Topic: Ideas for *open taping* hat rig...?

[acidjack]

Before the usual cavalcade of ridiculous pictures of giant sombreros, etc. (as funny as they are), please for a moment consider my subject line.

I have found that sometimes, it simply makes more sense to run a rig I can mount to myself... Reasons include:

1. It sounds better to go upfront and a lowpro stand is either not permitted or unworkable for a variety of reasons.

2. I cannot arrive early enough to get a proper spot to set up.

3. I am at the show alone and would like to be able to go to the bathroom/get beer/move without asking someone to watch my gear.

I'm sure there are others.

So anyway, I was thinking about whether anyone has devised a good hat rig for an open taping situation.   My not-open-taping hat rig is fine, but if I were explicitly open taping, it's not really ideal, either. 

All I can really come up with is either putting some loops on the outside of a baseball cap and putting my 4021s in them, though this doesn't provide an ideal pattern since it would basically be A-B.  Or, if I wanted a good pattern, take the step of sticking a T-bar onto a hat, which seems problematic for several reasons, not least of which being weight.

So there are two things I want to know - if you've basically done the baseball hat with external loops thing, I'd be curious to know how you did it and what you used for loops; AND, if I am just not being creative enough, please let me know if there are other good ways to do this.

Again, this is for situations where stealth is not required and concealment is not an issue.

[Jhurlbs81]

PM sent. 

[su6oxone]

I think the key point is that whether or not you're open or stealth taping with a Kangol, you want to keep things discrete so that you avoid the attention of other people who may either kick you out, if it's stealth, or do obnoxious things like scream into your mics if it's open.  Anyway, I'll send you a PM with a pic of how I do things.

[ballerusk]

Can I politely ask if you can send those PMs to me as well?

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

3. I am at the show alone and would like to be able to go to the bathroom/get beer/move without asking someone to watch my gear.

I don't think this will work very well DURING the show. I really don't want to listen to you pee. 

[mfrench]

you could be the killer bee

[setboy]

Can I politely ask if you can send those PMs to me as well?

ditto please

[fleish]

3. I am at the show alone and would like to be able to go to the bathroom/get beer/move without asking someone to watch my gear.

I don't think this will work very well DURING the show. I really don't want to listen to you pee. 

Why not? It worked fine for Frank Drebin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4JBj0kxef8

[whiskybob]

Can I politely ask if you can send those PMs to me as well?

I use this system and would like to see what others are using...Please P.M me with photo's/ideas

[acidjack]

I don't think this will work very well DURING the show. I really don't want to listen to you pee. 
[/quote]

Oh, come on.  Obviously I am not going to the bathroom WHILE recording.  But I am not going to leave $4000 of gear lying on the floor unsupervised while I take a piss break in between sets. 

[fmaderjr]

Oh, come on.  Obviously I am not going to the bathroom WHILE recording. 

A friend of mine did it once and put it on the CD he mastered for laughs.

That's why I never drink when I'm not open taping.

[setboy]

You guys just need to get a bladder buddy http://www.bladderbuddy.com/

[J.Maye]

3. I am at the show alone and would like to be able to go to the bathroom/get beer/move without asking someone to watch my gear.

I don't think this will work very well DURING the show. I really don't want to listen to you pee. 

Then you dont want a copy of my Neil Young from DU last year. 

[MarkE]

Funny, I've seen Frank Marino and Mahogony Rush 3 times, and he plays 3+ hour sets. I ALWAYS need to take a pee break, I choose the drum solo.. If Im gonna miss something , it'd be a drum solo...

[T.J.]

if you already have lowpro mics and a lowpro solution, i would stick with that. even if it's an open taping event, an "open taping hat solution" would attract more wooks than a stand and the mics wouldn't be elevated.

0.02

[bugg100]

1. It sounds better to go upfront and a lowpro stand is either not permitted or unworkable for a variety of reasons.

2. I cannot arrive early enough to get a proper spot to set up.

3. I am at the show alone and would like to be able to go to the bathroom/get beer/move without asking someone to watch my gear.

You could just tape onstage and buddy up with sound engineers in your most frequent clubs for a pair in the house snake while pulling 2 from the console.  That would actually satisfy all of the above plus make better tapes!

[disco]

potentially a dumb question, but I guess that's what this place is for.....
When taping in a hat or wearing the mics in some way shape or form how much movement is acceptable when taping? I know that sound can change as you move through a venue but some bobbin and swaying within a few feet seems like it would be ok, what's the verdict fellas? thx

[setboy]

When taping in a hat or wearing the mics in some way shape or form how much movement is acceptable when taping?

None

[Belexes]

^ Agreed. Wearing the mics isn't much fun as you are then a human mic stand that needs to stand still through the duration of the performance.

Movement is more noticable with cards than omnis and also more noticable the closer you are to the sound source.

[disco]

thanks guys

[MarkE]

potentially a dumb question, but I guess that's what this place is for.....
When taping in a hat or wearing the mics in some way shape or form how much movement is acceptable when taping? I know that sound can change as you move through a venue but some bobbin and swaying within a few feet seems like it would be ok, what's the verdict fellas? thx

Depends on the mics your using.. I use some omnis (sonic Studios), and I move my head alot. I try not to turn around 180 degrees or anything, but standard head bobbing is non existant on the recordings.. I would assume some cards, or even more, hypers, would give you some phasing...
MarkE

[setboy]

When i say none, I men that is what you are shooting for. Very few people can stand completely still for a whole show

[Belexes]

Very few people can stand completely still for a whole show

I know an old school taper that does a hat mount and doesn't move, clap, or anything.  I applaud him. (but after the show and not when he's recording of course  )

[jefflester]

I'm pretty good at staying still for a whole show. Sometimes my neck gets stiff. I usually have to move weight back and forth between the legs, but the upper torso and head stay pretty still.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

[Fonky]

I know an old school taper that does a hat mount and doesn't move, clap, or anything.  I applaud him. (but after the show and not when he's recording of course  )
[/quote]

 

Can I just add my name to the 'please post some pics of your hat rig' request list? stealthy ideas more than welcome. 

[mfrench]

I know an old school taper that does a hat mount and doesn't move, clap, or anything.  I applaud him. (but after the show and not when he's recording of course  )

 

Can I just add my name to the 'please post some pics of your hat rig' request list? stealthy ideas more than welcome. 
[/quote]

actually - no they're not welcome,

[acidjack]

^^ QFT, no pics of these should be posted; PMs only.  Note that my original post was about a hat rig that did NOT need to be stealthy.  The takeaway from those who have tried it (which does make sense) is, "open taping hat rigs invite people to ask you stupid questions and generally are not an improvement on stealth rigs".

[Fonky]

Apologies. 

[setboy]

Apologies. 

don't feel bad. Be happy 

[easyed]

Funny, I've seen Frank Marino and Mahogony Rush 3 times, and he plays 3+ hour sets. I ALWAYS need to take a pee break, I choose the drum solo.. If Im gonna miss something , it'd be a drum solo...

bass stop.  very very bad.  now come drum solo.