OakShed Media review the Portable Recorder Suspension and Audio Kit

Author: Caroline Mougenot Date: 23/03/2011

Just before BVE this year, we were contacted by Tim Constable at Rycote and asked to test out their one of a kind Portable Recorder Shock Mount and Suspension kit.

The Suspension Kit and Tim Constable @ BVE 2011

It’s designed for use with small portable recorder units such as the Zoom H4N, and provides some much needed shock resistence to those of us who require a guarantee against vibration noise in our DSLR rigs.

Here’s what we were sent from Tim:

Product Description

A suspension for portable recorders, the suspension will offer excellent isolation from all vibrations, shocks and handling noise. The suspension mounts directly onto any portable recorder with a 1/4″ screw thread. The suspension can then be mounted on a 3/8″ male thread, mic stand, boom pole, extension handle or be attached to a camera hot shoe. The 180° swivel allows for easy orientation of the recorder so it can point in the exact direction of the speaker.

The suspension uses the patented “Lyres” to give unequalled isolation & robustness. Unlike rubber or elastic suspensions the Lyre is unaffected by temperature extremes, and so can be used in the harshest of environments.

Specifications

Dimensions, Metric W 70 x L 54 x H 95 mm

Dimensions, Imperial W 2.75″ x L 2.25″ x H 3.75″

Weight: 3.7 oz (106 grams)

Male thread: 1/4″ Whitworth

Female thread (brass): 3/8″ UNC

Shoe Foot (brass) with male 3/8″ thread & female 1/4″ UNC

Operating Temperature range: -20°C to 35°C (-4°F to 95°F)

Suitable for any portable recorders with female 1/4″ thread

RRP: 48.00 GBP exc. VAT

We have had the chance to use the kit on a number of shoots over the last month or so and we can really attest to the usefulness of the shock mount.

We use a Zoom H4N to record sound at the heart of our sound equipment. This particular recorder has such fantastic built-in mics that we often use it on its own, meaning that we have to be wary of handling noise during interviews.

The articulating head on the mount isn’t a ball head, which we usually prefer, but it does allow a lot of movement for re-adjustment. A simple tweak at the base hot-shoe mount allows you to rotate it to whatever position you need.

This system works especially well in a handheld setup as any vibration caused by your movement or re-adjusting to pull focus etc is absorbed very well by the ‘Lyres’ suspension.

When considering most hot-shoe mounts without this suspension are similarly priced, we find this kit a really great package. Cheers Tim!