Clamps to attach things to a mic stand

[Jaylon]

Hello everyone. I'm just getting back into music after having RSI and am designing a portable standing workstation based around a mic stand or heavy duty music stand to hold a netbook with things attached e.g. computer keyboard, trackball, fader etc.

So what I'm looking for is clamps to fix things to a mic stand. I've seen popshields that can clamp on, but the flexible attachment is no good for holding things stable.

Similar to how the horizontal clamps work in this midi drum kit

Also if you have ideas for how to attach devices to clamps, or something better to use for the upright, would love to hear it.

[John Willett]

Hi Jaylon, welcome to the forum.

K&M do quite a few useful bits for fixing things to mic. stands.

The best one is the one for holding your beer glass.

[tex]

Go into any drum shop and ask about clamps. They should know what you mean as there are many that are use for extra cymbals etc.
Google Gibraltar/Pearl/Stagg/Yamaha + drumclamps and you should see a lot. Make sure you know the width of your stand tubes so you can work out which ones will fit but most clamps will fit between 3/8ths to one inch which probably means the thickest tube on a typical mic stand. You could either find some scrap tube and flat plate the size you need and ask a local machine shop to weld it together or look at Stagg (make drum stands etc.)for large music stands though I'm not sure I'd trust them for electronic units. You could also look at "trap" or percussion tables which are used to hold hand percussion like cowbells, tambourines, cabasas etc as some of these are supplied or work with drum clamps.

[Jaylon]

Great information. I'll have a search for that lot. Thanks.

[JamesSimpson]

perhaps it would be better to buy a keyboard type stand and attach a mic stand to that? sturdier?

[grab]

One issue with having all that stuff bolted to a mic stand might be noise transmitted to the mic. Tapping on the keyboard would be fine, but more heavy-handed "interaction" might result in thumps from the mic.

[John Willett]

One issue with having all that stuff bolted to a mic stand might be noise transmitted to the mic. Tapping on the keyboard would be fine, but more heavy-handed "interaction" might result in thumps from the mic.

That's why you should add a Rycote InVision Mount or a USM Studio Mount if it's an LDC.

But make sure you add an S-series XLR tail (£15 in the UK) to de-couple the cable.

[Jaylon]

Thanks. To clarify I was planning on putting the netbook at the top of the stand...leaning towards a heavy duty music stand as they seem more solid. I've got a netbook stand with a usb hub that I was thinking of fastening or screwing to the top. Then have a portable pc keyboard, trackball etc clamped to the stand.

I did think of having a mic as one of the things clamped to the stand, but judging from your responses might be best to get a desk microphone mount and just park up near a table if I want to use the mic.

[Jaylon]

I had a look at some drum clamps and they were all solid metal..a bit heavy.

Anyone know a supplier for plastic midi drum clamps? I've googled to no avail.

[. . . Delete This User . . .]

the heavy duty music stand i have has a metal top plate , with holes in it,(aid to cooling?) that will rotate to sit horizontally flat.... perfect for the notebook... it comes up to about 4 feet or so in height.... and has a big tripod set of legs... solid and stable and holds my Macbook pro perfectly .

if i was using it out live i'd probably do something with self adhesive velcro on the base of laptop and top of the stand.... but in our studio it's fine as it is...

[Steve Hill]

the heavy duty music stand i have has a metal top plate , with holes in it,(aid to cooling?) that will rotate to sit horizontally flat.... perfect for the notebook... it comes up to about 4 feet or so in height.... and has a big tripod set of legs... solid and stable and holds my Macbook pro perfectly .

Sounds like a Thomann Orchestral Music Stand , yours for about £11.10p

I've got a few of these: they are good for holding small keyboards, laptops, assorted hand percussion.... very utilitarian!

I too would be reluctant to clamp a laptop to a mic stand. Something would be bound to give way at some point...

[Gone To Lunch]

Studiospares do a few clamps, or at least used to ? If your planning something more esoteric, try a joiners tool shop, like Buck and Ryan in London, who have a fantastic range of such things. And get a matching leather tool belt !!

[Jaylon]

Thanks I'll have a look in their catalogues. I had a look at a heavy duty stand in the shop and it's perfect...just a case of holding the other things on.

http://www.quiklok.it/ is also worth a look if you're interested. They do a dedicated laptop holder...still looking in their catalogue for other bits.

[Gone To Lunch]

Anyone know a supplier for plastic midi drum clamps? I've googled to no avail.

I got some years ago from Roland, they were originally desigend for their first pad kit, with TD7