K&M Mic stands at DVinfo.net

James Kuhn · July 4th, 2012, 11:29 AM

I just recently purchased two(2) K&M Microphone 'boom' stands. My initial impression of the mic stands is favorable, the overall build quality is pretty good, though I'm sure there are much better stands out there, but for the price, these are pretty decent. My biggest concern was the boom sagging or slipping with a pair of relitively heavy microphones (AKG C414 XLS) and a Grace Bar attached.

I know this is kind of a boring subject, but I've been on a 'search' for a couple of decent mic. stands.

Have a great July 4th!

J.

James Kuhn · July 4th, 2012, 04:16 PM

BTW, they are model number 210/2.

Regards,

J.

Rick Reineke · July 4th, 2012, 08:51 PM

K&M (König & Meyer) make very good stands.
A standard (music type) K&M boom should easily support a 414 with a standard shock-mount and windscreen.
The ultra-cheapo stands are dangerous to equipment and personnel.. You gets what you pay for.

Les Wilson · July 4th, 2012, 09:47 PM

I( recently found replacement clutches for our K&M. What was sagging under the weight of an SM57 and it sags no mo. It was like 50 cents per stand for new clutches..... now I have new booms.

James Kuhn · July 5th, 2012, 09:04 AM

Les....alright, spill the beans, what is the "fix"? Heh, heh!

Regards,

J.

Les Wilson · July 5th, 2012, 10:44 AM

Here ya go:
K&M Stands 03 21 160 55 Swivel Washer for KM211 Boom | Full Compass

But if your stands are new, I would expect your problem to be these clutches.

James Kuhn · July 6th, 2012, 08:55 AM

Les...thanks partner! I don't have an issue at this point, but I think I'll get replacements, which will ensure I never have a problem. Heh, heh!

Best regards,

J.

Les Wilson · July 6th, 2012, 11:11 AM

I meant to say I "wouldn't " expect them to be the problem.

Paul R Johnson · July 6th, 2012, 11:52 AM

Here in Europe - the K&M range is considered 'the' standard that every other manufacturer copies.

James Kuhn · July 7th, 2012, 12:45 PM

Mr. Johnson...it's always a pleasure to hear from my UK cousins. Thanks!

Best regards,

J.

Jacques Mersereau · July 7th, 2012, 03:12 PM

Mic stands like care. I've had some go for 25 years with pros handling them, and new K&M booms worn out in a year by untrained and uncaring students.

Although they will hold two 414s, if you want something heavier, I would suggest something like this:

Atlas SB-11WE | VintageKing.com

and now we enter the land of PRO LEVEL STICKER SHOCK!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/275698-REG/Mole_Richardson_75_Comet_Boom_with_Roller.html

James Kuhn · July 8th, 2012, 10:44 AM

Jacques Mersereau...'sticker shock' indeed. Heh, heh! Going to 'pro-level' equipment is always the best bet, I'll save my pennies and get a couple of the Atlas stands. I don't have a lot of experience with mic stands and the K&M seemed like an okay compromise, I'm sure they'll handle things until I can replace them with something more robust.

Thank you for your recommendations.

Regards,

J.

Seth Bloombaum · July 8th, 2012, 11:10 AM

I use K&M frequently. Their metal-base stands are quite sturdy under normal pro use. I've not had any slippage problems. Most often this is stage use, and there's nothing as versatile as their 2-stage stand with extending boom.

These stands are also about right for many sit-down interviews.

However, for non-stage use and stereo recording, they are frequently just too small. They are still a great stand if you want your array up to 6' high or so. You don't need to use the boom in many such situations.

For a heavier portable stand for, I've gone to chucking an atlas-style boom into a c-stand, and it is great. You have the versatility of a c-stand (folding, heavy, sand-baggable, positioning) with as heavy a mike or array as you want on the end of the stick. Here's the current model Atlas PB15, but I use an old-school version with a chunky weight as was popular in the 60s and 70s, these old stands are going for about $10 these days.

Remove the Atlas head, and just grab the tube with the grip-head on your c-stand, or, for greater reach, the head on the end of your c-stand boom. That then gives you the 5/8" threaded post on the end you can thread your mic clips onto.

James Kuhn · July 8th, 2012, 05:31 PM

Seth...I appreciate your thoughtful and thorough response. I looked around my local pawn shops, but the 'pickens' were slim. I'll keep an eye out for older Atlas stands.

Thanks to all for playing along.

Regards,

J.

Gerry Gallegos · July 9th, 2012, 08:59 PM

A pair of C414s are worth about $1500, why wouldnt you invest a couple of hundred to hold them up securely?

K&M have different levels of quality, they make dirt cheap stuff as well as tour-worthy stuff, spend the extra scratch, fixing a 414 from a fall will cost more than a good quality stand.

Good luck

July 4th, 2012, 11:29 AM	#1
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	K&M Mic stands I just recently purchased two(2) K&M Microphone 'boom' stands. My initial impression of the mic stands is favorable, the overall build quality is pretty good, though I'm sure there are much better stands out there, but for the price, these are pretty decent. My biggest concern was the boom sagging or slipping with a pair of relitively heavy microphones (AKG C414 XLS) and a Grace Bar attached. I know this is kind of a boring subject, but I've been on a 'search' for a couple of decent mic. stands. Have a great July 4th! J.

July 4th, 2012, 04:16 PM	#2
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: K&M Mic stands BTW, they are model number 210/2. Regards, J.

July 4th, 2012, 08:51 PM	#3
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: K&M Mic stands K&M (König & Meyer) make very good stands. A standard (music type) K&M boom should easily support a 414 with a standard shock-mount and windscreen. The ultra-cheapo stands are dangerous to equipment and personnel.. You gets what you pay for.

July 4th, 2012, 09:47 PM	#4
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: K&M Mic stands I( recently found replacement clutches for our K&M. What was sagging under the weight of an SM57 and it sags no mo. It was like 50 cents per stand for new clutches..... now I have new booms. Last edited by Les Wilson; July 5th, 2012 at 10:44 AM. Reason: fixed typo on mic

July 5th, 2012, 09:04 AM	#5
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: K&M Mic stands Les....alright, spill the beans, what is the "fix"? Heh, heh! Regards, J.

July 5th, 2012, 10:44 AM	#6
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: K&M Mic stands Here ya go: K&M Stands 03 21 160 55 Swivel Washer for KM211 Boom \| Full Compass But if your stands are new, I would expect your problem to be these clutches.

July 6th, 2012, 08:55 AM	#7
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: K&M Mic stands Les...thanks partner! I don't have an issue at this point, but I think I'll get replacements, which will ensure I never have a problem. Heh, heh! Best regards, J.

July 6th, 2012, 11:11 AM	#8
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: K&M Mic stands I meant to say I "wouldn't " expect them to be the problem.

July 6th, 2012, 11:52 AM	#9
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	Re: K&M Mic stands Here in Europe - the K&M range is considered 'the' standard that every other manufacturer copies.

July 7th, 2012, 12:45 PM	#10
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: K&M Mic stands Mr. Johnson...it's always a pleasure to hear from my UK cousins. Thanks! Best regards, J.

July 7th, 2012, 03:12 PM	#11
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Re: K&M Mic stands Mic stands like care. I've had some go for 25 years with pros handling them, and new K&M booms worn out in a year by untrained and uncaring students. Although they will hold two 414s, if you want something heavier, I would suggest something like this: Atlas SB-11WE \| VintageKing.com and now we enter the land of PRO LEVEL STICKER SHOCK! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/275698-REG/Mole_Richardson_75_Comet_Boom_with_Roller.html __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

July 8th, 2012, 10:44 AM	#12
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: K&M Mic stands Jacques Mersereau...'sticker shock' indeed. Heh, heh! Going to 'pro-level' equipment is always the best bet, I'll save my pennies and get a couple of the Atlas stands. I don't have a lot of experience with mic stands and the K&M seemed like an okay compromise, I'm sure they'll handle things until I can replace them with something more robust. Thank you for your recommendations. Regards, J.

July 8th, 2012, 11:10 AM	#13
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Re: K&M Mic stands I use K&M frequently. Their metal-base stands are quite sturdy under normal pro use. I've not had any slippage problems. Most often this is stage use, and there's nothing as versatile as their 2-stage stand with extending boom. These stands are also about right for many sit-down interviews. However, for non-stage use and stereo recording, they are frequently just too small. They are still a great stand if you want your array up to 6' high or so. You don't need to use the boom in many such situations. For a heavier portable stand for, I've gone to chucking an atlas-style boom into a c-stand, and it is great. You have the versatility of a c-stand (folding, heavy, sand-baggable, positioning) with as heavy a mike or array as you want on the end of the stick. Here's the current model Atlas PB15, but I use an old-school version with a chunky weight as was popular in the 60s and 70s, these old stands are going for about $10 these days. Remove the Atlas head, and just grab the tube with the grip-head on your c-stand, or, for greater reach, the head on the end of your c-stand boom. That then gives you the 5/8" threaded post on the end you can thread your mic clips onto. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

July 8th, 2012, 05:31 PM	#14
James Kuhn Major Player Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 865	Re: K&M Mic stands Seth...I appreciate your thoughtful and thorough response. I looked around my local pawn shops, but the 'pickens' were slim. I'll keep an eye out for older Atlas stands. Thanks to all for playing along. Regards, J.

July 9th, 2012, 08:59 PM	#15
Gerry Gallegos Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 262	Re: K&M Mic stands A pair of C414s are worth about $1500, why wouldnt you invest a couple of hundred to hold them up securely? K&M have different levels of quality, they make dirt cheap stuff as well as tour-worthy stuff, spend the extra scratch, fixing a 414 from a fall will cost more than a good quality stand. Good luck