about it so I am not sure what is the thread at the top of it and if it has the "stud" that you mentioned. It will really help me if you could add a link to one of the bogen knockoffs on ebay so I could compare them to some of the cheaper stands on Amazon.

7' IMHO is a total waste.  That's barely higher than a person's head.  You might as well wear the CA-14s if you are going to do that.  Anything less than 9' is not going to cut out much crowd noise at all.  Many people go less than 13' (I rarely extend that high) but 7' won't work generally.

Here's a 9-footer on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/TWO-Air-Cushion-Photo-Studio-Light-Stand-9-2-ft-SL806A_W0QQitemZ360192568751QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53dd266daf&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Mine collapses down to being about, I dunno, 4.5' long or something like that.  Pretty compact, and light.  It has a stud on the end, but you probably will need a 5/8" adapter (most light stands aren't threaded 5/8").  Like this guy: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/286147-REG/AKG_KM217_3_8_Female_to_5_8_.html#

Do you have both a light stand and an extension pole that you use is shows or you somehow connect you clamp to the folded light stand and use it as an extension pole?

When I clamp I use this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546356-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_035RL_035RL_Super_Clamp_with.html#

note that it includes a stud.

and this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546540-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_099B_3_Section_Extension_Pole_35_.html#

and, depending on the angle of the clamp, this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/328938-REG/Smith_Victor_670142_8_Extension_Bar_for.html#

Generally, like I said, I find that venues prefer that you clamp to a balcony rail rather than use a stand. Just note, though, that it's helpful to have a shockmount for that SP-GNA-2 if you do that, because if an idiot bangs on the rail or makes a ton of vibration near the clamp, you will record it.

I also sometimes use the Matthews extension pole, which is shorter, and is a little easier to have stick out horizontally.  It's shorter in overall height than the Manfrotto.  The Manfrotto is up to 7' long, which means if you clamp it to a balcony that you assume is 3-4' high, you've got a solid 9-11' of extension there. 

[/quote]


By the way, if you have any photos of your setup, it will be great if you can upload them here so I could see what it looks like...
[/quote]

I don't presently...  I took some pictures of a clamp setup with my iPhone recently, but given that it was an iPhone photo, it looks pretty crappy.

[bucsab12]

acidjack, I can't thank you enough!!! You have gathered all the information I was looking for into one answer. Thank you so much!!!

I understand your point regarding the 7 ft. stand... I guess I will have to go with the longer one to get good results... By the way, do you take your setup with you to all the shows that you go to.

Sorry for asking, but this item:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/328938-REG/Smith_Victor_670142_8_Extension_Bar_for.html#

Do you need it so you will have the option to connect both horizontally and vertically?

Can you also tell me how do you connect you manfrotto extension pole to the super clamp? Do you use the thread on the stud that comes with the super clamp or the build in thread on the super clamp?

About the thread adapter - just to make sure I understand, at the top of the stand there is a 3/8" male thread and at the bottom of the mic mount a 5/8" female thread?

Generally, like I said, I find that venues prefer that you clamp to a balcony rail rather than use a stand. Just note, though, that it's helpful to have a shockmount for that SP-GNA-2 if you do that, because if an idiot bangs on the rail or makes a ton of vibration near the clamp, you will record it.

Do you think it will be a smart to add the SP shock mounts to the SP-GNA-2 for $35? Do you have any experience with these shock mounts and do you think they will work with the CA-14?

Cables (enough to run on stand) - Sound Pros can do custom length cable for you too, as can Darktrain and Nick's Picks on here.

Can you please give me a link to a male to female stereo cable from the SP site? I only found one that is 2 meters long and I don't think that would be long enough...

Thank you very much for all your help

[dmonkey]

Although I'm ashamed for looking, I thought this thread was about gay porn when I read the subject.

Yeah, I gotta agree that this is a rather unfortunate thread title.  haha

[acidjack]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/328938-REG/Smith_Victor_670142_8_Extension_Bar_for.html#

Do you need it so you will have the option to connect both horizontally and vertically?

Yes, you can use one of those extension bars vertically or horizontally. Though with a longer type one, the clamp may not be able to hold it as securely.  I found the Matthews one could be held firm enough and still extended like 4' away from the balcony without stability issues (admittedly, with small mics on the end of it).

Can you also tell me how do you connect you manfrotto extension pole to the super clamp? Do you use the thread on the stud that comes with the super clamp or the build in thread on the super clamp?

Superclamp has a large opening in it. You stick either the L-shaped short extension into it and then connect the long extension pole to that (to run vertical) or, depending how the clamp is angled, the extension pole can be put into it directly.

I strongly recommend you search "clamp" or "extension pole" on TS.com.  You will find lots of pictures of guys using clamps, how it looks, etc.  Also, once you have the stuff in front of you, it's pretty intuitive.

About the thread adapter - just to make sure I understand, at the top of the stand there is a 3/8" male thread and at the bottom of the mic mount a 5/8" female thread?

I think that's right, yeah.  There is another size, sometimes, but I believe 3/8" is the light pole standard.  There are adapters for both kinds.

Do you think it will be a smart to add the SP shock mounts to the SP-GNA-2 for $35? Do you have any experience with these shock mounts and do you think they will work with the CA-14?

I haven't used that mount, I don't think, and I don't use one with my SP-GNA-2 as I have some other mounting options I can use as well as that... But I probably would get some kind of shock mount if you're planning to be clamped a lot to rails people can touch.  It just happens that at most venues I go to the thing I clamp to is a rail by the SBD where people aren't banging on it and causing issues all the time. 

Can you please give me a link to a male to female stereo cable from the SP site? I only found one that is 2 meters long and I don't think that would be long enough...

Odd, I couldn't find it this time either. I would email sales@soundprofessionals.com and see if they can do it for you.  But again, if either of the guys on here - darktrain or Nick's Picks - can do it, they do high-quality work and their cables are pretty much designed for use by this community.  I'm not sure if either does a stereo mini-F to stereo mini-M cable, but can't hurt to ask. Search on their names and you'll be able to find them to send a PM.  I have some Nick's Picks cables that I bought off another TS.com user and they are extremely sturdy, high-quality gear. 

[bucsab12]

I thought of a certain setup that will give me the option of using an extension pole both as a light stand and using the super clamp. I am thinking of buying this light stand base from Manfrotto:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546481-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_003_003_Backlight_Stand_Black.html

along with the super clamp and extension pole and then I have an option to mount both ways without carrying too much equipment. It has a pretty small footprint (23") and it lies flat on the ground (from what it seems). Please tell me what are your thoughts? I wasn't able to find any reviews on the web and I am not sure if this will be a good investment or just a waste of money. If there is a sturdier base that you know of and is not too expensive, I would love to hear about it.

Thank you in advance

[flipp]

Check this thread for some pics of a similar base in use.
http://www.taperssection.com/index.php/topic,100989.0.html
It isn't perfectly flat to the ground as some of the pics in that thread indicate but it's close.
A couple of other brands mentioned in the thread with links to other retails.
For size and portability it looks like it will be difficult to find a better setup.

A few posts in that thread reference posts which have been deleted so it reads a little strange but it still has pertinent information.

[tgakidis]

Here is a shot with the mathews pole and the base you mentioned.  It's great for stage lip and onstage, but when fully extended I am not very confident in it's stability.  Besides, when fully extended it maxs out at 50" (4.25 feet).

[doodee]

El referenceo.