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Post by andersmv on Jul 10, 2024 12:27:33 GMT -6
I've got one of those. Sometime I'll need to get my big BlackMagic Camera in a weird angle (Like high above my recording console) and have used one of those adapters to put the camera on one of my Latch Lake mic stands. I've also got a nice, big C-Stand for my main light/softbox that I really like. I did some research on cheaper C-Stands and it had great reviews and as around $100. Everything on it is super well made, I would trust it with my life at this point for setting the light anywhere. I don't understand how those companies can make such a sturdy stand for $100, but we can't make a decent and large mic stand for that kind of money. It's really ridiculous.... |
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Post by the other mark williams on Jul 10, 2024 12:35:15 GMT -6
I've got one of those. Sometime I'll need to get my big BlackMagic Camera in a weird angle (Like high above my recording console) and have used one of those adapters to put the camera on one of my Latch Lake mic stands. I've also got a nice, big C-Stand for my main light/softbox that I really like. I did some research on cheaper C-Stands and it had great reviews and as around $100. Everything on it is super well made, I would trust it with my life at this point for setting the light anywhere. I don't understand how those companies can make such a sturdy stand for $100, but we can't make a decent and large mic stand for that kind of money. It's really ridiculous.... There is soooooooo much more money going around in the video world than in the music world. I agree with you, though: It should obviously be possible. But yeah, you can get a very solid and heavy C-Stand at a fraction of what it would cost for a comparably-built mic stand. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 10, 2024 16:46:59 GMT -6
(Note: The below response is meant for future forum users as much as or more than Tony) Ah, gotcha - I thought maybe you'd found the holy grail that I've never quite managed to find: a grip stud with a male 5/8" screw on the end, ready to receive a microphone clip ( ericn, THAT'S what we need our mythical machine shop to make!). If you're currently using a spigot stud as listed above, I would recommend something like this instead: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1340616-REG/kupo_kg012512_3_5long_5_8_baby_stud.htmlThat's a baby pin stud that's actually designed to go into a grip head / knuckle (if your C-Stand didn't come with an extra knuckle, you can get those separately here: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371923-REG/Impact_KCP_200_Grip_Head_2_5.html)You can then use a 3/8" to 5/8" adapter like the one from Sweetwater above - except I wouldn't use that one from Sweetwater, as it's made of plastic. You can find brass ones that won't degrade, burr up, or fail. Or I guess for you folks in Europe, is it true that 3/8" is your standard size for mic clips anyway?? Yeah plastic sucks, but any idiot with a 3D printer can make them, still think we have to find a guy with a Machine shop. |
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Post by wendelgee2 on Jul 10, 2024 18:38:46 GMT -6
I just can’t trust those Ultimate standI had to give up on the 125’s when I had a Lauten Oceanus bite it on one and dent the crap out of a nice Zildjian cymbal. Head basket on the mic was toast, everything else was fine. It’s a bad stand, they need to redo the design. I would literally take one of the cheap guitar center mega stands with the metal cogs on it. The Oceanus is such a beast. I've never seen anything quite like it. Every time I bring it out, the reactions are comical. I ended up buying a Tama Iron Works stand for it. Crazy heavy and sturdy. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Jul 10, 2024 22:15:26 GMT -6
(Note: The below response is meant for future forum users as much as or more than Tony) Ah, gotcha - I thought maybe you'd found the holy grail that I've never quite managed to find: a grip stud with a male 5/8" screw on the end, ready to receive a microphone clip ( ericn, THAT'S what we need our mythical machine shop to make!). If you're currently using a spigot stud as listed above, I would recommend something like this instead: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1340616-REG/kupo_kg012512_3_5long_5_8_baby_stud.htmlThat's a baby pin stud that's actually designed to go into a grip head / knuckle (if your C-Stand didn't come with an extra knuckle, you can get those separately here: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371923-REG/Impact_KCP_200_Grip_Head_2_5.html)You can then use a 3/8" to 5/8" adapter like the one from Sweetwater above - except I wouldn't use that one from Sweetwater, as it's made of plastic. You can find brass ones that won't degrade, burr up, or fail. Or I guess for you folks in Europe, is it true that 3/8" is your standard size for mic clips anyway?? My bad, I use metal always, I didn’t realize that one was craplastic |
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Post by drbill on Jul 11, 2024 10:08:18 GMT -6
still think we have to find a guy with a Machine shop. if my Dad was still alive he would have been all over that. Experimental machinist. Worked on a lot of Apollo and other space missions. The kind of guy who built a tractor on the farm out of old car parts when he was 12. My son has that gene, and has a pretty nice machine shop - but it's in storage right now. No good place to set it up currently. Will let you know if (when) that changes..... |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 19, 2024 10:25:23 GMT -6
(Note: The below response is meant for future forum users as much as or more than Tony) Ah, gotcha - I thought maybe you'd found the holy grail that I've never quite managed to find: a grip stud with a male 5/8" screw on the end, ready to receive a microphone clip ( ericn, THAT'S what we need our mythical machine shop to make!). If you're currently using a spigot stud as listed above, I would recommend something like this instead: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1340616-REG/kupo_kg012512_3_5long_5_8_baby_stud.htmlThat's a baby pin stud that's actually designed to go into a grip head / knuckle (if your C-Stand didn't come with an extra knuckle, you can get those separately here: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371923-REG/Impact_KCP_200_Grip_Head_2_5.html)You can then use a 3/8" to 5/8" adapter like the one from Sweetwater above - except I wouldn't use that one from Sweetwater, as it's made of plastic. You can find brass ones that won't degrade, burr up, or fail. Or I guess for you folks in Europe, is it true that 3/8" is your standard size for mic clips anyway?? Mark was just thinking what we really really need to do is take a deep dive into Grainger, fastenal etc to see how much of this “ specialized hardware isn’t so specialized. |
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Post by EmRR on Jul 19, 2024 12:03:56 GMT -6
I took one apart, not much to it, and the critical pieces look like ye ole' powder coated 'pot metal', as they used to call it. This one shows the telltale signs for warping from being torqued down too hard too many times. Surely gotta be a way to do a run of better parts. Or buy a pile of the replacements and just change them out as regular maintenance. If your stand is the 'new' version as these are, it's a fast easy swap.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Jul 19, 2024 13:07:22 GMT -6
I took one apart, not much to it, and the critical pieces look like ye ole' powder coated 'pot metal', as they used to call it. This one shows the telltale signs for warping from being torqued down too hard too many times. Surely gotta be a way to do a run of better parts. Or buy a pile of the replacements and just change them out as regular maintenance. If your stand is the 'new' version as these are, it's a fast easy swap. Doug There was a time when your suggestions would have held true unfortunately things change. First the biggest problem with these inexpensive stands is if I buy 50 75% are probably going to see the same parts fail, so it has gotten harder to recycle parts. Second we exist now n time where what once the product of fairly specialized manufacturing is now the product of no name OEM’s. Stands are commodities at this point, most buy a couple of thousand from who ever is the cheapest at that moment, throw their sticker on, sell out then go shopping for the next deal. |
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Post by OtisGreying on Jul 21, 2024 15:21:54 GMT -6
Thankful for this thread, I was using this exact stand to hold my Flea 47 in place (in a pretty extended position) all day everyday, and could see the hinge starting to give way.
Have had the Latch Lake 2200 for about a week now, and its so rock solid and nice that I'm excited to sing on my microphone and record music exactly 37.4% more than when I had the ultimate. (kinda joking but seriously I'm more excited to record now)
But yeah the Latch Lake is awesome, and gives me huge peace of mind in a department where I did not have it before
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Post by EmRR on Oct 14, 2024 8:10:16 GMT -6
Parts Express has the Ultimate hub replacements back in stock for $11.76. Reviews suggest the previous batch were more rugged than what shipped with the stands, can't vouch for that. Yes, it is.
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Post by basspro on Oct 14, 2024 9:23:41 GMT -6
For what it's worth, I had to replace these faulty clutches on two of these stands and Ultimate Support service was pretty good. The replacements they sent seemed much more durable and I've been using them without issue for a couple of years now.
That said, this is always in the back of my mind. These stands typically hold a pair of Coles that get used on overheads and they rarely move, so they're not getting too much abuse. For any of my heavier, higher price mics, they go on an Atlas.
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Post by doubledog on Oct 14, 2024 12:33:39 GMT -6
Parts Express has the Ultimate hub replacements back in stock for $11.76. Reviews suggest the previous batch were more rugged than what shipped with the stands, can't vouch for that. good to know you can get them easily (too bad I just placed an order over there a couple days ago!). I got Ultimate to send me a few parts (but not the whole clutch) when mine were under warranty (I believe they also used to carry a "lifetime warranty" until they changed the fine print to define what "lifetime" was... 6 years for the stand... boo). |
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Post by mcirish on Oct 14, 2024 12:56:01 GMT -6
I just ordered one, even though mine is still working fine. At least this way if/when mine breaks, I will have the replacement ready. I actually like the stand quite a bit. My only complaint is that it is top heavy and could easliy fall over while rolling it around.
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Post by EmRR on Oct 14, 2024 16:06:09 GMT -6
I suspect because of the slippage that occurs unless the counterweight is near perfect, they get over-torqued and that contributes to the failure. The original is exactly the sort of pot metal that would fatigue and bend or crack from too much pressure. Wild guess. Hopeful what arrives is more substantially made.
Edit: it is. See below.
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Post by EmRR on Oct 23, 2024 16:22:25 GMT -6
OK! Initial inspection says YES! It holds the boom at any angle with no mic mounted and the counterweight all the way out in it's most imbalanced position. If yours is all slippy, get a new hub! $12! Definitely take it apart and access it’s integrity if you’re worried.
I have two of these and on closer inspection I have a gen 1 and a gen 2, the new gen 3 hubs are mostly like gen 2 but they've reinforced the metalwork most likely to bend with another bit of metal from another angle, creating a fully boxed in end with more support. My gen 2 is significantly bent in that spot and this should improve things.
The boom grip is a smooth plastic insert, it might help to rough it up with sandpaper. Same for the grip that holds the boom angle. The new one has pebbled metal against plastic, the old gen 2 is pretty smooth; that may be wear for all I know.
The gen 1 piece on the boom arm is one solid piece - I don't see that breaking and there’s nothing to bend, but there's also no simple way to get it off the boom, the end attachments are press fit and glued. The other hub shapes are different now so it has to come off. I see a Dremel cutting wheel experience in my future. My gen 1 may be missing some washer hardware, unsure. This has to be what seawell mentioned. Or hell, maybe just leave that leftover shit on there!
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Post by EmRR on Oct 23, 2024 16:37:04 GMT -6
I made a video showing the part that broke. It's all metal so it's quite weird that it would get loose. Just poor construction I guess. I would suggest to sell the stands. Looking more closely, yes, both of the outer angles that hold the inner angled piece must be far more bent than mine. I can't pull it apart that way, the inner piece would have to come out of the rest of the hub and then be slid sideways to come apart. They lock together pretty well....until bent as much as yours. Mine is bent and holds, but I think not as tightly as it should. The new design should keep that bend from happening. In the old you can slide the inner piece in from either side, in the new it's closed off on one end of each side with the added metal which is cast to create a full connection across, making a half box shape with more rigidity. |
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Post by EmRR on Oct 31, 2024 12:38:47 GMT -6
new gen3 on top of old bent gen2 - the failure that started this thread  bent gen2  new gen3 with extra boxed in end for more support  gen3 on left with highlighted additional metal angle next to gen2 which has no reinforcement on that axis  |
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Post by smashlord on Nov 19, 2024 22:16:17 GMT -6
OK, let me express my hate for this stand..... while mine did not experience the failure of this particular part, the part that tightens and loosens the extension is also not fantastic and today it randomly gave way, rotated hard to the right and scratch the brass plating right off the bottom bell of one of my 017 FETs  |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Nov 19, 2024 22:42:10 GMT -6
OK, let me express my hate for this stand..... while mine did not experience the failure of this particular part, the part that tightens and loosens the extension is also not fantastic and today it randomly gave way, rotated hard to the right and scratch the brass plating right off the bottom bell of one of my 017 FETs Ah man that sucks, but I now know every time I’m harsh on cheap stands and mounts, you will at least like my post😖 |
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Post by andersmv on Nov 19, 2024 22:57:27 GMT -6
Hate hearing these stories, I’ll just leave this here…
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Nov 20, 2024 12:11:23 GMT -6
Hate hearing these stories, I’ll just leave this here… It’s sad, but Latch Lake Stands are worth every penny! |
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Post by andersmv on Nov 20, 2024 12:37:26 GMT -6
Hate hearing these stories, I’ll just leave this here… It’s sad, but Latch Lake Stands are worth every penny! It's a little frustrating that they had such a sizable price hike recently, but I get it. Everyone's doing it, and these are machined to perfection here in the US. That costs more... Still worth it in my opinion, but I'm glad I got my two 1100's when I did and splurged on the xtra-boom package on one of them. Seriously one of the best investments I've made in here. |
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ericn
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Post by ericn on Nov 20, 2024 13:59:57 GMT -6
It’s sad, but Latch Lake Stands are worth every penny! It's a little frustrating that they had such a sizable price hike recently, but I get it. Everyone's doing it, and these are machined to perfection here in the US. That costs more... Still worth it in my opinion, but I'm glad I got my two 1100's when I did and splurged on the xtra-boom package on one of them. Seriously one of the best investments I've made in here. Matt I honestly wonder how much a guy with a machine shop could make by simply milling better replacement parts for some of the cheap stands. In most cases it’s not that legs or other tubes fail it’s all the other parts! |
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Post by EmRR on Nov 21, 2024 4:05:07 GMT -6
We really are being stabbed in a dark alley over mic stand prices, they are certainly inflated over the cost of so many similar products. See the C-stand thread for starters. It’s kinda like guitar pedal = $200 / childrens electronic toy of similar complexity and materials = $30. Economy of scale and all that, blah blah, but as a machinist friend noted, “metal ain’t THAT expensive!”, so short lifespan is the only excuse for plastic. It makes sense to have something super nice like an Atlas or Latch Lake if you’re recording yourself with 1-2 mics at a time. If you’re like me and put out 15-20 mics on a regular basis, no, you’re not gonna have 15-30 Latch Lake or Atlas. This Ultimate certainly holds many things more securely than the average $100 boom stand, so it has it’s (industry-wide overinflated price) place. The entire boom arm with hub is a $50 replacement part, again not bad in the overall picture. Consider these to need occasional replacement parts, or spend up for better.
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