Why you may belief Digital Digital camera World
Our skilled reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you may select the very best for you. Learn the way we check.
I spent a number of time on either side of studio microphones in my early working life. First I used to be a studio broadcast engineer for the BBC in London, then moved to Swaziland (now Eswatini) for a few years the place I continued broadcast engineering whereas additionally studying radio information bulletins, my English accent touchdown me the extra job. The 3 Legged Factor Annie takes me again a number of years – truly a number of many years, to a time when radio information bulletins have been written out on paper utilizing an antiquated machine known as a typewriter.
I’m happy that not a lot has modified and that Annie works on the identical ideas. It’s as extremely efficient because the studio microphone arms of yesteryear. Contemplating 3 Legged Factor’s behavior of naming its merchandise after legends of music, you may surprise if this studio arm is known as after Annie Lennox of Eurythmics and solo fame, or possibly even after the hit musical, Annie Get Your Shotgun Mic.
In reality, it takes its identify from the legendary Annie Nightingale, whose groundbreaking roles included being the primary feminine DJ and presenter each on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Tv’s The Previous Gray Whistle Take a look at. Her namesake units out to do her proud, as one of many greatest microphone growth arms available on the market.
3 Legged Factor Annie: Specs
|
Attain |
84.7cm / 33.3in |
|
Weight |
1.5kg / 3.3lb |
|
Most load |
1kg / 2.2lb |
3 Legged Factor Annie: Value
What worth an honest microphone growth arm? Sometimes, you may anticipate to pay from as little as $20 / £15 as much as about $150 / £100, which places Annie within the mid pack, promoting for $70 / £60. On the time of scripting this evaluation, I used to be unable to search out any Australian retailers promoting the growth arm. The identical goes for 3 Legged Factor’s different two microphone growth arms that have been launched on the identical time, particularly the Steve (after Steve Wright) at a barely pricier $80 / £70 and the budget-friendly John (after John Peel) at $45 / £40. The trinity neatly covers off three of Britain’s most iconic and dearly liked radio DJs and presenters of all time.
3 Legged Factor Annie: Design & Dealing with
Sufficient of all these studio microphone arms, let’s discuss one thing else. All the best way again in 1932, an automotive engineer by the identify of George Carwardine was busy in his backyard shed, inventing a brand new kind of spring-loaded suspension mechanism. It may very well be moved round and positioned at any angle with velocity and ease, after which it will maintain its place as if by anti-gravity magic. A suitably lightbulb second adopted and the Anglepoise lamp was born.
I solely point out it as a result of each studio microphone arm that I’ve ever used works on the identical precept. A intelligent association of springs permits fast and straightforward motion with out the necessity to launch any clamps, or tighten them up once more as soon as the mic is in place. It’s easy, intuitive and extremely efficient. However not like my outdated Anglepoise lamps, the spring-loaded mechanisms within the Annie stay fully silent throughout motion, which is of course an essential consideration when microphones are shut at hand.
Not like most 3 Legged Factor tripods and different helps, this one comes as a package of elements. Certainly, you’ll normally discover a obtain hyperlink for retrieving your 3 Legged Factor person information on-line however Annie comes with a very good old style sheet of folded paper. It has what you may name the IKEA impact, in that you just’ll love one thing extra for those who put it collectively your self. In time-honored custom, the unfolded double-sided sheet of paper accommodates diagrams and directions for six steps to achieve totally assembled studio arm heaven. Let’s comply with the method, because it additionally neatly guides us by way of all of the salient options.
Step one in development provides you two selections. You may both go for clamp mounting, wherein case you’ll use a C-shaped clamp that matches to the again or facet of a desk or desk, or you may select grommet mounting. For the latter, you’ll have to drill 10mm / 3/8in gap by way of your desk or desk, which could sound a bit drastic however is commonly preferable within the surroundings of a house studio or skilled setup. I like that Annie comes with different fixings and that it’s straightforward to make use of both possibility.
Subsequent is the enjoyable half, which comes full with a security warning for a ‘saved power hazard’. While you snip the cable tie that binds the arm in its totally folded place, it’d spring out and take you abruptly, so the directions counsel that one individual cuts the tie whereas the opposite holds the arm after which releases it regularly. I reckon you may efficiently accomplish the duty with a single pair of fingers and a modicum of care.
The underside of the arm has a spigot that slots right into a nylon bush within the base. It’s the identical deal whether or not the bottom is mounted to the desk by clamp or grommet. To suit the arm, you simply have to loosen an Allen screw within the base, plug within the arm, then tighten up the screw once more. The online result’s that the spigot and bush allow a full 360 levels of lateral rotation with silent smoothness.
Transferring to the opposite finish of the arm, the following job is to repair the microphone mount ball & socket meeting. Once more, it’s a easy activity, this time involving taking a screw out, wrapping the perimeters of the socket across the high of the arm, then screwing it again along with the ball part inside. The mount comes with an ordinary 3/8in threaded shaft plus a 5/8in adapter, to go well with the widest vary of microphone holders.
As soon as all that’s completed, which solely takes a couple of minutes, you’re just about able to roll. To maintain issues neat and tidy, nevertheless, there’s a remaining step of sliding out a pair of covers that run the size of each arm sections. These reveal a channel by way of which you’ll run the microphone cable, so you may hold it out of sight and out of hurt’s means after refitting the covers. There are a few load-bearing adjustment screws beneath a magnetic flap but it surely’s unlikely you’ll have to tinker with these.
3 Legged Factor Annie: Efficiency
I’m fully glad with the efficiency of the three Legged Factor Annie. As I’d hope for, the vary of motion is wide-ranging and silky-smooth. It requires barely greater than zero effort and time to swing the arm round and to raise it up and down, discovering your candy spot with velocity and ease. Much more importantly, there’s no gradual sagging of the microphone after you’ve left it the place you need it.
The spring-loaded mechanism works flawlessly and in an analogous method, the ball and socket joint that holds the microphone clamp is equally efficient. A easy twist of the lock/launch lever is all that’s wanted to regulate the angle of the microphone, both laterally or up and down, so you may place it simply the way you need it. Some favor to have the microphone angled downwards from above, others prefer it pointing upwards from beneath or straight on, and for those who’re studying from a script you may prefer it angled in to face your face from one facet or the opposite. The Annie caters to each want and whim.
3 Legged Factor Annie: Verdict
I’m but to be something apart from very impressed with 3 Legged Factor tripods and different helps. The Annie continues a successful theme so far as I’m involved. It’s cleverly designed and properly made, fulfilling its goal in advantageous model. Motion is {smooth} and free-flowing, making it fast and straightforward to get a microphone into excellent place, and as soon as that’s completed it stays put with no undesirable drooping, sagging or different drama. It’s a very good studio mic arm, in addition to being superb worth for cash on the worth.
|
Options ★★★★☆ |
The characteristic set isn’t overly unique but it surely has every part I’d anticipate in a studio microphone arm. |
|
Design ★★★★☆ |
Sensible design is backed up by good construct high quality, making Annie a mic help that you may rely on. |
|
Efficiency ★★★★☆ |
Fast and straightforward adjustment in all instructions is coupled with agency and strong help when the mic is in place. |
|
Worth ★★★★☆ |
It’s not low-cost for a studio microphone arm but it surely’s not costly both, being good worth on the worth. |