U87 Shockmount Bands

[mcp6453]

Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
for three rubber bands?

When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
since I did not find them listed on their web site.

[Geoff Wood]

mcp6453 wrote:
> Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> for three rubber bands?
>
> When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
> since I did not find them listed on their web site.

RODE SM1 fit a U87 nicely.

geoff

[Geoff Wood]

mcp6453 wrote:
> Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> for three rubber bands?
>
> When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
> since I did not find them listed on their web site.

RODE SM1 fit a U87 nicely.

geoff

[mcp6453]

Geoff Wood wrote:
>
> mcp6453 wrote:
> > Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> > for three rubber bands?
> >
> > When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
> > since I did not find them listed on their web site.
>
> RODE SM1 fit a U87 nicely.
>
> geoff


Well, since I only need two bands instead of three (duh), that's $28,
but your suggested prompted me to look around and, unfortunately, gave
me GAS (gear acquisition syndrome.) Skipper Wise has a shock mount for
the U87, too. I've sent him an email to find out how much his bands are,
if they will work. Then I'm off to the local hardware store to see if
they have anything rubber that will work. It's amazing what I find there
sometimes.

The bands on mine have already been replaced with the fabric woven type
instead of the black rubber type. They sag like crazy. I assume the
fabric ones are supposed to be better than the rubber ones, but I don't
see it yet.

[mcp6453]

Geoff Wood wrote:
>
> mcp6453 wrote:
> > Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> > for three rubber bands?
> >
> > When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
> > since I did not find them listed on their web site.
>
> RODE SM1 fit a U87 nicely.
>
> geoff


Well, since I only need two bands instead of three (duh), that's $28,
but your suggested prompted me to look around and, unfortunately, gave
me GAS (gear acquisition syndrome.) Skipper Wise has a shock mount for
the U87, too. I've sent him an email to find out how much his bands are,
if they will work. Then I'm off to the local hardware store to see if
they have anything rubber that will work. It's amazing what I find there
sometimes.

The bands on mine have already been replaced with the fabric woven type
instead of the black rubber type. They sag like crazy. I assume the
fabric ones are supposed to be better than the rubber ones, but I don't
see it yet.

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> for three rubber bands?

You only need two, and I suppose if that's the price that
Neumann/Sennheiser quoted, that's the price.

You can try substitutes, of course. I use a Marshall shock mount for
one of my U87s that doesn't have the official Neumann mount. I haven't
done a shootout, but it looks like it works fine.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> for three rubber bands?

You only need two, and I suppose if that's the price that
Neumann/Sennheiser quoted, that's the price.

You can try substitutes, of course. I use a Marshall shock mount for
one of my U87s that doesn't have the official Neumann mount. I haven't
done a shootout, but it looks like it works fine.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[ScotFraser]

<< When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? >>

Been at least a year, I reckon.


Scott Fraser

[ScotFraser]

<< When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? >>

Been at least a year, I reckon.


Scott Fraser

[Hal Laurent]

"mcp6453" > wrote in message
...
>
> The bands on mine have already been replaced with the fabric woven type
> instead of the black rubber type. They sag like crazy.

Were those bands from Neumann? I haven't had any significant
sagging problems with those bands on a U87 shockmount.

Perhaps you could define what you mean by "sag like crazy"?

I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
dollar microphone.

Hal Laurent

[Hal Laurent]

"mcp6453" > wrote in message
...
>
> The bands on mine have already been replaced with the fabric woven type
> instead of the black rubber type. They sag like crazy.

Were those bands from Neumann? I haven't had any significant
sagging problems with those bands on a U87 shockmount.

Perhaps you could define what you mean by "sag like crazy"?

I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
dollar microphone.

Hal Laurent

[Blind Joni]

>I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
>the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
>dollar microphone.
>

The fact that the mount costs $300 is what puzzles me.


John A. Chiara
SOS Recording Studio
Live Sound Inc.
Albany, NY
www.sosrecording.net
518-449-1637

[Blind Joni]

>I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
>the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
>dollar microphone.
>

The fact that the mount costs $300 is what puzzles me.


John A. Chiara
SOS Recording Studio
Live Sound Inc.
Albany, NY
www.sosrecording.net
518-449-1637

[Geoff Wood]

Hal Laurent wrote:
> "mcp6453" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> The bands on mine have already been replaced with the fabric woven
>> type instead of the black rubber type. They sag like crazy.
>
> Were those bands from Neumann? I haven't had any significant
> sagging problems with those bands on a U87 shockmount.
>
> Perhaps you could define what you mean by "sag like crazy"?
>
> I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
> the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
> dollar microphone.

Don't people realise that $28 elastic bands sound so much better, and being
of such a reputable brand last forever.

geoff

[Geoff Wood]

Hal Laurent wrote:
> "mcp6453" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> The bands on mine have already been replaced with the fabric woven
>> type instead of the black rubber type. They sag like crazy.
>
> Were those bands from Neumann? I haven't had any significant
> sagging problems with those bands on a U87 shockmount.
>
> Perhaps you could define what you mean by "sag like crazy"?
>
> I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
> the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
> dollar microphone.

Don't people realise that $28 elastic bands sound so much better, and being
of such a reputable brand last forever.

geoff

[John Noll]

mcp6453 wrote:
> Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> for three rubber bands?
>
> When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
> since I did not find them listed on their web site.

I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
loop and double-knot it.

--
--
John Noll
Retromedia Sound Studios
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Phone: 732-842-3853 Fax: 732-842-5631

http://www.retromedia.net

[John Noll]

mcp6453 wrote:
> Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> for three rubber bands?
>
> When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
> since I did not find them listed on their web site.

I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
loop and double-knot it.

--
--
John Noll
Retromedia Sound Studios
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Phone: 732-842-3853 Fax: 732-842-5631

http://www.retromedia.net

[Hal Laurent]

"Blind Joni" > wrote in message
...
> >I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
> >the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
> >dollar microphone.
>
> The fact that the mount costs $300 is what puzzles me.

That surprises me a little, but not too much. It's not a
design that can be molded out of plastic, and some
precision machining is necessary for the part at the
bottom that screws onto the microphone.

I imagine it could easily sell for around $100 if it
sold in sufficient quantity, but hey, this isn't exactly
mass-produced item.

Hal Laurent
Baltimore

[Hal Laurent]

"Blind Joni" > wrote in message
...
> >I'm a little amused that you're balking at paying $28 to replace
> >the elastics on a $300 shock mount for a several thousand
> >dollar microphone.
>
> The fact that the mount costs $300 is what puzzles me.

That surprises me a little, but not too much. It's not a
design that can be molded out of plastic, and some
precision machining is necessary for the part at the
bottom that screws onto the microphone.

I imagine it could easily sell for around $100 if it
sold in sufficient quantity, but hey, this isn't exactly
mass-produced item.

Hal Laurent
Baltimore

[Hal Laurent]

"John Noll" > wrote in message
...

> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
> loop and double-knot it.

I bought a U87 shock mount off of eBay once, and the
seller, unbeknownst ahead of time to me, had replaced
the elastics with some elastic cord from a fabric store.
The fabric store elastic was totally unsuitable for the
job (way too floppy), and I had to replace it with
proper elastics from Neumann.

Hal Laurent
Baltimore

[Hal Laurent]

"John Noll" > wrote in message
...

> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
> loop and double-knot it.

I bought a U87 shock mount off of eBay once, and the
seller, unbeknownst ahead of time to me, had replaced
the elastics with some elastic cord from a fabric store.
The fabric store elastic was totally unsuitable for the
job (way too floppy), and I had to replace it with
proper elastics from Neumann.

Hal Laurent
Baltimore

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
> loop and double-knot it.

I had a knot tied in one of the original elastic bands on my U87 shock
mount for a few years before I replaced it (both of them - woudldn't
want the mic to be unbalanced). Everyone in front of that mic
commented about the knot, usually in jest, but I wouldn't be surprised
if, in a higher-profile studio, the second time they saw that knot, it
would make them wonder about how good the maintenance around the place
was.

If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
price. If you have to replace the suspension on that mount, you can
use o-rings that you can buy at a hardware store and nobody will be
the wiser.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
> loop and double-knot it.

I had a knot tied in one of the original elastic bands on my U87 shock
mount for a few years before I replaced it (both of them - woudldn't
want the mic to be unbalanced). Everyone in front of that mic
commented about the knot, usually in jest, but I wouldn't be surprised
if, in a higher-profile studio, the second time they saw that knot, it
would make them wonder about how good the maintenance around the place
was.

If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
price. If you have to replace the suspension on that mount, you can
use o-rings that you can buy at a hardware store and nobody will be
the wiser.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> That surprises me a little, but not too much. It's not a
> design that can be molded out of plastic, and some
> precision machining is necessary for the part at the
> bottom that screws onto the microphone.

A U87 mount doesn't screw to the bottom of the mic, there are two
metal bands that clamp around the mic body. They tighten with a little
wire toggle thingy. The only reason why they cost so much (other than
exchange rate) is that they don't sell a lot of them, even though they
sell about as many as they sell U87s. Think of why a Studio Projects
B3 costs a lot less than a U87.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> That surprises me a little, but not too much. It's not a
> design that can be molded out of plastic, and some
> precision machining is necessary for the part at the
> bottom that screws onto the microphone.

A U87 mount doesn't screw to the bottom of the mic, there are two
metal bands that clamp around the mic body. They tighten with a little
wire toggle thingy. The only reason why they cost so much (other than
exchange rate) is that they don't sell a lot of them, even though they
sell about as many as they sell U87s. Think of why a Studio Projects
B3 costs a lot less than a U87.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Bob Olhsson]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1086532122k@trad...
> A U87 mount doesn't screw to the bottom of the mic, there are two
> metal bands that clamp around the mic body.

There are two types. The older ones are as you say while the more recent
ones screw into the bottom of the mike.

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

[Bob Olhsson]

"Mike Rivers" > wrote in message
news:znr1086532122k@trad...
> A U87 mount doesn't screw to the bottom of the mic, there are two
> metal bands that clamp around the mic body.

There are two types. The older ones are as you say while the more recent
ones screw into the bottom of the mike.

--
Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com

[David Satz]

Mike Rivers wrote:

> A U87 mount doesn't screw to the bottom of the mic, there are two
> metal bands that clamp around the mic body. They tighten with a little
> wire toggle thingy.

The U 67, the M 269 and one very old version of the U 87 have large Tuchel
output connectors and therefore require the Z 48 shock mount that you're
describing. It was unavailable for years, but is now back in production.

All models of U 87 that have XLR-3M output connectors can use the more
modern EA 87 shock mount. In that type, a threaded collar screws into the
base of the microphone, as with most of Neumann's other current shock
mounts for their larger microphones.

--best regards

[David Satz]

Mike Rivers wrote:

> A U87 mount doesn't screw to the bottom of the mic, there are two
> metal bands that clamp around the mic body. They tighten with a little
> wire toggle thingy.

The U 67, the M 269 and one very old version of the U 87 have large Tuchel
output connectors and therefore require the Z 48 shock mount that you're
describing. It was unavailable for years, but is now back in production.

All models of U 87 that have XLR-3M output connectors can use the more
modern EA 87 shock mount. In that type, a threaded collar screws into the
base of the microphone, as with most of Neumann's other current shock
mounts for their larger microphones.

--best regards

[Mike Cleaver]

I like the nice fat elastic bands they use on bunches of asparagus!
Come in designer red or purple here in Canada.
And you get the asparagus for free.
I've used these on a Marshall shock mount designed for the V67 so
they should work on the Neumann ones as well.

On 6 Jun 2004 14:22:44 -0400, (Mike Rivers) wrote:

>
>In article > writes:
>
>> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
>> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
>> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
>> loop and double-knot it.
>
>I had a knot tied in one of the original elastic bands on my U87 shock
>mount for a few years before I replaced it (both of them - woudldn't
>want the mic to be unbalanced). Everyone in front of that mic
>commented about the knot, usually in jest, but I wouldn't be surprised
>if, in a higher-profile studio, the second time they saw that knot, it
>would make them wonder about how good the maintenance around the place
>was.
>
>If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
>new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
>price. If you have to replace the suspension on that mount, you can
>use o-rings that you can buy at a hardware store and nobody will be
>the wiser.

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[Mike Cleaver]

I like the nice fat elastic bands they use on bunches of asparagus!
Come in designer red or purple here in Canada.
And you get the asparagus for free.
I've used these on a Marshall shock mount designed for the V67 so
they should work on the Neumann ones as well.

On 6 Jun 2004 14:22:44 -0400, (Mike Rivers) wrote:

>
>In article > writes:
>
>> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
>> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
>> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
>> loop and double-knot it.
>
>I had a knot tied in one of the original elastic bands on my U87 shock
>mount for a few years before I replaced it (both of them - woudldn't
>want the mic to be unbalanced). Everyone in front of that mic
>commented about the knot, usually in jest, but I wouldn't be surprised
>if, in a higher-profile studio, the second time they saw that knot, it
>would make them wonder about how good the maintenance around the place
>was.
>
>If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
>new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
>price. If you have to replace the suspension on that mount, you can
>use o-rings that you can buy at a hardware store and nobody will be
>the wiser.

Mike Cleaver Broadcast Services
Voice-overs, Newscaster, Engineering and Consulting
Vancouver, BC, Canada

[David Satz]

Geoff Wood wrote:

> Don't people realise that $28 elastic bands sound so much better,
> and being of such a reputable brand last forever.

Your irony is well taken, but in all seriousness the effectiveness of a
shock mount can make or break a recording, and designing an effective
shock mount, while not rocket science exactly, isn't trivial. A shock
mount is a resonant system--a mechanical filter. The wrong resonance,
"Q" or damping will make it ineffective for its purpose.

Someone else in this thread mentioned a Marshall shock mount--I bought
one of those a couple of years ago to use on a U 87. It was far too stiff
to decouple the microphone from shock conducted through a mike stand or
boom arm, and the suspended part had only a tiny range of motion. Also,
its elastics rested directly on the mechanical latch that held the inner
bracket closed around the microphone. Thus any vibrations that reached
the outer part of the suspension were directly conveyed to the microphone
body through a stretched piece of elastic--which of course had an audible
resonance of its own. All in all it looked like an exercise in designing
the least effective, and perhaps even harmful, "shock mount" that could
possibly be built.

The Shure A53M "rubber donuts" are nice, apart from the lack of a cable
clamp, and can be used for many small microphones; Royer ribbons can use
their larger model (A55M). BLUE sells some well-designed shock mounts
for larger microphones at prices less than Neumann's, and perhaps some
day someone will commission one of the Chinese factories to make well-
designed shock mounts at low cost. With modern materials, new designs
might be invented which will drastically improve the value per dollar
of this type of accessory in general. That would be very nice. But
until then I think we need shock mounts that work--and unfortunately
there aren't effective, inexpensive ones for all types of microphone yet.

--best regards

[David Satz]

Geoff Wood wrote:

> Don't people realise that $28 elastic bands sound so much better,
> and being of such a reputable brand last forever.

Your irony is well taken, but in all seriousness the effectiveness of a
shock mount can make or break a recording, and designing an effective
shock mount, while not rocket science exactly, isn't trivial. A shock
mount is a resonant system--a mechanical filter. The wrong resonance,
"Q" or damping will make it ineffective for its purpose.

Someone else in this thread mentioned a Marshall shock mount--I bought
one of those a couple of years ago to use on a U 87. It was far too stiff
to decouple the microphone from shock conducted through a mike stand or
boom arm, and the suspended part had only a tiny range of motion. Also,
its elastics rested directly on the mechanical latch that held the inner
bracket closed around the microphone. Thus any vibrations that reached
the outer part of the suspension were directly conveyed to the microphone
body through a stretched piece of elastic--which of course had an audible
resonance of its own. All in all it looked like an exercise in designing
the least effective, and perhaps even harmful, "shock mount" that could
possibly be built.

The Shure A53M "rubber donuts" are nice, apart from the lack of a cable
clamp, and can be used for many small microphones; Royer ribbons can use
their larger model (A55M). BLUE sells some well-designed shock mounts
for larger microphones at prices less than Neumann's, and perhaps some
day someone will commission one of the Chinese factories to make well-
designed shock mounts at low cost. With modern materials, new designs
might be invented which will drastically improve the value per dollar
of this type of accessory in general. That would be very nice. But
until then I think we need shock mounts that work--and unfortunately
there aren't effective, inexpensive ones for all types of microphone yet.

--best regards

[david]

In article >, David
Satz > wrote:

> All models of U 87 that have XLR-3M output connectors can use the more
> modern EA 87 shock mount. In that type, a threaded collar screws into the
> base of the microphone, as with most of Neumann's other current shock
> mounts for their larger microphones.
>
> --best regards


Yes, this is the much fancier looking 87 shock mount. It really works
well. You can hang your precious upside down and not have to think
twice about doing it, cuz the mic is screwed into the base of mount.
This same locking mechanism also makes it simple to pivot the mic and
then lock it into place.

The only thing I don't like about this mount - it does look damn good -
is that you can't put the grilles of 2 87's in these mounts right next
to each other, they're gonna be a few inches apart.

The old donut shock mount for a Soundelux U195 -they ship something
different today - does allow a pair of 87's to get very close together.
(It's how I like 87's as overheads for drum kits.)




David Correia
Celebration Sound
Warren, Rhode Island


www.CelebrationSound.com

[david]

In article >, David
Satz > wrote:

> All models of U 87 that have XLR-3M output connectors can use the more
> modern EA 87 shock mount. In that type, a threaded collar screws into the
> base of the microphone, as with most of Neumann's other current shock
> mounts for their larger microphones.
>
> --best regards


Yes, this is the much fancier looking 87 shock mount. It really works
well. You can hang your precious upside down and not have to think
twice about doing it, cuz the mic is screwed into the base of mount.
This same locking mechanism also makes it simple to pivot the mic and
then lock it into place.

The only thing I don't like about this mount - it does look damn good -
is that you can't put the grilles of 2 87's in these mounts right next
to each other, they're gonna be a few inches apart.

The old donut shock mount for a Soundelux U195 -they ship something
different today - does allow a pair of 87's to get very close together.
(It's how I like 87's as overheads for drum kits.)




David Correia
Celebration Sound
Warren, Rhode Island


www.CelebrationSound.com

[Scott Dorsey]

In article <znr1086531906k@trad>, Mike Rivers > wrote:
>In article > writes:
>
>> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
>> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
>> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
>> loop and double-knot it.
>
>I had a knot tied in one of the original elastic bands on my U87 shock
>mount for a few years before I replaced it (both of them - woudldn't
>want the mic to be unbalanced). Everyone in front of that mic
>commented about the knot, usually in jest, but I wouldn't be surprised
>if, in a higher-profile studio, the second time they saw that knot, it
>would make them wonder about how good the maintenance around the place
>was.

1. Use a soldering iron to fuse the band together.

2. Use a crimping tool and a piece of brass tubing to butt-splice it.

both of these look better than a knot.

>If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
>new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
>price. If you have to replace the suspension on that mount, you can
>use o-rings that you can buy at a hardware store and nobody will be
>the wiser.

Actually, the Neumann mounts will take o-rings too, although they are
big ones. Applied Industrial Technology can probably order them.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

In article <znr1086531906k@trad>, Mike Rivers > wrote:
>In article > writes:
>
>> I replaced mine with elastic cord from my local fabric
>> store. 63 cents a foot. Very strong and durable. Better
>> than the original IMHO. Just match the length of the
>> loop and double-knot it.
>
>I had a knot tied in one of the original elastic bands on my U87 shock
>mount for a few years before I replaced it (both of them - woudldn't
>want the mic to be unbalanced). Everyone in front of that mic
>commented about the knot, usually in jest, but I wouldn't be surprised
>if, in a higher-profile studio, the second time they saw that knot, it
>would make them wonder about how good the maintenance around the place
>was.

1. Use a soldering iron to fuse the band together.

2. Use a crimping tool and a piece of brass tubing to butt-splice it.

both of these look better than a knot.

>If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
>new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
>price. If you have to replace the suspension on that mount, you can
>use o-rings that you can buy at a hardware store and nobody will be
>the wiser.

Actually, the Neumann mounts will take o-rings too, although they are
big ones. Applied Industrial Technology can probably order them.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[ScotFraser]

<< The only thing I don't like about this mount - it does look damn good -
is that you can't put the grilles of 2 87's in these mounts right next
to each other, they're gonna be a few inches apart. >>

Try putting one 87 with its capsule up & the other hanging capsule down, placed
directly over the top of the other mic. Coincident stereo right there.


Scott Fraser

[ScotFraser]

<< The only thing I don't like about this mount - it does look damn good -
is that you can't put the grilles of 2 87's in these mounts right next
to each other, they're gonna be a few inches apart. >>

Try putting one 87 with its capsule up & the other hanging capsule down, placed
directly over the top of the other mic. Coincident stereo right there.


Scott Fraser

[WillStG]

>: (Mike Rivers)

>If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
>new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
>price.

I only had half a shockmount for my Neumann U89 and for my SM2 (actually I
it's a Neumann shotgun inner part that fits the SM2), I didn't have the outer
support parts of the shock that the inner parts floats on the suspension bands
from. I discovered the $30 Samson SP-01 shockmount (for the C01) fits
perfectly as a replacement for the outer basket part of the Neumann mounts, and
it matches in look and feel very, very well. Pic here of the SP-01, just used
the outside part of it.

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-SAM-SP01--brand-236.html

If anyone only needs a basket for a Neumann mount, this is a good looking
and cheap alternative.


Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[WillStG]

>: (Mike Rivers)

>If you don't want to spend $28 + shipping with Neumann, get a nice,
>new black mount from Marshall or Studio Projects for about the same
>price.

I only had half a shockmount for my Neumann U89 and for my SM2 (actually I
it's a Neumann shotgun inner part that fits the SM2), I didn't have the outer
support parts of the shock that the inner parts floats on the suspension bands
from. I discovered the $30 Samson SP-01 shockmount (for the C01) fits
perfectly as a replacement for the outer basket part of the Neumann mounts, and
it matches in look and feel very, very well. Pic here of the SP-01, just used
the outside part of it.

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-SAM-SP01--brand-236.html

If anyone only needs a basket for a Neumann mount, this is a good looking
and cheap alternative.


Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[David Satz]

Scott Fraser wrote:

> Try putting one 87 with its capsule up & the other hanging capsule down,
> placed directly over the top of the other mic. Coincident stereo right
> there.

Or trade your two U 87s for a USM 69. It'd give you coincident stereo,
a unitary output cable, and two extra directional patterns per channel
("wide cardioid" and something between super- and hypercardioid).

But then you couldn't use the shock mounts that we've been talking about--
so, naaah. Also, I've found that some singers perceive its size and shape
as threatening, and they're all convinced that you've aimed the microphone
90 degrees away from them, which offends them.

[David Satz]

Scott Fraser wrote:

> Try putting one 87 with its capsule up & the other hanging capsule down,
> placed directly over the top of the other mic. Coincident stereo right
> there.

Or trade your two U 87s for a USM 69. It'd give you coincident stereo,
a unitary output cable, and two extra directional patterns per channel
("wide cardioid" and something between super- and hypercardioid).

But then you couldn't use the shock mounts that we've been talking about--
so, naaah. Also, I've found that some singers perceive its size and shape
as threatening, and they're all convinced that you've aimed the microphone
90 degrees away from them, which offends them.

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> >I had a knot tied in one of the original elastic bands on my U87 shock
> >mount for a few years before I replaced it

> 2. Use a crimping tool and a piece of brass tubing to butt-splice it.

That's how the original bands are made. However if I have to find a
suitable piece of brass tubing and be sure I have a tight enough crimp
that it won't come apart in the middle of a take, I might as well get
the already-built product. I don't use a lot of ball-point pens with
removable cartridges any more. Last one I found around here, I
salvaged the spring to use in my weed whacker.

I bought the replacement elastic suspension bands from Joe Lueng of the
now defunct Gotham Service Lab, and I think it was $16 for the pair. That
was about two years ago. For $28, I'd probably still go with the genuine
article for replacement unless I knew I could make better ones (and I
don't). It may be wishful thinking, but I'd like to dream that they are
aware of the spring constant of the elastic they're using, and used this
along with the mass of a U87 to absorb suitably low frequencies.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[david]

In article >, ScotFraser
> wrote:

> << The only thing I don't like about this mount - it does look damn good -
> is that you can't put the grilles of 2 87's in these mounts right next
> to each other, they're gonna be a few inches apart. >>
>
> Try putting one 87 with its capsule up & the other hanging capsule down,
> placed
> directly over the top of the other mic. Coincident stereo right there.


The stereo pair get hung from one mic stand, the wonderfully solid &
big 1980's akg, which will hold a pair of 87's for days no problemo.
Plus it's easy to see that they are angled exactly the way I want them
over the kit from the simple attached akg stereo bar.

A coincident pair of 87's is my fave drum overhead. I plug them into a
gml. When I recorded onto 2" I would use a pair of Amek 9098's to get a
little extra top, some sheen, but I found I don't need it going
directly into PT HD.

You can see a picture of the stereo 87's on the big stand using the
Soundelux mounts over a drum kit here:

http://celebrationsound.com/images/drumroom.jpg




David Correia
Celebration Sound
Warren, Rhode Island


www.CelebrationSound.com

[Gantt Kushner]

I've had the same set of black hair ties on my U87 shock mount for about
3 years. They're
finally looking like they might need to be replaced. It'll probably cost
me about $1.99 plus
20 or 30 minutes of labor.

Gantt

mcp6453 wrote:

> Am I reading the price list correctly? $14 per band? $42 plus shipping
> for three rubber bands?
>
> When did Mercenary stop selling Neumann products? I assume that have
> since I did not find them listed on their web site.