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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: javertim on September 02, 2008, 09:50:47 PM

Title: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: javertim on September 02, 2008, 09:50:47 PM
Okay, so I admit -- this is a really dumb question.  However, I figured I would ask in case one of you has done this before and would like to warn someone else against doing it ...

I recently purchased the SP-CMC-8s and love them.  I love how small they are and the wonderful sound the produce.  As expected, I am using them as part of a stealth rig -- I wear them on my shirt collar.  So far, the Audio Technica mini rotating clips have proved to be a blessing and a burden: I love the fact that they rotate, allowing me to aim them high, I love the fact that the position of the rotation stays fixed once you've decided on where to aim them, BUT I do not like how easy it is for the mics to snap out of the clips.  Therefore, I have been considering super-gluing the mics into the clips so that they won't fall out.

What do you guys think?  Good idea, terrible idea?

Thanks! :-)
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: TNJazz on September 02, 2008, 10:00:09 PM
Terrible idea

Why not just tape them in place with electrical tape or a small piece of gaffers tape?

A whole lot less permanent and less likely to ruin the mics completely.
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: illconditioned on September 02, 2008, 10:08:37 PM
Terrible idea

Why not just tape them in place with electrical tape or a small piece of gaffers tape?

A whole lot less permanent and less likely to ruin the mics completely.

How about a dab of hot melt glue!!!  A lot more fun than tape, and you can still remove it if you like :).

  Richard
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: Belexes on September 02, 2008, 10:18:23 PM
I've used the rotating clips with my SP-CMC-8's and never had an issue with them separating.  I'm not in a moshpit when recording either though...ymmv.
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: javertim on September 02, 2008, 11:13:24 PM
I basically only record while seated, so it's not a matter of moving around too much.  It's basically that when the mics are clipped onto my collar and I rotate them up or down, they sometimes disconnect.  I guess I'll go ahead and record my first show with them and actually see how they perform in the "field" before I try tape or (hot) glue.  I almost had the Sound Professionals install their own mini rotating clips, but I was worried how the windscreens would fit on if I chose that option.

Thanks for your guidance, guys! :-)
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: darktrain on September 03, 2008, 12:11:33 AM
Buy a set of these shure clips, great clip and rock solid and plenty of angles to work with and they will not come loose, i have used them in plenty of different situations.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31uUIFoKZcL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)

http://www.amazon.com/Single-Mount-Clips-MX183-Contains/dp/B0002JEUZA/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1220415008&sr=8-13
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: illconditioned on September 03, 2008, 12:21:01 AM
Buy a set of these shure clips, great clip and rock solid and plenty of angles to work with and they will not come loose, i have used them in plenty of different situations.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31uUIFoKZcL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)

http://www.amazon.com/Single-Mount-Clips-MX183-Contains/dp/B0002JEUZA/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1220415008&sr=8-13
I've got those (and a lot of other AT related gear...).

They are suitable for a larger diameter mic, like AT853 (SP-CMC-4), Sennheiser MKE40 (or the microphone madness version), or Church's cardioids.

  Richard
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: nameloc01 on September 03, 2008, 09:29:12 AM
Make sure you use industrial grade 2-part epoxy.

:P
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: ArchivalAudio on September 03, 2008, 10:04:01 AM
I basically only record while seated, so it's not a matter of moving around too much.  It's basically that when the mics are clipped onto my collar and I rotate them up or down, they sometimes disconnect.  I guess I'll go ahead and record my first show with them and actually see how they perform in the "field" before I try tape or (hot) glue.  I almost had the Sound Professionals install their own mini rotating clips, but I was worried how the windscreens would fit on if I chose that option.

Thanks for your guidance, guys! :-)

man whatever you decide
consider getting those mics up higher than your collar  even when sitting the top of your head is higher then your sholders
consider some kind of hat  / head mount rig...
on your collar the mics are both closer to your mouth and to others in the crowds mouths too.
that's my


-- Ian
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: Belexes on September 03, 2008, 10:23:32 AM
Keep in mind though with any head/hat mount you have to remain *very* still or you'll have phasing issues which are more noticable the closer you are to the sound source.
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: darktrain on September 03, 2008, 10:24:20 AM
I basically only record while seated, so it's not a matter of moving around too much.  It's basically that when the mics are clipped onto my collar and I rotate them up or down, they sometimes disconnect.  I guess I'll go ahead and record my first show with them and actually see how they perform in the "field" before I try tape or (hot) glue.  I almost had the Sound Professionals install their own mini rotating clips, but I was worried how the windscreens would fit on if I chose that option.

Thanks for your guidance, guys! :-)

man whatever you decide
consider getting those mics up higher than your collar  even when sitting the top of your head is higher then your sholders
consider some kind of hat  / head mount rig...
on your collar the mics are both closer to your mouth and to others in the crowds mouths too.
that's my


-- Ian

Yeh mount them high unless you have a nice seated position that puts your collar above others heads or you are in the first row somewhere, for cardioid mics this is more important than omni's
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: javertim on September 03, 2008, 02:46:00 PM
Unlike most of the people here, I generally record musical theatre, opera, and classical performances at indoor venues, so wearing a hat is out of the question.  I was able to produce pretty decent recordings with me SP-CMC-2s and a minidisc recorder at 256k "Hi-SP."  Definitely not the kind of fidelity that most would ever dream of sinking into, but it worked well for my purposes. ... I wish there was a better way to mount other than on the collar.  Recording this kind of music is hard enough, as the dynamics are all over the place. ... I should post a clip of what I've been able to capture in the past and see what you guys think. :)
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: nameloc01 on September 03, 2008, 03:51:28 PM
Get the Shure clips and go with the collar. The minimal inprovement with going hat mount isn't really worth..
#1. The visibilty of the mics to those who may be looking for them,not to mention the cables.. I just got busted a few weeks ago this way
#2. When you "hat mount" you cannot move your head at all,you will get "phasing". At least with the collar you can move you head,which is more comfortable and less obvious at the same time.

However,when you "collar mount", if you are recording soft music where you levels are set high, you have to watch out for your shirt or whatever brushing the mics and your breathing, sometimes your mics will pick it up.
Title: Re: Should I glue my mics into their clips?
Post by: Falconidave on September 04, 2008, 11:48:54 PM
Okay, so I admit -- this is a really dumb question.  However, I figured I would ask in case one of you has done this before and would like to warn someone else against doing it ...

I recently purchased the SP-CMC-8s and love them.  I love how small they are and the wonderful sound the produce.  As expected, I am using them as part of a stealth rig -- I wear them on my shirt collar.  So far, the Audio Technica mini rotating clips have proved to be a blessing and a burden: I love the fact that they rotate, allowing me to aim them high, I love the fact that the position of the rotation stays fixed once you've decided on where to aim them, BUT I do not like how easy it is for the mics to snap out of the clips.  Therefore, I have been considering super-gluing the mics into the clips so that they won't fall out.

What do you guys think?  Good idea, terrible idea?

Thanks! :-)

I have clipped my SP-CMC-8(AT943's) to my collar many times to record shows, and NEVER had them pop out of the clips.  You might also want to try using a flexible 18" piece of wire and zip-tie each mic to an end(sans clips), using the groove in the mic body, and bend it around your neck under your shirt.  At show-time then flex it out of your shirt and point mics at source.  Snagged a particularly good Frampton show that way...