Topic: Tripod stands on a hill?

[ScoobieKW]

OK, I've been actively taping indoors for the last year. Haven't recorded much outdoors.

What do you do when your taping position is on a hill?

I get staking them down, but what do you use to level the stand?

[Brian Skalinder]

I've usually had soft enough ground that I could jam the uphill leg(s) into the ground to achieve a reasonably vertical stand.  Other times, depending on the angle of the lean, I've simply staked down the stand and adjusted my mic mounts to account for the lean.

[mattmiller]

Once you stabilize your base, this makes funny angles go away (if your mounts don't have enough adjustment themselves):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/74314-REG/Manfrotto_237HD_237HD_Heavy_Duty_Flex_Arm.html

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

Once you stabilize your base, this makes funny angles go away (if your mounts don't have enough adjustment themselves):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/74314-REG/Manfrotto_237HD_237HD_Heavy_Duty_Flex_Arm.html

As Heavy Duty as the flex-arm was (is), it wouldn't hold my TLs...  Recommended only for SD or smaller mics... 

Terry

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

Other times, depending on the angle of the lean, I've simply staked down the stand and adjusted my mic mounts to account for the lean.

Tent stakes...  the plastic ones... 

Terry

[bryonsos]

I use an Avenger with a leveling leg. This is similar to mine, but shorter:

http://www.avenger-grip.com/cms/site/avenger/home/search_product/product_detail?productCode=A0030B&cat01=stands&cats02Selected=baby_lightewight_stands&txtCurrentSommetric&isLinkFromProductList=true#

[tim in jersey]

Nothing much to add other than 2/3 of the legs should be on the low-side of the incline.

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

I use an Avenger with a leveling leg. This is similar to mine, but shorter:

http://www.avenger-grip.com/cms/site/avenger/home/search_product/product_detail?productCode=A0030B&cat01=stands&cats02Selected=baby_lightewight_stands&txtCurrentSommetric&isLinkFromProductList=true#

That's hot...

Terry

[cashandkerouac]

yeah, very cool.  how much of a grade can you compensate for using that "leveling arm"?

I use an Avenger with a leveling leg. This is similar to mine, but shorter:

http://www.avenger-grip.com/cms/site/avenger/home/search_product/product_detail?productCode=A0030B&cat01=stands&cats02Selected=baby_lightewight_stands&txtCurrentSommetric&isLinkFromProductList=true#

That's hot...

Terry

[F.O.Bean]

Sweet stand Bryon

Sam from Philly[Schoeps/MG taper] has a KILLER stand for FOB at Allgood w/ a leveling leg. makes taping FOB there alot easier. I stake my stands down w/ metal tent stakes and when on a hill it just determines on exactly how the hill is. I put my one main leg front and center and my 2 ;legs in back so it wont fall down frontward

[bryonsos]

Sorry for the incomplete answer earlier, I was trying to get out the door to tape a bunch of hipsters having social hour during a Kimock show. 

Here's the link to the actual stand I have:

http://www.avenger-grip.com/cms/site/avenger/home/search_product/product_detail?productCode=A0045B&cat01=stands&cats02Selected=baby_lightewight_stands&txtCurrentSommetric&isLinkFromProductList=true

I just measured the amount that the leveling leg extends, it's ~8in. How much grade can it compensate? I'm guessing if it's staked down, you might go as far as a 45 deg slope. Realistically, it will handle any lawn slope or festy field I've encountered with no problems. This sucker is big time overkill, but with a bunch of full body SDs and LDs clamped, is it really overkill? I got a great deal on it from Adorama, so it was the same price as the smaller version from most vendors. Aside from the leveling leg, it has square legs instead of tubular ones which makes a HUGE difference in stability. The only problem is it's big. At a local fest, I put it out there, staked it down, and left it there for four days. Not looking forward to carrying it in every day at other fests.

[twalker]

I possibly see another new stand in my future. 

But, I pretty much do the same as everyone else...one leg in front and staked down with 12" tent stakes.  And, for good measure I usually tie off to one of the crowd gates around FOH.

[bryonsos]

I possibly see another new stand in my future. 

But, I pretty much do the same as everyone else...one leg in front and staked down with 12" tent stakes.  And, for good measure I usually tie off to one of the crowd gates around FOH.

Even though I got a great deal on the 45B, and the stand is killer, I would probably go with the 30B if I had it to do over again. A foot shorter when collapsed, a kilo lighter, same load capacity. A bit smaller footprint, but mine is so stable I have to believe the smaller one would be more than adequate especially staked down.

[jagraham]

ran into this issue at my wedding back in the fall.  it wasn't mics but it was for large speakers.  issue was solved by shoving bricks into the ground at the appropriate levels for the downhill legs.  as far as mic stands ill echo the above comments about using stakes.  if you are taping with a stand outdoors you might as well stake it down anyway because you are able to.

[ArchivalAudio]

2 legs back one front tent stakes, slim metal one,
 
One newer trick ~ a piece of PVC pipe that can fit over the forward leg, with a 45° angle piec on the end - you'll want it to fit kind of snug.
I have used this both indoh' (with duct or gaffers tape) and outdoh'  (tent stakes).
I have used 3/4" PVC pipe which fits over my stand leg, it raises the front leg enough that that the stand is wither vertically straight or nearly so.
the piece of pipe I use is only about a foot long and can attach to the outside or inside of my bag - it could even slide over the top of the stand.
I thought about painting it black to be stealthy, however I like the bright white as an alert for wookies.

--Ian