RTA 420 clips

[Fowler]

Mine are breaking, does anyone have a pointer to an unbreakable replacement clip that will actually hold the microphone?

The Audix D-Clip is too wide.

TIA

[Arthur Skudra]

A few years ago I replaced all my test mic clips with the AKG mic clip of same size (SA 40). I think the new AKG SA 60 is it's present day equivalent. The SA 40 is soft, very hard to break, and holds onto the mic really well.

[Ferrit37]

+1 on the SA40

[Fowler]

Thanks fellers..... :-)

[Adam Black]

Good to hear, I tend to break those clips. Four and counting.

[Brandon]

I use the Sure clips that come with SM81's.

[Harry Brill Jr.]

I have broken at least 4 or 5 of them. Slide the mic in from the end and it probably won't break. I'm going to be switching to either the DPA, the M23, or the new Audix soon anyway. Anyone have any experience with any of those? I didn't realize the M30s had plastic diaphragms, but I've measured dozens of them and found only 3 or 4 that were messed up and the owners admittedly abused them.

Ps. My 420s have already been claimed by a deserving individual.

[G-Force]

Harry - Is there an Audix measurement mic other than the TR40A? How have you liked your 420's?
Grant

[Arthur Skudra]

Harry - Is there an Audix measurement mic other than the TR40A? How have you liked your 420's?
Grant
Uh oh, Harry let the cat out of the bag! Shhhhhhhhh! :D

[G-Force]

Looks like Harry wasn't the only one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fizlhpuhm8g
Now if they would just say a little about the capsule, instead of bragging about what the exterior is made of...

Doug - I couldn't find specs for the barrel size of your mic, but here are a couple more possibilities:
On-Stage Stands MY120
Ultimate Support JS-MC9

Grant

[Arthur Skudra]

Looks like Harry wasn't the only one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fizlhpuhm8g
Now if they would just say a little about the capsule, instead of bragging about what the exterior is made of...
I think it's a pretty good deal for $300 each, considering they'll match them in pairs or quads. American made, 20-25KHz response isn't shabby either. Don't expect them to have metal diaphragms for that price!

[G-Force]

I think it's a pretty good deal for $300 each, considering they'll match them in pairs or quads. American made, 20-25KHz response isn't shabby either. Don't expect them to have metal diaphragms for that price!

Agreed. I wouldn't expect it, but it certainly would be nice :D Personally, I think a product like this should put Earthworks in the position of needing to either lower their prices, or make new versions of their mics with metal diaphragms to remain competitive. A metal M23 to compete with the Josephson C550H "polyester diaphragm, metallized with a rugged nickelchromium alloy," and a metal M30 to compete with the DPA4090's nickel foil diaphragm. But some people will continue to buy Earthworks just because it's Earthworks.

Grant

[Fowler]

These just arrived on my doorstep, perfect fit and seem mostly unbreakable, $8.00 each.....

http://tinyurl.com/yg5nmt5

http://www.markertek.com/Audio-Equipment/Microphone-Accessories/Microphone-Holders-Mounts/Wind-Tech-Olsen-Audio-Group/productImage/BIG/WTMC-12.JPG

[Arthur Skudra]

These just arrived on my doorstep, perfect fit and seem mostly unbreakable, $8.00 each.....

http://tinyurl.com/yg5nmt5

http://www.markertek.com/Audio-Equipment/Microphone-Accessories/Microphone-Holders-Mounts/Wind-Tech-Olsen-Audio-Group/productImage/BIG/WTMC-12.JPG

The price is really good. They look identical to the AKG clips I have. Perhaps I should get a few more for myself! Thanks for the link!

[Calvert Dayton]

ACO Pacific makes a titanium diaphragm measurement microphone that you can get into for under USD $1000 for a capsule and 48v preamp/barrel. That's the cheapest one I've seen that didn't use plastic in the diaphragm at all.

The problem with the Earthworks (et al) turns out to be not such a problem in real life BTW. I believe you have to heat mylar to something in excess of around 140 - 150º F (66º C) to get permanent distortion of the material. It's one of the most temperature-stable materials there is at more reasonable temperatures. I used to have precision rulers that were photo-printed on mylar film for that very reason. I did just read that there are polyesters that remain stable at up to twice as hot as mylar, but I don't know if that's what Josephson uses. It also wouldn't surprise me at all if plastics tended to be less vulnerable to mechanical damage than metal foils of similar gauge.

Anyway you could probably hit 150º F in the trunk of a car in the tropics or the desert, but I'd guess most of us don't often encounter temperatures that high in a lot of other circumstances. And for those who do, your mic might not be the only thing suffering by that point. So don't do that.