Topic: Looking for advice on a stereo bar with markings for easy mic set up

[Chad]

I'm looking to get one for myself but would like to know what the options are.

I see there is a Grace Design Spacebar SB-30 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/607593-REG/Grace_Design_SB_30_SB_30_Spacebar_Stereo_Microphone.html

Is there anything out there similar but less expensice?

[aaronji]

Maybe the Superlux MA-90 would work for you...

[Chad]

Maybe the Superlux MA-90 would work for you...

It looks pretty big and bulky. I would like something a little more compact if possible.

[flipp]

afaik the Grace and SuperLux are the only commercially available options. If you don't like the bulk and will never use the full spread you could always modify the MA90 like tonedeaf did - http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=135108.0

[runonce]

How about a Sabra Som bar, a ruler and a metal scribe?

Just add your own marks...

[DigiGal]

Rycote also offers stereo bars with markings now too, they're expensive though but do come in two sizes...  Not as nice as the Grace Bars or expensive so you might consider them.  I've never used one and they seem overpriced but it is another option.  IMHO Rycote can not be beat when it comes to shock mounts but many of their other products can be hard to justify the expense.  I understand Rycote products are lower priced in the UK where they're made but that doesn't help us here in the USA, it would be nice if they could lower their prices here.

http://www.rycote.com/products/stereo_bar_assembly/

http://www.markertek.com/Audio-Equipment/Microphone-Accessories/Microphone-Holders-Mounts/Rycote-Microphone-Windshields/037322.xhtml?RYC-0373

http://www.markertek.com/Audio-Equipment/Microphone-Accessories/Microphone-Holders-Mounts/Rycote-Microphone-Windshields/037322.xhtml?RYC-037322

[jlykos]

AKG KM235, a spacer, and a small pocket tape measure are all that you really need.  Total cost of around $30 compared to the hundreds that you can spend on a "proper" stereo bar.

[John Willett]

I'm looking to get one for myself but would like to know what the options are.

I see there is a Grace Design Spacebar SB-30 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/607593-REG/Grace_Design_SB_30_SB_30_Spacebar_Stereo_Microphone.html

Is there anything out there similar but less expensive?

The Grace is definitely the best and I have not seen anything by anyone else that gets anywhere near what the Grace does - that's why I bought both the SpaceBar 30 and the SpaceBar 66.

It is the only one I have seen with accurate angles marked properly - it comes supplied complete with the "riser" to put one mic. over the other, distances are wekk marked and it's also tiltable.  I can set up an ORTF pair in less than 30-seconds (1st time is longer - but the second time, after you have noted the bar measurement that gives the correct capsule spacing, it's easy).

I have seen some others that give distance spacing, some give some sort of angle, but none anywhere near as good as the Grace - and I think that the Grace is the only one that tilts.

Price wise - others of the same engineering quality are of a similar price.

In fact, the Grace SpaceBar got designed because Michael Grace could find nothing on the market that would do the job when he was recording - so he designed it himself.  The SpaceBar has actually sold better than Grace expected because nothing else does the job so well.

Not cheap, I'm afraid, but well worth it.

You can purchase direct from Grace HERE.