Mic Storage - multiple mic types

[cedd]

Hi All

I've got a pretty varied assortment of mics. LDC's, SDC's, clip on drum mics, SM58's. Everything from Audix D6's to vintage Calrec's. In other words, lots of stuff that doesn't fit in one of the classic "lots of SM58 cut outs" boxes you can buy off the shelf. 
Currently I've got a case containing multiple trays, that I built myself, but it's very tight for space and I've just added some new drum mics, which no longer fit. I'm not a huge fan of just leaving them in the zippered cases. Partly because I'm now using the zippered cases as pencil cases and don't want to give them up (my 6 year old has an Beyerdynamic case at school!) but also because I like to see everything laid out when I'm choosing (and because it looks nice!). 

I'm hoping to come up with something better. I'm really keen to use something like Shadowfoam in whatever I use next. 

Cases-wise, there are the usual Thomann offerings such as this, which I could remove the foam from and reuse. I'm also looking at using something from the Stanley or Dewalt TStak/Toughsystem ranges, which Shadowfoam have already pre-cut inserts for. These boxes are attractive as they stack and have options for drawers or top opening, of multiple heights. I also have future options to get more with other things in them, and stack them on one of their trolley bases. The down-side is that to an opportunist thief they look a lot like a bunch of power tools, which are probably more nickable for your regular thief than a bunch of (more valuable) specialist mics. 

Just wondered what other solutions people had? Anything I've missed? 

[DavePallant]

I bought a couple of cases from a company called pcb_soldering on ebay which have either cubed foam or solid foam. Ebay item 234915080248 is an example. Interesting the solid foam was the easiest to deal with and I've put 8 pencil mics in a thin case and a bunch of larger condenser mics in a deeper case. They are not the strongest in terms of taking hard knocks but they protect the mics well.

I think someone else on here mentioned a band turning up with a Dewalt tower of drawers that contained all their mics. Sounded like a good idea but I cart stuff in an estate car so a little too bulky for me!

[kerry davies]

We had a topic about this a while back and there were people there that used them for pencil cases and others who provided links to ebay items of pencil cases at £4 for 10 for transparent ones. 

I said back then that we used stackable, lidded plastic crates from Allibert for all our storage except radio mics which had a shiny metal attache case. 

Edited July 31, 2023 by kerry davies

[the kid]

Do you want JUST mics ? 

[bruce]

Here's the last time we did this....

I'm a fan of the clear plastic pencil case bags, and they all live inside a peli-style case, along with my DIs and some other useful bits and pieces.

 

[cedd]

18 hours ago, the kid said:

Do you want JUST mics ? 

My clips will also go in there, but I use spring clips rather than the supplied ones, so they all work with everything - no need to keep the clips specifically with their respective mics.

19 hours ago, kerry davies said:

We had a topic about this a while back and there were people there that used them for pencil cases and others who provided links to ebay items of pencil cases at £4 for 10 for transparent ones. 

I said back then that we used stackable, lidded plastic crates from Allibert for all our storage except radio mics which had a shiny metal attache case. 

Clear cases could work. I'm just not a fan of the pouches method to be honest. I know it's probably the most space efficient, but having things foamed and laid out nicely is my real aspiration. Up until this latest mic purchase my mic kit hasn't changed in over a decade - I've got lots of them and pretty much have everything I need. Hence foam is probably going to be a reasonably safe bet for me as I don't foresee it changing any time soon. To be honest, I quite enjoy laying this kind of thing out, so it's a guilty pleasure! 

20 hours ago, DavePallant said:

I think someone else on here mentioned a band turning up with a Dewalt tower of drawers that contained all their mics. Sounded like a good idea but I cart stuff in an estate car so a little too bulky for me!

I'm liking the Dewalt ones, and already have a toughsystem case for my radio mic fitting kit, so it'll fit in nicely. However I've just found Keter's Connect system, which includes a really nice looking cantilever box, that'll handle all of my SDC's. Then I'd clip one of their bigger boxes below. https://www.wickes.co.uk/Keter-Connect-System-Cantilever-Organiser/p/267202 https://www.wickes.co.uk/Keter-Connect-System-Rolling-Organiser/p/267203 

 

I have one other possible solution, which is to use the same method I'm using for my radio mics; Mic Storage Trays
A stack of these is a snug fit inside a black interlocking lid plastic box. It'd be a much bigger box, but fits in with my current method of travelling - tonnes of interlocking lid boxes, some just full of cable, some with stacks of trays within. I could probably get a layer of headphones in the bottom too, which I'm looking to add to my kit list for click track monitoring. It'd become one "pit box" with everything in that I need down there, save for xlr's and mic stands. 

 

Hadn't spotted the other thread, sorry (and don't remember it either, which is odd - feel like I've remembered most of them over the years). Some really useful suggestions in there too, so will absorb everything and then have a think. 

[sunray]

For a test kit application I purchased an aluminium case full of bar-b-que utensils from LIDL, dumped the utensils and removed the lumps and bumps. The great thing about that particular box being it is only about 60mm high. However not built to flightcase standards

 

Using 18swg ali made partitions and pop riveted them in place, something like this:

Then covered everything with self adhesive padded velvet effect man made finish (the blue or black finish we find on the cut foam inserts)

[DavePallant]

On 7/31/2023 at 11:19 AM, DavePallant said:

I bought a couple of cases from a company called pcb_soldering on ebay which have either cubed foam or solid foam. Ebay item 234915080248 is an example. Interesting the solid foam was the easiest to deal with and I've put 8 pencil mics in a thin case and a bunch of larger condenser mics in a deeper case. They are not the strongest in terms of taking hard knocks but they protect the mics well.

I think someone else on here mentioned a band turning up with a Dewalt tower of drawers that contained all their mics. Sounded like a good idea but I cart stuff in an estate car so a little too bulky for me!

A little bit of the James Bond about a good foam case.

[cedd]

10 minutes ago, DavePallant said:

A little bit of the James Bond about a good foam case.

Phwoah, you need to be careful sending photos like that! 😍

[the kid]

The reason I ask JUST mics is amptown have quite a good option of a massive case for all the stands and cables as a "on stage" package.  which is MASSIVE but great.  

They also have some ideas that are mics in what are more like "overhead locker" cases  like the larger peli but a flight case. removable trays etc.  Im sure 5star or similar in the uk can come up with something if you have issues around the whole customs thing. 

[ninjadingle]

We use a few of these as well as the standard "58 style" cases. The pick and pluck foam works really well for adding mics, and we've found a few smaller cases works better as you can group mics by type easier - we have a case for clip on mics (E604's, E608's) a case for other drum mics (B52A's, B91A's, AE3000's) then a case for other mics (E609's etc). Makes finding them a doddle, and easier to account for at the end of the gig.

Smaller cases are easier on the van too!

[cedd]

Wrapping up this topic, I decided to stick with my convention for my other equipment, and went with an interlocking lid plastic box, containing 4 euro tray plastic boxes (they just fit as a stack of you trim down the edges of the bottom one). 

Then used shadow foam to line 3 of them, leaving the bottom one for clips etc. 

Really pleased with the results;

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iHYNEYugDpppd1Cv5

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ikU5XtVJdCPDguEH8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hn2U8juSu3NduVoe6