RYCOTE SUSPENSIONS AND LYRES

Modular suspension provides support for the microphone and the other accessories. It is a central bar fitted with two Lyre clips. The microphone is supported by the Universal Lyre clips (for microphones between diameters of 19-25mm). There are four different bar (module) lengths; 1, 2, 3 correspond to small, medium and large respectively. Half module types are a special case. See below. Sizes 1, 2 and 3 are moulded from a black, reinforced glass polymer incorporating a UV stabilizer to prevent UV light deterioration and a rubber additive to prevent it being brittle, making it up to 60% stronger than the alternative metal bar. Other sizes are made from machined aluminium and hard-anodized in black.

'Mono' type single microphone body have two Lyre clips, to take a single microphone body. The name 'Mono' should be treated with caution since it refers to the suspension holding a single microphone which may be either mono or stereo. They are offered in three different sizes, each of which can accommodate various different microphones by using five different varieties of Lyre suspensions. Please see the compatibility chart below to select the appropriate size.

'Stereo' types – for one or two microphone bodies have two Lyre clips, to take a single microphone body, and, in general, are supplied with back-to-back clips to suit two microphone bodies mounted parallel to each other. The term 'Stereo' should be treated with caution, because certain larger single-body mono microphones require the larger diameter windshield and accessories in order to fit.

Included accessories: Pistol-grip with 3/8″ thread socket, lightweight boom adaptor (also 3/8″ socket), a clip-on XLR holder, a set of virtually unbreakable Universal Lyres for 19-25mm diameter microphones, a pair of square MKH Lyre clips and a hex key for adjustments.

Optional accessories: Connboxes, Modular Windshields, Hi Wind covers, Windjammers. Lyre clips for microphones with larger diameter (30mm) must be used with some models, with heavier microphones requiring grey, 30mm, 'heavy duty' lyre clips.

Versions 040139, 040144, 040146, and 040151 also include CB 1 Connbox with 3-pin female XLR termination.

The InVision Broadcast microphone suspension range is aimed at isolating small to medium-length microphones from rumble and handling-noise where a discreet low profile is essential. All use Rycote's patented 'Lyre' suspension system. This uses no rubber or elastic components to isolate the microphone from unwanted shocks and handling noises.

The shape of the Lyre provides the exact amount of compliance required for the microphone to isolate the capsule from the vibrations and handling noise. They can be used for a wide range of compact microphone series, 'remote capsule' systems and some short to medium-bodied small-diaphragm microphones. The materials used allow the working temperature of the suspension, from -35 to over 100 degrees C, to exceed that of elastic or rubber-based shock-mounts and suspensions.

Each suspension is made up of a base, referred to as a 'bar', and two 'lyres' fitted with moulded 'clips' to hold the microphone. Some models are supplied with a reducing sleeve.

Bars

These consist of a cylindrical base with a threaded aperture to take standard 3/8 inch BSW threaded studs as are fitted to microphone stands, with a hinged swivel-joint connecting to a platform with mounting positions for two lyres. Bars are available in two sizes, small and large, which have mounting holes on 25mm and 70mm spacing respectively. All have an integral, moulded, cable-clamp on the base, which is graduated to suit a range of common cables, to reduce the cable-induced noise reaching the microphone.

Lyres

These screw onto the bar, and have moulded clips of varying sizes, which attach to the microphone. Lyres are available in two sizes, 'InVision' (INV-1, INV-2, INV-3) and 'Standard' (INV-4 to INV-9), which are 43mm and 70mm wide respectively. InVision suspension types are designed for use in studio and installed sound applications and do not have the ability to be used in conjunction with a windshield. Lyres have two different hardness grades. Standard grade lyres suit the models in the compatibility chart either without or with lightweight foam windshields. For longer or heavier microphones, or where a heavier windshield is used, a different lyre is used; the Softie lyre mount, INV-7HG-MKIII is available to fit the same size microphones as INV-7, INV-8 and INV-9. Standard lyre suspension webs are available to fit Rycote modular suspensions, windshield kits and the S-series. InVision types present a less bulky appearance, useful for use when in camera view.

Clips

Both sizes of lyre are available with a variety of clips, which differ in size to suit different microphone diameters from 9.5mm to 30mm. They are cleverly designed to suit cylindrical and square 'MKH' series (25mm) microphones.

Reducing Sleeves

Mainly for use with microphone capsules used remotely from the pre-amplifier, these clip onto the microphone connector, and or cable, leaving the capsule body free to be fitted with a windshield. Reducing sleeves are supplied with the INV-1 and INV-4.

Included accessories: All suspensions are supplied with a brass, 3/8 inch BSW male to 5/8 inch female adapter, to mount the base on 5/8 inch mounting studs.

INV-Lite

At 115g, these lightweight suspension mounts have been designed specifically for interior boom work and are compatible with Softie-Lite windscreens. INV-Lite 19 is suitable for microphones with a diameter of 19mm; INV-Lite 21 is suitable for microphones with a 21mm diameter. Both types are compatible with microphones up to 210mm in length and 120g in weight. Includes 1x brass male 3/8 inch to female 5/8inch adaptor.

This table contains details of suitable suspensions for some common microphones and microphone combinations. For assistance in selecting an Invision suspension to suit alternative microphones, please contact Technical Support.

Note: The suspension types in the above table have standard lyres. A suspension with harder-grade lyres, the INV-7HG-MKIII, is available to fit the same size microphones as INV-7 and INV-8 that have a heavier weight.

These members of the InVision range are shock-mount and suspension systems for fitting microphones between 9.5 and 25mm in diameter and up to 300mm in length, depending on model, to camcorders and digital SLR cameras. Most are fitted to the camera hot-shoe; others screw into a standard quarter-inch thread, available on some camcorders, or by means of separately available adapters.

In each case the microphone is suspended in two of Rycote's W-shaped patented Lyre mounts, which provide 'substantially better isolation from camera motor and drive noise and vibrations than traditional on-camera microphone mounts'. Since there are no elasticated parts, the mounts never sag or need re-threading.

042901 - Hot Shoe

A 'universal' plastic clip is supported by two Lyres which are in turn supported by a 'modular' bar. The modular bar includes a moulded cable clip, and is connected to one end of a transverse bar by a bolt with thumbscrew. The modular bar can swivel on the transverse bar and be moved along it's length and then fixed in position using the thumbscrew. At the other end of the transverse bar a hot-shoe adapter is fitted using a thumb-screw about which it can swivel a full 360 degrees in the horizontal plane. As a result the microphone can be positioned as desired in the horizontal plane, but remains fixed in the vertical plane.

The universal clip is suited to microphones 19 - 25mm in diameter and up to 300 mm in length.

042902 - 1/4 inch Adapter

Substantially the same as the 042901, this model does not have a hot shoe mount, it is substituted by a standard quarter-inch threaded screw which fits to a female thread and is locked using a thumbscrew. It is otherwise the same.

InVision USM series studio mounts use Rycote’s patented ‘Lyre’ technology to suspend studio microphones safely, and isolate them from the low-frequency thumps and rumbles that are transmitted through microphone stands. Due to the superior self-damping of the ‘Lyres’ they offer much better isolation across the whole audio spectrum, particularly in the 40-70 Hz region, than conventional elastic suspensions, which can sometimes have a negative effect at these critical frequencies, if not matched to the particular microphone. The mounts are designed to provide equal isolation around 360 degrees and are thus suitable for all side-address microphones; omnidirectional, cardioid or figure-of-eight microphones can be oriented vertically or horizontally.

Microphones are locked in the mounts by four soft, rubber grips on the end of precision-made stainless-steel thumbscrews with ridged plastic heads. The screws can be adjusted by hand to fit almost any shape and profile within 18-55 mm. The grip surface of the pads allows the mounts to hold the microphone securely, even when positioned head-down, with minimal pressure from the screws. Note that microphones must be fitted into the mounts so that their centre of gravity is close to the level of the outer ring of the mount.

Note (1): maximum

Common specifications

Suspension weight: 154g. Overall diameter: 120mm. Length: 170mm. Depth: 70mm. Suspension rotation: 175 degrees. Thread: 3/8 and 5/8 inch.

This table contains details of suitable suspensions for some common microphones and microphone combinations. The table also shows the orientation for mounting with any particular microphone and suspension combination. For assistance in selecting an Invision USM suspension to suit alternative microphones, please contact Technical Support.

Each kit includes a single InVision USM suspension along with a single InVision Universal Pop Filter.

Kit contents