Topic: Cons with AKG KM235 Stereo Bar?

[Belexes]

Looking at trying the AKG KM235 stereo bar.  Any cons to this? Will I be able to do most of the usual configs? (X/Y, Din, Dina, ORTF...)

[Shawn]

I really don't see any cons with that bar. I've had one for as long as I've been taping, and it has always worked just fine. You may need to get a riser so that the mics can overlap, or you can flip one of the bolts upside down and achieve basically the same results.

My only advice is to play around with it a bit at home before you head out into the field just to get familiar with it.

[Tim]

for full body mics I think it's a very versatile bar, probably the best "basic" t-bar out there.

the only issue that I ever had was doing coincident techniques. As Shawn mentioned getting an adapter to raise one of the mics up a little over the other is a good idea. When taping from a distance the few inches of vertical distance between the mics shouldn't be an issue but up-close or on-stage it would be better to have the caps closer vertically. It will also make your foot-print on the stand much smaller.

[NOLAfishwater]

buy a Shure Vert bar if you mics are oversized and want to achieve XY configurations. Makes for easy adjustments and has a minimal footprint inpact. PM me I have one collecting dust.

[Belexes]

+T for the advice thus far. The mics aren't that big, SP C4's and hope to go to Busman.

Does B&H sell something I can use as a riser?

[Tim]

Does B&H sell something I can use as a riser?

I don't know what that part is specifically. I know one exists but that's the extent of my knowledge.

I'd search around this site, I'm sure it's been discussed. I'd put money on Skalinder knowing the part # off the top of his head

[J.Maye]

I use one for my blueline AKG's. There is 1 con, and 1 con only IME. With a windtec (I think thats what I have) clamp the dial on the clamp that tightens the screw to grab the stud on the t-bar doesnt quite fit right and it's almost impossible to get the thing 100% straight because the the t-bar gets in the way. On a stand screwed down, no prob. For clamping it works fine, I clamp 99% of the time with this bar, but you can tell that my bar and clamp were not designed to fit together. I bought them as a pair from sonic sense. You may want to consider that when you buy a clamp if you clamp a lot. 

[willndmb]

I use one for my blueline AKG's. There is 1 con, and 1 con only IME. With a windtec (I think thats what I have) clamp the dial on the clamp that tightens the screw to grab the stud on the t-bar doesnt quite fit right and it's almost impossible to get the thing 100% straight because the the t-bar gets in the way. On a stand screwed down, no prob. For clamping it works fine, I clamp 99% of the time with this bar, but you can tell that my bar and clamp were not designed to fit together. I bought them as a pair from sonic sense. You may want to consider that when you buy a clamp if you clamp a lot. 

take out both bolts and flip the over
it will still be snug but gets much tighter

[Shawn]

take out both bolts and flip the over
it will still be snug but gets much tighter

great tip.

[newplanet7]

The riser thing has been brought up a couple times since my short time here.
Check these two threads.
Moke says to just flip one mount upside down on the t-bar.
Others have said to get a rapido quick release adapter.
It gives you a few inches of rise.
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,96155.0.html

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,96169.0.html

I ended up getting a vert bar and the km235/1 swivel bar.

Check this thread also
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,96170.0.html

-todd

[Nick's Picks]

the riser is *key*.
another option w/this K&M bar is to unscrew one of the mounts and reverse it, so one points down and the other up.  that should give you plenty of coincident room for a pair of SD mics.

[J.Maye]

I use one for my blueline AKG's. There is 1 con, and 1 con only IME. With a windtec (I think thats what I have) clamp the dial on the clamp that tightens the screw to grab the stud on the t-bar doesnt quite fit right and it's almost impossible to get the thing 100% straight because the the t-bar gets in the way. On a stand screwed down, no prob. For clamping it works fine, I clamp 99% of the time with this bar, but you can tell that my bar and clamp were not designed to fit together. I bought them as a pair from sonic sense. You may want to consider that when you buy a clamp if you clamp a lot. 

take out both bolts and flip the over
it will still be snug but gets much tighter

+t, I did that right off the bat. It is better this way, but the dial is still too big to get the thing 100% straight and tight without some effort.