Abstract:
A microphone support system and a method of manufacturing therefor that substantially isolates a microphone from extraneous vibrations. In one embodiment, the microphone support system comprises a base assembly, a microphone support rod, a microphone sheath, a microphone cable, and a microphone cable sheath. The base assembly is configured to dampen at least some of the extraneous vibrations communicated to the support system. The microphone support rod is coupleable to the base assembly and is configured to support a microphone. The microphone sheath is coupled to the microphone support rod, substantially surrounds the microphone, and is configured to substantially isolate the microphone from at least some of the extraneous vibrations. Furthermore, the microphone cable is coupleable to the microphone, and the microphone cable sheath substantially surrounds the microphone cable and is configured to substantially isolate the microphone cable from at least some of the extraneous vibrations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
     This Application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/346,590 entitled “Mechanical Vibration And Group Delay Effects on Recorded/Reproduced Audio Frequency Program Material,” to Ronald L. Meyer, filed on Jan. 7, 2002, which is commonly assigned with the present invention and incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed, in general, to a microphone holder and, more specifically, to a microphone support system that incorporates vibration shielding and damping to substantially isolate a microphone from extraneous vibrations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In modern music performance/recording, mechanical vibration effects on recorded/reproduced audio frequency program material are responsible for perceived (and measured) degradation of the natural transient response of all audio signals captured, stored, replayed, or reproduced by equipment of the prior art. It is a problem that exists at the system level, in all components of the system in one form or another. 
     The audio industry, since the inception of digital audio in the early 1980s, has faced criticism that digital recordings did not sound as good as their analog counterparts. Indeed, some fine quality recordings were produced by the technology of the late 1950&#39;s with analog recording and playback means. This was partially due to the prevalent design techniques used for microphones and microphone stands, along with the materials used in the wiring, and the design of enclosures and chassis. It was also partially due to a more direct signal recording and playback equipment path. That is, there were fewer pieces of equipment to contribute bad effects to the program material, and extra “processing” was not thought of as necessary. Additionally, since the effects of vibration, in some respects, are more detrimental to digital recording and reproduction than to analog processing, the analog recording/playback systems sounded better. In fact, they did indeed capture a better transient response in program material than did the newer digital recordings for reasons disclosed herein. 
     Microphones are the most susceptible link in the reproduction chain due to their proximity to the original sound source and their natural susceptibility to vibrations. They are self-evidently and inherently, the most sensitive component due to their function, which is to convert airborne vibrations sensed by the element(s) into low level electrical signals for further amplification, storage, analysis, or later reproduction. However, microphone designers have not successfully understood the issue of microphone enclosure vibrations that are also received from the environment, and how they translate into extra modulations which add to the sound already received and are converted by the main microphone sensing element(s). These enclosure-borne vibrations seriously degrade the signal received by the microphone sensing element(s). More specifically, it has been determined that the resonances of various materials comprising the microphone mounting mechanism(s) and stand assembly can cause smeared signal transients. 
     Common sources of vibration (unwanted inputs to the system) include the program material of interest, “monitoring” equipment used to listen to the desired program material during the recording/reproduction process, internal vibrations generated by power transformers or the mechanisms used to manipulate media (CD or tape transports) used to record or process the desired program material. Even air pressure changes caused by low frequency air handler equipment for HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) can cause vibrations to be introduced into the recorded/amplified program. 
     The degradation comes in multiple forms, depending on: (a) the type of equipment (analog or digital based signal processing), (b) location in the recording/reproduction chain (microphone or front end processing vs compact disc player playback and power amplifier combination back end processing), and (c) the relative magnitude of the vibration in relation to the signal processing being performed at that stage in the chain. Common effects of the various vibration sources include, but are not necessarily limited to: (a) data clock perturbations in digital systems as a byproduct of the reference crystal vibration (jitter, drift, modulation based on program material), (b) microphonic transfer of vibration to power supply lines which then subsequently modulate the desired program material as a product of amplification, and (c) microphonic transfer of vibration to the microphone electronics through the microphone stand/holder assembly and microphone wiring which then subsequently modulates the desired program material as a by-product of sensing and amplification. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a conventional microphone stand  100  holding a conventional microphone  110 . The conventional microphone stand  100  comprises a base  120 , a first vertical support pole  121 , a second vertical support pole  122 , an adjustable support pole  123 , a first support pole clutch assembly  124 , a second support pole clutch assembly  125 , a pole-to-microphone adapter  130 , a microphone holder  140 , and cable clamps  150 . The microphone stand  100  stands upon a floor  101  and supports the microphone  110 . The microphone  110  has a microphone body  111  coupled to a microphone cable  160 . The microphone cable  160  is coupled to the first vertical support pole  121 , the second vertical support pole  122 , and the adjustable support pole  123  with the cable clamps  150 . In the embodiment shown, the base  120 , the first vertical support pole  121 , second vertical support pole  122 , adjustable support pole  123 , first support pole clutch assembly  124 , second support pole clutch assembly  125 , pole-to-microphone adapter  130 , microphone holder  140 , and cable clamps  150  typically comprise resonant materials such as metal, hard plastic, etc. In one embodiment, the base  120  may have rubber feet  126  to decouple vibration arising from the floor  101 . 
     The major effect of the various vibration sources is the microphonic transfer of vibration to the microphone electronics through the microphone stand/holder assembly and microphone wiring. The vibrations subsequently modulate the desired program material as a by-product of sensing and amplification. In most cases little special care has been taken to isolate the microphone sensing element(s) (not shown) from the microphone body  111 . In an embodiment considered to be among the best of the prior art, the microphone holder  140  comprises some form of elastic suspension bands  141  coupled between a circumferential ring  142  and the microphone  110 . Various forms of this general method of isolation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,802 to Young, U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,950 to Cech, U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,807 to Brewer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,096 to Ramsey, ostensibly to isolate the microphone  110  from floor-borne, low frequency vibrations. The above listed patents are hereby incorporated by reference. While it is desirable to isolate the microphone/stand combination from floor-borne vibrations, the methods of the prior art subject the microphone elements to significantly larger degradations from airborne vibrations through the microphone enclosure (the microphone body  111  or case) which is generally not protected in any way from airborne vibrations. Extraneous vibrations can be additionally magnified when the microphone (sensor) is suspended via these weblike mechanisms, as in the listed prior art, in an effort to isolate it from the low frequency vibrations transmitted from the floor. This is accomplished at the expense of exposure to the significantly higher levels and wider frequency spectrum of vibration levels available directly through the air. These vibrations must also be addressed in the quest to control the recording/reproduction process in an effort to preserve the transient response of the desired signal to be recorded or processed. With the prior art, the conventional microphone  110  receives, and inadvertently converts to an electrical signal, those vibrations it receives through the microphone body  111  and the microphone cable  160 , along with the airborne vibrations sensed by the microphone element from the desired signal. Vibrations in the microphone stand/holder assembly also can cause very small movements of the entire microphone  110 , and therefore the element(s) of the microphone while it is receiving the desired signal. Vibrations of the microphone stand  100  also cause a lever arm effect on the suspended microphone  110  which magnifies the effect of small vibrations in the microphone stand  100 . 
     In most cases little special care has been taken to isolate the microphone sensing element(s) from the microphone body. Generally, the microphone itself is, in the presumed best form of the prior art, suspended in air via elastic webs, ostensibly to isolate it from floor-borne low frequency vibrations. While it is desirable to isolate the microphone/stand combination from floor-borne vibrations, the method of the prior art subjects the microphone assembly to significantly larger degradations from airborne vibrations through its enclosure (the microphone body or case) which is not protected in any way from extraneous airborne vibrations. Ideally, the best mounting mechanism would reveal the main (desired) sensing element(s) to the sounds to be converted into electrical signals, while keeping the body of the microphone, and therefore the remaining electronics inside it, isolated from extraneous airborne vibrations. With the prior art, the microphone receives and inadvertently converts vibrations it receives through its case and the microphone wire, along with the vibrations sensed by the main (desired) element from the desired signal. Consequently, any vibrations, including extraneous solid-body vibrations, received through the microphone body ill or its holding mechanism  140 , stand  100 , and cabling  160  get combined with the desirable sounds from an intended source impinging on the main microphone element (s); thereby the net combination of these signals becomes the overall signal produced by the microphone  110 , microphone holding system  100 , and cabling  160 . 
     Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a microphone support system that does not suffer from the transmission of extraneous vibrations to the sensing element(s) of the microphone. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a microphone support system that substantially isolates a microphone from extraneous vibrations comprising a base assembly, a microphone support rod, a microphone sheath, a microphone cable, and a microphone cable sheath. In a preferred embodiment, the base assembly is configured to dampen at least some of the extraneous vibrations communicated to the support system. The microphone support rod is coupleable to the base assembly and is configured to support a microphone. The microphone sheath substantially surrounds the microphone and is coupled to the microphone support rod wherein the microphone sheath is configured to substantially isolate the microphone from at least some of the extraneous vibrations. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, the microphone cable is coupleable to the microphone, and the microphone cable sheath substantially surrounds the microphone cable and is configured to substantially isolate the microphone cable from at least some of the extraneous vibrations. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a microphone support system that substantially isolates a microphone from extraneous vibrations. The method includes: (1) providing a base assembly configured to dampen at least some of the extraneous vibrations communicated to the support system, (2) coupling a microphone support rod to the base assembly and configuring the microphone support rod to support a microphone, (3) coupling a microphone sheath to the microphone support rod and substantially surrounding the microphone, the microphone sheath configured to substantially isolate the microphone from at least some of the extraneous vibrations, (4) coupling a microphone cable to the microphone, and (5) coupling a microphone cable sheath to and substantially surrounding the microphone cable, the microphone cable sheath configured to substantially isolate the microphone cable from at least some of the extraneous vibrations. 
     The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional microphone stand holding a conventional microphone; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a microphone support system constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates one embodiment of a microphone holder constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a microphone holder constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a microphone support system employing non-concentric vertical poles constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a microphone support system of  FIG. 2  employing a tripod style of a base assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a microphone support system employing a ceiling-suspension system that is similar in many respects to the microphone support system of  FIG. 2  and constructed according to the principles of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates comparative graphs of system response to a sound as recorded by a conventional microphone on a conventional stand and the same sound as recorded by a conventional microphone on a stand constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is one embodiment of a microphone support system, generally designated  200 , constructed according to the principles of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone support system  200  comprises a first vertical support pole  221 , a second vertical support pole  222 , an adjustable support pole  223 , a first support pole vibration-conducting coupling  224 , a second support pole vibration-conducting coupling  225 , a pole-to-microphone adapter  230 , a microphone holder  240 , a microphone sheath  243 , cable clamps  250 , a base assembly  270 , and a counterweight  280 . The microphone support system  200  supports a conventional microphone  210  that has a microphone body  211 . The microphone body  211  is electrically and mechanically coupled to a microphone cable  260 . In a preferred embodiment, the microphone cable  260  is substantially surrounded about its entire length with a vibration-absorbing coating  261  that substantially isolates the microphone  210  from at least some of any vibration that might impinge on the microphone cable  260 . In one embodiment, only those areas of the microphone cable  260  very close to the microphone body  211 , and to the recording/reproduction electronics (not shown) are not covered with the vibration-absorbing coating/sheath  261 . In a preferred embodiment, the vibration-absorbing coating/sheath  261  is polystyrene foam. The microphone cable  260  is mechanically coupled to the first vertical support pole  221 , the second vertical support pole  222 , and the adjustable support pole  223  with the cable clamps  250 . In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone support system  200  is designed to be placed on a support element  201  that may be subjected to extraneous vibrations. In the embodiment shown, the support element  201  is a conventional floor, presumably of a musical performance/recording studio, although the microphone support system  200  may be used at other locations, e.g. a stage, meeting room, etc. In another embodiment, the support element may be a desk (not shown) or any surface suitably strong enough to support the microphone support system  200 . In such a desk-mounted system, as one who is skilled in the art will readily understand, the size and number of the support poles may be significantly reduced while the general principles of the present invention are applied. The extraneous vibrations may be caused by any of the previously listed sources including, but not limited to: a live music source, e.g., musical instruments, and the heating ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), etc. 
     Details of two embodiments of the microphone holder will be addressed below with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . For the sake of the present discussion, it is sufficient to note that the conventional microphone  210  is substantially surrounded by vibration-absorbing or vibration-resistant material (microphone sheath  243 ) in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the base assembly  270  comprises vibration-isolating feet  271 , a vibration-resistant sub-base  272 , vibration-absorbing receptacles  273 , a non-resonant base  274 , and a base assembly cover  279 . In a preferred embodiment, the non-resonant base  274  comprises a circular base made of carbon fiber material such as is produced by Black Diamond Racing, Inc. (BDR), a division of D. J. Casser Enterprises, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis. In one embodiment, the diameter of the non-resonant base  274  may be between about 16″ and 18″. In a preferred embodiment, the non-resonant base  274  may have a threaded hole  275  for coupling to the first vertical support pole  221 . In another embodiment, an upper surface  276  of the non-resonant base  274  may have a threaded flange (not shown) coupled to it for coupling to the first vertical support pole  221 . One who is skilled in the art is familiar with the use of threaded flanges for coupling threaded poles to flat surfaces. Performance of the recording/reproduction system was noticeably better with the threaded hole  275  embodiment. 
     In one embodiment, the vibration-absorbing receptacles  273  may comprise carbon fiber “cones”  273   a , “pucks”  273   b , and “pits”  273   c . The cones  273   a , pucks  273   b  and pits  273   c  may be ones available from BDR. The cones  273   a  comprise solid carbon fiber formed as a cone with an imbedded threaded rod  273   d . In a preferred embodiment, the non-resonant base  274  may have a plurality of threaded holes  274   a  in a lower surface  277  thereof to which the cones  273   a  and pucks  273   b  may be coupled in a point-down configuration. The pucks  273   b  also comprise carbon fiber similar in appearance to a hockey puck with a central hole  273   e . The pits  273   c  are coupled to an upper surface  278  of the sub-base  272  and have a depression  273   f  on one surface that receives the point of a cone  273   a . In the illustrated embodiment, the pits  273   c  may include an imbedded threaded rod  273   g  used to coupled the pits  273   c  to the upper surface  278  of the sub-base  272 . In a preferred embodiment, at least three pairs of pucks  273   b , cones  273   a , and pits  273   c  are employed. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the vibration-resistant sub-base  272  comprises a circular oak plywood disk of a similar size to the non-resonant base  274 . In one embodiment, the sub-base  272  is 1.25 inch thick, circular oak plywood that is a substantially non-resonant material. In one embodiment, the sub-base  272  may additionally be coated with an additional, non-resonant material, such as a fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin, to further reduce susceptibility to vibration. A suitable fiberglass-reinforced polyester/epoxy resin is Evercoat®, a product of the Fibre Glass-Evercoat Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. In one embodiment, an upper surface  278  of the sub-base  272  may have threaded holes (not shown) configured to accept mounting bolts for BDR “Thick Pits.” The Thick Pits have deep dimples  273   f  on their exposed surface to receive points of the cones  273   a . The vibration-resistant sub-base  272  absorbs, through the vibration-absorbing receptacles  273 , at least some of the vibration that may impinge upon the entire microphone support system  200 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sub-base  272  has vibration-isolating feet  271  coupled to an undersurface  280  of the sub-base  272 . The vibration-isolating feet  271  serve to substantially isolate the vibration-resistant sub-base  272  from at least some of the floor-borne vibrations. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration-isolating feet  271  may comprise rubber bushings. In another embodiment, the rubber bushings may be a type 6 (ribbed bushing) or type 7 (ribbed ring) commonly available from the McMaster-Carr Company of Atlanta, Ga. 
     The base assembly  270  may further comprise a base assembly cover  279  substantially surrounding the sub-base  272 , the vibration-isolating feet  271  and the non-resonant base  274 . The base assembly cover  279  couples to the base assembly  270  by surrounding the first vertical support pole  221  and substantially shields the base assembly  270  from at least some of any extraneous vibrations, including airborne vibrations. The vibration-isolating feet  271  substantially isolate the sub-base  272  from floor-borne vibrations. 
     The base assembly  270  is coupled to the first vertical support pole  221  as detailed above with or without a flange. In turn, the first vertical support pole  221  is coupled to the second vertical support pole  222  with the first support pole vibration-conducting coupling  224 . The second vertical support pole  222  is coupled to the adjustable support pole  223  with the second support pole vibration-conducting coupling  225 . In a preferred embodiment, the first and second support pole vibration-conducting couplings  224 ,  225  are constructed of substantially non-resonant material such as a brass collet and a brass jamb nut. However, these first and second support pole vibration-conducting couplings  224 ,  225  are vibration conducting, and will serve to conduct any vibrations impinging upon the microphone body  211  down into the base assembly  270 . 
     Additionally, the first vertical support pole  221 , second vertical support pole  222  and the adjustable support pole  223  may be surrounded or coated with a vibration-damping coating  221   a ,  222   a ,  223   a . The vibration-damping coating may be a flexible rubber. Suitable flexible rubber coatings are also available from McMaster-Carr. In another embodiment, the vibration-damping coating may be polystyrene foam. In yet another embodiment, the vibration-damping coating may be polyethylene foam. In still yet another embodiment, the vibration-damping coating may be elastomeric foam. In a similar manner, the first support pole vibration-conducting coupling  224  and the second support pole vibration-conducting coupling  225  may be constructed of brass, which is substantially non-resonant. In this embodiment, the second vertical support pole  222  and the adjustable support pole  223  may be advantageously hollow and therefore filled with a vibration-damping filler  222   b  to effectively dampen the normal resonant modes of the support poles  222 ,  223  while allowing high frequency vibrations to be transmitted to the absorbing base assembly  270 . In one embodiment, the vibration-damping filler  222   b  comprises lead and sand. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration-damping filler  222   b  is a 50/50 mixture by volume of #7 or #8 lead shot and play sand. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A  with continuing reference to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is one embodiment of a microphone holder, generally designated  340 , constructed according to the principles of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a conventional microphone  310  has a microphone body  311  and a hard mount  312  for coupling to a conventional microphone stand  323 . The hard mount  312  also provides for the vibration coupling of the microphone body  311  to the microphone stand  200  of  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the microphone holder  340  comprises a microphone sheath  343  of vibration-absorbing material substantially isolating the microphone  310  from at least some of any extraneous vibration. In one embodiment, the vibration-absorbing material is foam rubber. In another embodiment, the vibration-absorbing material is a polymer resin. In a perferred embodiment, the vibration-absorbing material is Rubatex insulation tape. Rubatex insulation tape is a closed cell, polymer foam insulation tape manufactured by RBX Industries, Inc., of Roanoke, Va. The insulation tape may be wrapped and shaped to ensure minimal impact on the reception pattern of the microphone  310  as well as thorough coverage of the exposed microphone body  311 . The use of vibration-absorbing material allows the sheath  343  to absorb extraneous vibrations, such as airborne vibrations, prior to the vibration&#39;s impact on the microphone body  311 . The result is that the microphone  310  is shielded from extraneous vibration, and whatever vibration the microphone body  311  does receive is channeled downward through the stand  200  into the base assembly  270  where absorbing material dissipates the vibration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , illustrated is an alternative embodiment of a microphone holder  341  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the conventional microphone  310  has a microphone body  311  but does not have a hard mount for coupling to a conventional microphone stand, thereby requiring a different approach. A microphone  310  of this type typically uses a holder shaped like a circle, or semi-circle, into which the microphone  310  is slid, or a clamp of some sort to grab the microphone body  311  in order to hold the microphone  310 . In this embodiment, the microphone holder  341  comprises a two-part outer shell  342 ,  343 , and an inner packing  344  shown as two parts  344   a ,  344   b . In one embodiment, the two-part outer shell  342 ,  343  comprises a section of PVC pipe shorter than the length of the microphone  310  and cut lengthwise to create two halves  342 ,  343 . The two halves  342 ,  343  have rounded/sculpted ends to minimize the shielding effect on the desired reception pattern of the basic microphone  310 . In a preferred embodiment, the inner packing  344  comprises a lining of the two halves  342 ,  343  with Evercoat. The Evercoat lining comprises a densely packed fiberglass material which allows a good vibration-resistive coupling to the microphone body  311  while enabling a channeling of vibration received by the PVC halves  342 ,  343  down into the microphone stand. This effectively isolates the microphone  310  from both airborne and floor-borne vibrations. It should be understood that the alternative microphone holder embodiments of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  may be employed with any of the microphone stand embodiments of  FIG. 2 ,  4 ,  5  or  6 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is an alternative embodiment of a microphone support system, generally designated  400 , employing non-concentric vertical poles constructed according to the principles of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone support system  400  comprises a first vertical support pole  421 , a second vertical support pole  422 , an adjustable support pole  423 , a first support pole vibration-conducting coupling  424 , a second support pole vibration-conducting coupling  425 , a pole-to-microphone adapter  430 , a microphone holder  440 , cable clamps  450 , and a base assembly  470 . The microphone support system  400  supports a conventional microphone  410  that has a microphone body  411  that is coupled to a microphone cable  460 . The microphone cable  460  is coupled to the first vertical support pole  421 , the second vertical support pole  422 , and the adjustable support pole  423  with the cable clamps  450 . In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone support system  400  is designed to be supported on a support element  401  that may be subjected to a mechanical vibration. Of course, one who is skilled in the art will recognize that the microphone support system may also be subjected to other extraneous vibrations, such as airborne vibrations, as detailed above. 
     The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4  demonstrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention constructed with non-concentric vertical support poles  421 ,  422 . Such a configuration takes advantage of further damping material within the support poles  421 ,  422 . In this embodiment, the first and second vertical support poles  421 ,  422  are advantageously hollow and are filled with a vibration-damping filler  422   b  to effectively dampen the normal resonant modes of the support poles  421 ,  422  while allowing high frequency vibrations to be transmitted to the absorbing base assembly  470 . In a preferred embodiment, the base assembly  470  is analogous in materials and construction to the base assembly  270  of  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the first and second vertical support poles  421 ,  422  comprise steel. In one embodiment, the vibration-damping filler  422   b  is a mixture of lead shot and sand. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration-damping filler  422   b  is a 50/50 mixture by volume of #7 or #8 lead shot and play sand. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is an alternative embodiment of a microphone support system of  FIG. 2 , generally designated  500 , employing a tripod style of a base assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone support system  500  comprises a first vertical support pole  521 , a second vertical support pole  522 , an adjustable support pole  523 , a first support pole vibration-conducting coupling  524 , a second support pole vibration-conducting coupling  525 , a base-to-pole vibration-conducting coupling  526 , a pole-to-microphone adapter  530 , a microphone holder  540 , cable clamps  550 , and a base assembly  570 . All components above the base-to-pole vibration-conducting coupling  526  are analogous to and therefore may be identical to the associated components of the microphone support system  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the base assembly  570  employs a tripod style of base assembly. In one embodiment, the base assembly  570  comprises vibration-isolating feet  571 , a vibration-resistant sub-base  572 , vibration-absorbing receptacles  573 , and a plurality of non-resonant legs  574 . In one embodiment the microphone support system  500  may also comprise a base cover (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of non-resonant legs  574  comprises hollow steel poles with a vibration-damping coating  575  or a vibration-damping filling as in the support poles  421 ,  422  of  FIG. 4 . In one embodiment, the base-to-pole vibration-conducting coupling  526  comprises non-resonant materials such as a brass/PVC combination and may additionally comprise a vibration-damping coating  575 . The vibration-isolating feet  571 , vibration-resistant sub-base  572 , and vibration-absorbing receptacles  573  are analogous and may be identical to the associated components of the microphone support system  200  of  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the vibration-absorbing receptacles  573  may be pits similar to the pits  273   c  of  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, the sub-base  572  may additionally be coated with a non-resonant material, such as Evercoat, the fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin detailed above, to further reduce susceptibility to vibration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is an alternative embodiment of a microphone support system, generally designated  600 , employing a ceiling-suspension system that is similar in many respects to the microphone support system  200  of  FIG. 2  and constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The microphone support system  600  holds a conventional microphone  610 . In the illustrated embodiment, the microphone support system  600  comprises a vertical support pole  621 , a horizontal support pole  622 , a microphone holder  640 , cable clamps  650 , a base assembly  670 , and a counterweight  680 . The microphone support system  600  is suspendable from a ceiling beam(s)  601 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the base assembly  670  comprises vibration-isolating feet  671 , a vibration-resistant sub-base  672 , and vibration-absorbing receptacles  673 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base assembly  760  also includes support cones  674  that are coupled to the horizontal support pole  622  and are configured to rest upon the vibration-absorbing receptacles  673 . All components below and including the vertical support pole  621  are analogous to and may be identical to similar components of the microphone support system  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , illustrated are comparative graphs of system response to a sound as recorded by a conventional microphone on a conventional stand and the same sound simultaneously recorded by a substantially-identical, (both microphones have matched performance graphs) conventional microphone on a stand constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The upper chart  710  (left channel) illustrates the response of a conventional microphone shielded and mounted on a microphone support system of the present invention as described above. The lower chart  720  (right channel) illustrates the response of a conventional microphone mounted on a conventional microphone stand to the same sound. As can be seen, the amplitude (percent of full scale) response of the left channel (present invention) is approximately 10 percent higher throughout than the response of the right channel (conventional system). The difference between the two systems (what could be characterized as the left channel signal minus the right channel signal) illustrates the corruption in the desired signal caused by vibration-induced effects on the microphone sensing element(s) and the amplification electronics. 
     Thus, an improved microphone support system with vibration damping material applied to, or used in construction of, each component of the microphone support system has been described. The effect is to substantially inhibit the effects of unwanted extraneous vibrations that would otherwise impinge upon the microphone and its body, thereby causing undesirable alteration of the signal to be recorded or reproduced by the system electronics. 
     While the preferred embodiment as described includes a number of enhancements associated with each of the above listed elements of the microphone support system, one who is skilled in the art will recognize that at least some improvement in a recorded/reproduced audio signal may be realized by some smaller set of individual enhancements to the listed elements. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.