Bonus Project: Ikea Lamp Hack
Part I: Theoretical Background
I've been doing a fair amount of recording this semester. All I had to hold my mic was this itty bitty desktop mic stand. I had to hunch over it all the time. Considering the amount of time I spent hunched over a computer, I really wanted an ergonomic solution where I could sit back, chill, and let my mellifluous tones flow. One day, I was moving my lamp out of the way and a, um, lightbulb went on over my head. I immediately got on the clickernets and ordered another identical ikea lamp to replace the one that I was about to totally hack. Light could wait for the UPS man. This hack had to be done ahora.
Part II: Hackity Hack
The lamp cost $9.99. But the shippings and the handlings cost about 20 bones. It was worth it for me to not have to drive to round-effing-rock.
The hack is pretty straightforward:
- Find the cheapest mic stand you can.
- Remove whatever base comes attached to it.
- Take some tin snips and cut out the lamp hardware.
- Jam mic holder into former lamp hole.
- Cover removable lampshade with a pilfered nylon sock.
- Use some small bungee cords to increase the tension.
Depending on your proximity to Ikea and your shipping preferences, you've just saved yourself about $100 or more.
The mic is a cheapy PG58. Here's how it sounds:
