Importance of a shockmount?

[Arjen W.]

Hey guys, I bought some new recording equipment today, and I ordered a Røde NT-2a. Before I bought this I didn't think of immediatly buying a shockmount, or at least, I didn't think of the price. The official shockmount for the NT-2a is pretty damn expensive, €70 ($90) in the store over here. I'd rather spend that money on other things. The guy also said that a shockmount is absolutely necessary, which I think is a bit exaggerated.

So my question is: is a shockmount absolutely necessery? I'm just recording in my own room, recording acoustic guitars and some vocals.

How much difference will it make, in normal roomconditions?

If it's necessary, are there any cheaper alternatives then the official shockmount?

 

[dontletmedrown]

In your situation it probably wont matter much, but a sensitive condenser will pick up low-freq noise any time you stomp the ground. Also, anything that is loud enough to rattle the floor (bass cab, gtr cab) may have an adverse effect on a mic that is not shockmounted. They are expensive, but some of them look pretty fuckin pimp.

 

[006]

Go buy a shockmount. The guy wasn't exaggerating. And also, that sucks that it is so expensive because over here it's like US$50.

~e.a

 

[dontletmedrown]

My Neumann shockmount was $200. I didn't mind though cuz it looks fucking sweet.:Smokin:

 

[006]

Right, the Neumann stuff is more expensive, the one for my TL103 was like $175 back when I got it. However the NT2-A shockmount is typically around $50-60 here.

~e.a

 

[punkrockacademyfightsong]

just go and buy a stagg shockmount, as long as it fits, it's steady and does the job i don't see the point in having the official brands shockmount...

 

[dontletmedrown]

just go and buy a stagg shockmount, as long as it fits, it's steady and does the job i don't see the point in having the official brands shockmount...

The wow factor can have an great effect on performance. I want my studio to look pimp. When the artist is all alone, staring at the mic+SM face to face, I want them to feel like a rock star. It might sound corny since it is all psychological, but believe me, shit like that really helps a lot. You don't get that kind of motivation when your staring down a sm57 on a clip. Work with what you can afford tho...

 

[Ermz]

Actually I find it's the complete opposite. Singers tend to feel more at ease staring down at an SM58, becuase that's what they're used to, gig after gig. You stick a massive valve Neumann LDC in front of them and they start sounding like a mouse. Happens all the time.

 

[Arjen W.]

Thanks for the comments guys. Maybe I'll try to order an official shockmount from a cheaper internet store. It's for the best I guess, no use in buying an expensive mic if you're going to cut back on everything else.