Topic: how to go about asking for clamp space

[Shawn]

So how do you all feel about asking another taper to clamp to his mic stand? I am planning on taping a few shows at smaller bars and it is likely that there will be another taper or two at the shows. Multiple mic stands at places this small can be a real hassle, and I have a fairly crappy mic stand anyway so I'd like to clamp if possible. Is there any etiquette that I should know about? or should I just be friendly and have a little casual conversation and ask for clamp space if the taper is friendly?

[dgodwin]

Get there early enough so you're not asking for clamp space as the artist is walking on stage.  Say, "hey man, can I clamp to your stand?"  and buy said taper a beer later.  He'll probably return the favor later (the beer)  if he's a nice guy. 

[Kevin Straker]

get there early, wait for the taper to set up before asking for the clamp space.

[mikeincharleston]

just find a taper and say "YO! clamp this shit up for me brah"  .  nah just do what they said, get there early, wait until they are done setting up and then just ask for clamp space.

[Brian Skalinder]

"Hi, I'm Bob.  Mind if I clamp my mics to your stand once you're all set up?"

Then, while the taper sets up gear, get yours ready to go - mics in shockmounts, mounts on stereo bar, stereo bar on clamp, mic cables attached to mics, etc. - so all you have to do is attach the clamp to the stand and you're all set.  This way, if time's tight before showtime, you're not gonna hose the taper running the stand from getting the mics up and flying in time.

[terrapinj]

i would ask him before he starts setting up if possible, he may choose to have you clamp on before he raises his stand, secures cables etc... i personally don't like lowering my stand once its up, i'll do it, but just don't like the hassle

my .02

[Shawn]

just find a taper and say "YO! clamp this shit up for me brah"  . 

 

mike do you tape/trade jazz pretty frequently? I think I recognize your name from some Bit torrent sites, but I guess it could be somebody else though.

thanks for all the advice guys. I figured I had the correct approach, but I was certain that if I didn't check it out before I asked for the first time that the taper would get all pissy and tell me no, because I didn't follow some wierd taper etiquette thing.

[F.O.Bean]

and beer/party favors go a LONG way

[jkbyram]

i like for someone to ask to clamp on. that means there will be someone to watch the stuff while you get beer.

[ashevillain]

i would ask him before he starts setting up if possible, he may choose to have you clamp on before he raises his stand, secures cables etc

If it's someone I don't know, I usually ask before they are finished setting up just for this reason. If it's someone I know then it's usually a given that I'm gonna ask for clamp space, so they know. At the Xmas Jam, the guy that was DFC in the tapers section was already set up and he was kind enough to lower his stand for me....however I'm tall and I don't run my mics higher than I can reach (~8') so I don't need it to be lowered for me to clamp...but it *is* a kind gesture.

Only one time have I been denied clamp space (from a member of this board coincidentally...he had no good reason...just didn't want to let me do it. I've never denied anyone clamp space b/c there is really no good reason to... unless there are 5 sets of U89's on a 3373). I put on my brah suit, said it's all good and got clamp space from someone else in a better location.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

I usually like to bring my stand in that sort of situation (small club, not much space for multiple stands), just in case (1) no one else shows up, or (b) you get denied.

I think if you explain you're trying to save space (but are also prepared) you look better and therefore other tapers will trust you know what you're doing.

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

i like for someone to ask to clamp on. that means there will be someone to watch the stuff while you get beer.

This is so true.  Help with blocking is always appreciated.

When I clamp, I usually say something like "It's crowded here.  Mind if I clamp instead of setting up another stand?"

[Craig T]

I charge $20 for clamp space... $30 if they're LD.  ok, not really.

[bluegrass_brad]

I have never denied anyone clamp space.  The more clamps the better IMO.  Lots more room for gear and it's easier to pass the bowl around . That said I have never been denied clamp space either.  I always go the "Mind If I clamp and save space" and it always works out great.  Im also a 7-8' preferred kind guy, so no need to lower the stand much for me.

[ethan]

another thing when clamping is to make sure you line up your mics with the main tapers that way if he needs to align yours will get aligned too if that makes sense.

-e

[jeromejello]

coming from a newb prospective, i would rather have more stands to secure more tapir area.

that and i am also so clumbsy with my setting up (and always on 4:20 time... late) that i wouldnt know if someone in their right mind would want to clamp to my ghetto phabulous setup.

maybe when i get more of the tapir knots out of the routine i would be a better canidate.

[mmmatt]

Clamps are good... makes for good rig pics and gear comps.  Always be nice as stated and all should be good.  I can't believe somebody would ever deny a clamp unless his stand was already bending from weight...

Matt

[jeromejello]

i would just like to add that last night was a perfect reason why i think someone would be fool to clamp to me.  i was raising and lowering the stand more than a sane person would want to in order to troubleshoot the mics.  i guess if someone wanted to clamp thier shemps to my stand, i would just give them the cavat that i have no fucking clue how to run my gear and will be fucking with it all night... if they dont mind, well then, i dont mind.

[cyfan]

Another bit of advice: Once you clamp on, don't break your shit down early.

I gave a guy clamp space for his mics at a show recently. When the show ran long and he didn't have another MD to keep taping, he got real pissed, started packing up his stuff and nearly pulled over the stand yanking down his mics ... all while I'm still running a recording.

I was running a matrix with a board feed and he was hoping for a copy of what I got, but after that vulgar display of rudeness his email addy on the napkin never made it out of the club.

[Shawn]

Another bit of advice: Once you clamp on, don't break your shit down early.

I gave a guy clamp space for his mics at a show recently. When the show ran long and he didn't have another MD to keep taping, he got real pissed, started packing up his stuff and nearly pulled over the stand yanking down his mics ... all while I'm still running a recording.

I was running a matrix with a board feed and he was hoping for a copy of what I got, but after that vulgar display of rudeness his email addy on the napkin never made it out of the club.

sounds like a classy guy. I love it when people ask you for a favor (such as clamping to your stand) and then they go out of their way to make you sorry you agreed to help them out.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

I thought the protocol was:

1. Pee on the tapers leg
2. Clamp to his stand while he goes to clean his nasty self up

[Shawn]

I thought the protocol was:

1. Pee on the tapers leg
2. Clamp to his stand while he goes to clean his nasty self up

[Gordon]

I can't believe somebody would ever deny a clamp unless his stand was already bending from weight...

QFT 

I have had people seem very funny about it though.  and others have thought that my 480's will knock over their 5 sets of schoeps

[silentmark]

I charge $20 for clamp space... $30 if they're LD.  ok, not really.

"No clampspace for you ..."

[ljsurfer2002]

you know .. it sure would be nice to go to a concert one of these days and see another taper / stand SOMEWHERE, anywhere.... there's no damn tapers at these shows...

[F.O.Bean]

you know .. it sure would be nice to go to a concert one of these days and see another taper / stand SOMEWHERE, anywhere.... there's no damn tapers at these shows...

where are you located?

[jdh263]

you know .. it sure would be nice to go to a concert one of these days and see another taper / stand SOMEWHERE, anywhere.... there's no damn tapers at these shows...

i hear you on that, i have only been at one show that there was another taper

[ljsurfer2002]

you know .. it sure would be nice to go to a concert one of these days and see another taper / stand SOMEWHERE, anywhere.... there's no damn tapers at these shows...

where are you located?

San Diego, CA, USA.

I guess it doesn't help that most w00k / jam music out there I really don't like .. but hell, at this point i'd pay the $30 to go to a WSP show and see 4 stands and get to talk to people and sit on a freaking grass field during a show ..

[F.O.Bean]

you know .. it sure would be nice to go to a concert one of these days and see another taper / stand SOMEWHERE, anywhere.... there's no damn tapers at these shows...

where are you located?

San Diego, CA, USA.

I guess it doesn't help that most w00k / jam music out there I really don't like .. but hell, at this point i'd pay the $30 to go to a WSP show and see 4 stands and get to talk to people and sit on a freaking grass field during a show ..

thats what its all about

[dgodwin]

Don't do what I did tonight   

 I was the worst clamper ever tonight... My clamp hasn't shown up from b+h yet (it'll be here Monday) so I didn't even have one... and then I showed up late!!!  I heard 9:30 for the show, so that meant that they'd go on around ten at the earliest, right??  Nope!  And I couldn't get out of a family commitment, so I couldn't get there early.  Luckily, the guys didn't mind lending me a clamp, and sticking me on between songs.  Thanks Seth and Todd 

[admkrk]

you know .. it sure would be nice to go to a concert one of these days and see another taper / stand SOMEWHERE, anywhere.... there's no damn tapers at these shows...

where are you located?

San Diego, CA, USA.

I guess it doesn't help that most w00k / jam music out there I really don't like .. but hell, at this point i'd pay the $30 to go to a WSP show and see 4 stands and get to talk to people and sit on a freaking grass field during a show ..

thats what its all about

3 mo months to go!   :-)

[Roving Sign]

Ok - once this thread hit three pages I couldn't resist finding out what was up...I never encounter this - so it must be a Widespread Panic problem or something... But - really - I'm super anal about having space/air around my mics...I want EVERTHING to be AT LEAST 12 inches away from the mics...some of these mic trees are crazy! Dont certain mics come with little plastic widget-shapes that fit in front of the mic to change mic's pattern and response?  Same principle...Things near the mic color the sound the most. And I agree with whoever pointed out that you are linking your fortunes to someone elses - and vice-versa. I'm picturing a scene from "The Aviator" - and someone else has put his mics on Howards mic stand  - and and causes endless obsesvive tramua. In his head all Howard can hear is the other guys mics...Clamp, Clamp, Clamp, Clamp...

[it-goes-to-eleven]

But - really - I'm super anal about having space/air around my mics...I want EVERTHING to be AT LEAST 12 inches away from the mics...some of these mic trees are crazy!

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that you haven't heard how much cell phones can interfere with your rig?

[John R]

... I'm super anal about having space/air around my mics...I want EVERTHING to be AT LEAST 12 inches away from the mics...some of these mic trees are crazy! Dont

i think super anal is about right.  if the air around you mics is clear, you'll be fine.  two to three inches is more than adequate.  what i don't like, is the late arrival who has to put his mics in front of other pairs, at the same elevation.  he is then asked to lower.

clamps are always welcome, the earlier, the better.

jr

[Roving Sign]

But - really - I'm super anal about having space/air around my mics...I want EVERTHING to be AT LEAST 12 inches away from the mics...some of these mic trees are crazy!

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that you haven't heard how much cell phones can interfere with your rig?

...well anything that's not emitting tons of RFI... - - yes I've heard...I think I have one JB3 recording - made using the analog in - that has some odd clicks...

[Roving Sign]

... I'm super anal about having space/air around my mics...I want EVERTHING to be AT LEAST 12 inches away from the mics...some of these mic trees are crazy! Dont

i think super anal is about right.  if the air around you mics is clear, you'll be fine.  two to three inches is more than adequate.  what i don't like, is the late arrival who has to put his mics in front of other pairs, at the same elevation.  he is then asked to lower.

clamps are always welcome, the earlier, the better.

jr

I would bet that - if you set up your mics in front of your stereo  - and moved a tangerine-sized object around the mic - you will be able to hear something. I think the the bigger the object - the further you want to get away from it...

At one local venue - there is a square column/support in the middle of the room - we always set up against the pole...but never got a good recording until we moved the stand away from the pole...same goes for cielings - I'd rather risk running a bit low than run 6 inches from the ceiling...

Sorry for the digression...at places like the Chameleon in Lancaster, PA - clamping is essential if there going to be more than a few tapers...otherwise we risk making a nuciance of ourselves in a place like that - (who BTW have always been very cool about tapers...YMMV)

[F.O.Bean]

... I'm super anal about having space/air around my mics...I want EVERTHING to be AT LEAST 12 inches away from the mics...some of these mic trees are crazy! Dont

i think super anal is about right.  if the air around you mics is clear, you'll be fine.  two to three inches is more than adequate.  what i don't like, is the late arrival who has to put his mics in front of other pairs, at the same elevation.  he is then asked to lower.

clamps are always welcome, the earlier, the better.

jr

I would bet that - if you set up your mics in front of your stereo  - and moved a tangerine-sized object around the mic - you will be able to hear something. I think the the bigger the object - the further you want to get away from it...

At one local venue - there is a square column/support in the middle of the room - we always set up against the pole...but never got a good recording until we moved the stand away from the pole...same goes for cielings - I'd rather risk running a bit low than run 6 inches from the ceiling...

Sorry for the digression...at places like the Chameleon in Lancaster, PA - clamping is essential if there going to be more than a few tapers...otherwise we risk making a nuciance of ourselves in a place like that - (who BTW have always been very cool about tapers...YMMV)

but the mics arent movng once clamped, theyre stationary

I have p[ersonally been on LOTS of mic trees and have no audible problems in lots of taping ventures

[terrapinj]

you know .. it sure would be nice to go to a concert one of these days and see another taper / stand SOMEWHERE, anywhere.... there's no damn tapers at these shows...

where are you located?

San Diego, CA, USA.

I guess it doesn't help that most w00k / jam music out there I really don't like .. but hell, at this point i'd pay the $30 to go to a WSP show and see 4 stands and get to talk to people and sit on a freaking grass field during a show ..

what type of shows do you usually tape? i tape in SD a lot but most shows may fall into the "jamband wook" scene. i've been wanting to tape something different for a little while now but haven't really followed through

[Roving Sign]

Ok - once this thread hit three pages I couldn't resist finding out what was up...I never encounter this - so it must be a Widespread Panic problem or something... But - really - I'm super anal about having space/air around my mics...I want EVERTHING to be AT LEAST 12 inches away from the mics...some of these mic trees are crazy! Dont certain mics come with little plastic widget-shapes that fit in front of the mic to change mic's pattern and response?  Same principle...Things near the mic color the sound the most.

Sorry to reply to my own post - but lo and behold here is a recording featuring the little plastic widgets (the balls) that go in front of the mic...thanks Nick's Picks

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=57855.0