#1
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Stereo bar versus 2 mic stands . . .
I try to diligently use the Search function to get answers and not waste people's time, but haven't found the answer to this scenario and question -
Basic starter acoustic recording set-up: - 2 X AT2020 into Focusrite 2i2 into Reaper I have spec'd 2 X K&M mic stands into the set-up, but wonder, for basic stereo recording, if a stereo bar attached to a single stand provides equivalent functionality, acoustics, etc? Savings would be physical space - not concerned about the cost difference that much. Is this even a valid question? Thoughts? |
#2
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It's a fair question and one I have looked at. From my perspective the advantage of one stand and a stereo bar is ease of use and better positioning of mics from the perspective of equal distance from the guitar - the disadvantage is that generally I want my mics wider than the 30-35cm most bars seem to offer.
I have one and use it on occasion with the mics angled out to give a wider spread, but generally I revert to two stands and the ability to control position and width better.
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Burguet AC-007 (2003 - Cedar/Rosewood) Webber OM (2009 - Sitka/Sapele) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8A...2TVEhWes2Djrig |
#3
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If you put 2 LDCs on a bar at the end of a boom, you'll want some sandbags, unless you start looking at some serious stands (the kind with those really big, triangular, cast iron bases).
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#4
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Although 2020's aren't technically LDCs they are still beefy mics. As stated, that can present a problem with trying to use them with a stereo bar.
Two stands give you more options but are more difficult to use if you find a position you like. All those legs for two tripod stands end up getting in the way of our legs. Way too many legs! I found that making my own positioning arms to mount on a conventional stand provided a better solution for stereo miking if I wanted to use the greatest number of options. |
#5
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I use two sdc mics for stereo recording of my guitar. If I was using X-Y or ORTF setup a stereo bar (which I have) would probably be the way I'd go. However, I much prefer an A-B spaced pair setup, so I use 2 separate mic stands. This allows me to easily change the spacing between the mics, and also allows different heights. It is a bit more of a pain for changing the distance from the guitar compared to a single stand. In order to minimize the issue with legs of 2 stands interfering with each other I use stands with heavily weighted circular bases.
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Chuck 2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi 2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz 2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi |
#6
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Ultimate Support MC125 I own two of these boom stands. The base weighs a ton and they're **** near impossible to tip. A nice thing about these are the casters which make them really easy to move around the room. Atlas Sound MS25 This is another incredibly stable stand and it's the one I bought while waiting for my Kiwi to come back home. Some months back when I loaned my Flea 47 to a friend of mine to do some shootout videos, I made him borrow a stand too, and made him swear my Flea would ONLY go on that stand. Mics are an expensive investment. I'm taking no more chances.
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#7
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And the answer is not all that complex 2 mic stands will provide greater versatility 1 stand and a stereo bar will provide more convenience Me personally I have two stands and a stereo bar and so have even more options
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1 |
#8
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I've got so many stands, its not even a question! And I have sandbags to keep things upright too!
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#9
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Another option is a stereo mic like the Audio Technica AT5050ST.
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#10
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Now Here is another way...to cheat and save a little money and still be super safe. Here is something I was doing a couple of years ago: Two boom arms, on one heavy duty stand. Now this works...and will save you the cost of one mic stand. Also takes up less room.For now..I am going back right now to individual mic stands. This just gives a slightly faster set up. Since I will be doing lots of experimentation with placement coming up...two individual stands just is faster to adjust. However...once I find the perfect set up...I might go back to my one mic stand two boom arm set up. Takes up less room. |
#11
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Do you have a picture of this set-up? Thanks. |
#12
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In this picture is the one Atlas mic stand...with a small bar and two boom arms fixed.
Basically this just allows you to use one mic stand as if it were two. You can pretty much do everything you could with two separate stands. Just takes a little bit longer to adjust...as you have to angle the arms and angle the mics. |
#13
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I'd strongly recommend two mic stands, given your setup (which is similar to what I used on my last batch of recordings--I had two AT2035s, but the observations hold). If you're going to use a coincident (X-Y) mic technique for stereo, you'll want to position the mics so that they're vertically stacked (top to top) with the grilles almost touching each other. If you're using any other kind of standard stereo array like NOS, ORTF, or DIN, you'll need to control the angle and capsule distance to a degree that'll be hard to accomplish with a standard stereo bar. Plus there's the weight and balance issues you'll run into with most mic stands if you're putting two LDCS on it.
Spare yourself the headaches, get two mic stands, and if and when you decide to get a multipattern mic and try M-S recording, you'll be ready to go. Trent |
#14
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Thanks to all who have responded - Not surprisingly, there is a ton of information in the responses I will need to glean and digest a bit, but it was exactly the perspectives I was looking for.
Well done. |