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SYNTHME 4 February 2006

Okay, perhaps a stupid but honest question...

What is the best type of mic stand for use in the studio? Sure, the standard stage mic stands work great for holding lighter mics, but as soon as I crank on a shock mount and one of those hefty tube mics, it always tips over or the arm starts sagging no matter how tight I crank the lock. I was recording the other day, and halfway through the third take, the vocalist looks at me in disappointment... accusing me of having an impotent mic stand. :oops:

Are there any decent mic stands out there that are truly made for holding 5 pound microphones and that well let me swing from it like a monkey?

Also, is the mic support to be stood up (arm underneath) or hung upside down when recording vocals?

Comments

MadMax Sat, 02/04/2006 - 11:18

Now there ya' go... SEE, I told ya' you needed to send me those mic's!! If'n ya' had, you wouldn't HAVE to worry about stuff like this! :wink: :wink:

Seriously though... check these out...

Atlas SB-36W - Decent. In the $225-250 range.
On Stage SMS7630 - Even Mercenary Audio carries em'.
Quik-Lok A-50

As an alternative, try searching for Avenger Professional Lighting products. They make great stands, and often you can find complete stands w/booms on eBay. You usually will have to come up with an adapter arrangement if you look at going with photographic stands, but believe me... if those stands are supposed to hold a 20lb light, they'll hold a 5lb mic!

BTW, how'd the QTC 40 trial end up?

HTH,
Max

McCheese Sat, 02/04/2006 - 13:21

As for the "hanging mics upside down" question, that is traditionally done with tube mics to let the heat rise and not cook the diaphragm. It's also done with other mics to look cool. I frequently see U87's being hung upside down, since that's what the 'big' studios do. There is some argument as to whether or not it can keep the mic out of the way as well, and I have run into people that feel less claustorphobic with the mic hung upside down in front of them. Whatever works.

moonbaby Sun, 02/05/2006 - 11:55

The Atlas BS36W has never let me down with any mic. The Starbird is a very classy($$$) stand...they are available through Manley Labs. Many lighting stands DO make better mic stands than a lot of "mic stand" companies do, mainly since lighting gear tends to weigh more. BTW, my personal experiences with K&M have been less-than-stellar. Little parts kept coming off them, and I haven't seen one in the States here that could hold the kind of weight that the others could.

Cucco Sun, 02/05/2006 - 13:14

The QuikLok A85 is a cheaper alternative to the A50 and works VERY well. I use it for flying main pairs of mics 12-14 feet in the air at live concerts and when I'm back in the studio, they do my vocal mic and overhead mic duties.

I would also suggest a good set of counterweights.

I use AEA's with sand fill.

J.

Cucco Mon, 02/06/2006 - 11:57

The A50 is more rugged in general. Better clutches et al.

Since I take mine on remotes and usually do only vertical extension, ballaste isn't much of an issue, BUT, if you do want a more sturdy stand and don't mind paying a little extra $$, the A50 IS in fact a more sturdy stand as Michael points out.

I would still go with sandbags on the A50 though. It's heavier, but not THAT much. Put a good, heavy tube mic on the end with 6 or more feet of extension and those legs will come right out from underneath....

J.

SYNTHME Fri, 02/10/2006 - 09:31

Awesome. Thank you for everyone’s suggestions.

I am stuck in Toronto, Canada at present, so I will have to head down to the local music store to see what I can find. I will be more than happy to chuck my current mic stand off of some tall structure and watch it fall to its own miserable death. (Worthless $@%^&*# POS)

Kyle

Cucco Mon, 02/13/2006 - 18:20

sibleypeck wrote: Anybody know anything about the Ultimate MC125 Boom?

If that's their 12 foot (approx) with a wheeled 4 point base, I have one. It broke within 1 month of me purchasing it (the clutch on the upper boom.) Ever since then, it's been relegated to holding cables and headphones in my studio.

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