Mic quick-connects and adapters

[JPS]

With all the plastic mic holders out there, I am wondering what people are using, or ain't using, to connects mic to their stands. It is quite easy to cross-thread a plactic holder to a metal stand thread while connecting them. Anybody else thought about this?

I see two basic solutions:

1) Try some quick-connects, but I am wondering how reliable they are. Atlas has the LO2B, but I've heard of mics dropping to the floor if they fail. They are also not cheap, about $15 each. Any other options for quick connects?

2) Put back in the european adapter that usually comes with the mic. Since it is brass, it should hold up well for connecting and disconnecting. Then I'd just have to buy some 3/8F-5/8M stand adapters to use them.

I'd appreciate any input.

 

[boingoman]

The only time I use those disconnects is live gigs where there are multiple bands playing, and they want to use mics that have special clips. I used mine last week, where the third act out of five had three wireless vocal mics, changeover time was very limited, and I was out of stands.

I kind of look at them as a last resort. I wouldn't hang an LDC on one, that's for sure. And I've never stripped out a decent quality plastic clip (AKG, Neumann, etc.) Never had a quick-release fail either, though.

Shure and Beyerdynamic make great clips, plastic/rubber with a brass insert. The hard rubber On-Stage ones have brass inserts as well, and are much cheaper.

The Euro adapter thing works OK unless you have to use someone else's stands.
$3 Euro adapters have an annoying habit of disappearing, like socks in a dryer.

ps- those quick-release thingies are very sensitive to noise if you lose the rubber ring. Which you always do, right after you buy them. Then they rattle when they are near something loud.

 

[JPS]

I appreciate the opinion. I can see that a "rattling" quick connect would be of little use to me. That option is looking even less likely.

Still considering using the adapter, though. One of the shock mounts I am concerned about it an AKG for a C414. It is a high-quality shock mount that puts my C1/C3 shock mount to shame. But the base is plastic and I've managed to start it off-thread twice already while connecting to the stand.

I have found that Sam Ash has the Onstage MA100 adapter for $1.75 each, so I think I get a few and try it. I'd feel better about protecting this shock mount. And if I mess up the brass insert (which doesn't seem likely), it would be much easier to replace than a base.

Am I the only "clutz" out there?

 

[boingoman]

Am I the only "clutz" out there?

Not even close. All that info above was gained through painful experience, including a dropped AT3030 condenser, which has never been the same.
I currently have a Beta 56 with the aluminum extender permanently mounted on it, as I cross-threaded the damn thing in there. I also have a drum mount with the same extender on it forever, also cross-threaded. I put it in a vise, but it's on there so tight that the mount arm started to bend when I pulled on it.

 

[JPS]

I feel better already!