Hanging overheads?

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JG96

JG96

Active member
Hello everyone, My band is probably going to start recording in only a few weeks. Just wondering is it okay to hang overheads by the cables on hooks? I was wondering this because There is really no other way for my band to do it at least for now. They will most likely move a little but will this cause phasing problems? Also it wont hurt the cables will it?
 
XLR-type mic connectors are pretty sturdy and provide a solid connection...so I wouldn't worry about that...and as long as the cables are good quality, they too will not be hurt by the weight of the mics.

The real problem you will have is positioning mics exactly where you want them when they are just hanging by the cables like that...and depending on the mics, their capsules may be pointing totally wrong when just hung by the cables.

You don't necessarily want the capsules pointing straight down at the floor...nor do you want them pointing horizontally left-to-right when they are above like that. Unless you are running a specific configuration...like say, M/S stereo...
...in most cases, with OH mics, you kinda' want them angled somewhat, and you can't get that when they just hang from the cables.
 
With a little imagination and some string, rubber bands, tape, coathangers, and whatever else you might have just laying around, you could rig up some "cradles" to support the mics and keep them pointed where you need them. Remember it doesn't have to look pretty, it just has to do what you need it to do (unless you are making a video of your recording session how it looks wont matter.) Most of us have had to get creative at some point.
 
Dani Pace said:
With a little imagination and some string, rubber bands, tape, coathangers, and whatever else you might have just laying around, you could rig up some "cradles" to support the mics and keep them pointed where you need them.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there are always workarounds...but IMO, doing all that would be a PITA, unless you positioned the mics once and never moved them...but we know that's usually not the case when you are recording, and you end up constantly adjusting and readjusting for different needs.

.......................................

But I'm puzzled....:confused:

Is there a problem with just using some mic stands?

I mean...if you’re going to start recording, then I would guess you are ready to lay down some solid music for a real purpose...and I'm assuming you have some proper recording gear...
...so don't you also have mic stands?
 
miroslav said:
Yeah, there are always workarounds...but IMO, doing all that would be a PITA, unless you positioned the mics once and never moved them...but we know that's usually not the case when you are recording, and you end up constantly adjusting and readjusting for different needs.

.......................................

But I'm puzzled....:confused:

Is there a problem with just using some mic stands?

I mean...if you’re going to start recording, then I would guess you are ready to lay down some solid music for a real purpose...and I'm assuming you have some proper recording gear...
...so don't you also have mic stands?
Click to expand...
Yeah i have a pair of mic stands but the room has a strange wraparound table thing (it used to be a photo lab) thus restricting the width of the drum room.
 
Are your mic stands "straight" or "boom" stands? I've found boom stands are best for micing drums. Boom stands allow you to get over or around (sort of) obsticles that straight stands wont let you get to. If you are concerned about boom stands tipping over, simply add some weight to the base. Straight stands are fine for vocal mics, for everything else boom stands make the job of positioning mics much easier.
 
I just connect desk flanges to the cieling and hang goosenecks from them.
 
I have a few ceiling mounts in my studio in a couple of key areas where I know I will always need/use them....though I didn't go the desk flange/gooseneck route.

I started along that path...but found the goosenecks too weak to support the heavier mics I wanted to use with their large shockmounts...after awhile the gooseneck would relax somewhat from the weight of the mic/shockmount.

So I went with rigid bar mounts using the top half of some On Stage boom arms (they have them in short/medium/long lengths) which come with the toothed gear style of clutch. I had to make some custom brackets to bolt the arms to...but now I can raise the arms up out of the way against the ceiling when not needed and lower into position when needed...plus, if I need more extension I can still attach a gooseneck to the end, but they work well as-is and I can my heavier mics with their shockmounts on them.

It sure helps clean up the studio floor and less mic stands to trip over! :D
 
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