Sure, there are a few elegantly functional mic mounts out there (Royer, Audio-Technica, Rycote), but are there any aesthetically beautiful and functional mic mounts available? Manufactured in Portland, Oregon, Ear Trumpet Labs (ETL) have made a name for excellent-sounding and sort of retro-looking condenser mics; read my interview with founder Philip Graham that's online with this issue, and check out our reviews of their Edwina, Myrtle, and Nadine mics [Tape Op #91, #141, and #145]. As Philip notes in our chat, some of their customers were requesting mic mounts that matched the look of their microphones and fit a bit better than the Shure SM57-style clips provided, so ETL set about designing and producing these handmade mic clips and unique shock mounts. Both are made of typical ETL metals like brass and copper, as the names indicate, and fit on standard 5/8-inch mic stands. As most of the ETL mics have 1.125-inch copper tubing bodies, these mounts work well in that size zone between small diaphragm and large diaphragm condensers, like a bit smaller than an SM57 and up to something a bit larger.
The Brass Mic Clip is small and simple; its clamp is mounted to a brass ball hinge, with a wingnut and spring combo to adjust the tension that holds the mic and stops the pivot. The mic is held between the curved brass clamps with little soft bits of cork to protect the finish and ensure the grip. One look at the Clip and you'll know how to use it, and the 180 degree swivel on the ball is more swing than many mic clips provide. Since this clip is made for ETL mics, there’s not a lot of leeway for diameters below or above 1.125-inch, and small condenser mics (like the Neumann KM 184) will not fit.
If you're looking to eliminate vibrations via your mic stand, especially in a live setting, the Copper Shock Mount is ETL's answer to that problem. A brass pivot and wingnut set the angle for a piece of 2-inch copper tubing. On each end of the tube is a lattice of four rubber bands that cradle the mic, providing the needed isolation. It's a simple style that allows for a larger variety of mics to be held. Anything from a small condenser mic to a Heil PR20 [Tape Op #40] will fit, and the bands are tight enough to not droop. The Milk Carton Kids even took a prototype of this mount on the road for a year, making sure it really worked on stage!
Between the Brass Mic Clip and the Copper Shock Mount, ETL has built some beautiful-looking and highly functional mounts that any recordist would be proud to use on their favorite Ear Trumpet Labs condenser mic, and on a variety of other mics as well!
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