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