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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: spreetaper on July 25, 2006, 10:26:29 PM

Title: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: spreetaper on July 25, 2006, 10:26:29 PM
can someone please suggest a good clamp to use for holding a smallish umbrella over a light stand?

also curious if anyone just duct tapes an umbrella?

thanks for the help :)
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: Dutchman1101 on July 25, 2006, 10:55:19 PM
can someone please suggest a good clamp to use for holding a smallish umbrella over a light stand?

also curious if anyone just duct tapes an umbrella?

thanks for the help :)


I just duct tape it on :coolguy:
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on July 26, 2006, 12:37:57 AM
The Windtech "C" type clamp works well.  I cut off the handle of a small umbrella and the rod slots nicely into the clamp (where the mic mount stud usually goes).  Alternatively, two smallish spring clamps will do the trick.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: tim in jersey on July 26, 2006, 08:27:42 AM
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=55935.0
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: georgeh on July 26, 2006, 02:15:25 PM
they sell umbrella's that hook up to baby cariages, that come with a clamp on them
an option if you don't already have umbrella
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: JoeKiller on July 26, 2006, 02:44:41 PM
goto Eckerds.  they have $5 clamp umbrellas that work great. 
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: terrapinj on July 26, 2006, 04:01:38 PM
The Windtech "C" type clamp works well.  I cut off the handle of a small umbrella and the rod slots nicely into the clamp (where the mic mount stud usually goes).

i've done this as well, works great. the problem with duct tape is the umbrella pole must be flush with the stand, which can get in the way of your mics/mount, the clamp is nice because it gives you some more flexibility in that aspect plus is much easier/cleaner putting on and off the stand.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: china_rider on July 26, 2006, 06:29:10 PM
I went to REI and picked up a umbrella with a clamp built in.  It has a clamp and then a flex arm so you can angle it where you want.  Don't remember the price but it was something like $7.

EDIT:
Here is a link... I must have got it on sale cause it was less than $10.
http://tinyurl.com/648bj (http://tinyurl.com/648bj)

If you are going to put an umbrella on and are on a lawn you might want to consider some tent stakes and bungie cords to tie things down.  Once the umbrella is on there it acts like a sail.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: spreetaper on July 26, 2006, 07:47:53 PM
thanks everbody much appreciated
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: tenesejedd on July 27, 2006, 12:40:43 AM
I use electrical tape. Always carry a role with me when I'm flying mics. Its nice because it won't leave the sticky residue that duct tape can leave sometimes. I mount my mics on my stand first, then put the umbrella on. This will ensure that your umbrella isn't going to be in the way of the mics/cables.

Here is the umbrella I use. I bought it at Dick's Sporting Goods. You can find them online too. Do a search for "Drizzle Stick." I like it because it has a small radius and is kinda deep. It is less prone to catching wind than other umbrellas i've used in the past.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: funkoff13 on July 28, 2006, 10:47:38 AM
dont umbrellas cause a tip tap rat tat sound from the pressure that occurs when a raindrop hits the umbrella?

I am curious, if the connections are taped and one is using a standard condensor microphone ie not electret isnt that good enough with a windscreen?  I cant stand that sound.  A buddy recorded a Bela show in the rain once and it was just awful hearing the droplets.  Unlistenable IMO.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: tenesejedd on July 28, 2006, 11:16:16 AM
dont umbrellas cause a tip tap rat tat sound from the pressure that occurs when a raindrop hits the umbrella?

I am curious, if the connections are taped and one is using a standard condensor microphone ie not electret isnt that good enough with a windscreen?  I cant stand that sound.  A buddy recorded a Bela show in the rain once and it was just awful hearing the droplets.  Unlistenable IMO.

in my experience, some of it has to do with the umbrella. I used to use a larger umbrella that made lots of noise. Ever since I started using my little golf bag umbrella, the rain noise is barely noticable. I have  a Ratdog show being torrented on etree that was taped from the lawn and it was seriously a torrential downpour for the first half of the show and you can barely hear the water hitting the umbrella.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: funkoff13 on July 28, 2006, 11:36:05 AM
dont umbrellas cause a tip tap rat tat sound from the pressure that occurs when a raindrop hits the umbrella?

I am curious, if the connections are taped and one is using a standard condensor microphone ie not electret isnt that good enough with a windscreen?  I cant stand that sound.  A buddy recorded a Bela show in the rain once and it was just awful hearing the droplets.  Unlistenable IMO.

in my experience, some of it has to do with the umbrella. I used to use a larger umbrella that made lots of noise. Ever since I started using my little golf bag umbrella, the rain noise is barely noticable. I have  a Ratdog show being torrented on etree that was taped from the lawn and it was seriously a torrential downpour for the first half of the show and you can barely hear the water hitting the umbrella.

 :coolguy:  Right on.  That is great information about the size of the umbrella lessoning the noise from the droplets. Thanks.

Has anyone ever tried the latter method I proposed?  I would assume (foolishly perhaps) that if it works for one brand of small diaphram condensor mics it would work for all.  I have personally done it with 2 brands.  Anyone?
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: terrapinj on July 28, 2006, 01:12:20 PM
i have been told that putting a hand towel on the umbrella helps reduce droplet noise that may be picked up
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: laptaper on August 03, 2007, 01:09:09 PM
If you are going to put an umbrella on and are on a lawn you might want to consider some tent stakes and bungie cords to tie things down.  Once the umbrella is on there it acts like a sail.

A taper I met at Floydfest swears by ponytail hairbands.  :)
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: anodyne33 on August 03, 2007, 04:03:35 PM
MPC-10

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u22/anodyne33/Picture006.jpg)

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u22/anodyne33/Picture007.jpg)
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: funkoff13 on August 03, 2007, 04:15:56 PM
microphones are waterproof.  tape your connections and let em rip.  i have done this many, many times with my schoeps.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: Craig T on August 03, 2007, 04:26:09 PM
microphones are waterproof.  tape your connections and let em rip.  i have done this many, many times with my schoeps.

that's arguable.  but what's not is that windscreens kill the sound once they're wet, so you definitely need the umbrella to keep the screens dry.
Title: Re: good stand clamp to hold an umbrella?
Post by: funkoff13 on August 03, 2007, 04:28:21 PM
all i can do is speak from experience.   ;)

microphones are waterproof.  tape your connections and let em rip.  i have done this many, many times with my schoeps.

that's arguable.  but what's not is that windscreens kill the sound once they're wet, so you definitely need the umbrella to keep the screens dry.