AT 3035-Back electric?

[muzeman]

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a 3035,it's getting some good reviews.

I saw in an article on Rap it's a back electric.

According to Mr. Gerst in the great mic thread,this means it's polarized by charged plates that lose their charge over time.

Does anyone have an idea how long before the mic is unusable?
Can the plates be recharged or replaced and would it be worth doing?
(I like to think I'll keep my mics till I die,or at least till I save enough for a U-47!)

Thanks,
Pete

[sjjohnston]

See subject line for correct spelling.

Yes, an electret mic is a condensor that has a permanently charged capsule, rather than charging it with phantom power. They're all over the place, incidentally: in camcorders, intercoms, etc. The condensor mics you see that can run off of batteries or phantom power are (typically, or maybe always) electrets -- they use the batteries or phantom power to run their preamplifiers, rather than to charge the capsule.

To tell you the truth, I hadn't realized they lose their charge, but I'll defer to Harvey Gerst and the vague but general observation that everything wears out. Not soon, though maybe before you die.

[muzeman]

Man,someday I'll get that spelling right!

I just looked through the mic thread to find that info on the back electret,can't seem to find it.
I must be losing it,I could swear someone said they loose their charge over time?

[crazydoc]

Originally posted by muzeman
Man,someday I'll get that spelling right!

I just looked through the mic thread to find that info on the back electret,can't seem to find it.
I must be losing it,I could swear someone said they loose their charge over time?

Here's a thread that discusses the issue to a degree. Not Harvey, though.
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/sho...light=electret

[Randy Yell]

I believe that they do lose their charge over time but that the loss is negliable.I think I remember someone stating that the loss is something like 3% of their charge over 30 years which is hardly enough to worry about.I have heard of people still using 30 year old electrets with no apparent decline in performance so I would feel pretty confident about buying one.

[remco]

Your ears will lose more performance in 30 years then a electret.

BTW how do i put smilies in a reply ????

[JFogarty]

Harvey talked about that in the big thread I think. I think I remember reading that all losing their charge will do is lower the gain a little bit, and like Randy said, I'm pretty sure its very slow, and very slight.

[muzeman]

Thanks guys,

The 3035 looks like it might be a good deal.
I guess there's not much to worry about with an electret.

Pete

[Freudian Slip]

go to www.8thstreet.com . I just ordered one. Free shipping, free cord (cheapo) and a free boom stand (cheapo). as well as the elastic suspension.

This is the best deal I could find on line. I think it's $190.00.


Later

F.S.

[hokypokynose]

Yep, I printed out that deal, and got GC to match it.

[Freudian Slip]

So muzeman, did you get yours?
What do you think?

I have mixed feelings....

F.S.