I am having one of those “I-have-got-to-get-me-one-of-these” moments right now. I just found out about a new microphone stand that solves a lot of problems I really need solving. I know, what in the way of “innovative” can be brought to the lowly mic stand? the answer is the Triad-Orbit modular mic stand system. The Triad-Orbit has interchangeable parts that allow you to – are you ready for this? – snap on/off a shock-mount or microphone in like 3 seconds! I can’t tell you how much time I’ve in my life changing microphones. Studio mics tend to have their own clips, and/or their own shock-mounts. Usually, to move my primary microphone (Rode NT2-A) from its normal position on my desk boom to a mic stand in the middle of the room, I have to remove the heavy mic from the shock-mount. Then I have to unscrew the shock-mount from the desk boom. Next, I screw the shock-mount onto the new stand. And finally, I screw the mic back into its mount. The entire operation takes 3-to-5 minutes. With the Triad-Orbit system, I could uncouple the mount with the mic in it from the desk boom and clip it onto the new stand in about 5 seconds. And that is only 1 of the cool things the Triad-Orbit system can do. Each Triad stand uses the standard 3-leg set-up, but those legs have 4 ratcheting positions. That means you can change the angle of each leg. If floor space is an issue, this allows you to shrink the stand’s footprint. And since each leg can be adjusted independently, the ratcheting ability allows you to angle the stand into unusual positions.
There are several other advantages to the Triad-Orbit system, including different attachments like the Dual-Arm boom, which allows you to do stereo mic set-ups with just one stand, get multiple mics into multiple positions – like drums – with just one stand, etc. And then there’s the iOrbit 1, which is an orbital iPad holder. So you can put a mic and an iPad on the same stand with the Triad-Orbit mic stand system. For more details, CLICK HERE.
mic stands
How To Build A Home Recording Studio: Part 5 – Accessories
This is part 5 in our How to Build a Home Recording Studio series that shows you how to set up a computer-based studio capable of recording pro-quality audio. In part 4, we talked about audio recording and editing software.
Today, let’s talk about the accessories – things like mic stands, headphones, pop filters, etc. These are the supporting actors in most cases – the things that make it easy for us to use the microphones, interfaces and software that make up the leading roles in our studio.
An argument could be made for monitor speakers being more of a lead actor, especially for music recording and mixing. But since we are starting out with more of an all-around basic studio that many of us will use only for voice-over type work, the speakers get second billing.
Mic Stands
Since I’m recommending a large diaphragm condenser type mic, you’ll need a mic stand of some sort. For non-talking-head voice-over stuff, I highly recommend a scissor stand such as the AKG Table Mounted Scissor Stand. You can clip it to a table or desk, and rotate, push or pull the mic away as you need it. I use one of these and find it incredibly handy, especially for voice-over work. The mic is always right there when I need it and I can just push it up and out of the way when I’m not using it. These run between $70 and $170 and come with the mic cable built in, which is also really convenient.
If you use the hand-held type of mic, a standard desk top stand, such as the Atlas Sound Stand, will only run from $15-$30 bucks or so.
For music or voice-over use, another great and versatile choice is a boom stand like the On-Stage MS7701B Euro-Boom. You can move these around and put them anywhere, and the boom functionality allows you to place the mic at any angle or height you want.
Shock Mounts
Large diaphragm condenser (LDC) mics are very sensitive to any bumps or vibrations coming through a mic stand. That is why it is almost mandatory to use a shock mount, which holds the mic suspended in a spider-web-looking thing made up of elastic bands. Most LDCs have specific shock mounts designed for them by the mic manufacturer, and some even come with one, like the Audio-Technica AT2020 and AT2035 microphones. But you can also get a universal shock mount such as the MXL-USM001 Universal Basket-Style Shock Mount that will work with any LDC you have.
Cables
If you’re using a non-USB mic and not using a desk boom stand (which come with the cable built in), you’ll need a mic cable, which usually cost about $25. These cables have the 3-pin XLR connectors. Of course if you are using a USB mic, you’ll use a USB cable. Be sure to use the one that came with the mic if you can, as these are designed for audio. Not all USB cables are up to that task.
Headphones
You can get away with using mp3-player-type ear buds if you need to, or if you’re going to stick to the headsets, that’s fine too. But having headphones allows you to hear the audio much more clearly and are very useful if you do any Skype chats or other types of on-line meetings where you need listen as well as speak into your mic. Otherwise the speakers will also be picked up by the mic and cause feedback and other unpleasantness.
Of course, if you’re doing any multi-track recording (usually with music studios), headphones are necessary. I use both the Sennheiser HD 280 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and recommend either or both.
Speakers – Again, if you already have speakers hooked up to your computer (most people do), you can get away with using those for now. When you can afford it though, a good upgrade would be to invest in a pair of monitor speakers such as the KRK Rokit G3 Active Monitors. The 6″ version will run about $200 per speaker.
Pop Filter
If you are recording your voice, you NEED a pop filter/screen to reduce the p-pops that are inevitable in human speech. Large diaphragm condenser mics are extremely sensitive to the little blasts of air that hit them when we say the letter “P” (or other plosive sounds). The result in the recorded audio is little low-frequency splat type of sound. A pop filter set up between your lips and the mic will reduce or even eliminate p-pops. One good example is the Auray Pop Filter. They cost about $23.
Mixer
You don’t need one. Yeah, I know. The popular image of recording studios of show big mixing boards with lots of impressive knobs and sliders. But for a computer based home recording studio, you do all your mixing in the computer. Trying to route things through a mixer can really confuse things. Notice that neither of our home studio configurations include a mixer. The quality of mic preamps on a typical mixer are usually not good for recording.
One exception to what I’m saying about mixers in home studios is the MIDI control surface unit. These units are designed to give you physical control over your software mixer. Folks doing mainly voice-over work would probably not need one. Musicians who prefer using their hands to move sliders and knobs rather than a mouse are typically the ones who like to use control surfaces. One example is the Mackie Control Universal Pro – Expandable Control Surface
That’s pretty much it for basic accessories! Let’s review the basic home recording studio set-up options configurations.
– Configuration 1 (a mic plugged directly into a computer) – For pro quality audio you’ll need a USB mic on a stand with a pop filter plugged into a normal computer running, say, Reaper software. Total cost would be about $159.
– Configuration 2 (XLR mic plugged into an interface plugged into a computer) – The basic pro-capable option would be a Large Diaphragm Condenser mic (non USB) on stand (I think full-sized boom stands are much more versatile than a simple desk stand) with a pop filter, plugged into an interface which is plugged into a normal computer running Reaper software. The total cost for that would be about $340 – IF you buy them separately. However…
Home Studio Bundle Deals
We were able to get a bundle deal with B&H Photo-Video-Audio called The Home Recording Starter Kit, which gives you everything you need in one product for a much lower price – $229.95. It would cost $288.91 if you bought each item separately. Click here if you’d like to see the details of that package and/or purchase it.
For musicians, we tweaked the bundle to include a MIDI keyboard, a 2-mic-input interface, and added a small diaphragm condenser mic so you could record an acoustic guitar or other instrument as well as your voice. That bundle, the Home Recording Musicians Starter Kit is $429.99 (would cost $529.79 if you bought each item individually, so you save about a hundred bucks there). Click here if you’d like to see the details of that package and/or purchase it.
Now What?
So now that you know how to put your studio together, you’ll want to know how to actually do the recording, right? That’s what Home Brew Audio is all about!
We’ve got tutorials, articles, tips and resources to help you on your recording journey. Also, we have a video tutorial series called The Newbies Guide To Audio Recording Awesomeness. The first course that takes you step-by-step, even if you’ve never done any recording before, through creating your first recordings and teaching you the basics of audio recording even if you have no budget for gear. It uses the free Audacity software and a pc mic you probably already have (or you could buy for around $5). The second course, The Newbies Guide To Audio Recording Awesomeness 2: Pro Recording With Reaper, shows you how to the same basics from part 1 when using Reaper software, plus introduce you to even more powerful and awesome recording tricks and techniques.
Below is a video explaining parts 3-5 of How to Build A Home Recording Studio:
You can watch this video on You Tube here: How To build A Home Recording Studio – Part 2
Now that you know how to put together an affordable but professional home recording studio, AND you have a place to learn how to use it, you can start recording awesome voice-overs, songs, video narrations, audio books, etc. Have fun