Sound for Video Session: Microphone stands & Q&A

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we talk about the microphone stands I've used and then answer your sound for video related questions.





Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

Index
00:00 Start
2:40 Beginning of stream
2:54 Agenda
5:47 Discussing mic stands
35:30 Using a portable audio recorder as a quality preamp
37:40 Zoom F2’s as convenient 32-bit float kit additions
40:49 Advantages of external analogue hardware vs. software emulations
43:32 Questions from the chat
1:03:50 Wrap-Up
1:04:34 End of stream

[helmanfrow]

One of my favorite low-profile stands (and one of which I've purchased several over the decades) is the Yorkville MS-108 which I've always affectionately referred to as _the claw._ It's readily available here in Canada and I'm sure I've seen it at US retailers as well. It has nearly doubled in price since I last bought one but I guess everything else has, too. it's great as a kick drum mic or on a desktop in a lot of situations.

[helmanfrow]

I've always drooled over Latch Lake and the Orbit system but have not yet been able to justify the purchase.

[kengoodwin]

Broadway shops tend to stock Atlas and K&M stands. Small Bases are key for our crowded orchestra pits. But I’d love to have the LatchLake stand for our bigger setups.

[agentsixsix]

I have a few tips, regarding stands:

- I'm not carrying sand in my sandbags but I fill them with actual items I could need on my shoot. F.i. ball heads, spare batteries, clamps etc. They make the weight and are on the spot when needed.

- The Manfrotto 420B is a perfect stand for both straight and boom option. Can be used for both microphones and light fixtures. The stand is compact and light and can be transformed from a straight stand into a boom stand.

- Another type of stands that Curtis didn't mention is the clamp and gooseneck combination. Those stands ("hangs") can be pit in places where a ground based stand can't be fitted.

[JoeMustang]

Got to view this a few hours after the live stream. Another great session, much appreciated. Lots of excellent questions addressed today. Looking forward to Thursday. I got to cover several live events this weekend for both video and stills. Oh, the stress!! Maybe I'll recover by Thursday, LOL--4 year olds playing herd soccer and 7 year olds playing flag football. I recorded some ambient to use when I have to bleep out unwarranted parent comments from the sidelines!

[AllenCavedo]

I use Sennheiser lightweight floor stands, K&M and AKG heavyweight floor stands for higher mic placements in churches and performance venues.

[helmanfrow]

Over the years I've wound up with a lot of cheap stands that I acquired with other gear or that got left behind or that I bought in a pinch. For the most part they are—as you pointed out—fine until they fail. For a new stand, however, my baseline, go-to is a K&M. I have several models and they've all been great.
Truth be told, I've not had to buy a new one in a long time because the units I bought 20+ years ago are essentially as good as new today, mechanically speaking. I might have replaced the rubber disks in the boom arm but that's basically the extent of the maintenance they've required.

[mattwruff]

Hey Curtis do you have a link to the Ryco quick release I like to look at them I use the onStage QK2 and I have them on all my mic's and stands so much better. I use Triad's

[rayvaldovinos]

Are you looking for any more submissions for your upcoming master challenge?

[NickLaws]

With lighting stands like C-stands, you should always put the knob on the right side, so that the weight of the light (or whatever you're mounting) is not going to loosen that joint, but in fact make it tighter. But mic stands are built the opposite, so if you apply enough weight on the boom it will loosen that joint. Does anybody know why this is?

[helmanfrow]

Yarrr... missed the stream by thaaat much. But, FIRST! :)

[AllenCavedo]

Record iPhone audio, see JK Audio products like Cell Tap or Dapter3.

[mattwruff]

@showGproductions a trick to get better sound on the iPhone is you get better quality if you with have good internet us a Facetime Audio call the quality is much better. Or just use Riverside FM.