Audio Technica 35 Pro

[hawkins.bp]

Anyone used this clip-on mic? Is it much different than the original 35?

(I've checked the archives here and couldn't find what I was looking for specifically)

For those that do use clip-on mics, how do you situate the "mic out" piece? Would a separate carpenter jack suffice?

[steve V. johnson]

I have several clip-on AudioTechnica "AT35x Pro" condensor mics. I understand that these have been replaced by an AT350.

When these mics were first offered, there were two configurations of output.

One had a cable from the mic that was about 6 feet (or 2meters) and terminated in a 1/8" mini-jack which plugged into a battery pack that was to be worn on a belt or in a pocket, and from that little box another cable went out to an XLR male mic connector, which would be plugged into a sound system (or whatever).

The other, which I have, does not have a battery box but a thin cable from the mic to a male XLR, and these need phantom power to operate.

I like these mics a lot. The AT site showed them clipped onto horns and reed instruments and onto the rims of drums. They can take a lot of sound pressure level and they're quite quick. They have a little top end boost, but not very much relative to many of today's hyped condensor mics.

I've used these on fiddles, both on stage and in the studio, and been very happy with them, tho I think they're better on stage. I've used them for drums and horns, for body mics for actors and announcers, they're pretty versatile.

There have been discussions of them for mandolins here on the Cafe, and also in relation to other mics, but I'm not very good at searching here, maybe someone else can come up with that.

As I recall, there are others here on the Cafe who have tried these, and some folks who have tried the newer 350 model.

For my two bits, if you can find one at a good price ( <$100 ) and can A) figure a good way to place the clip on your instrument and, B) run it into a good mixer or preamp with phantom power, I think they'd work well. The clip and gooseneck provide some good positioning options, but can also be big or in the way for some mandolins.

The usual caveats about high-output condensor mics on stage apply. When this mic gets pointed toward a floor monitor it -will- sing.

I hope this helps, it's pretty incomplete...

[foldedpath]

Anyone used this clip-on mic? Is it much different than the original 35?

(I've checked the archives here and couldn't find what I was looking for specifically)

I can't compare it to older versions, but I've heard it used by a few musicians on various instruments. It's a good microphone and comes with a useful mounting system. The slightly more expensive ATM350 has a flatter frequency response, and is maybe a little more transparent-sounding, but it's only an incremental improvement. Whether you'd hear it or not, would depend on the quality of the PA system you're using.

I used the ATM350 for a while last year, and I'm currently using the DPA 4099. I think the 4099 is the best current mic available in terms of audio quality, feedback rejection, and mounting system. However, being made in Denmark it comes with a very high price tag, especially if you're paying in USA dollars. If you're just getting started out with the clip-on mic idea, the Pro 35 would be a good entry point. Another mic to take a look at is the K&K Silver Bullet. It has a similar gooseneck mounting system, and comes with its own preamp which makes it a little easier to use things like volume pedals or tuners near the playing position. It's possible to do that with these other clip-on mics, but remember you'll need a preamp or mixer with phantom power (or a wireless transmitter) to get power to the mic.


For those that do use clip-on mics, how do you situate the "mic out" piece? Would a separate carpenter jack suffice?

The Pro 35, ATM350, and K&K Silver Bullet include a gooseneck mount with an alligator clip on the end. If you have a Tonegard, that can be a useful attachment point. That's what I did with my ATM350 when I was using it; just clip to the Tonegard and bend the gooseneck over the lower side of the mandolin, with the mic pointing at the bottom end of the treble-side F hole. Scroll down on this thread to see a photo of how Gail Hester mounted a K&K Silver Bullet that way:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48121

Scroll down towards the bottom of this next thread to see how the DPA 4099 mounting system works and how I'm using it on my mandolin and OM:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55338

If you don't use a Tonegard as an attachment point for the Pro 35's gooseneck mount, then you might be able to make a similar carpenter jack setup for mini-mics using existing parts, maybe adapting something from a violin chin rest? I haven't tried that.

[Steve Ostrander]

I have an AT 831b, which is similar. I bought it used and I got a great deal on it, otherwise I probably would have gotten an AT Pro 35. It has the short cable to a battery pack, then XLR cable to the PA.

It works just fine for me. For $30 bucks I can't complain. Only problem is I had to modify the tie clip holder because the guitar soundhole mounting clip would not fit in the f-hole.