Shock Mount
Summary
Abstract
Shock mounts isolate microphones from stand-borne vibrations and are particularly important for ribbon and large-diaphragm condenser mics. The community debates whether shock mounts are always necessary — some engineers never use them in studio contexts, preferring rigid mic clips like the Enhanced Audio M600 that couple the mic firmly to the stand. Rycote and Audio-Technica make popular universal options. Proprietary mounts (like Microtech Gefell’s at $350 each) are a common pain point.
Key Characteristics
- Elastic suspension isolates the mic from stand vibrations
- Essential for ribbon mics due to their sensitivity to rumble
- Less critical in well-controlled studio environments with heavy stands
- Proprietary shock mounts for specific mics can be extremely expensive
- Universal shock mounts (Audio-Technica, Rycote) work for many mics
- The Enhanced Audio M600 rigid mount is an alternative philosophy — couple the mic firmly rather than isolate
Use Cases
- Ribbon mic recording (essential for rumble isolation)
- Vocal sessions where the artist moves or the floor transmits vibration
- Live recording environments with foot traffic
- Any session with lightweight mic stands prone to vibration
Settings & Sweet Spots
- Use shock mounts with ribbon mics as a default
- In a well-controlled studio with heavy stands, rigid clips can be preferable
- Board tape can make serviceable custom mic clips in a pinch
Comparable Alternatives
| Mount | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rycote InVision | ~$60-100 | Popular universal option |
| Audio-Technica AT8449 | ~$30 | Budget universal mount |
| Enhanced Audio M600 | ~$80 | Rigid coupling philosophy |
| Proprietary OEM Mounts | $50-350 | Mic-specific, often expensive |
Common Mistakes
- Spending $350 on a proprietary shock mount when a universal one fits
- Always defaulting to a shock mount when a rigid clip might serve better
- Not using a shock mount with ribbon mics — they are very susceptible to low-frequency rumble
- Ignoring the mic stand as the root cause of vibration problems
See Also
Source Discussions
cian riordan
“I don’t think I’ve ever used a shock mount with them.” (referring to Microtech Gefell m930s)
Gerhard Westphalen
“If you want the best universal mounts, get the Enhanced Audio M600. Only exception would be if you’re doing live sound and need the isolation of a shockmount.”
Deleted User
“A good shockmount like a Rycote, ribbons are very susceptible to rumble.”
cian riordan
“I’m a big fan of custom mic clips made out of board tape.”