I've been oogling this item for a couple of months. It's quite expensive, the street price in Montreal is $800 CDN plus tax.

But I have to say it does have its advantages. Mainly that you can park drums and things like cymbal stands, and if you're shooting videos, or using a video camera as a recording device, both audio and video, it's almost possible to hide your mics from the image and still get a sound good pick-up.

As an additional point, I find that the playback quality on You-Tube is very close to what I have uploaded -- whereas Metacafe seems to amplify and distort the sound.

After you have an $800 ribbon mic fall over on a cheap stand you sort of think that maybe you need to get a solid stand. I had a friend who is a machinist review the Latch Lake stand. He said it's a good value for what you get. That said, I haven't bought one yet. I have looked at getting some stands costing up to $200 US but I've not gotten to considering anything more expensive.

Strictly from the standpoint of the mast and base, you are dealing with a fantastic, or at least impressive structure. I've had one of those low profile Atlas Stands for years, it works fine, but I can't say I'm impressed with the clutch mechanism.

If one had to temporarily mount six grand worth of mics for some orchestral concert, sure you could suspend the stuff from the ceiling but that means rigging or ladders or catwalks, depending on the place. In the home, I like some of the flexibility. And for aesthetics, you're not surrounded by all those sticks and trees, but if you're into it, you can add some pedals, like high hats and bass drums.

And now my practice video, on You Tube....with a Nashvilian guitar, plywood drums, and Swiss Cymbals; I'm working on the lighting...next vid I promise


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TjQpG37sXk

Fixed the lighting, and maxed out on the wardrobe and set...Even a carpet rigged up to give the appearance of being inside a tent.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWa5Tbu7ung