question about clip-on mic positioning

[chuck3]

I've always used K&K pickups mounted internally, but for my new Collings I'm reluctant to mount an internal pickup as it has such a big sound au naturel. So I am looking at clip-on mics like the Audio Technica Pro-35. What I can't figure out is where exactly you clip it on, and once you do, does it get in the way?

Would appreciate insights from those of you who have used clip-on mics. Thanks.

[mandroid]

having an F hole type. you have a opportunity to mount it where you wont hit it.

[pops1]

If you have a tone guard it is a favorite place to clip a mic.

[Marc Katz]

I have had good success clipping the pro35 to a tone-guard and leaving it attached to the tone-guard as I take it on and off the mandolin.

[foldedpath]

Is your new Collings an oval hole or F-hole model? The F-hole types are the easiest, because you can place the mic head close to the bottom of the treble-side F-hole. That delivers a nice tone with minimal pick noise, and it's away from any normal hand motion. Here's how it looks on my mandolin with a DPA 4099:



Oval holes are trickier, because you'll probably want the mic head somewhere closer to the sound hole, but still away from your picking hand. Here's a clip that shows Sierra Hull using a DPA 4099 on an oval hole octave mandolin, clamped to the side and moved a little closer to the bridge:



As for the actual mounting, a DPA 4099 like this is the easiest to mount with the violin model's carpenter jack (or the modified guitar clamp on an OM). There are other threads here about ways to use the Audio-Technica's Pro 35 clamped to the tailpiece, around the side to a ToneGard, or clamped to a fingerguard. You can also buy the DPA 4099's carpenter jack mount and use that with a Pro 35, with a slight modification.

[chuck3]

Thanks, should have said up front that this is an oval hole. MF5-O.

That DPA 4099 may be the way to go.

[chuck3]

Thanks to those of you who suggested clipping to the tone-gard as well - that may be the best solution.

[keithb]

I glued a strong magnet to the clip on my AT Pro 35, and stick it to the tailpiece cover. Seems to stay in place pretty well.

[jim simpson]

Thanks, should have said up front that this is an oval hole. MF5-O.

That DPA 4099 may be the way to go.

I use the Pro 35 with my F holed mandolins but have not figured out a way to use it with my Poe F-4 without it being in the way.

[foldedpath]

I use the Pro 35 with my F holed mandolins but have not figured out a way to use it with my Poe F-4 without it being in the way.

Something that might work is using the modified DPA carpenter jack mount idea, and clipping the Pro 35 with that mount on the upper left (bass side) bout near the neck, Keep the gooseneck in the carpenter jack fairly short, with the mic capsule pointing down somewhere between the edge of the mandolin and the oval hole. That's out of the way of the picking hand unless you do a lot of tremolo reaching over the lower fretboard.

It's the mounting position I use for clip-on mics on acoustic guitars. The main downside is that the mic is very visible compared to a lower bout location, and some people just don't like that look. It's also going to pick up a bit more pick click than using it on the lower bout, behind the bridge.

[chuck3]

Anyone have a pic of a mic clipped to a Tone-Gard?

[almeriastrings]

I found the Tone-gard clip to be not as secure as I'd like. With the ATM350 or Pro 35 (if you do not have a finger-guard) I simply adapt a DPA4099 violin clip for oval hole mandos:







Exact position can be varied according to preference.

The 'adaption' is simple, and reversible. Does not damage either the DPA clamp or the AT clip:





Just requires a single, standard cable clip attached as above. Very solid. No problems. Fast to put on and remove.

[almeriastrings]

I would add that if you do have a finger-guard and an F-hole mando that fixing can be done easily with the regular AT clip.

[chuck3]

I found the Tone-gard clip to be not as secure as I'd like. With the ATM350 or Pro 35 (if you do not have a finger-guard) I simply adapt a DPA4099 violin clip for oval hole mandos:







Exact position can be varied according to preference.

The 'adaption' is simple, and reversible. Does not damage either the DPA clamp or the AT clip:





Just requires a single, standard cable clip attached as above. Very solid. No problems. Fast to put on and remove.

wow, thanks for this!

[mandotim1955]

This was my solution, from an earlier thread. I have two now, one for wireless use and one for an XLR connection. http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...66#post1443666