New Mic Stand

[hannaent]

Hey guys.

Here's what I'd like to get, but I don't know if I can have it.

I am looking for a good mic stand that I can use for location chamber music recording. I am using Earthworks QTC-1 mics, so I would be using the Spaced Pair technique. The Ideal thing here would be to use a single stereo Mic bar (perhaps 2 - 3 feet wide) to hold both mics. I guess I'm just tired of setting up two mic stands when I do this. Also I would preffer black so it's not so much of an eye sore. I would like for the stand to have good height as well as a boom to help me move in a bit closer to the stange when necessary.

A really cool feature, and believe it or not I've seen it once durring the setup of live recording, would be to give me the ability to adjust the direction (up down / left right) of the microphones without having to collapse the darn thing so I can reach it.

I've looked at the AEA stuff and it looks nice. (Also very expensive) 350 dollars just for a stereo bar! 550 if you are interested in a DECCA tree. The stands are even worse. Do you location recording guys have any ideas here.

[JazzYoda]

I use a Shure S15A stand that reaches 14 feet, and the AEA stereo bar (the blumlein one works for other stuff like ORTF, much less than 350) with a couple of Atlas 3" extensions to mount mics other than the Coles 4038. The AEA bar is kind of expensive, but the Shure stand is less than 200 bucks and the Atlas thingies are cheap.

[travisgarrison]

For what it's worth, I've had good luck using a Quik-Lok A50 for the past year or so. It's plenty tall for classical ensemble work, and very sturdy. Online prices are between $140 and $180.

I find myself frequently making mic adjustments at the location where the boom meets the stand body. Not as configurable as the device you describe, but at least I can easily adjust up-down angle and left-right directionality without completely collapsing the mic stand.

It should be easy to rig your own wide stereo bar by modifying a standard AKG stereo bar. (I've seen it done here on Gearslutz)

Travis Garrison

[Legacy]

We use modified lighting stands made by Bogen - the Manfrotto line has some that go up 13-15 feet. We use an adapter to make the threads fit a standard K&M telescoping boom which adds 2-3 more feet to the total. They are light and cost about $100. each (closer to $150 with a boom).

Best,
Silas

[pkautzsch]

K&M 20800 for a smaller ensembles, EUR 80, plus a long telescopic boom (they have a light one about 4.5ft and a biiig 3 to 6ft one). A large symphony orchestra gets the large K&M stand (don't know the number - sort of expensive, though).
And a selection of DIY stereo bars up to 3 ft.

No suggestions about remote-controlled bars though.

[thenewyear]

I use a Manfrotto tripod mic stand. Really nice, no complaints.

[hughesmr]

Originally Posted by hannaent

I am looking for a good mic stand that I can use for location chamber music recording. I am using Earthworks QTC-1 mics, so I would be using the Spaced Pair technique. The Ideal thing here would be to use a single stereo Mic bar (perhaps 2 - 3 feet wide) to hold both mics. I guess I'm just tired of setting up two mic stands when I do this. Also I would preffer black so it's not so much of an eye sore. I would like for the stand to have good height as well as a boom to help me move in a bit closer to the stange when necessary.

I've looked at the AEA stuff and it looks nice. (Also very expensive) 350 dollars just for a stereo bar! 550 if you are interested in a DECCA tree. The stands are even worse. Do you location recording guys have any ideas here.

I hear your pain.

I too used two Shure 15 footers for a few years (I used QTC1s, too!). I was always leery of them .... pretty flimsy, hardly ever stayed "vertical" (you know what I mean). I sprang for AEA's 15 foot medium duty black stand last year, and even though it's expensive, it's worth it. You can get an extension from them for it so you can get up to 23' or so.... crucial for some applications.

Some folks like this JTL 20' stand ... about $160 including shipping:
http://www.adorama.com/JTLS20.html?sid=1119801120340611

If you really need a boom, I wouldn't feel secure with anything less than AEA's stuff at that height.

As for a stereo bar mount, the Sabra Som is hard to beat for the price. Go to Jerry Bruck's website to order. You can get black anodized hexagonal support bars for the mounts in lengths up to 1 meter.
http://www.posthorn.com/Sabra_2.html

You might try exploring Jecklin disc recording, too. Good stuff can be had with it...

Good luck,
Mike

[hannaent]

Thanks for the input here! I'm going to take all of your suggestions into consideration.

[Don S]

As Silas Mentioned, the Bogen Manfrotto line is great. They even make a huge stand that goes up 23 feet for organ work. For spaced omni, I took the "3 mic holder" and modded it from 2 ' factory standard to 6 feet using a military grade aluminum. Very inexpensive and sturdy. Although it's not black and would look a little better if it was.
Good luck!
Don

[Dale]

So, borrowing the real estate quote, "location, location, location."
I just bit the bullet and got the AEA CRK with the small stereo bar.
It is worth every penny.
I tried all the less expensive stuff.
A Manfrotto Avenger that got 13' with a boom. a $20 multiple position stereo bar.
No one compained ...but me _it should sound better_

the AEA bar with the setup calibration is sweet and solid, the crank action make raising and lower the boom much easier so you can really find that sweet spot.
it is very stable and it makes a hell of an impression on the client!

[T.RayBullard]

two indespensible stereo bars...shure a27m, and K+M 235. both of those combined cost less than 100 bucks. I have 4 of each. you can do any configuration(other than meter spacings) with those two bars.

nuff said!

[pkautzsch]

That AEA CRK is really slutty!!!

[klaukholm]

The manfrotto range has light and affordable stands.

We are probably going to have to get the AEA-CRK as well.
I have been looking for something to replace the bottom half so I only have to buy the extension and boom.
Looking at the manfrotto super wind-up and the AEA EX-14 extenstion + 14' SteelBoom Kit.
It is so rediculously expensive to have AEA shipped over here.