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Deirdre · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject: Quiet, isolated mic arm?

Hey Gang,

In the ever-present quest to eliminate noise, I'm looking for a nifty mic arm that has the best isolation from vibration.

I'm using 2 different types at the moment and both need an overhaul: a spring arm attached to a post on my desk (needs a neoprene damper at the very least) and a weighted boom-arm mic stand as a secondary (not a good solution at all).
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

Deirdre,

I don't know of any desk mic boom arms that offer complete "isolation" or "dampening." Any banging, thumping, clanking or vibration will be transferred to the mic no matter what is done. Where the isolation occurs, is at the microphone with a mic "shock mount."

As I'm sure you are aware, most mics have there own dedicated shock mount. There are of course universal shock mounts that fit some mics, but all in all it becomes a major investment in mic shock mounts if one has a full mic locker.

What I like is a Atlas MS25 stand w/PB15 arm. I can move this around the room or set it off to the side of my desk while I perform scratch tracks.
Then for heavy ribbon mics I have an old RCA stand that could hold the QE2 at her mooring.
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

http://q-mic.com/qm-50.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/287490-REG/O_C_White_61900BG_ProBoom_Elite_Microphone_Arm.html

I've had more time in front of the O.C. White arm, and it is as quiet as I've come across.
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Gp · Guest

Try this one http://www.yellowtec.com/MIKA_Mic_Arm.html

Edo · Guest

Hey Geardre,

I've been using an OC&White in my Dutch studio for quite a number of years now, and I am very happy with it. There is however one 'mod' I did, and that was to cover the springs with 'heat-shrink tubing', the kind electronics engineers (aren't we all?) use with a heat gun. It makes the already very quiet springs even more quiet. I could easily move the mic boom while recording and hear no rumble. To illustrate what I mean, I found some heat-shrink tubing at Radioshack. If you can't get it where you are, a piece of ordinary garden hose will work just as well. Getting it on there is a bit easier if you put the garden hose in hot water first. Don't forget to thouroughly get rid of the moisture with a blowdryer afterwards to avoid any corrosion on the springs. I know they're made out of stainless steel, but still...

The hot thing in The Netherlands these days (particularly in live radio) is the MIKA mic stand by Yellowtec. It looks rather designed/futuristic, but is THE quietest mic stand I've ever seen. There's also a version that comes with on-air signalling. Find it HERE.

Good luck!

Deirdre · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

I'm familiar with the OC Whites— I've just not had the chance to use one.

I'm rather keen on road-testing a David Browne Frankenmount (aka the M600).
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Frank F · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

Deebs, what are you using as a microphone?

I am partial to a standard three legged floor standing microphone stand and boom arm.

This I isolate with a bit more rubber on the feet and to take the edge off I had Ann sew a sleeve of felt which covers both the stand and the boom arm.

Although a McGuyver project the sound and isolation is better than you might believe and costs much less than the "David Browne Frankenmount (aka the M600)".

I believe I spent around $20.00 for the stand and boom. An additional $3.00 or $4.00 on the felt and a couple of extra hugs to Ann for the seamstress job.

Toodles

F2
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mcm · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:19 am Post subject:

Ankle weights (the kind used for exercise, not the kind they affix to you when you're leaving the hospital with your newborn children) worked wonders for my mic stand. I draped one around the base of the stand and one farther up to get rid of vibrations that had been plaguing me for years.

You could also use wrist weights on your wrists to remind you not to wave your arms at the mic.

Audiogal · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:36 am Post subject:

Mary made me laff.
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CarynClark · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:46 am Post subject:

A little OT: Randy Thomas bought the M600 mic mount, and she's liking it.
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Bruce · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:04 am Post subject:

I use standard Luxo mic arms with the mounts screwed right into my adjustable height desk and never had a problem. However I do get a neat noise when I raise the desk while a mic's open.

B
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Edo · Guest

Deirdre · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:33 am Post subject:

It's my C-1 that is picking up the cat scratching its neck in the living room.

The weighted mic stand I'm using picks up footfalls in the house, and it's isolated by closed-foam pad and a rug! I just need a better setup.
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allensco · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:40 am Post subject:

I use a three-legged stand with boom. Have nowhere to mount an arm...BUT, like DB, my mic picks up footfalls in the house, the washing machine doing it's thing and the dog playing on the other side of the house. Just thought I'd mention it Wink