Guitar Mirophone Body Clamp?

[Vikki]

I thought about this idea a few times and it looks as if someone's made one.........
http://www.exploraudio.com/microphone-mounts_1_1.htm
I thought it might pick a lot of handling noise up, bumps and movements, what do you think?
A bit expensive too, i think?
Vikki(uk)

[Herb Hunter]

What I envisioned was an articulated arm that attached to the guitar strap button.

[Steve A]

I've been using the H-clamp for recording for nearly 6 months and it
works brilliantly. I use it without a shockmount as there is no
noticeable transmission of sound to the mic through the clamp but if
you're at all worried, you could always attach a shockmount. It would be
great if the H-clamp were a little cheaper but it makes recording
acoustic guitar so much better and easier it's well worth the price.
Once you've found the sweet spot, the H-clamp holds your mic firmly in
exactly the same position, even when you put the guitar down and pick it
up again. So there are no frustrating level or tone or variations during
or between takes and playing can be much more natural and relaxed
because you don't have to worry about moving during the performance.

I've seen the H-clamp reviewed very positively in Sound on Sound and
Acoustic Magazine and according to the Exploraudio web site
[URL="http://www.exploraudio.com/news.php"] there is another favourable
review in the latest issue of the Guitarist. I agree with the reviews
and I'm sure if you decide to try it out you won't be disappointed, it's
one of those products that once you have one, you wonder how you managed without it!

Good luck.

[ronmac]

Applied Microphone Technology (AMT) have a series of similar mounts developed for a wide variety of instruments.



This is the system Pat Metheny has used for recording and live work:

[Steve A]

I've heard about the AMT and it looks like a neat solution but it's a
microphone built into a clamp, not a clamp designed to accept other mics
as well. Because the mic is incorporated into the clamp, it's a lot more
expensive than the H-clamp - you're paying for a high quality mic, not
just a device to allow you to attach your own choice of mic to your
instrument.

For me, the beauty of the H-clamp is being able to use the best mic for
the job (within my budget) and switch between mics at will - it will
accept anything from a mic the size of the AMT (or smaller) to large
studio condensers. Not only can I use it with my own mics but if I'm
recording in another studio, I can use it with whatever mics they have
available. It's fantastically flexible.

I don't have any pictures of the H-clamp but there are some in the
reviews and on the company's web site (http://www.exploraudio.com) and
if you need any more information, try sending them an e-mail - they've
always been very helpful to me.

[Bmh2387]

Herb, I am with you. I envisioned this a few times but was trying to figure out how to run it off of a strap button, perhaps even blending it with another on board pick up if it was on the end pin...

Darn laziness. Do you think if I showed someone my sketches I could claim they stole my idea...

[Rick Shepherd]

I am not a lover of this type of setup. Although it is a cool idea, I don't feel comfortable clamping somthing like that onto the body of my guitar. It just seems a bit too jury-rigged of an idea for me.

[RobKay]

Just revived this thread from down in the depths.........
Just experimenting with recording with a mic and this thing in theory looks great and not too expensive......times moved on from the time of this original post, just wondered if there any more thoughts about opinions on these clamps.....
Rob

[RustyAxe]

If recording the acoustic tone of the guitar is what I'm out to do, adding a pound of hardware (bracket and mic) to the top of a guitar seems rather counterproductive. That much stuff will surely inhibit the movement of the top. Certainly if the mic of choice is a SM57 or the like (which is pictured in one of the examples on the page provided in the OP).

If for live performance, I prefer to use a condenser on a mic stand when I can get away with it without feedback, or a good pickup/preamp when I can't.

[corbetta]

FWIW, I've been using the H-Clamp since January for live shows and I absolutely love it.

A few points raised—it's negligibly light (I use it with another lightweight wonder, the Line Audio CM3), and it clamps to the edge of the top in such a way that I haven't noticed any change in the tone of my concert classical guitar. The positioning is so incredibly better than a separate stand for live use—I've gotten no feedback problems whether in a quiet setting, outdoors, or at a background music function (I've used it at weddings and corporate parties).

The sound I get out of the CM3 mounted an inch or so from the top is much more natural than anything I've tried before. I'm curious to experiment with a nice omni mic, too bad I don't have one.

Definitely count me in the H-Clamp fan camp. Fretwell Bass had them in stock for cheaper than most other places, FWIW.

For recording, I'm a fan of micing in stereo, much further away, and in a nice live room, so no H-Clamp for me.

[MODELL]

I've never thought about the ones shown so far, but for a small price, I bought one of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...52072000000000 which can clip to a mic stand. If you intend the application for live use, this item works great with a boom stand if you also sing. The only caveat is you can't really move from one position which needs to be close to the microphone.

[BuleriaChk]

I have an H-Clamp, and it works exactly as advertised (extremely well). However, since I went Takamine (CTP-2/Palathetic) I rarely use it, since the Tak is so good plugged directly in.....

(The H-Clamp is a bit bulky, since it handles a wide variety of mics, whereas the K&K, AMT and DPA versions use their proprietary systems. One advantage of the H-Clamp is you can use a dynamic mic which doesn't require phantom power).... OTH, many acoustic amps have phantom power, so this may not be an issue (the K&K requires its own preamp, though - it can't use the most common +48 V).

Another alternative is the DPA mic/holder, also quite expensive...

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/4099G/

[RobKay]

Great info.....
I was thinking of using something like this for recording mono tracks as a quick way to lay down a consistent sounding recording......
I think i'll have to try one
Rob

[pjd3]

This thing was designed by an aero-space engineer who desired an optimum solution for having a mic stationed at an optimum position from his guitar.

I have the "light" version, aero-space level polymers and aluminum, weighing in at a monsterous 135 grams. Attach a high quality small diaphram condenser with a light weight mic cord fastened up the length of the guitar strap and you have a very reliable minimally invasive solution for live or recorded guitar, with mic positioned at your favorite sweet spot. Its a nice piece for sure.

Good, thoughtful and innovative engineering, addressing all the expected trouble issues (size, weight, relability, effect on instrument all considered in the design).