Topic: Clamping a stand to an amphitheater seat(in a populated section)

[jagraham]

I'll be taping at Nissan Pavilion(aka Jiffy Lube) this weekend and wanted some tips on the process.  The show is open taping "from your seat" and I am down in Sec 102 a few rows up, 4 rows left of the board.  It's a great seat to tape from but I'll be alone at the show so it might be hard to achieve that without bothering anyone around me. I will have my stand and access to a superclamp with extension pole.  Another possibility is to set up the stand behind the board but I don't know until I arrive.  There is a handicap section behind the board that may end up being empty, but if there is no space there I will have to opt for the seat.  I know many tapers clamp to the seat in the FOB/near board sections but there are usually many more tapers, I have a feeling I will be the only person taping here.  Any advice is appreciated.

[bryonsos]

I found this pic of the seats there:

http://www.pollstar.com/photo_details.aspx?ID=780920

This style of seats are a PITA for clamping, there's not much of an arm for the clamp to grip. I'd take both hoping to clamp, but prepared to use the stand. I'd also bring gaff tape on the chance you can "lash" your stand to the divider in between seats.

[cashandkerouac]

I found this pic of the seats there:

http://www.pollstar.com/photo_details.aspx?ID=780920

This style of seats are a PITA for clamping, there's not much of an arm for the clamp to grip. I'd take both hoping to clamp, but prepared to use the stand. I'd also bring gaff tape on the chance you can "lash" your stand to the divider in between seats.

using gaff tape to secure your stand to the divider between the seats is probably your best bet.  however, i've only been successful using that strategy when other tapers were on either side.  as the OP noted, having non-tapers in the seats immediately adjacent may restrict his ability to secure a stand without infringing on his neighbors' space.  this is a very legitimate concern.

the past two weekends i was in a similar situation, but since it was a very taping-friendly band i thought the people around me would be understanding and reasonable... NOPE!  i initally taped my stand to the divider in between the seats and people around me were a total PITA.  i wasn't in the mood to fight with people all night so i removed the stand from the divider and held it in front of me the whole show.  that was also a PITA, but at least everyone shut up and left me alone.  hopefully you have beeter luck than i did.     

[mattmiller]

I've never had to do this, but if I ever had to clamp to a seat with non-tapers around me, I would use any part of my own seat to secure the mics and gear, set the levels, and then go watch the show from the back.  I wouldn't even try to make room for my gear AND myself.

[vanark]

I had two seats once for a Chris Robinson Brotherhood show.  I figured if someone I knew wanted to go, they'd know the scoop.  If not, I'd use the extra seat for my gear.  Ended up going solo and needed the extra seat as I live streamed the show so I had more gear than usual.  I'd say this is tough if you only have one seat, but it can be done if the row in front of you is slightly offset from yours.  You can then jerry-rig the stand/ext. pole in the gap in seats in front of you.

[bryonsos]

If you can get your hands on one of these, you could Superclamp to the seat divider, and adjust the ball head to hold your extension pole vertically:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/863646-REG/Kupo_kg007112_DOUBLE_BALL_JOINT_ADAPTER.html

I may have tp pick one up myself, I'm already imagining how I'll use it.

[DigiGal]

Tip - Be sure to use appropriate shock mounts for your mics.  Generally theater seats are mechanically connected together in rows.  Clamping to theater seats can easily transfer undesired vibration from the connected seats through your clamp and extension pole to the mics.

[ScoobieKW]

This, and another thought. After hearing a sqeaky theater seat on my recording, I've been meaning to add WD-40 to my gear bag.

[F.O.Bean]

I've never had to do this, but if I ever had to clamp to a seat with non-tapers around me, I would use any part of my own seat to secure the mics and gear, set the levels, and then go watch the show from the back.  I wouldn't even try to make room for my gear AND myself.

Sorry, but IMO, this is HORRIBLE ADVICE I stand guard at my stand if im ANYWHERE but by the SBD. ANYTHING can happen when youre away from your gear and I mean ANYTHING

I just bought a Manfrotto Superclamp and a Lowel Full Pole[7'] and i'll be ready to clamp onto damn near anything at an amphitheater/theater/etc I would advise doing the same

[tim in jersey]

I've never had to do this, but if I ever had to clamp to a seat with non-tapers around me, I would use any part of my own seat to secure the mics and gear, set the levels, and then go watch the show from the back.  I wouldn't even try to make room for my gear AND myself.

Sorry, but IMO, this is HORRIBLE ADVICE I stand guard at my stand if im ANYWHERE but by the SBD. ANYTHING can happen when youre away from your gear and I mean ANYTHING

^Ditto that, Bean.

For reserved seating shows where "tape-from-your-seats" applies, and I *know* the venue will allow me to run at or above head height (rare anymore, it seems) I still like to have a one seat buffer. I'll buy a pair of tickets in hopes I can find another taper that wants to clamp on and run the pole between the two of us, or at the very least a non-taper buddy of mine that can deal with the clamp/pole on the arm rest. IME, one complaint from a neighbour that doesn't get the "taping thing" will get you shut down.

For reserved shows at venues where band policy defers to venue policy (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and MMW spring to mind) I always plan to run a hat rig. If you get lucky they'll let you run your stand in what is likely the least ideal location, if at all.

It's a trade-off at times. But usually, I'll work a little extra to get the mics where they need to be... YMMV.

[mattmiller]

I've never had to do this, but if I ever had to clamp to a seat with non-tapers around me, I would use any part of my own seat to secure the mics and gear, set the levels, and then go watch the show from the back.  I wouldn't even try to make room for my gear AND myself.

Sorry, but IMO, this is HORRIBLE ADVICE I stand guard at my stand if im ANYWHERE but by the SBD. ANYTHING can happen when youre away from your gear and I mean ANYTHING

I didn't say I wouldn't be watching closely.

[doodee]

[/quote]

IME, one complaint from a neighbour that doesn't get the "taping thing" will get you shut down.

[/quote]

It does pay to get there early, shake some hands, kiss some babies...

[DigiGal]

IME, one complaint from a neighbour that doesn't get the "taping thing" will get you shut down.

It does pay to get there early, shake some hands, kiss some babies...

Arrive early, wear a sharpie around your neck, with a two-way radio and clipboard in hand and act important, they'll think you're an official, problem solved.   

[edtyre]

Just run in the hat 

[jagraham]

^ All good advice, thanks!  I'm still debating what to bring and do.  I guess I forgot to mention I run really small mics, CA-14s and CA-CAFS Omnis.  The CAFS are tiny.  The seats in front of me ARE offset so that directly in front of me is the divider.  I'm imagining somehow rigging a pole to the back of that seat and the ground, but then the concern is the people in front of my seat would complain.  I guess my strategy is to show up, see if the board area or behind is possible, and if not try to rig up something for the seat.