Is a shock mount not needed for a small diaphram condensor

  • Thread starter Thread starter tjohnston
  • Start date Start date
tjohnston

tjohnston

New member
Everytime I see a pic of someone using a small diaphram condensor there is no shock mount. I know that there are shockmounts made specifically for thin mics. I cant think of a reason why they are not needed.
 
I have a pair of mxl603's, and don't use shockmounts. I do have and use a shockmount for my C1. As far as I can see, if you have shockmounts, use them, you can't lose by doing it. They are essential in some circumstances (eg the singer who can't stay in time unless they stomp their foot), but optional and possibly unnecessary in others (eg piano micing). That's why people don't use them, I think!

I would like some shockmounts for my 603's, but I have other priorities.

Steve
 
I've never used shockmounts for any mics, and I have never noticed the difference. In my opinion, for what I do, shockmounts are a waste of money.
 
That's why they charge $200 for what is little more than some plastic and 2 rubber bands...
 
I use shockmounts on 603s, and wouldn't use them without. I would never even condsider not using one on a LD. My rule of thumb that seems to work out prety well....anything with phantom power gets a shock mount. It doesn't hurt, it's inexpensive, it really does help alot of times, and .....
........it really does look pretty cool! hehe.
 
are they really that necessary for Oktava MK012's as drum overheads?? while jus messing around with the MK319, i put the mic in the middle of a room n recorded with a full band...jus for fun and it didnt seem to really pic up any vibrations...
 
dumass said:
are they really that necessary for Oktava MK012's as drum overheads??
Click to expand...
Nope. In most cases it's not necessary at all. I think shock mounts are marketing hype, for the most part.
 
cominginsecond said:
Nope. In most cases it's not necessary at all.
Click to expand...

...But again...not in all cases. The fact that is doesn't hurt to have it, and it doesn't really cost much makes it worth doing, because when you lay down what you believe to be the best take you ever did and it turns out to be one of those cases where it was necessary.....
 
ok that settles it. Im definately getting shockmounts but not because I need them: Only because they look cool.
 
I cannot speak for everyone, but, I will anyway.
Pro studios always use shock mounts for insurance. At home, maybe not necessary. In pro studios, one track is worth so much money in studiotime. They would not leave it to chance. At home, you can always re-do the track and it only costs hobby time.
 
acorec said:
I cannot speak for everyone, but, I will anyway.
Pro studios always use shock mounts for insurance. At home, maybe not necessary. In pro studios, one track is worth so much money in studiotime. They would not leave it to chance. At home, you can always re-do the track and it only costs hobby time.
Click to expand...
Just to put this in perspective. I am working on an album of my own material, and have probably spent 200 hours, at least, in front of large and small diaphragm mics. I have never had to redo a take because of shock to the mic. Never. I have had to redo tracks because of plosives, but not shocks. I would invest in a decent pop filter before a shockmount. Actually, I wouldn't bother with a shockmount at all.
 
cominginsecond said:
Just to put this in perspective. I am working on an album of my own material, and have probably spent 200 hours, at least, in front of large and small diaphragm mics. I have never had to redo a take because of shock to the mic. Never. I have had to redo tracks because of plosives, but not shocks. I would invest in a decent pop filter before a shockmount. Actually, I wouldn't bother with a shockmount at all.
Click to expand...

I only point out that in a pro studio, paying hundreds per hour, a pro studio will use them always. It is insurance. If a track gets botched because of LF mic rumble, then alot of money is wasted as well as having an angry musician, producer etc...
 
acorec said:
I only point out that in a pro studio, paying hundreds per hour, a pro studio will use them always. It is insurance. If a track gets botched because of LF mic rumble, then alot of money is wasted as well as having an angry musician, producer etc...
Click to expand...
Right. Just putting it in perspective, like I said.
 
I have recorded 6 albums in "pro" studios and have ALWAYS used them.
 
whoa, i have a 319 that absolutely needs a shockmount when micing drums... otherwise it resonates at the same frequency as the body of the mic...

i dont have this problem with all mics, but i have heard it with others as well. shock mounts diminish it. as does putting some damping material inside the body. a pretty normal mod for a mic. improves performance in extreme situations.

the small diaphram mics i have seem to be way less prone to this.

shockmounts are not just for LF rumble.
 
If your recording area is sat on a SOLID floor, then you may not need a shockmount, unless you live near a main road where heavy vehicles pass all day long. But if you work on floorboards, then just moving your feet can send vibrations to the mic.

There are cheap, but effective shockmounts out there, so why take the risk, unless you know 100% that you don't need them?
 
Mr Funk said:
If your recording area is sat on a SOLID floor, then you may not need a shockmount, unless you live near a main road where heavy vehicles pass all day long. But if you work on floorboards, then just moving your feet can send vibrations to the mic.
Click to expand...

...or if you have railroad or airport traffic... large machinery [like printing presses... which will cause such a myriad of other minor nightmares that 'shockmounts' will be the least of your worries].

My favorite of the 'fast and cheap' shockmounts is a foam rubber pad that's like 4 inches thick. You can get them at any furniture reupholster's shop... the last time I bought some they were like $10 USD each. You put the mic stand on the foam rubber... and [tah-dah]... it's now shock mounted. If you want ot get really fancy about it... notch out little 'cups' for the feet of a 'tripod' mic stand base.

Best of luck.
 
When I'm not busy playing "Mr. producer" or "rockstar" I run a printing press for a living...I was just wondering...
What would you be recording anywhere near a printing press?:rolleyes:
 
Sometimes you'll find studios in like "lofts" next door, or in the same building with a print shop. It ain't fun when you do is all I was saying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top