Microphone cable clamp

[ozmorphasis]

I'm looking for a cable clamp that can be easily mounted on a 1/4-20 hole on my GH5 cage. I have the Panasonic XLR1 unit, but the strain relief is attached to the unit itself, which doesn't help with the main strain concern - the camera hot shoe. I don't care about the cable, but these hot shoes will not take a ton of abuse, so I want any yanking on the cable to terminate at the cage, not the xlr unit/hotshoe.

I might be able to use an HDMI clamp, but I prefer the plastic type like on the xlr unit itself, or like the ring cable guides that you see on studio and stage microphone stands. In other words, you just press the cable into the tight fitting plastic clamp, no screws or adjustments needed:

Here is what Panasonic attached underneath the XLR1 Unit. Plastic, but exactly what I want...but instead with a 1/4-20 mounting option on the cage.



Here is what you see on Microphone stands, or a similar variation. Again, totally does the trick, but I want it 1/4-20 mountable.

 

[IronFilm]

On my boom pole for the XLR cable I use bongo ties:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/883072-REG/BongoTies_a5_01_Standard_5_Elastic_Cable.html

I know it isn't exactly what you're looking for, but is worth considering as a quick and cheap way to do it.

 

[ozmorphasis]

Thanks, but that doesn't attach elegantly...or even at all to the average form fitting GH5 cage. Mine is the Movcam.

I may need to have someone 3D print this for me. It's really not that complicated, but I'm surprised it doesn't seem to exist.

 

[IronFilm]

I use bongo ties frequently at the moment to attach Tentacle Syncs to a GH5 cages.

 

[Greg Smith]

How about something like this:

http://www.dx.com/p/baseus-flexible...hones-and-cables-black-916484463#.WvPzv38h31Q

Self adhesive, so you would stick it to the cage.

- Greg

 

[ozmorphasis]

My DIY solution consists of:

• Windtech CC1
• Manfrotto 015 3/8" female to 1/4" male

Optional parts:
• Manfrotto 088LBP - 1/4" female to 3/8" male flange (optional if you want the clip to be removable but secured against the 015 adapter)
• Gorilla Glue (optional if you want the clip permanently attached to the brass adapter)

The CC1 fits the 015 like a glove. It looks like this:

View attachment 130772
View attachment 130773

However, it can come off quite easily if the cable is pulled. There's a couple of ways to remedy this:

A - If you want the CC1 clip attached to the adapter permanently, gorilla glue provides a strong bond between plastic and knurled brass, but you want to screw in the adapter to the cage first in order to set the CC1's orientation before bonding with glue. The brown type of gorilla glue is the one you want because it expands during the curing process, making the bond even stronger. Excess glue that may form around the edges can be easily chipped away after curing. With that said, a little goes a long way.

B - You can attach the 088LBP flange adapter to the 015 brass adapter after putting the cable in place which will prevent the clip from coming off vertically. A medium strength Loctite Blue 242 is recommended to prevent the brass adapter from loosening on the cage. You should do this with the camera removed from the cage and let it to cure for 24 hours. Loctite Blue can be removed with a wrench, just don't try it with the Red permanent variant.

I once had your dilemma and this is the only solution I came up with that works. Fabricating a 3D printed one might be cheaper than all of the parts listed above, but if you take 088LP adapter route (a smarter choice IMO) and a clip breaks, you have 7 spares left to use...

Hope this helps.

Very Helpful! Many thanks for taking the time for the detailed response. I'll give it a shot ASAP and will try to circle back.

I was also wondering if I could order the panasonic part from the xlr1 and attatch that similarly to a brass adaptor using Gorilla Glue. Will probably try your version first. I'm sure Panasonic charges a premium for these tiny proprietary parts that cost 2 cents to manufacture. Also, the plastic is pretty thin on their part. Your solution actually seems more robust.

Thanks again!

 

[ggrantly]

Ozmorphisis,

I feel your pain as I often obsess on the smallest details. And to be honest, it often pays off in the field, but tends to suck heavily on my time fussing over something simple.

Having said that, sometimes the most elegant solution is also the most simple. For me, that means zip-ties, gaffers tape, and velcro. For some cable relief tasks, I simply put down a strip of the most HD 1" wide Velcro on a flat, lay the cable on the velcro and mate the matching strip over the cable.

If more exotic is what you want, those little clip type products (shown in photo) are very common for performance musicians to secure audio cables to mic stands. Check out Sweetwater or Musicians Friend.

You might also check out the catalogue from someone like Redrock Micro. They have lots of little rigging products with threads, rod clamps and the like. Guarantee this option will cost.

 

[Rick R]

How about a 'Stainless Steel Cushion Clamp', they are available in different sizes at the usual suspect hardware stores and affordable.. less than a buck. A 1/4 - 20 thumbscrew would (elegantly) secure it to the cam. Otherwise.. Velcro, which I use to secure my ENG snake to a cam.