AT8415 and K-Tek KSMS Shockmounts question at DVinfo.net

Jake Sawyer · December 28th, 2004, 09:45 PM

Hi guys. I got a question for anybody that has experience with both of these shock mounts. What I'm facing is if the K-tek K-SMS shockmount with Ultra soft suspenders( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=331126&is=REG ) would have any advantage over my AT8415 with K-tek soft suspenders( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=300643&is=REG )?

I can't see any real reason why the K-tek mount would be any better then the AT8415 with the K-tek suspenders. Does anybody know if the K-tek would provide better stablization than the AT? Would the K-tek still keep microphone noise lower than the AT? The K-Tek is $50 more and I don't want to waste that fifty if it will give me the same performance as the AT hooked up with the K-tek soft suspenders. I using both of these mounts for on-camera right now. Any advice appreciated!

Bryan Beasleigh · December 29th, 2004, 01:02 AM

The SUS suspenders come in only one variety and they'd ne suited towards a heavier mic. The KSSM has the soft mount and the KSM the standard mount. I own an AT 8415 with the AT bands and have never had any problem with them. I qalso own 2 KSSM with the soft mounts and have used them for Schoeps, Oktava and MKH60. I also have a GPS which I use with my MKH60 and softie.

Is there a difference between the AT and K-Tek, the answer is yes but not enough to warrant the price difference (if your strapped for funds.) You do get what you pay for , but the AT is well made and does the job. I've never used the AT with the SUS bands although my K-Tek GPS uses them.

Jake Sawyer · December 29th, 2004, 10:27 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Bryan Beasleigh : The SUS suspenders come in only one variety and they'd ne suited towards a heavier mic. The KSSM has the soft mount and the KSM the standard mount. I own an AT 8415 with the AT bands and have never had any problem with them. I qalso own 2 KSSM with the soft mounts and have used them for Schoeps, Oktava and MKH60. I also have a GPS which I use with my MKH60 and softie.

Is there a difference between the AT and K-Tek, the answer is yes but not enough to warrant the price difference (if your strapped for funds.) You do get what you pay for , but the AT is well made and does the job. I've never used the AT with the SUS bands although my K-Tek GPS uses them. -->>>

So, basically what your saying is that the AT8415 with the K-tek mounts will do the same job as the K-tek KSMS?

Bryan Beasleigh · December 29th, 2004, 01:09 PM

The 8415 will do the same job as the KSM. I like the KSM better, but if money is tight tyhe 8415 is a good unit. The KSSM is the lighter unit and can be bought with the softer rubber mount. To my knowledge there is no such thing as a KSMS

Jake Sawyer · December 29th, 2004, 01:19 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Bryan Beasleigh : The 8415 will do the same job as the KSM. I like the KSM better, but if money is tight tyhe 8415 is a good unit. The KSSM is the lighter unit and can be bought with the softer rubber mount. To my knowledge there is no such thing as a KSMS -->>>

Here is the unit I'm talking about.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=331126&is=REG

Though because of it's size if I ever upgraded to a bigger microphone the K-tek shockmount looks like it may cause problems. I think it would be smart to stick with the AT8415 now, since it looks like it comes down to the looks and design preferences between the two shockmounts that seperates them and not the actual performance of the two.

Bryan Beasleigh · December 29th, 2004, 09:56 PM

If you're camera mounting only the KSSM comes in a shoe mount for $75. This is a KCAM_SSM B&H has addewd the S at the end of it's model numbers to denote the soft rubber. There is no such designation at k-Tek, it get's confusing.

Camera mount

For camera mounting, this is much better.

The KSM and KSSM are fairly compact, they won't get in the way.

The AT8415 or any of the standard K-Tek's will require a shoe adapter if camera mounted. If that's the case i'd go with the one in the link (KCAM_SSM)

Go to www.mklemme.com for the K-Tek site

Confused yet? I know I am. They make too much stuff but all their stuff is GOOD stuff ;)))

Allen Brodsky · December 30th, 2004, 08:08 AM

K-tek and Lightwave make mic mounts designed to slip into the mic holder on the Sony PD150/170. The mounts seem about the same size and general shape, and are about the same price.
Any experiences/recommendations for one brand over the other?

Bryan Beasleigh · December 30th, 2004, 12:20 PM

Lightwave and K-Tek both make excellent units but my vote goes to K-Tek. Manfred Klemme builds the very best and he listens to people in the field. K-Tek also has a very complete range of product. It's a tough one to call, they're both extremely well built.

December 28th, 2004, 09:45 PM	#1
Jake Sawyer Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 48	AT8415 and K-Tek KSMS Shockmounts question Hi guys. I got a question for anybody that has experience with both of these shock mounts. What I'm facing is if the K-tek K-SMS shockmount with Ultra soft suspenders( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=331126&is=REG ) would have any advantage over my AT8415 with K-tek soft suspenders( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=300643&is=REG )? I can't see any real reason why the K-tek mount would be any better then the AT8415 with the K-tek suspenders. Does anybody know if the K-tek would provide better stablization than the AT? Would the K-tek still keep microphone noise lower than the AT? The K-Tek is $50 more and I don't want to waste that fifty if it will give me the same performance as the AT hooked up with the K-tek soft suspenders. I using both of these mounts for on-camera right now. Any advice appreciated!

December 29th, 2004, 01:02 AM	#2
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The SUS suspenders come in only one variety and they'd ne suited towards a heavier mic. The KSSM has the soft mount and the KSM the standard mount. I own an AT 8415 with the AT bands and have never had any problem with them. I qalso own 2 KSSM with the soft mounts and have used them for Schoeps, Oktava and MKH60. I also have a GPS which I use with my MKH60 and softie. Is there a difference between the AT and K-Tek, the answer is yes but not enough to warrant the price difference (if your strapped for funds.) You do get what you pay for , but the AT is well made and does the job. I've never used the AT with the SUS bands although my K-Tek GPS uses them. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

December 29th, 2004, 01:09 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The 8415 will do the same job as the KSM. I like the KSM better, but if money is tight tyhe 8415 is a good unit. The KSSM is the lighter unit and can be bought with the softer rubber mount. To my knowledge there is no such thing as a KSMS __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

December 29th, 2004, 09:56 PM	#6
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	If you're camera mounting only the KSSM comes in a shoe mount for $75. This is a KCAM_SSM B&H has addewd the S at the end of it's model numbers to denote the soft rubber. There is no such designation at k-Tek, it get's confusing. Camera mount For camera mounting, this is much better. The KSM and KSSM are fairly compact, they won't get in the way. The AT8415 or any of the standard K-Tek's will require a shoe adapter if camera mounted. If that's the case i'd go with the one in the link (KCAM_SSM) Go to www.mklemme.com for the K-Tek site Confused yet? I know I am. They make too much stuff but all their stuff is GOOD stuff ;))) __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

December 30th, 2004, 08:08 AM	#7
Allen Brodsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eatontown, NJ Posts: 118	K-tek vs. Lightwave K-tek and Lightwave make mic mounts designed to slip into the mic holder on the Sony PD150/170. The mounts seem about the same size and general shape, and are about the same price. Any experiences/recommendations for one brand over the other?

December 29th, 2004, 10:27 AM	#3
Jake Sawyer Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 48	<<<-- Originally posted by Bryan Beasleigh : The SUS suspenders come in only one variety and they'd ne suited towards a heavier mic. The KSSM has the soft mount and the KSM the standard mount. I own an AT 8415 with the AT bands and have never had any problem with them. I qalso own 2 KSSM with the soft mounts and have used them for Schoeps, Oktava and MKH60. I also have a GPS which I use with my MKH60 and softie. Is there a difference between the AT and K-Tek, the answer is yes but not enough to warrant the price difference (if your strapped for funds.) You do get what you pay for , but the AT is well made and does the job. I've never used the AT with the SUS bands although my K-Tek GPS uses them. -->>> So, basically what your saying is that the AT8415 with the K-tek mounts will do the same job as the K-tek KSMS?

December 29th, 2004, 01:19 PM	#5
Jake Sawyer Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 48	<<<-- Originally posted by Bryan Beasleigh : The 8415 will do the same job as the KSM. I like the KSM better, but if money is tight tyhe 8415 is a good unit. The KSSM is the lighter unit and can be bought with the softer rubber mount. To my knowledge there is no such thing as a KSMS -->>> Here is the unit I'm talking about. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=331126&is=REG Though because of it's size if I ever upgraded to a bigger microphone the K-tek shockmount looks like it may cause problems. I think it would be smart to stick with the AT8415 now, since it looks like it comes down to the looks and design preferences between the two shockmounts that seperates them and not the actual performance of the two.

December 30th, 2004, 12:20 PM	#8
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Lightwave and K-Tek both make excellent units but my vote goes to K-Tek. Manfred Klemme builds the very best and he listens to people in the field. K-Tek also has a very complete range of product. It's a tough one to call, they're both extremely well built. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"