a box of mics, to go!

[hollywood_steve]

Even guys who only work inside studios like to bring their own mics when working in other studios. So carrying your expensive mics around town is not limited to location guys.

These cute little wood boxes sure are nice to look at, and with the custom cut foam inside, they even provide a bit of protection. But how do you carry 6 or 8 of them around?

The first problem is that even though they do provide some protection, they don't provide enough protection when you consider how much these mics cost and how fragile they are. So my current solution, tossing 3 or 4 boxes into a soft carrying bag, while convenient, it's an accident waiting to happen.

My only bright idea so far is to purchase a large size Pelican case and configure the "pick and pluck" foam to fit 3 or 4 of the wood boxes. (I see no reason to remove the mics from their wood boxes: the custom cut foam inside does provide a nice fit for the mic, AND, the mostly square wood box will be easy to fit into the foam of the Pelican case - I'd hate to have to cut away the foam to match the outline of a Coles mic, but cutting out a rectangular opening for the Coles plastic case should be relatively easy.)

The downside with this solution is cost. I'll need at least two of the large ($200) size Pelican cases to carry the mics I typically use on location. Almost any other solution is going to be a lot cheaper than $400; but I haven't come up with any other solution that is even close to the Pelican cases (with the mic boxes inside) when it comes to protecting the mics from accidental damage.

What are some alternative solutions? How do you guys carry your mics around town? (especially when taking along more than 1 or 2)

(and no snide comments from the insanely rich among us......Yeah, it would be nice if every mic I purchased came in an armored hard shell anvil case, but not every mic we purchase costs $5 or $10K. Many of the mid-tier mics only come with a little wood box; some only a hard plastic container. plastic? oh, the horror! )

Thanks.

[Lynn Fuston]

For the more money-conscious and practical among us (who wouldn't rather spend that $400 on another mic?), there are the metal-sided briefcase style tool cases at Lowe's. About the same size as a small Pelican, big enough for three Royers (in the wooden boxes), with pick and pull foam inside and they cost $20.

The downsides?

No way to lock them other than the suitcase style little key. They're not waterproof. You can't run over them with a car. They're not up to airport baggage handler abuse standards.

But for $20, it's a heck of a lot more protection than a canvas tote bag. I have R84s in one, three Royers in one (121, and 122 x2), 4040s in one, and may spring for the big bucks Pelican for my 251 because it's too big.

[djui5]

Might wanna ask Fletcher....he's got a custom case or something for all his mic's he carry's around...

[SLS]

I have used those Lowes cases before with mixed results. They aren't the ideal solution, but they do get the job done if you don't abuse them too much

One thing I have found with them is you can't really fit that many mics in them (in their original cases). Usually 2 mics, maybe 3. However, you can afford to buy a bunch of them, but thats just more you have to lug around. Also, those little bits of foam you pick out get squashed real easily.

I know a guy who had a bunch of cases made with custom hard foam molding on the inside to fit his mics (with no cases). So he can fit several mics in depending on size. They are really nice, and less expensive than buying the pelicans. I'll try to find out where he got them.

[hollywood_steve]

a guy who had a bunch of cases made with custom hard foam molding on the inside to fit his mics (with no cases). So he can fit several mics in depending on size. They are really nice, and less expensive than buying the pelicans.

Custom cases with custom cut foam for less than $200ea? (and to be accurate, the Pelican case that I am looking at sells for around $160 "street") I had considered having two custom road cases built for this purpose, but my past experience with custom cases left me thinking that they would cost about double the Pelican option.

I'd be very interested in learning more about your friend's solution.

[SLS]

Pretty sure the cost to him was around $150-$175 per case. They seem like good quality aluminum flight cases, real sturdy, for the shell. Then, they just had to make the cut outs. But value-wise, even at the same price, I would prefer those to a pelican with cut outs. Anyway, I've got a call in to find out more...I'll keep you posted.

[fifthcircle]

I pretty much use the boxes they came in here... I pile them all up in the plastic hanging file folder containers that you can get at Costco for $5. They eventually break, but they are quite inexpensive and they hold a lot of stuff.

--Ben

[JohnnyTooLoud]

I use an Anvil case designed to hold a Marshall Amp head.

Picked it up used for around $80 bucks years ago.

I kept the foam inside and I put into it the mics in their original cases. I think I can fit 9 or 10 mics and several shock mounts.

And then another Anvil-style case (designed with wheels and pull-handle for travel) that holds all the mics that are in pouches (like 57's and ATM 25's).

The scary part is when I looked down at these two cases and realized how easy it was for someone to walk off with 10 grand in mics.

--Giovanni

[Rezman]

I use a couple of Pelican 1500 cases with the "pick and pluck foam".

pros:
Bright orange so they don't get lost
Vacuum seal for freshness! (I use silica packets to absorb moisture)
Replaceable Foam inserts
Solid but light - I can drive over them in the Land Rover!
Bouyant and watertight.
Stackable.

Cons:
Well I can't think of any!

I've also got a Pelican 1650 case that I used to carry a G4 Mac in, but now it's a big Cable bag

[tINY]

Aww Gawd... Cases for your cases....

Go get a Rubbermaid/Sterilite/BrandX plastic tote with a lid and but the mics in their boxes in there. Or, ditch the factory presentation boxes and get a Pelican/SKB/Doskocil/Plano foam filled plastic case (look at the sporting goods store for large pistol cases) and cut the foam to form fit.

You can buy one inch thick foam sheets and cut each layer and glue them together to form 3D padding. An electric carving knife is the easiest way to cut the stuff.

You probably don't need an airtight one unless you're filming sci-fi shows on location in British Columbia....


-tINY

[Lynn Fuston]

Originally posted by tINY
(look at the sporting goods store for large pistol cases) and cut the foam to form fit.

This is a great idea if you want to carry the mics without their "presentation" boxes. And they're very affordable-about $10.

[Fleaman]

Originally posted by hollywood_steve

(and no snide comments from the insanely rich among us......Yeah, it would be nice if every mic I purchased came in an armored hard shell anvil case, but not every mic we purchase costs $5 or $10K. Many of the mid-tier mics only come with a little wood box; some only a hard plastic container. plastic? oh, the horror! )

Thanks.

I just got a pair of Groove Tubes GT44 mics (Tube mics) and I couldn't believe it but the 'cases' for them are cardboard boxes! Inside the cardboard box are all the components in the specially cut out foam (mic, shock mount, pwr supply, etc), just like you would see in a normal wood tube mic case, but on the Gt44's the case is in fact cardboard...with the big display label of the GT44 on the top and it has a plastic handle on it just like just like the boxes LCD monitor’s come in at Best Buy.

Real nice

Fleaman

[Dave Martin]

Originally posted by Fleaman
I just got a pair of Groove Tubes GT44 mics (Tube mics) and I couldn't believe it but the 'cases' for them are cardboard boxes!

Actually, I don't have a problem with that, since I tend to not take mics out of my room. I'd rather have the mics cost a little less than to end up with some big whopping case that I seldom use.

[Lynn Fuston]

I have a friend with an attic full of really nice BLUE flight cases. For Bottles, U47s, etc. They just collect dust.

[hollywood_steve]

This is a great idea if you want to carry the mics without their "presentation" boxes. And they're very affordable-about $10.

I thought about leaving the fancy wood boxes at home, but the custom cut foam inside does a great job of holding the mics steady, AND many of the boxes have cut-outs for all of the associated little accessories that would disappear if there wasn't a little spot for every one. For example, the box that came with my KM184 pair has individual cut-outs for 4 clips (two different ones per mic) and 2 foam filters. I'd hate to think where all those little bits would be if I wasn't using that box. Also, using the wood box means that I only need to make a nice rectangular hole in the Pelican foam. (imagine trying to make a form fitting hole for something like a 4038 or some other strangely shaped mic.)


I have a friend with an attic full of really nice BLUE flight cases. For Bottles, U47s, etc. They just collect dust.

yeah, but for us location guys, those cases earn their keep every gig. I got one of those BLUE flight cases with my Bottle and I'd be real happy with a few more. But that would be just silly amounts of money. OTOH, for guys who never leave their studio, you]re right, it's just another big, bulky item to store.
'

[Lynn Fuston]

Originally posted by hollywood_steve
yeah, but for us location guys, those cases earn their keep every gig. I got one of those BLUE flight cases with my Bottle and I'd be real happy with a few more. But that would be just silly amounts of money. OTOH, for guys who never leave their studio, you]re right, it's just another big, bulky item to store.

Have you seen the cases that some of those $200 MXL mics come in. They're some pretty nice cases. You could afford to buy the mic for the case and then throw the mic away. Or give it to a friend. I wonder who's making those cases?

[fifthcircle]

Originally posted by hollywood_steve

yeah, but for us location guys, those cases earn their keep every gig. I got one of those BLUE flight cases with my Bottle and I'd be real happy with a few more. But that would be just silly amounts of money. OTOH, for guys who never leave their studio, you]re right, it's just another big, bulky item to store.
'

If you are looking for cool flight cases, give Encore Cases in N. Hollywood a ring and go through their "boneyard." They are on Lankersheim just north of the 5... I went through the yard last week and found a cool case that was almost perfect for a Tascam DM-24 for about $200- it was a huge case and has casters and all. They have lots of cool ATA cases that are either mistakes or returns. Some are beat up but others are in perfect shape...

--Ben

[Tousana]

Originally posted by Rezman
I use a couple of Pelican 1500 cases with the "pick and pluck foam".

pros:
Bright orange so they don't get lost
Vacuum seal for freshness! (I use silica packets to absorb moisture)
Replaceable Foam inserts
Solid but light - I can drive over them in the Land Rover!
Bouyant and watertight.
Stackable.

Cons:
Well I can't think of any!

I've also got a Pelican 1650 case that I used to carry a G4 Mac in, but now it's a big Cable bag

Pelican cases IMHO are the way to go,but they do the trick. I use one with wheels, I believe it's the 1650. Plenty of room,and tough enough to handle all but the biggest nuclear war. Do you have a business? Can you say tax write-off?
The initial outlay seems to be costly,but in the end worth it. I keep some of the mics in the cases and some not.

[tINY]

Originally posted by Tousana
Do you have a business? Can you say tax write-off?

You could write off anything you bought for hauling around mics. But Uncle Sam only discounts a portion of your tax bill and you have to make money to pay taxes....

So price is an object here.

You may do well to use an old suitcase with some foam in it if you already have the factory boxes. It won't draw any attention that way either.


-tINY

[robmix]

Originally posted by fifthcircle
If you are looking for cool flight cases, give Encore Cases in N. Hollywood a ring and go through their "boneyard." They are on Lankersheim just north of the 5... I went through the yard last week and found a cool case that was almost perfect for a Tascam DM-24 for about $200- it was a huge case and has casters and all. They have lots of cool ATA cases that are either mistakes or returns. Some are beat up but others are in perfect shape...

--Ben

Since you're in L.A. you could also check out procases.com , they're dowtown and have a lot of used cases in their warehouse that they've taken in on trade.

Rob