Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stands?

JLNorthGA

Active Member
I'm not buying bulk - I just need 15-20' lengths of XLR cable with ends.
We purchased two ribbon snakes (8 channel) to go from the snakes beside the stage to on stage. It has really made a difference in the stage appearance. We don't have 50' cables cluttering up the stage. However this leaves us short of shorter cable lengths. The cables are to be used for microphones (instrumental and vocal) for concert situations. Saturday, 3/9/13, we had five musicians. A couple required DI boxes, several required SM57s and in two instances they required both. We also had five SM58s. This means I REALLY need some shorter cables - probably about 5-6 - if this is going to happen again - which I suspect it will.

On a similar note - with the number of microphones which required stands - we really need some decent stands.

Finally - when we put away the microphones at the end of the day - it became obvious that putting them back in the zippered pouches that Shure provided isn't going to work. Therefore a nice padded microphone bag that will hold 6 or 12 microphones would really be nice.
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

I have a few audiopile cable trunks and they're fairly decent. Chinese made but pretty good.

As for mic storage, I'm not an audio guy but I think a case with dividers (there are foam things with holes) for mics. I wouldn't store a bunch of mics together. Even if they don't get damaged, they'll get nicked up, etc. And mics take a beating from performers in live music situations, they don't need a beating in storage.
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

For really budget cables, the GLS cables available on Amazon come up a lot in this discussion on the various audio boards, No they are not as good as the Audiopile ones, but have a better reputation from the cheapie ones available elsewhere.
Amazon.com: GLS Audio 6ft Patch Cable Cords - XLR Male To XLR Female Black Cables - 6' Balanced Snake Cord - 6 PACK: Musical Instruments

Mic Stands, K and M and Atlas, forget everything else. Mic stands are definitely a cry once/buy once item.
The Audiopile cases are very nice, Gator and SKB and others make similar ones. With your budget constraints, perhaps DIY would make more sense, look around for either a tool box or tackle box with pull out drawers, add dividers and foam, storing the mic's horizontally rather that vertically. Lable each compartment so you know if a mic has been misplaced while striking.
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

...We purchased two ribbon snakes (8 channel) to go from the snakes beside the stage to on stage. ... We don't have 50' cables cluttering up the stage. However this leaves us short of shorter cable lengths. ...
Ribbon snake s? You mean sub-snake s? Why not use the fifty footers you don't need any more to make 2x 25' (or 2x 20' + 1x ~10')?

... Therefore a nice padded microphone bag that will hold 6 or 12 microphones would really be nice.
If not the individual zippered pouches (or Crown Royal bags), each mic in its own compartment, always.
Gator Cases GM-12B 12 Microphone Padded Bag - Alpha Music
Gator GM-15-TSA ATA Molded Mic Case with 15 Microphone Drops 262-954
R&R Cases - Workbox Options Drawer Inserts
Small padded cases may be convenient, but I prefer a big, heavy road case. Do you want someone to misplace/steal ALL your mics at once, or one at a time?

Second the Atlas mic stand s with AKG (K&M) boom arm s. Get a roadcase for those also.
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Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

I use Hosa XLR cables, DMX cables, and adapters & I'm very happy with them. The quality is good and the price is reasonable. They carry different grades of cables, so you can get what you can afford. They're available just about everywhere. I get mine from either Music123 or eBay. All of their cables and adapters are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.

Audio Cables, Connectors & Accessories - Instrument Cables - Hosatech
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

K&M mic stands are the best made and will far outlast anything else. I've got some that are 30 years old and still earning their keep. I know other pros that have had the same experience.

For a simple, solid base, straight stand, Atlas is fine. Unfortunately, Atlas has never been able to make a functional boom. The only exception might be their big recording studio boom on wheels.

I once made the mistake of buying a few Ultimate boom stands. The stupid things all leaned and looked ridiculous. The only good thing I can say is that they were lighter and easier to carry.
 
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Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

As has been suggested, don't cheap out on mic stands. Buying the Musicians Friend 6 pack of On Stage stands sounds like a good deal but you'll end up with only a couple of working mic stands by the end of the year. K&M are by far the best stands you can buy, but the top end ones are super expensive and I understand if you need to find some middle ground. I have, and I use Whirlwind Connect stands. They are very similar to the lesser expensive K&M's and I wouldn't be surprised if they were made in the same factory. They're not too expensive either, although I'm a Whirlwind dealer so I get them for less than you will.

I get most of my cable from CBI, but again because I'm a dealer. I usually buy bulk and make my own, putting colored heat shrink with my company name printed on them, but I have also ordered some pre-made XLR from them and it's been decent quality. They have several price points. Whirlwind also makes a really good XLR cable as well.

I don't understand what issue you're having with the individual mic pouches. I keep my mics in their pouches in a large Pelican case. In the past I have also used the SKB mic case that has foam slots, the EWI mic case on two wheels, EWI work box (I put the SKB foam in the bottom drawer for 58 style mice and put other mics in the smaller drawers. You could also use a milk crate and keep the mics in the pouches.
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

As has been suggested, don't cheap out on mic stands. Buying the Musicians Friend 6 pack of On Stage stands sounds like a good deal but you'll end up with only a couple of working mic stands by the end of the year. K&M are by far the best stands you can buy, but the top end ones are super expensive and I understand if you need to find some middle ground. I have, and I use Whirlwind Connect stands. They are very similar to the lesser expensive K&M's and I wouldn't be surprised if they were made in the same factory. They're not too expensive either, although I'm a Whirlwind dealer so I get them for less than you will.

I get most of my cable from CBI, but again because I'm a dealer. I usually buy bulk and make my own, putting colored heat shrink with my company name printed on them, but I have also ordered some pre-made XLR from them and it's been decent quality. They have several price points. Whirlwind also makes a really good XLR cable as well.

I don't understand what issue you're having with the individual mic pouches. I keep my mics in their pouches in a large Pelican case. In the past I have also used the SKB mic case that has foam slots, the EWI mic case on two wheels, EWI work box (I put the SKB foam in the bottom drawer for 58 style mice and put other mics in the smaller drawers. You could also use a milk crate and keep the mics in the pouches.

The issue with the individual mic pouches is volunteers. When they are "helpful" in putting stuff away - they bang things up. A nice soft multiple microphone case would be nice.

I'll check for a Whirlwind dealer in my area.
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

Ah, I got ya. Check out the SKB case for something small (I think 9 58 style mics plus a side compartment for DI's and accessories). If you need something that holds more mics and is more robust the EWI case is really nice. It saw the continent twice with me.
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

I can attest that the GLS cable is actually a good bang for the buck. I do a lot of gigging in the off season with club bands in rock, ska and Jazz and these GLS cables hold up to all the foot stomping, case rolling and beer spilling pretty well. No, it's not Hosa but it will hold up surprisingly well for the price. As for mic cases, this is not something you want to cheap out on IF you are moving the mics around a lot. If the whole lot is stationary (such as in a house set of mics), then a good steel filing cabinet with some foam cutout will do you well. But, if you are moving kit around a lot, a Gator or SKB case is the best investment you can make for your mics. I personally use an SKB 16-mic case and for the price of two 57's you'll get a great box that takes hits and is pretty light.
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

I really hate their connectors. I ended up chopping them off and replacing with Neutrik connectors.


thinking of doing that to some of our extras as part of a soldering class. they definitely like to stay put when brand new for awhile
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

There were no pictures or even description? I buy stuff online all the time. When it shows up I'm never surprised because I new what I was getting when I bought it. I don't know how anyone could make any kind of purchase without knowing what it is. When you buy groceries do you buy "food" or specific items that a recipe calls for?
 
Re: Preferred brands of microphone cable, microphone storage bag and microphone stand

CBI for cables, American made using the connectors of your choice.

Gator, SKB, Odyssey, etc., for mic cases is the way to go.

K & M for stands is first place but a close second is Ultimate Support.

I'm a dealer for all of the above as well.
 

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