FRONT OF HOUSE
IN HONOR OF THE MIC STAND | Kent Morris
In 1999, Mitek Corporation purchased AtlasIED, or the boom is only slightly extended, a round Replacing the felts is simple and restores the
a leading manufacturer of audio systems and base standard weight stand works well. Some stand to like-new operation. Other boom
microphone stands. The CEO at the time said round base stands are horseshoe shaped to stands use low-cost bolts which strip easily
the reason for the purchase was simple: he allow up to six to be stacked together in the but can be repaired and upgraded with a run
saw Atlas mic stands in front of every performer space of one. Most tripod stands fold down to Home Depot’s hardware aisle. A good spray
from Frank Sinatra to Elvis to Prince and to a cylinder shape, but each time the hinge with satin black paint can bring a rough looking
anything that ubiquitous had to be a market points become a little weaker from use. stand back to life and make it presentable on
leader. Microphone stands are everywhere, but
camera once again. Most stands use the same
they serve a vital role and, just as was seen 3. BOOMS ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. thread and pitch for adjustment control, so a
when James Taylor’s drooping mic stand had Generally, there are fixed and adjustable booms dead stand can become an organ donor to
to be held by the Vice President, they matter. available, often for the same stand model. keep other stands alive and well.
However, since most stands look the same, Fixed booms are one tube length which can be how do you know what you are buying? Here moved up and down, but the length remains the 6. STORAGE IS AN ISSUE.
is a guide: same. This becomes an issue if the downside Mic stands don’t store or travel well. Many
portion of the boom comes in contact with churches have developed innovative ways to
1. QUALITY MATTERS AND COSTS MONEY. another instrument or amp. Adjustable booms keep stands accessible and out of the way,
Ultimate Support makes some incredibly use a tube within a tube to allow segmented including: wall mount peg systems, PVC
durable mic stands, such as the PRO-X series, increase in the boom reach without affecting piping used as storage tubes in cases, divided
but they cost about four times what you will pay nearby items. One issue with adjustable booms plywood boxes painted black and horizontal
for the company’s entry level JamStands line. is the way the inner and outer tube interact. If storage lockers. In any case, stands should not
The reason is clear: PRO-X is made of heavy the pinch weld is not strong, the inner tube can be stacked against a wall or left on the floor.
gauge steel and uses an oversized metal clutch fly out of the outer tube causing a problem on It is easy for rubber feet and screws to loosen
plus solid metal legs. All that material adds stage. and disappear, so some method backstage
directly to the cost of the stand. JamStands,
needs to be found that works for the space
on the other hand, have hollow tube legs and a 4. SHORT BOOMS ARE A NECESSITY. small clutch. They cost less because they use While a standard height boom stand can be less material and a lighter gauge metal. The used to mic a kick drum or a short guitar amp, Microphone stands use either American 5/8”-
rule here is to use serious stands on serious doing so looks odd and limits the travel of the 27 threading or European ¼”-20 threading.
inputs. The lead vocalist needs a stand that will boom. A better approach is to use dedicated Most microphones come with adapters inside
remain solid after hundreds of adjustments and short booms designed for the task. Many the mic clip and have slots to make it simple to
movements. The spare SM58 at the side of the short booms have heavy bases to withstand remove them with a coin. It is a good idea to
stage is fine to be held up with a JamStands extreme lateral reaches while holding a stout use Threadlocker to secure the adapter to the
since it is seldom adjusted or moved. large diaphragm dynamic kick mic. Others stand as they easily screw out with the mic clip.
and usage.
have small bases so they can squeeze into the
2. TRIPOD BASE VERSUS ROUND BASE DEPENDS ON space between drums and reach up to under Microphone stands are an essential part
THE APPLICATION. mic cymbals. of every service of worship and should be
A choir mic generally needs a tripod base’s
purchased with an eye toward longevity and
wider footprint to stay stable when the boom is 5. MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED.
extended, but that wider footprint can be a trip Even the strongest mic stand needs some
hazard if the choir enters and exits during the help now and then. On industry standard K&M
service. In that case, a heavy round base mic stands, the felt washer in the boom mechanism
stand makes more sense. If there is no boom wears away and the boom will droop in use.
184
February 2020
maintained to original specs.
Kent Morris
Kent is a 40-year veteran of the AVL arena driven by
passion for excellence tempered by the knowledge
digital is a temporary state.
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