Mic Clamp for Live usage

Branshen

Following my previous thread about being unsatisfied with the plugged-in sound of my guitar, I got settled into the idea that miking my acoustic live would be best, fully understanding the potential danger of feedback. I've done a substantial amount of home recording and have a couple of different mics, condenser and dynamic, at my disposal. 

The clamp I've found that looks like it'll work is the Exploraudio Liveguitar H-Clamp. It gets decent write-ups and looks ideal for me. 

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov06/articles/guitartech_1106.htm

The mic I would use is probably my 12-Gauge Microphones Green Cardioid.

In the above recording, I used the Green-12 microphone on the guitar, I'd be pleased if I can achieve a similar sound live.

Lewy

I guess my first thought on that contraption is that out of all the acoustic musicians I either know or know of - including the bluegrass scene where mic'ing up is the go-to method of sound reinforcement.... nobody uses one. Some people use things like the DPA 4099 which is a mic which clamps onto the guitar but is WAY less obtrusive, but pretty much everyone else uses mics on stands.

When you perform live, are you actually going to need to be moving about? 

octatonic

Man, that looks cumbersome.

Branshen

@lewy I am not a rock star so I don't need to run around the stage, but being tied to a mic stand would be rather annoying.

I've seen the DPA and it is pricey because it includes the mic.

I agree it does look cumbersome. After my initial enthusiasm, I'm wondering if I would be bothered to set it up for acoustic gigs.

Cirrus

Part of the advantage of a mic on a stand is that it doesn't move relative to the foldback monitors/ main speakers, so one you've identified the feedback frequencies you can get things under control. In a moving mic the feedback frequency changes, so its that much harder to deal with as the mic's polar response sweeps back and forth across the speakers.

With vocal mics it's a minor annoyance, with an acoustic guitar, a more sensitive condensor mic and the extra gain needed on an acoustic guitar vs a belting singer, I reckon you're better off with a mic stand or internal pickup.

Lewy

I guess the other consideration - and this may or may not be of any concern to you whatsoever - but I think an awful lot of audience members would think it looked really daft. 

IanSavage

If you're not dead-set on using the 12 Gauge I've got one of these I'm getting rid of if it'd be of interest (bought it to amplify my Tricone resonator and found it didn't go small enough for that guitar's body, so stuck a pickup in there instead): http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul07/articles/guitartech_0707.htm

£100?

Branshen

@Cirrus thanks for the input. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

@iansavage Thanks for the offer but I'm not in England now so I won't be able to buy stuff.

Lewy said:

I guess the other consideration - and this may or may not be of any concern to you whatsoever - but I think an awful lot of audience members would think it looked really daft. 

@Lewy A worthwhile consideration, but I don't really care what the audience thinks as long as it sounds good 

IanSavage

Branshen said:

@iansavage Thanks for the offer but I'm not in England now so I won't be able to buy stuff.

  

Not to worry mate - if it does become a consideration I'd happily ship it.

Lewy

Branshen said:

@Cirrus thanks for the input. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

@iansavage Thanks for the offer but I'm not in England now so I won't be able to buy stuff.

Lewy said:

I guess the other consideration - and this may or may not be of any concern to you whatsoever - but I think an awful lot of audience members would think it looked really daft. 

@Lewy A worthwhile consideration, but I don't really care what the audience thinks as long as it sounds good 

Good for you! 

For what it's worth, as someone who has spent a decent amount of time playing mic'd acoustic gigs (probably 80 - 100) the need for an entirely consistent sound is overstated imo.

You have to stay audible obviously, but with experience you can find the possible range of movement in front of your particular mic - the "bubble" if you will - and comfortably stay within it, seated or standing, and the slight ebb and flow from the movement of your guitar in relation the mic actually has a nice organic effect. You can even use it creatively, moving your guitar to emphasise certain sounds.

Branshen

@Lewy Great advice! I'll definitely take that on board. I'll try bring my microphones to my next acoustic session and see how I like it before buying anything. 

Bluesman1989

Have a look at K&K or Ken Donnell 2mic Minflex stuff. They both do external 'clip on' stuff.

Dodge

Branshen said:

Well, if it's good enough for Messi...

Winny_Pooh

Why not a fishman blend?

ICBM

Winny_Pooh said:

Why not a fishman blend?

Because the point is to avoid internal electrics.

Dodge

@Branshen

http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/64131/se-electronics-gm10-clamp-on-acoustic-guitar-condenser-mic-90#latest

Branshen

Thanks for the heads up @dodge but I've put this problem aside for now.