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Combination boom-stand base and vibration isolator
Eliminates disruptive resonance from the microphone stand
Improves transient response of the microphone
Makes getting the sound you want fast and mixing easier
The KickStand is a heavy microphone boom-arm isolator that combines a massive stabilizing base with an isolation pad to eliminate resonance from the stage, drum riser and studio floor from entering the microphone.
A common problem with bass guitar and kick drum is resonance on a live stage. This is generally caused by low frequencies coupling with the wood flooring which will combine with the instrument at certain frequencies and generate unwanted peaks and valleys.
Another problem is the physical vibration from the kick drum pedal and low-end from the PA system that causes the drums to rattle and transmit through the drum riser. Microphones that are near these sources are prone to picking up these unwanted sounds. The KickStand helps eliminate the problem by decoupling the microphone stand from the stage while introducing a stabilizing mass to hold the microphone firmly in place.
The design begins with a thick, high-density open cell acoustic foam isolation pad that covers the entire bottom plate. An innovative laser cut steel platform is 'wedge' shaped to eliminate standing waves while offering sufficient height to allow a boom-arm to be articulated into the ideal position. The isolation eliminates the resonance while the added mass stabilizes the microphone capsule for greater clarity and improved transient response.
Although originally developed for bass drum, the KickStand is very effective on electric guitar, bass and other instruments that generate low frequencies or may be subject to floor resonance from entering the mic via the microphone stand.
The Science Behind The KickStand
The KickStand performs two functions at the same time: it stops vibrations from entering the mic and it stabilizes the microphone to more accurately capture of the sound. The science behind the KickStand is really not that complicated. In fact this is all well known stuff… the KickStand so happens to bring it all together in a single device.
Isolating The Microphone
It has to do with motion and counter-motion, very much like the recoil of a rifle. Shoot… the bullet goes forward while the rifle moves backwards. In this case, sound or vibration is coming from the kick drum, the drum riser, the floor, the bass guitar and the PA system. The vibrations are transmitted through various mediums including the floor and air.
When sound from the kick drum is mixed with resonant sounds from other sources, the two combine and invariably some frequencies will combine ‘in-phase’ and get louder, while other will combine ‘out-of-phase’ to cancel each other out. This causes a comb-filtering effect. Whether sounds are combining or canceling, this will ultimately change the sound of the source.
The 2" thick foam isolation pad is made from high density open cell acoustic foam. Too dense and vibrations will be transmitted as if a solid object. Too thin, and the low frequencies will ‘jump’ across the narrow space. Too soft or too thick, the stand will loose its stability. Finding the right balance is critical. The foam isolation pad provides the isolation, very much like the springs on your car. It makes riding over bumps acceptable.
Stabilizing The Microphone
This is where things get interesting: Each vibration or audio frequency has a different wavelength. If you allow the microphone to vibrate back and forth, it follows that the distance from the batter head will change which will cause a slight Doppler effect as the mic moves away from the source. At low frequencies, this will cause a minute phase shift.
If you can hold the microphone in a steady state while the rest of the world is vibrating and moving, you will get a clearer picture. For some, this level of precision is not required. For others, they use terms like ‘floating in the mix’ to describe how the kick drum seems to gain clarity. The heavy steel plate acts like the shock absorber. If the foam was left alone, like springs on a car, the mic would float all over the place. The ‘massive’ stabilizing plate holds the mic boom and microphone in place to ‘steady the ride.’ These two combine to deliver a more accurate rendering. This makes the KickStand a must have for the more demanding engineer.
Kickstand Details and Specifications
The KickStand is an isolated boom stand base, designed to eliminate resonance from the stage, drum riser or studio floor from entering the microphone. It features a high density open cell acoustic foam isolator that is coupled to a heavy, laser cut steel platform that is shaped for optimum boom placement.
The weight is important as it provides a stable platform for improved transient response. Once in place, positioning the microphone is simple using any standard boom.
By eliminating the resonance, the sound engineer is no longer battling resonant phase issues that may contaminate the sound, making it both easier to accomplish the task while improving the sound of the drum kit.
How To Use The KickStand
The KickStand is a simple microphone stand base designed to be used with a boom arm or goose neck. The KickStand's clever design allows any length boom arm to be articulated upwards for added reach. This way the KickStand may be used with drums as well as many other instruments.
On bass drum, the KickStand is normally positioned front-on. Space in the studio is normally not a problem. But sometimes, on live stages, space on the drum rise may be limited. The KickStands weight is more than sufficient to hold a microphone when it is angled off center. This can save space on small stages.
Attaching The Boom To The KickStand
The KickStand comes with three pieces or hardware: The threaded mic stand adaptor, the quick release knob and a lock washer. These combine to allow you to rotate the boom and securely lock it in place.
Start by attaching the boom onto the KickStand. Make sure the lock-washer is positioned between the steel plate and the quick release tightening knob. Once the boom has been threaded onto the stand adapter point it in the right direction and tighten the quick release knob. To adjust the boom position, loosen the quick release knob, rotate the boom, then re-tighten while holding the boom in the direction you want.
For more information on this or any Primacoustic product, visit www.primacoustic.com
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