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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: detroit lightning on March 11, 2017, 03:18:18 PM

Title: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: detroit lightning on March 11, 2017, 03:18:18 PM
I currently use a stand with the shockmount / ruler setup for CA14's.  Have a few shows where I'll be in the balcony, and figured it was time to get a basic clamp setup.  Figured this would be a good, simple setup for my needs.

Am I missing anything?  Opinions / recommendations welcomed!

Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: jagraham on March 11, 2017, 05:33:48 PM
Depends on the balcony and if the clamp will work with any of the surfaces/edges. You could also find a way to bungee the ruler to a balcony surface. The venue might not be OK with you clamping, so have a backup solution like that.
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: detroit lightning on March 11, 2017, 06:05:35 PM
Awesome - thank you.  For the bungee option, how would that work?  Ideally, I'd get some space between the mics and whatever I'm mounting it to?
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: detroit lightning on March 11, 2017, 06:20:19 PM
I do have a gorillapod that I could use a backup.  Is there an easy extention I could use with that?
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: jagraham on March 11, 2017, 06:25:21 PM
No idea on the gorillapod, but the CAs are pretty lightweight so I'm sure you could rig it up somehow. Ideas for the bungee option would be strapping the ruler right to the balcony, or maybe with some of the cord or some bubble wrap material between the cord and balcony surface to alleviate vibrations.
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: detroit lightning on March 11, 2017, 06:54:25 PM
Cool.  I think I have some ideas now...
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: mfrench on March 11, 2017, 08:15:22 PM
What you posted is a good starting point. But it won't cover all possibilities; nothing will.
I find a fair amount of use for a clamp like this:
(http://www.mydealsdirect.com/webstore/images/products/ratchetclampalone.jpg)

You drill a thru-hole to fit a 3/8-16 screw, similar to the hole shown in this image, and use that hole to mount a mic/mic t-bar/adaptors. It is a clamp and an extender.
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: detroit lightning on March 11, 2017, 09:12:52 PM
What you posted is a good starting point. But it won't cover all possibilities; nothing will.
I find a fair amount of use for a clamp like this:
(http://www.mydealsdirect.com/webstore/images/products/ratchetclampalone.jpg)

You drill a thru-hole to fit a 3/8-16 screw, similar to the hole shown in this image, and use that hole to mount a mic/mic t-bar/adaptors. It is a clamp and an extender.

That's a great idea!  Definitely looking for something that will be flexible.  Can use it at home for woodworking projects too!
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: mfrench on March 12, 2017, 12:17:30 AM
Here is another DIY clamp.
Its a spring clip with a 3/8-16 nut and bolt added to it.
The extension is the same thread pitch all-thread rod.
The baffle is DIY as well, and might be useful to you with your omnis. It's of light closed cell foam.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/MokePics2/miniature%20baffle/IMG020.jpg)

sorry for the crap picture...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/MokePics2/miniature%20baffle/IMG021.jpg)


Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: dynamicalories on March 12, 2017, 12:58:12 PM
FWIW, I've got that Superclamp and articulated arm combo and have never encountered a situation where I wanted to clamp and was unprepared. Those two things together are great.
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: down2earthlandscaper on March 12, 2017, 03:03:54 PM
Very rare that the superclamp wont work but there are situations I've encountered where it wasnt quite big enough. This clamp saved the day and is plenty strong to extend 6'-8' out with a fairly heavy set up of a mic bar and three stereo pairs

Manfrotto 649 quick release c-clamp

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000I65A60/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: ts on March 27, 2017, 02:14:46 PM
Very rare that the superclamp wont work but there are situations I've encountered where it wasnt quite big enough. This clamp saved the day and is plenty strong to extend 6'-8' out with a fairly heavy set up of a mic bar and three stereo pairs

Manfrotto 649 quick release c-clamp

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000I65A60/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

I have that same clamp. It's all I ever used.
Title: Re: Is this everything I'll need for balcony clamping?
Post by: detroit lightning on May 07, 2017, 09:58:03 AM
Used the setup in my original post last night, and it worked great. Really pleased with it, and looking forward to balcony clamping whenever possible. For anyone that stumbles on this in the future, I highly recommend it for a fairly easy clamp setup.

Sadly, I blew a completely awesome spot (DFC, front row of the balcony @ Royal Oak Music Theater for Trey) by screwing up a setting on my D50. I had a backup zoom h2n going that sounds pretty good, but was really excited to hear my regular setup from that spot. Oh well...