A shock mount prevents vibrations from the boom or mount stands from reaching the microphone and causing distortions on the recording. Microphones record sound by transforming vibration into electric current. The microphone cannot differentiate between the vibration in the air and the ones from the microphone itself. A shock mount uses rubber to dampen the vibrations and eliminate undesired sounds.

Things You'll Need
Microphone
Shock mount
Microphone stand
Recorder
Monitoring headphones

Slide the microphone inside the shock mount.

Balance the microphone inside the mount to stabilize it.

Move the shock mount up and down and from left to right to make sure the microphone is secure. Keep one hand under the microphone at all times to prevent it from falling.

Slide the microphone stand connector into the locking mechanism of the shock mount and tighten the knob until the shock mount is secure. Use the same microphone stand that you will use during the recording when testing.

Connect the microphone to the Line-in or Microphone port of the recorder. Connect a monitoring headphone to the headphone port of the recorder. Use the same recorder you want to use during a recording as recorder sensitivity varies.

Turn the microphone and recorder on in a quiet environment.

Record while you tap on the microphone stand or table where the microphone is resting.