[Pete Thomas]

This is a DIY clip on that has an unfeasably good sound, and very very inexpensive. Maybe even cheap.

http://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-clipon-microphone.html

I will be using this at my next gig with Planetary Assault Systems at the London Fabric club later this month.

 

[hakukani]

I'm impressed that you went for the 'deluxe' clothes pin.

 

[RandyJ]

I'm impressed that you went for the 'deluxe' clothes pin.

My thoughts too!

I was going to say I don't normally care what things look like but would have to make an exception in this case...but since it is a "deluxe clothes pin" it might be OK!

 

[warp x]

Very good sound for such a cheap mic! I'll get one as a spare.
You should have used a large brass pin, but I guess you know that :mrgreen:

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'm impressed that you went for the 'deluxe' clothes pin.

I'm not sure where you get these in the US, what's the American equivalent of John Lewis?

 

[hakukani]

Target stores?

 

[madav]

This is a DIY clip on that has an unfeasably good sound, and very very inexpensive. Maybe even cheap.

http://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-clipon-microphone.html

I will be using this at my next gig with Planetary Assault Systems at the London Fabric club later this month.

https://picasaweb.google.com/110183...v1sRgCMjWgKrZy9W5Gw&pli=1#5672335784626114050

Looks similar to something I used to use live years ago (with an EQ), and still occasionally use for recording. I just need a bit of insulation tape on the bell to prevent scratches. The small battery box conveniently clips onto the Bell key guards..

I soldered electrical copper wire to the "bell clip", and then taped the wire to this, and this allowed me to bend the wire as I wish. This proved very robust over the years, the only thing being to remember to turn the mike off..

 

[ismail]

Haha.
I was initially surprised as to how stunningly similar both clips on that link were played.
Until I got the idea that maybe, just maybe, you might have used both mics on the same clip...
Anyhow. Great idea! I don't really like and, for now, need clip-ons, but once I do again, I might try this version instead of buying that 200€+ AKG I once had.

 

[Carl H.]

I just happen to have this very mic sitting in an envelope on my desk 20" to my left.
Thanks for the pic/idea. I'll see (eventually) what I come up with and if it is any good I'll post a pic too.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Haha.
I was initially surprised as to how stunningly similar both clips on that link were played.
Until I got the idea that maybe, just maybe, you might have used both mics on the same clip...

I wouldn't trick people like that, besides, I actually use this mic. And I'm not an endorser for radio Shack (yet).

No each clip is definitely a different mic.

 

[Rondalo]

since this is an omnidirectional mic, do you need to do anything special to keep it from picking up the other instruments around you?

 

[CooolJazzz]

I think we need sound clips showing the difference between wooden, plastic, and gold-plated clothespins. :mrgreen:

Seriously though...great sound for such an inexpensive microphone. I think a lot of people would be surprised how well a cheap $10-$20 computer voice microphone can work, at least for home recording purposes. I've used one, and there's not a huge amount of noticeable difference between it and the more expensive condenser microphone I'm using now.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Just keep it closer to the horn. Picking up other instruments is a tradeoff you get with the better sound quality of omnis.

Reason being, all directional mics do pick up some off axis sound, and that part of the signal, albeit a small amount, is not very nice. But that is also why an omni works as a clip on.

 

[ismail]

I wouldn't trick people like that, besides, I actually use this mic. And I'm not an endorser for radio Shack (yet).

No each clip is definitely a different mic.

I wasn't suggesting you were using one mic, but two mics on one and the same take. Which is actually quite an obvious thing to do but it didn't cross my mind at first.

 

[daigle65]

Thanks Pete!

I'll look into this since I don't have a mic of my own.
Have you checked how it works with flute and clarinet?

 

[Alley Cat]

I wonder if Pete's excellent concept could be taken a little further by adding an equally inexpensive radio transmitter/receiver from some unrelated source ? Here's a tie pin radio mic on eBay for $42. Now that we've heard Pete's audio samples I wonder how well it would compare with the vastly more expensive dedicated sax radio mics. I realise there maybe legal problems with the particular frequencies, in some parts of the world, with this actual eBay mic.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NJS212-Ne...ophones_MJ&hash=item1e682fab55#ht_1644wt_1398

 

[hakukani]

I'd like to also point out that omnidirectional mikes naturally have a flatter frequency response, and are much simpler to design and build, which could have an affect on price.

FWIW, most of the small ear clip mikes and lavalier mikes are omnidirectional.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Have you checked how it works with flute and clarinet?

With flute you'd want to find some way to suspend it above the blow hole. maybe attach it to your nose?

Clarinet is tricky, ideally you'd want to rig up two or even three to capture the range. Maybe one at the bell and another nearer your left hand. It would work at a distance of course but that would then pick up more other instruments or room ambience that you may or may not want. And could provoke feedback too with a PA.

You'd need to experiment.

 

[rleitch]

I'm thinking about trying to make one of these.

2 Questions

1. Is this the right mic for the job?

http://www.amazon.ca/Pyle-Pro-PLM3-Uni-Directional-Microphone/dp/B003GEH3RU/ref=pd_cp_ce_1

2. What sort of hardware am I going to need to connect the mic to the PA in the club?

 

[Pete Thomas]

1. Is this the right mic for the job?

http://www.amazon.ca/Pyle-Pro-PLM3-Uni-Directional-Microphone/dp/B003GEH3RU/ref=pd_cp_ce_1

ThatI'm not sure of. I only know of the one I mentioned, which do come up on ebay quite frequently and a lot of people have told me they got them and love them. I don't think any lavalier back electret will be as good. The one in the link is different in spec, for a start it's unidirectional. Clipped close to a saxophone this may be good for avoiding feedback, but not good for picking up the sound evenly.

2. What sort of hardware am I going to need to connect the mic to the PA in the club?[/QUOTE]

Probably just an XLR (male) plug.