Acoustic guitar mic clamps

[Ben M]

I have a live record with acoustic performers (who like to move around) coming up and have been considering getting one of those clamp on mic holders for acoustic guitars.
Normally if it's a band I'm fine with just DI but these are acoustic and voice only recordings so I'm hoping to put a KM85 on one of those clamps for the record.

Has anyone used one? What are your thoughts on these?
Do they hinder the performer?
Does anyone recommend a specific brand/model?

[Ben M]

Are the cab grabbers an option for this application?

[SYOS]

I've played with the Explor Audio one briefly and it seemed like a solid mount and will hold a KM85 or similar with ease.

http://federalaudio.com.au/collections/exploraudio

[gigpiglet]

YES ive used them for exactly what you say
YES they work well
but... most players dont like them (they change the weight/ how the guitar feels)


ive found it just as useful to put something pretty wide on a claw attached to the vocal mic stand

if they are a singer/ songwriter - they cant go too far away from that vocal mic - and should get you enough "room" to blend with the DI and get what you need

[Ben M]

Thanks Dan and Gareth.

I'll check out the explor clamp.

@ Gareth, yes the clamp on the mic stand would normally be enough but both of these guys go wondering... like back a few meters from the vox stand...then kneel down..then twirl around a little...
I like that they move around when performing, just want my mic to go with them.

cheers

[gigpiglet]

if they are moving that much - is having a mic mounted to the instrument going to mess with them?

[Ben M]

if they are moving that much - is having a mic mounted to the instrument going to mess with them?

Not big moves.. just off mic mostly. The same freedom as DI...
But I guess that's why I'm asking if it hinders performance that much?

Anyho I just ordered one of those Explor Audio mounts which I'll report back on.

cheers

[Gian]

Make him sit down;)

[jasound]

Hey Ben,
If the clamp is to bulky how about a DPA4061 on a radio pack or wired.
Stick the mic in the sound hole and roll off the bottom end and only use the mic for the mid high freqs and the DI for the lows.

[adamcal]

I have the explorer clamp and tried various times with ok results. I have found even with the smallest lightest mic I have (km84's or km140's) its still a bit of a PITA in terms of ergonomics/weight/distraction especially once a XLR and cable adds to the whole deal. The sound is perfectly good, its just all the other stuff.

Im considering getting one of those DPA4099G dvote mic and clamps, Same idea, but way smaller, lighter and the cable attatches to the XLR away from the mic and clamp. but of course they also cost 3-4 times the explorer clamp, but you get the little DPA mic.

[Ben M]

Thanks Jason and Adam.
Yes they look like what I'm ultimately after too. I'll look closer into those. Nice size.. and belt clip etc..
They sent the Explora clamp to me yesterday. I'm going to give it a trial and see how it goes. I still have 3 weeks before this show.
Thanks everyone!

[AlCraig]

A long long time ago, I put a Sony ECM50 lapel mic inside the sound hole and ran the cable in parallel with the pick up lead and used both sources (makes for an interesting stereo sound). You could probably use any modern lapel mic (Senny MKE2 or Sony EMC77 or similar).
Or maybe something like this:
http://audio-technica.com.au/products/atm350cw/


Al

[Chris H]

DPA has a light weight guitar clamp :

images.jpeg

http://artisanguitars.com/dpa-4099-guitar-clip-adapter

I have used it with other mics eg shure MX 202 and the Beyer Opus lapel radio mic wireless. It's adjistable so can be used with violin, mandolin or, for punishing the audience,.........banjo!