Topic: Super Clamp, How the heck do they work?

[RRobar]

Ok, I realize they clamp onto stands and what not. But how does one use it witha t-bar when clamping on a stand? I've been looking on ebay and I'm a bit confused. Can anyone post a pic of how one is used with a t-bar or vert bar?

[sideshowbob]

Rob- Email(s) sent with pics.....too lazy to resize.

 

Thanks.

--Jason

[aberg]

Ok, I realize they clamp onto stands and what not. But how does one use it witha t-bar when clamping on a stand? I've been looking on ebay and I'm a bit confused. Can anyone post a pic of how one is used with a t-bar or vert bar?

Ideally, you'd want to pick up the bogen/manfrotto extension arm for the superclamp. It comes with a 1/4" and 3/8" reversible adapter, which you should be able to screw your t-bar onto with the proper adapter if you need one.

[RRobar]

Thanks Jason and aberg. I figured there had to be something else to make the right angle. Just didn't make sense with out it. Thanks for the pics Jason. Now to track that down. Although I did find a few Bogen stands on ebay for under $40. With the extension and the clamp getting close to that. The clamp would be handy in tight situations.

[aberg]

Thanks Jason and aberg. I figured there had to be something else to make the right angle. Just didn't make sense with out it. Thanks for the pics Jason. Now to track that down. Although I did find a few Bogen stands on ebay for under $40. With the extension and the clamp getting close to that. The clamp would be handy in tight situations.

No problem. I loved the superclamp w/ extension arm setup, but it is pretty beefy. If you're worried at all about weight of your rig, you could probably find a better alternative. I'm thinking of picking up a windtech clamp.

[RRobar]

Actually with some more looking around I think I'm getting a K&M Side Bar Mic Clamp. We had one when I shared a rig with Scott Cervin, he may even still have it. They are only $23 from MicSupply.com and the are light and work great.

[aberg]

Actually with some more looking around I think I'm getting a K&M Side Bar Mic Clamp. We had one when I shared a rig with Scott Cervin, he may even still have it. They are only $23 from MicSupply.com and the are light and work great.

Those will work but FWIW, the windtech multiposition "C" type clamp (Model # MPC-10) goes for around $14 and is more versatile IMO. Check out bhphoto.com, I think they have it. Cheers!

[Aaron41]

I hope this isn't taken as a hijack but I'm also having major questions about the Superclamp. I need a mic bar and a clamp for my AKG 391s for a show coming up. I'm thinking of picking up a AKG mic bar and a super clamp. Only problem is I don't know what type of Superclamp I need. They all seem to have different specifications. Any advice on which to get?

[Brian Skalinder]

I hope this isn't taken as a hijack but I'm also having major questions about the Superclamp. I need a mic bar and a clamp for my AKG 391s for a show coming up. I'm thinking of picking up a AKG mic bar and a super clamp. Only problem is I don't know what type of Superclamp I need. They all seem to have different specifications. Any advice on which to get?

Do you plan on using this for clamping to stands or other objects, e.g. railings, poles, etc.?  IMO, stand clamping and "other" clamping are best off with different clamps.

The SuperClamp excels at clamping to all sorts of stuff - railings, poles, etc.  But it's awfully big and beefy for stand clamping and also may orient the t-bar at the wrong angle depending on <1> how your mics mount and <2> whether or not you have the right-angle extension bar.

On the other hand, the Windtech multiposition "C" type clamp is great for stand mounting, and also works on smallish railings, poles, etc.  Far more flexible than the K&M, IME.  The K&M's alright, but it gets the mics farther off the stand than I'd like, and it only has a single mounting orientation for the mics.

FWIW, I have and use all three, and in the grand scheme of things they'll all do the trick for stand clamping, but I rarely break out the K&M anymore.

[Aaron41]

Do you plan on using this for clamping to stands or other objects, e.g. railings, poles, etc.?  IMO, stand clamping and "other" clamping are best off with different clamps.

The SuperClamp excels at clamping to all sorts of stuff - railings, poles, etc.  But it's awfully big and beefy for stand clamping and also may orient the t-bar at the wrong angle depending on <1> how your mics mount and <2> whether or not you have the right-angle extension bar.

On the other hand, the Windtech multiposition "C" type clamp is great for stand mounting, and also works on smallish railings, poles, etc.  Far more flexible than the K&M, IME.  The K&M's alright, but it gets the mics farther off the stand than I'd like, and it only has a single mounting orientation for the mics.

FWIW, I have and use all three, and in the grand scheme of things they'll all do the trick for stand clamping, but I rarely break out the K&M anymore.

I plan to use the clamp to attach to a stand for the upcoming show. In the future, I expect to use one to clamp onto other objects (balcony railings, poles, etc). I'm going to look into that Windtech clamp definitely. Will that one be fine in the future when I need to clamp to balcony railings or will I want to throw some more money down for the Superclamp?

[pfife]

You won't need to throw down money when you move to ypsi... 

[Aaron41]

You won't need to throw down money when you move to ypsi... 

lol. As if I need more reasons to move down to the real world. :p

[Kindguy]

I only use my superclamp on rails 2x4''s ect never on a stand. I use the small robi with the swivel head on stands...best clamp ever!

The 1.5 to 3 foot extended bar for the superclamp rocks hanging from a ceiling in a bar.

[tim in jersey]

The 1.5 to 3 foot extended bar for the superclamp rocks hanging from a ceiling in a bar.

I've never seen that accessory. Part number/pic? Thanks.

[nickgregory]

The 1.5 to 3 foot extended bar for the superclamp rocks hanging from a ceiling in a bar.

I've never seen that accessory. Part number/pic? Thanks.

http://www.cascademedia.net/categories.asp?catid=255

[tim in jersey]

The 1.5 to 3 foot extended bar for the superclamp rocks hanging from a ceiling in a bar.

I've never seen that accessory. Part number/pic? Thanks.

http://www.cascademedia.net/categories.asp?catid=255

I don't see the 1.5' to 3' bar. I'm imagining it's a telescoping bar, no?

[nickgregory]

The 1.5 to 3 foot extended bar for the superclamp rocks hanging from a ceiling in a bar.

I've never seen that accessory. Part number/pic? Thanks.

http://www.cascademedia.net/categories.asp?catid=255

I don't see the 1.5' to 3' bar. I'm imagining it's a telescoping bar, no?

beleive I have seen them on B&Hs website, and I dont think they are telescoping

[Kindguy]

It is telescoping I'll post a pic. I guess they no longer make them. I can't find it online?

[Kindguy]

....

[nickgregory]

now that thing is sweet..let me know if you want to get rid of it

[Kindguy]

Yea I use it a lot. A local bar put a wood block on the ceiling for me to clamp on. Also eye hooks to run my cables. That place get's pretty rowdy so it works out great.

We also hang a sign on it that says. "Touch this & you'll be thrown out the back door Using your head to open it. Keep off. Sincerely management.

[jeromejello]

We also hang a sign on it that says. "Touch this & you'll be thrown out the back door Using your head to open it. Keep off. Sincerely management.

i want a sign like that 

+t

[Brian Skalinder]

now that thing is sweet..let me know if you want to get rid of it

While it seems Bogen no longer sells the exact same piece, you may achieve the same effect with the standard stud + an extension bar.  Like:

Bogen 3' - 7'6" extension
MSE (Matthews) 18" - 54" extension

I've not used these, so I'm not positive what attachments are on each end, but I suspect there's a way to make them work easily enough.  Or if you have very specific needs, APIC will make custom extensions (though it'll cost you about double the ones listed above).  I have very specific requirements, so ordered a custom extension from APIC.

Yea I use it a lot.

I use my clamp + extension all the time - clamping to drink rails and running the mics up, clamping to balcony rails and running mics down and/or forward over the crowd, clamping to other fixtures and running mics up/down and/or out and/or over.  You get the idea.  You name it, I've done it with my SuperClamp (and occasionally Windtech C) + extension.

Great accessory providing gobs of flexibility for mic placement in a large variety of situations.

[bconnolly]

Yea I use it a lot. A local bar put a wood block on the ceiling for me to clamp on. Also eye hooks to run my cables. That place get's pretty rowdy so it works out great.

We also hang a sign on it that says. "Touch this & you'll be thrown out the back door Using your head to open it. Keep off. Sincerely management.

This is why tapers keep good rapport with club owners.  So we can do stuff like this.  +T for the hilarious sign.

[Kindguy]

I'll take a pic next thursday.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Hey Brian, is this the extending arm?  If so, they seem to still be avail.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5597&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

[Brian Skalinder]

Hey Brian, is this the extending arm?  If so, they seem to still be avail.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5597&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

That looks similar to, but not the same as, the pic in Kindguy's post.  Looks like the one you posted has 5/8" studs on both ends.  Would require fewer adapters, I think, if it had a 5/8"-27-F thread on one end for securing to the stock SuperClamp bar/thread (stock bar + adapter to get 5/8"-27-M thread)

[poppag76]

Hey Moke, what is that extension on the mini-clamp?

[spyder9]

now that thing is sweet..let me know if you want to get rid of it

While it seems Bogen no longer sells the exact same piece, you may achieve the same effect with the standard stud + an extension bar.  Like:

Bogen 3' - 7'6" extension
MSE (Matthews) 18" - 54" extension

I've not used these, so I'm not positive what attachments are on each end, but I suspect there's a way to make them work easily enough.  Or if you have very specific needs, APIC will make custom extensions (though it'll cost you about double the ones listed above).  I have very specific requirements, so ordered a custom extension from APIC.

Yea I use it a lot.

I use my clamp + extension all the time - clamping to drink rails and running the mics up, clamping to balcony rails and running mics down and/or forward over the crowd, clamping to other fixtures and running mics up/down and/or out and/or over.  You get the idea.  You name it, I've done it with my SuperClamp (and occasionally Windtech C) + extension.

Great accessory providing gobs of flexibility for mic placement in a large variety of situations.

I have the Bogen extension pole.  Mine's the 3369 (black).  The one Brian has listed, 3109 (silver).  It replaced the 3369.  I use the 3369 in tandem with the Bogen 649 quick release C clamp.  I use it primarily to clamp to the arm of my seat at theatre shows.   That set up has been great so far.  No worries about people passing by and tripping on my gear in the row.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=252212&is=REG&addedTroughType=search