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Post by the other mark williams on Oct 16, 2024 22:00:50 GMT -6
OK, this topic has come up before on other "why are good microphone stands so expensive" type threads, including the cautionary thread about the Ultimate MC-125. tonycamphd and ericn and myself have all mentioned using a C-stand (or "Century Stand") instead, which are designed for lighting rigs on film/video sets. There have always been a few niggles to work out when doing this, but just yesterday, I found the best ready-made solution I've seen. I found a few companies selling on Amazon who make a C-stand with a grip/boom arm where the arm has a 3/8"-16 thread on one end (and a 1/4"-20 on the other). If you're in the US, where we use 5/8"-27 for our microphone clips, you'd need a simple 3/8" to 5/8" adapter, but that's it - that's all you'd need. I'll put links to everything below (including an adapter). In case you don't know, C-stands are built to hold very heavy stuff - much heavier than microphones. I have several lights that I have to fly on C-stands with 48" softboxes on the fronts, and C-stands are absolutely the standard. Typically you throw a sandbag over the tallest leg to ensure that the stand can't topple over. It's a very, very solid stand that ain't going anywhere, and isn't going to droop or anything, either. While there are certainly expensive C-stands, you can absolutely buy totally usable ones for cheap. The one I'm linking to below is $100 currently, and comes in silver or black. I ordered one yesterday and it should be here tomorrow. Using it on a gig on Friday - I'll report back. C-stand with everything you need but a 5/8" adapter.Here's a 5/8" adapter.Here's another 5/8" adapter with a little lip on the edge so you can grab it by hand easier.And here you can buy just the boom arm with the 3/8"-16 threads on the end if you already have a C-stand.Hope this helps! |
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Post by griffinpb on Oct 16, 2024 22:11:20 GMT -6
1000% planning on going for C-Stands for my next round of upgrades. Appreciate looking out and finding a great turnkey solution here!
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Post by the other mark williams on Oct 17, 2024 0:16:21 GMT -6
1000% planning on going for C-Stands for my next round of upgrades. Appreciate looking out and finding a great turnkey solution here! They can definitely be a good, affordable solution that you can trust heavy mics with. I believe EmRR also uses them sometimes. |
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Post by smashlord on Oct 17, 2024 8:04:18 GMT -6
This is great, thank you for this!
Throwing out another option I've come across lately...I've been replacing worn out stands lately with Tama Iron Works and they are fantastic. Not the cheapest, but not much more than something like this. They are the only compact stand I've found that will hold an 017 FET with no issue. If you can get the usual GC discount coupled with the 10% they sometimes offer on their card, you can pick up quite a few of them for a reasonable deal.
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Post by EmRR on Oct 17, 2024 9:06:32 GMT -6
I expect I’ll own some like that eventually but don’t at the moment, just some taller tripod lighting stands that get used for live ambience 15-18 feet up. I’d definitely encourage looking at what light stand options can provide. You won’t find mic stands anywhere near the same price for something apples to apples. I have several Manfrotto stereo mic bars that are super flexible so long as you don’t need compact, and they use lighting fittings.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 17, 2024 9:22:22 GMT -6
OK, this topic has come up before on other "why are good microphone stands so expensive" type threads, including the cautionary thread about the Ultimate MC-125. tonycamphd and ericn and myself have all mentioned using a C-stand (or "Century Stand") instead, which are designed for lighting rigs on film/video sets. There have always been a few niggles to work out when doing this, but just yesterday, I found the best ready-made solution I've seen. I found a few companies selling on Amazon who make a C-stand with a grip/boom arm where the arm has a 3/8"-16 thread on one end (and a 1/4"-20 on the other). If you're in the US, where we use 5/8"-27 for our microphone clips, you'd need a simple 3/8" to 5/8" adapter, but that's it - that's all you'd need. I'll put links to everything below (including an adapter). In case you don't know, C-stands are built to hold very heavy stuff - much heavier than microphones. I have several lights that I have to fly on C-stands with 48" softboxes on the fronts, and C-stands are absolutely the standard. Typically you throw a sandbag over the tallest leg to ensure that the stand can't topple over. It's a very, very solid stand that ain't going anywhere, and isn't going to droop or anything, either. While there are certainly expensive C-stands, you can absolutely buy totally usable ones for cheap. The one I'm linking to below is $100 currently, and comes in silver or black. I ordered one yesterday and it should be here tomorrow. Using it on a gig on Friday - I'll report back. C-stand with everything you need but a 5/8" adapter.Here's a 5/8" adapter.Here's another 5/8" adapter with a little lip on the edge so you can grab it by hand easier.And here you can buy just the boom arm with the 3/8"-16 threads on the end if you already have a C-stand.Hope this helps! all good stuff here Mdubs, i love the fact that they are black, i don't know why anyone would make a light stand in stainless or chrome to jump out at the camera eye?  That said, this unit i recommended a while back extends a full 3' farther than the others here with an 11lb weight capacity, , up to 7 feet vs 3 feet, thought i should point that out |
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Post by ericn on Oct 17, 2024 9:27:08 GMT -6
OK, this topic has come up before on other "why are good microphone stands so expensive" type threads, including the cautionary thread about the Ultimate MC-125. tonycamphd and ericn and myself have all mentioned using a C-stand (or "Century Stand") instead, which are designed for lighting rigs on film/video sets. There have always been a few niggles to work out when doing this, but just yesterday, I found the best ready-made solution I've seen. I found a few companies selling on Amazon who make a C-stand with a grip/boom arm where the arm has a 3/8"-16 thread on one end (and a 1/4"-20 on the other). If you're in the US, where we use 5/8"-27 for our microphone clips, you'd need a simple 3/8" to 5/8" adapter, but that's it - that's all you'd need. I'll put links to everything below (including an adapter). In case you don't know, C-stands are built to hold very heavy stuff - much heavier than microphones. I have several lights that I have to fly on C-stands with 48" softboxes on the fronts, and C-stands are absolutely the standard. Typically you throw a sandbag over the tallest leg to ensure that the stand can't topple over. It's a very, very solid stand that ain't going anywhere, and isn't going to droop or anything, either. While there are certainly expensive C-stands, you can absolutely buy totally usable ones for cheap. The one I'm linking to below is $100 currently, and comes in silver or black. I ordered one yesterday and it should be here tomorrow. Using it on a gig on Friday - I'll report back. C-stand with everything you need but a 5/8" adapter.Here's a 5/8" adapter.Here's another 5/8" adapter with a little lip on the edge so you can grab it by hand easier.And here you can buy just the boom arm with the 3/8"-16 threads on the end if you already have a C-stand.Hope this helps! all good stuff here Mdubs, i love the fact that they are black, i don't know why anyone would make a light stand in stainless or chrome to jump out at the camera eye? That said, this unit i recommended a while back extends a full 3' farther than the others here, up to 7 feet vs 3 feet, thought i should point that out Black chips, shiny means you have to dress the stage / set, black makes for lazy and sparkly appearance 😁. Plus as we were taught in theatre school, if you have a proper dressed backstage area shiny shows up easier with a flash light on low power so less likely someone bumps into it. |
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Post by ericn on Oct 17, 2024 9:27:31 GMT -6
Great find Mark!
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Post by trappist on Oct 17, 2024 11:01:46 GMT -6
Like C Stands! I have Kupo and Matthew’s Studio Equipment that I hang lighting, iPad’s, microphones and I am sure I will find other use.
My former student is a Hollywood Gaffer that owns only the best. He tells me the industry standard is made by American Grip Inc.
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Post by svart on Oct 17, 2024 11:19:44 GMT -6
Century stands are nice and heavy duty, but also very HEAVY duty. Mine are like 30lbs a piece. I'd still choose a nice wheeled Atlas or On-stage boom over a C-stand just for sheer ergonomics.
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Post by the other mark williams on Oct 17, 2024 12:37:43 GMT -6
[whole bunch of stuff about C-stands] all good stuff here Mdubs, i love the fact that they are black, i don't know why anyone would make a light stand in stainless or chrome to jump out at the camera eye? You know, one of the reasons they use chrome on sets is precisely BECAUSE it jumps out at the camera eye. Lights reflect off of it. A black boom arm has a higher chance of accidentally sneaking in frame and not being noticed until post. Having said that, I see both chrome and black used all the time.
That said, this unit i recommended a while back extends a full 3' farther than the others here with an 11lb weight capacity, , up to 7 feet vs 3 feet, thought i should point that out Right, I remember that one - great length extension! But, it doesn't have threads on the end (it ends in a baby pin), and that has always been the missing piece to make this a simple solution. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 17, 2024 14:43:39 GMT -6
Century stands are nice and heavy duty, but also very HEAVY duty. Mine are like 30lbs a piece. I'd still choose a nice wheeled Atlas or On-stage boom over a C-stand just for sheer ergonomics. More ergonomics than this?  |
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Post by ericn on Oct 17, 2024 15:29:37 GMT -6
Century stands are nice and heavy duty, but also very HEAVY duty. Mine are like 30lbs a piece. I'd still choose a nice wheeled Atlas or On-stage boom over a C-stand just for sheer ergonomics. More ergonomics than this? View AttachmentWell if you have a big old Atlas it’s really really hard to beat wheeling it around! |
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Post by notneeson on Oct 17, 2024 15:29:48 GMT -6
Century stands are nice and heavy duty, but also very HEAVY duty. Mine are like 30lbs a piece. I'd still choose a nice wheeled Atlas or On-stage boom over a C-stand just for sheer ergonomics. More ergonomics than this? View AttachmentI’ve never seen a C Stand on locking casters, but that would make one better suited for a large tracking room. They’re kind of a bitch to move once loaded up, compared to a big Atlas which is both easy to roll and will probably give someone on the session a head injury at some point when they walk into the counterweight. Spoiler: it’s usually me. Source: I grew up on sets, my dad was a Gaffer. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 17, 2024 15:35:35 GMT -6
I’ve never seen a C Stand on locking casters, but that would make one better suited for a large tracking room. They’re kind of a bitch to move once loaded up, compared to a big Atlas which is both easy to roll and will probably give someone on the session a head injury at some point when they walk into the counterweight. Spoiler: it’s usually me. Source: I grew up on sets, my dad was a Gaffer. Owned atlas and old OLD SCHOOL pneumatic boom that was probably a 10’ reach, those cost a boom arm and a c stand leg😂  |
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Post by notneeson on Oct 17, 2024 15:39:10 GMT -6
I’ve never seen a C Stand on locking casters, but that would make one better suited for a large tracking room. They’re kind of a bitch to move once loaded up, compared to a big Atlas which is both easy to roll and will probably give someone on the session a head injury at some point when they walk into the counterweight. Spoiler: it’s usually me. Source: I grew up on sets, my dad was a Gaffer. Owned atlas and old OLD SCHOOL pneumatic boom that was probably a 10’ reach, those cost a boom arm and a c stand leg😂 View AttachmentI kinda figured they make them now! So much more gear these days. |
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Post by svart on Oct 17, 2024 16:07:20 GMT -6
Century stands are nice and heavy duty, but also very HEAVY duty. Mine are like 30lbs a piece. I'd still choose a nice wheeled Atlas or On-stage boom over a C-stand just for sheer ergonomics. More ergonomics than this? View AttachmentYeah, good think it was ok, but you have to pick up the whole stand to pop the bottom off to do that, or lay it down and do that while on the main stem. It's unwieldy at best. |
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Post by griffinpb on Oct 17, 2024 19:59:18 GMT -6
Pulled the trigger and grabbed a c-stand to try out. Hoping it can live over the drum kit for a while. Also scored a used vintage Atlas (round weighted base) for $20. A good week for stands!
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Post by mcirish on Oct 18, 2024 7:49:34 GMT -6
I wish my studio was big enough to need C stands. :-) An Atlas is about as big as I can fit.
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Post by ericn on Oct 18, 2024 11:45:36 GMT -6
I wish my studio was big enough to need C stands. :-) An Atlas is about as big as I can fit. Is this a case of ceiling height envy? |
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Post by mcirish on Oct 18, 2024 11:54:46 GMT -6
With only 20x20 with 8' ceiling... It's just all of the above.
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Post by the other mark williams on Oct 18, 2024 11:58:58 GMT -6
With only 20x20 with 8' ceiling... It's just all of the above. Hey, that's more than twice the size of the space I'm in right now! The ceiling height is the same, though.  |
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Post by drumsound on Oct 18, 2024 12:11:26 GMT -6
How much floor area are these things taking up?
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Post by EmRR on Oct 18, 2024 12:11:56 GMT -6
I’ve had some 6’ female fiddlers that could use a C stand to get over properly. As high or higher than OH. Not even sure my ceiling is all 8’
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Post by the other mark williams on Oct 18, 2024 12:26:44 GMT -6
OK, so the all-in-one piece I linked to in the first post arrived last night, and I set it up here to assess the quality. Here's my quick review:
First off, it's probably the lightest C-stand I've ever used, but it's definitely solid enough for microphones. The boom arm is a little springy when boomed out parallel to the floor and gripped near the end, but nothing alarming. I was most concerned about the 3/8" thread, and whether it would bind up or crossthread or have burrs in it, but it's all OK on those fronts. The 3/8"-16 and 1/4"-20 ends actually screw on to the ends of the boom arm, so if you tighten the mic clip too tight on there, those ends might unscrew if you have to remove the clip. It did it to me last night when I was removing a light I attached a little too tight. Easily screwed back on, so no big deal. And this may be a moot point if you have a 3/8" to 5/8" adapter on it all the time.
The included knuckle joints are not as robust as others I have with other C-stands, but they're easily solid enough to be usable and trustworthy. They're toothed on the inside, like other knuckle joints, and once they're tightened down, they're not going anywhere. Due to the relative lightness of this particular stand, I would recommend sandbagging the tallest leg just to be safe if you're using an LDC or heavy ribbon, but honestly it's probably not actually necessary for microphone use.
So there you go. I have C-stands that only cost $50 more than this that are heavier and more solid, but this includes a lot, including that elusive boom arm that terminates in a helpful thread for mic clips. It also comes with a carrying bag, so it's easy to take to a remote gig. Will it stand up to years of hard use, banging around, and other tom-foolery? I'm not sure yet, but it's certainly more than good enough to hang mics on.
EDIT: I just pulled it out again, and I did want to mention that the base doesn't lock in quite like other C-stand bases I've used. This one's definitely cheaper in feel. Still, I can't imagine it actually going anywhere or moving on you. Nevertheless, if you were tearing it down and putting it back up constantly, I would consider a C-stand with a more robust base. Which is every other C-stand I've used.
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That said, 
