Sennheiser's MD 421 Reversed Mic Clip

One common application of the Sennheiser's MD 421 microphone is to record toms. The original mic clip does not work well with drum mic clamps as it is too close to the drum skin. Instead, it usually ends up using a mic stand to orientate the mic. This reversed clip model will allow the use of drum mic clamps while eliminating the use of a mic stand. 

There is a similar model on sale by firemeyer. However, I have design my model from scratch. Some ideas are inspired from sr1200 from thingiverse.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

• M2 screw 12mm long, tapered head 
• butterfly clip model A from aliexpress. (Salvage the screw/nut and threaded mounts)
• Spring from a used ball point pen. You might need test a few for a good fit.
• Super glue
• Drum mic clamps 
• WD 40/ lubricant

Slicer Preparations:

Left/Right-sided Clip:

In your slicer, clone the left sided clip and mirror it along X-axis. It should result in getting the right-sided clip (See photo).

Textured Plate is preferred. Textured surface bonds better. Orientate the clip such that the surface that needs glue is on the plate.

Support is optional.

Button:

To increase strength to hold the screw, rotate the button 90 degrees on the Y-axis. (See photo)

Support is needed.

Print Parameters:

• Filament: ABS
• Infill: 100%

Assembly:

1. Super glue the two sides of the clip. Wait to cure. 
2. Test fit the clip on to the MD 421 microphone. It should slide in easily. 
3. Turn the M2 screw on the stopper, leave some gap for later.
4. Fit the spring onto the button (tip: turning the spring may aid in fitting)
5. Test fit the button with spring on the slot of the clip
6. Screw the rest of the stopper to the button through the slot of the clip
7. The stopper should be flushed with the clip when the button is pressed. You may need to redo the gap in step 3. 
8. Lubricate the spring for better spring action.
9. Salvage the screw/nut and mounting clips of the butterfly clip. Attach the clip on the mount.
10. Attach the completed mic clip on the drum mic clamps. 

Post notes:

• I do not trust the 3d printed threaded mounts to last, hence the need to buy and salvage from a ready made one.
• As ABS might shrink after printing, I provided 2 different sizes for the stopper and the button model. Choose the one that fits your filament and settings.
• The designed clip hole is meant for a 6mm diameter screw mount. You may search for other similar mounts that uses the same size.
• Try labelling the reversed clip to avoid confusion between the original clip.
• You may also use the reversed clip for normal usage outside of miking drums. 
• From the stage photos, I have deliberately avoided the mic being too close to the tom skin as the drummer is uncomfortable.

Audio Sample:

The audio in the link is also mixed and post processed with other mics. 

• Youtube Link for Audio @111s