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So everyone is selling expensive microphones these days with shock mounts only and no stand adapter/clip. What about folks like me who haven't been fooled by all the music videos with shock mounts and pop filters on every mic if it needs it or not?

The crazy thing is, it's not like they don't make clips for them. Most do. They apparently don't think that several hundred or even thousands of dollars should get you all the accessories you might need... like a simple clip.

Even funnier is when you contact a dealer and ask about the availability of clips, they inevitably say, "Doesn't that come with a shock mount?"

Yes... I know... Now about that clip...

I guess it doesn't bug me too much. I can't remember the last time I busted out the clips for my 414's. The only real advantage I can think of is if you're trying to fit the mic into a small space, or if the shockmount really sucks. Am I missing something?

I'm all ranted out. So I don't get it. But keep tilting at the windmills I guess. If your birthday is coming up I can buy you clips... But only if it's your birthday soon. Otherwise you're waiting until Christmas. Also, should we have a good old fashioned shock mount burning in protest? I'd be hip to that, I have a couple I'm not fond of...

Honestly, I get what you are saying but I've never ever thought about it befoer you mentioned it and it's never bothered me.

Also, it it your official position that you are a a windscreen biggot?

I have two brand new C414s at Imperial that come with the "Universal" shock mount, wind screen and pop filters.... but no straight clip!

These are $1000.00 mics... Am I asking too much?

Shock mount = bulky, clumsy, more difficult to assemble, restrict positioning angle, and most importantly... usually unnecessary.

I just had one of those funny moments with someone watching me placing those mics and they said... "Those mounts are awesome!" After which I proceeded to show them how limited the movement and position was compared to if it had an actual clip instead. I think I made my point pretty well.

With regards to pop filters. Up close use, very necessary. Most times for me, proper positioning can make the use of one very redundant.

A member of another forum recently posted about how a photographer in on a session tried to make him put a pop screen up on a session that he was actually cutting vocals without one. That is how ingrained those things are in peoples heads. "That's how a pro vocal setup looks..."
As hilarious as it sounds, this pop filter fetish has been semi seriously blamed on the "We Are The World" video.

Yeah... What do these guys know?

Who are those guys? No pop filter or shock mounts. The album must stink something fierce.

Drumwaiter wrote:Who are those guys? No pop filter or shock mounts. The album must stink something fierce.

Not pro at all...

What are those goofy looking mics they are using too? I think Nick sells those at The Source in KV. I think they're Nexxtech or something...

Malcolm Boyce wrote:I have two brand new C414s at Imperial that come with the "Universal" shock mount, wind screen and pop filters.... but no straight clip!

These are $1000.00 mics... Am I asking too much?

Shock mount = bulky, clumsy, more difficult to assemble, restrict positioning angle, and most importantly... usually unnecessary.

Maybe the H85 is different than the H100 that I have, but I've never had an issue with the restricted positioning angle. If it's too far to go, I just flip the mic over. That being said, I do think they should still come with straight clips.

macrae11 wrote:...That being said, I do think they should still come with straight clips.

...and that being the biggest part of my rant. I love all the extra stuff.... but no clips?

Write to AKG and get the ball rolling. I'm willing to bet they'll at least answer you in Germain. But will probably even send you some free clips.

So in my cruising mic porn I have discovered one of my fav manufacturers has bucked the trend and includes with their top end condensers a swivel mount and not just a shock mount. Shure KSM44 and KSM32 both come standard with a basic swivel mount. In fact, the "stage" version of the KSM32 comes only with a swivel mount which to me is far more sensible than the other way around.

Any others out there still playing smart?

With Neumann's most of their models come with swivel mounts and you have to buy the shock mounts separate. Unfortunately their shockmounts are bloody expensive.

macrae11 wrote:With Neumann's most of their models come with swivel mounts and you have to buy the shock mounts separate. Unfortunately their shockmounts are bloody expensive.

Yeah... Good for Neumann.

I find including all that stuff to be for show, and it helps them drive the price up accordingly if you just want the mics.

The two versions of the KSM32 differ by quite a bit, and they are the same mic, but one is without all the bling included with it. I say smart business that way.

Malcolm Boyce wrote:...Any others out there still playing smart?

I bought a couple of RØDE NTK's a few years back and they each came with a nice hard-shell carrying case and also included the shock mounts and regular clips. Don't know if they are still following that policy or not.

Jef wrote:

Malcolm Boyce wrote:...Any others out there still playing smart?

I bought a couple of RØDE NTK's a few years back and they each came with a nice hard-shell carrying case and also included the shock mounts and regular clips. Don't know if they are still following that policy or not.

Unfortunately I know they aren't doing that across their entire line. I have two NT1As that came with shock mounts only. There is a swivel mount available as well which came stock with the original NT1, but not the "A".