3 Incredible Mic Stands Under $100

[@mifflinfinity]

The level of enthusiasm, sincerity, and interest in this presentation of microphone stands is exceptional. Made my day.

[@JamesDBuzzard]

I'm a videographer and we use c-stands for everything! That fancy piece is called a "grip head" Great video man!

[@nicknovak5514]

Thank you for this, Ryan. One of the least considered things working in a studio is stuff like stands, and other “boring” stuff. A sagging stand can end up costing a bunch of time to deal with in the studio. I’ve been doing a lot of live recording, where I have about 10 minutes between bands to change over, and I’m generally not allowed to adjust anything once the music starts, with the exception of catastrophic equipment problems. A crappy stand can and had ruined a live recording.

[@iwanttobefree3739]

Finally someone i trust comes out with a video on this! Thank you, I’ve been looking for some good stands for a while.

[@Fiascopia]

Thanks

[@creativesoundlab]

Thank you so much!

[@DoItYourselfMusician]

The part you speak of in the video is called a Grip Head. It's a 2 1/2" Grip head to be precise. That C-stand (Century Stand) is referred to as a 40" C-stand and there are also shorter models referred to as 20" C-stands. Traditional C-stand arms do not have those threaded ends, they are plain 5/8" tubing so this particular stand is good for the job of holding Mics. I've used them to hold mics plenty of times in the past.

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice, thanks for the vocab lesson! I was searching for it and couldn't find the answer.

[@ribster2010]

Where or can you purchase the arms that have the threaded ends?

[@rimshot223]

The do still make the old tama's you have. They are the "tour" version vs. the studio version. The tour version is $85 on Sweetwater.

[@creativesoundlab]

Ah right you are! I didn't catch that.

[@DustinWatts]

I use K&M stands for about anything you can think of. They have all sorts of models. The are robust, easy to handle, fold to a small package and best of all they are prised very well. They are suitable for studio and robust enough for stage work. I definitely recommend you check them out.

[@ryancrawford9894]

Awesome! Stands and cables can make or break a session, and are often overlooked. Thanks for the video, these options are great.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks Ryan!

[@fleshtonegolem]

With two of the Flashpoint C stands, you can pretty much cover any unusual circumstance given their agility. I have always wanted to use two Boundary mics on a reflective surface in a wide room stereo spread. Using these, plus the adapter clap to hold the reflective surface would make that a piece of cake. You could walk around and find a good spot easily and create the boundary surface/phase relationship you wanted with ease. Thanks for the video!

[@creativesoundlab]

Wow yes. It's like little walls you can move around.

[@WillTheWeirdo]

@@creativesoundlab Any link to the small C Stand adapter that will allow the mic clip to be connected?

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

Ordered 2 of the C stand after watching this. Excited to have a good way to mic overheads finally.

[@nickj2508]

The flashpoint C stand suggestion was unexpected, great suggestion. It has similar angle adjustment features to some cymbal stands, a very sturdy design. The price on the Tama went up (2021 inflation) recently and is on par with the Flashpoint stand

[@benjamingaray5660]

I don’t care if this an old video. I needed to see this

[@LaughingBuffaloes]

Those tama stands are a real pleasure to use. I bought two of the standard series (which is like the older tama in the video) and one of the studio series (like the new one) earlier this year and I love them. I upgraded from some cheap onstage booms that were always sagging on me and just generally were a pain to use. The tama stands just feel good to operate, all the turney bits turn nice and feel nice. One thing worth mentioning is the studio series stand in the video is a $130 stand and the standard ones are only $60 (prices from sweetwater). Additionally, the studio series stand has shorter legs on the tripod, so its got a smaller footprint. That can be really handy when your tight on space. It seems equally as stable though as the standard ones with the standard size tripod legs. I like those C stands, I didn't know something like that existed for less than $100. I might have to get one of those.

[@creativesoundlab]

I didn't know there was two types of them, but I would be fine with the cheaper version as the main joint looks to be the same. Looks like the footprint is different, and the weight is different, but very close.

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

Great video, but the ironworks studio mic stand is no longer under $100, it’s $150. Hercules MS401B Transformer Microphone Stand is a great deal for $73 at Sweetwater.

[@robertsaca3512]

The thread you're referring to is a 'Quarter Twenty', standard stuff for photography, Rode make a great product that has a bunch of adaptors to go from it to 3/8th's, 5/8th's etc.

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

One of the best channels, period. What would you recommend for reducing floor vibration into the stand? I’m in a legit studio, but walking in the control room still sends some low rumble into the stand in the tracking room. Shock mount isn’t doing the trick. Thank you!

[@malikliggins8227]

Can someone link where I can find the thread adapter at 7:26, or can someone share the dimensions of the adapter so I can find it myself

[@dannyjesse3655]

This is the type of shit people need to talk about more. Ive been using cymbal stands with the threads machined in by a local machine shop. Im definitely getting one of those stands, ive been wanting something like that for years.

[@creativesoundlab]

Oh cymbal stands, interesting.

[@Hadrorex]

I also use the Yamaha Hexrack short cymbal boom arms with Gibralter's mic adapters. The first generation rack clamps with the locking spheres are the bomb! Perfect as I've employed the Hexrack system for over three decades. I've switched to different drum makes but NEVER switched from Yamaha's Hexrack and its 7/8 inch friendly hardware. I bought Gibralter's 10mm tom mounts to mount my Tamas. They're on 7/8 inch tubing. Funny how my latest and greatest kit is now my treasured 8-piece Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute in Plum Stain. When the feel hits me I just go into my spare bedroom (drum warehouse) and swap in the same sized Singerlands, Ludwigs, Mapex, DWs, Tamas, Sonors, Premieres or Gretch drums. Don't have to move a thing. Just swap out the tom holders as the toothed memory lock places them back in the exact position again. I use the C-stands for my overheads. I employ over a dozen C-stands to mount anything from a banner sound absorbing panels, lighting, a fan or whatever. Then again, I'm a photographer. I also use Yamaha's Hexrack system to build my photographic sets in the studio too.

[@V.Drouin]

I discovered your channel only recently but I've been binge watching it since then. Your mic reviews/comparisons helped me a lot and your videos on miking drums gave me great ideas for the future (mostly your Glyn Johns videos). You explain very well and the production quality is excellent! Thanks for making such informative videos

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks Vincent!

[@Ambientes]

He’s awesome

[@robertkerr8601]

Diggin the Tama mic stand man, looks like decent build for the price. Your new Tama stand is counter weighted at the back which is cool.

[@millea8]

I bought the Tama stand for my heavy RE-320 so it can sit behind my desk. I utilize the mic as a desktop boom armed mic and it works GREAT! The quality, weight, and sturdiness is absolutely unmatched at this price point. I had looked at Atlas, Latch Lake, etc. and ALMOST pulled the trigger on a Latch Lake, but got this instead hoping it would work out. It did! It's absurdly sturdy and yes, Latch Lake is crazy premium and amazing, but the Tama is far less expensive. So great. Hoping they come out with a version with wheels and/or a retro-fit wheel kit.

[@ndSpaz]

This is very useful, I have two vintage Reslo RV mics and they are notorious stand benders. Heavy as hell. I usually take a strip of tape and secure it so it doesn't bend forwards.

[@creativesoundlab]

Oh nice!

[@Blind_Reviews]

The best mic stand video on KZbin!

[@Charlie6String56]

Man, your videos showed up at the exact time I needed, great information, presented very well. Thanks.

[@Ambientes]

Charles Lo Tempio GOD sent

[@nathandeansings]

Would love to know the material used for the spreader base, as Hercules stands thread their lock bolt in to the aluminium base which fails regularly.

[@MrAlFuture]

Wow! The C stand tip is a revelation! Thanks!

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah just take the time to make some sand bags but fill them with gravel to avoid any leaking. Weighing them down is reassuring.

[@Martin-kn6vc]

I definitely agree that you need to get good mic stands... but saying that, I'm using some really cheap ones that were about £15-£25 on Amazon that I've had since about 2009, but are showing their damage now. I think where it matters most is drum overheads. A stand I like is the Hercules MS120B; they have an 'H' base, that's really heavy, but also pretty small so you're able to tuck it in really close to a snare drum without competing with drum hardware, as well as being able to extend it to a useable height. I also like Konig & Meyer stands, but the stand you showed after the Tamas that would droop over time looked to be a Konig & Meyer (I spotted the white circular logo).

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, I've tried my best to like the K and M stuff, but they keep drooping. I checked on the Hercules, those look nice and the gaps for drum hardware. Always a little crowded around the snare.

[@DanielRiera]

Great tips! I'm getting ready to buy the Flashpoint stand but I'm wondering what other bits I would need in order to hang a spaced pair of heavy ribbon mics over a piano

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

Wow dude. That was a very informative review and you seem like a super cool guy. Best wishes to you. Diggin' the "jellybean" drum set in the back. :)

[@mlentsch]

That "stand" has "stood" the test of time - haha

[@shanehagan]

lmao

[@CesarZumarraga]

not funny

[@AllGlo]

Corny ass

[@joshuasy10]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHSHSHSHSHSHAHSHSHSHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@JeromeProductions]

Uh

[@spiked-b5761]

Considering how much an old ribbon mic can weight (my studio teacher use to call the Coles 4038 "the irons" because of the shape and weight), using a standard microphone boom stand for overheads can be really the hell of a pain. So, for studio application, where weight and price is not the first issues, having a lights dedicated stand for overheads can be a good idea. But the price can be the main problem (at least it is to me).

[@buskingforlife]

Yup in the same boat> might try the c stands

[@elliotignasiak5152]

nice find on the C stand!

[@mkkrushmt]

I have one of those tall on stage stands for orchestral mains - works great! I have a ton of colleagues that use lighting stands with adapters for US threading. That c stand looks awesome!

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice, I have not spent a good amount of time testing out the c stand for mics, but I'm glad to hear others are.

[@thepick5663]

Hmmm... I'm trying to decide between Tama and K&M

[@TheContentDealer]

You deserve more of a following

[@MikeyBizzle4Shizzle]

About to buy a Pyle Heavy Duty hope it does the Job

[@little-alien]

I’ve bought all sorts of brands of stands. The only stands I buy these days are Tama’s. They truely have stood the test of time. Everyone I know swears by K&M but the Tama stands totally kick their arse!

[@creativesoundlab]

100%!!!!

[@Ambientes]

What’s arse

[@BitterrootRambler]

keep those crown royal bags around. Put a rock in them use them for counterweights on mic stands.

[@rist98]

I wish this were available in europe. Does anyone know of anything in that regard?

[@syaz4380]

3:07 wow a bad K&M stand

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

You can also try the Manfroto 1004, the Superlux MS200, or anything by Millenium. All great stands. You might want to hook a few counterweights (e.g., a bottle or two of water) on sagging stands.

[@AdamRainStopper]

I got cheap stands, old 10 pound plates, bags of cat litter. I've broken far too much expensive shit to spend more than the absolute minimum on stands. Even I can't break a 10 pound plate though. At least so far I haven't figured out a way. I'd knock on wood, but I wouldn't want to break anything.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, the manfroto stuff is great, but is not heavy enough for me. I have decently expensive boom by them, and it sags. I replaced that light with the c stand and it's SO much better.

[@djentlover]

Millenium is the biggest pile of steaming shit when it comes to stands. Stay miles away from them.

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

djentlover Ok. Got a little too exuberant with the names.

[@damnfractal]

Millenium is definitely not a great stand, I've seen a fair few and ALL of them were broken in various places and stages.

[@adamwasthefirstman]

Totally gonna buy the Flashpoint for my stereo ribbon OH! I've been using bottles of water as counterweights on a flimsier stand as heavy duty stands have been prohibitive cost and space wise. Definitely not ideal. Great find!

[@simcHyt]

Sweet! What I need in studio are mic stands as hard as the Tama cymbal stands, heavy duty af. They use clutch system with a bunch of stacked disks together, you could lift a car with those

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, that would be amazing if they used that design.

[@Mike_Valley]

I recently got a couple Hercules stands and have been very impressed so far.

[@JeffJohnsonBOOM]

A tip for sagging boom stands - Be sure the direction of the arm is the same as the tightening screw at the knuckle/head, otherwise the weight of the mic will constantly be working with gravity against you.

[@themancable]

Such a great channel, thanks for pointing me in the direction of the Tamas. Nothing worse than a sagging mic stand, argh!! I can confirm the recommendation of Walter Tomaszewski for the Superlux MS200, great for overheads, pianos and vocals.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks Robert!

[@cobeynshawty]

Can you take the boom arm off these type of stands & screw on a shock mount for my condenser mic?

[@amilcardiaz1045]

Thanks for the video. What do you think about Hercules stands?

[@creativesoundlab]

I haven’t tried them but I have high hopes!

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Great video. Funny how every time I am in the market for something you pip up with a video, like this, on the subject.

[@creativesoundlab]

Haha, I get this feeling.

[@Recommendable]

I must confirm that the TAMA stands have exceeded my expectations in whatever terms, though more pricey than any cheaper stands but who needs quality won't look back at any other stands, like me, lov'em.

[@Acoustic-Rabbit-Hole]

As I'm reading, this posted four years ago. If ONLY had known about these stand for YEARS ago.

[@niganools1501]

I’ve been hearing incredible things about the 210/9 is it good?

[@basedkek8297]

Yes but the price has increased from $60 to $100 🙁

[@BruceRichardsonMusic]

C-Stands are great. Tons of uses.

[@creativesoundlab]

Right on!

[@theoldtimefiddler]

K&M 210/9 is the best stand under $100

[@basedkek8297]

Now it’s the best stand FOR $100 🤣

[@basedkek8297]

Wish I bought 2 instead of 1 in 2019 😭

[@miguelhaddadchavelas7454]

This is a great video!!! Thank you so much

[@RavencoreLZR]

dude, will they be appropriate for large diaphragm condensers?

[@technopriest8686]

The C stand is genius!

[@tasteapiana]

I was told, in person, face to face, by several engineers who worked for Capital, Warner Bros, CBS, etc all around the world that there are 2 things that I would be fired for as an intern at any major studio: 1) winding cables wrong, and 2) aligning the working/microphone end of any boom arm in the direction of the loosening of the swivel clamp. Every single stand you show in this video is set up that way, backward. If you tighten the swivel clamp clockwise (ie to the RIGHT) then the microphone end of the boom had better be to your RIGHT so that the weight of it acts to put pressure in the tightening direction of the clamp. If you put the microphone to the LEFT then its weight will act to pull the boom arm to the LEFT, loosening the clamp, any bump to the mic, the arm, even the base, is likely to cause the clamp to loosen and result in you having a really bad day. The rule is: ALWAYS tighten in the direction of gravity. If you do that then gravity will reinforce the direction of clamping. If you do it backward you will be fired, period. When you are working with $300 mics in a home studio you can do whatever you want. When you are working with priceless mics with big names attached to them, do it right or they will fire you. In live settings this rule is crucial because you really don't want to have to reset a slouching mic on a drum kit while 20,000 or more people wonder wtf you are standing over, crawling around, and reaching through the kit for as the drummer's bpm goes erratic and whatever else you were SUPPOSED to be doing at that moment goes undone. I've been there, I've done that, I've not been able to un-live it. Gravity, use it in your favor or it WILL bite you.

[@tjpassig208]

K&M use to have the best build quality. I do know if the pads wear out. On the locking mechanism in which you displayed you can replace them. Which is ok. I Think it is time that they Go back to their old build quality.

[@donaldfewell8908]

Thanks!

[@Randuski]

Hell yea. I thought i was the only one who used C stands 🤣 my dad's a photographer so he always had them. And when i needed overhead mic stands that was the first thing i grabbed. They're so much more versatile, and as you said, cheaper 👌🏻

[@tedc6694]

Great review. Thx

[@icebob8555]

Been thinking about a high stand

[@TylrVncnt]

Heads up the link to these stands is now broken

[@flyingjewelstudios]

1rst video I've ever seen about mic stands. I also get frustrated by below average stands. i just received some new stands that are much better.

[@BrianMackey2010]

Love this, thank you!

[@大波拿拿]

thank you so much

[@AdamRainStopper]

Huh.......I actually have "Musician's Gear" mic stands, both tripod and cast iron base (I prefer the cast, they're heavier and take less real-estate). They're often put on sale for like 20 bucks or even 3 for 50 on the "stupid deal of the day." I spend more on the stands that are very short, the desk stands that I use in front of the kick, but I can't spend anywhere near 100 bucks on a stand that I will undoubtedly find a way to fuck up. Even the Flashpoint, it WILL get broken in my studio. I have literally dropped a stand *with a ribbon mic on it* down a flight of hardwood stairs because I was trying to set it up as a sort of ambient "room mic" outside the actual room. The ribbon mic was actually fine, miraculously. The stand didn't break right then, but would a few days later. The worst immediate damage actually appeared to be done to my stairs...... I was upset about that for 90 seconds..... I am one dumb fucker, I run into walls and drop lit . . . . . uh . . . . "cigarettes" . . . . behind my bed and step on my cat's tail and spill drinks and so on. The solution in MY life is to just keep an eye on that "stupid deal of the day" and buy extra stands whenever they pop up. I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 of them right now. That should last me at least a year. I think of mic stands the same way you might think of sticks, strings, heads, picks, tubes. I replace tubes in amps for as much as 200 bucks for one amp, a set of bass strings is anywhere from 15 to 30, guitar strings are about 5 or up to 10 if you get coated or custom gauges, going through a few 20 dollar stands in a year isn't such a big deal. Obviously those stands you have are also functionally better. For instance, I have to weight the other end of the boom if I'm trying to extend a LDC really far, but I have weights, and they don't need to be replaced, even I can't break a 10 pound plate. Or, so far I haven't. I'd knock on wood right now, but I wouldn't want to break anything............................................................................. ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah I have several of the cast iron base ones. They are great for various things and I hang them upside down using bicycle/shovel hooks.

[@AdamRainStopper]

I occasionally like to hang upside down from those hooks.

[@sandraliranzo27]

Well, as the link in the descriptions seems to kinda not be working, i will drop a working link right here www.tama.com/eu/products/category/microphone_stand/

[@CosmicGlowUP]

thank you

[@off_lineofficial]

Mine broke recently and the whole mic fell on the floor lol 🥲

[@stuartholden6163]

I wish Triad Orbits were less expensive; but I know the one that I have I will own for the rest of my life. Check em out folks! Very versatile; very sturdy. But cost a pretty penny ;)

[@TessaAnderson]

Tama stands are sweeeeet

[@whitelionmuzikproductionz9725]

🔥🔥

[@waltertomaszewski1083]

Digital Juice make C-Stands and sandbags.

[@Hadrorex]

On Stage is junk! Manfrotto's Avenger C-stands will out last the cheap pot-metal Chinese knock-off FlashPoints. I use Yamaha's heavy 800 or 900 series straight and boomed cymbal stands topped with blue Locktited Gibralter's mike holder adapters. Them fuckers ain't moving! Got 55 gallon drums carpeted on the inside and outside on large-diameter hospital-grade casters where they all go once I collapse their legs. Rubbermaids can't take the weight. Use steel ones. C-stands rule! I use them for my overheads, hang various panels, separation barriers between musicians, Fans, etc. Bottom line, your gear is only as good as the tools that hold them up. Kinda like buying a thousand dollar microphone and spending 10 dollars to hold it in place. Then plug in a 2 dollar mic cable. YIKES!!

[@jas_bataille]

Tama stands are the truth. People will give me a lot of heat for this, but I cannot stand K&M products. Why is everyone raving about something that has plastic knobs and plastic balls on the lever screw??! I never got the hype. Honestly, they never hold up to my treatment. Maybe I'm just crazy intense, but I lift stand in the air, deploy them really fast and I go hard with those things. K&M just doesn't cut it for me. Not surprised the sagging stand is K&M... still dumbfounded its the industry standard.

[@joshuamessenger]

Aren't all mic stands under $100...?

[@creativesoundlab]

Most, but not all _good_ ones are...Latchlake is around $500. On-stage behind me in the video is $180.

[@Ambientes]

Jesus

[@daspicsman]

Haircut!