Always A Big Defender of The B-1, But It Happend To Me... Damn!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bobalou
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It seems to me the original poster simply wanted some guidance on a weird sound he'd never come across before, perhaps caused by moisture accumulating on the diaphragm. If it is a moisture problem, then obviously the condensation got there somehow.

Maybe SPB1's create their own moisture out of thin, dry air using a technology that, if developed, could completely alleviate drought problems in central Africa. Though I imagine if this were the case, then the SP water would not be considered to be of the same quality as more expensive water emanating from elsewhere.

Be that as it may, it's both predictable and, in my view, disappointing that ANY issue with an SP mic becomes the catalyst for discussions that appear hell-bent on disparaging a $79. mic that, for whatever reason, many, many people are very, very happy with.

As it happens, I own one of the best cameras ever made, with perhaps the most accurate metering system in history, bar none. One night it started beeping because of a short-circuit caused by moisture getting into the main IC.

I baby my stuff, but stuff can still happen -- even with the very best of equipment.

I've never had problems with my Studio Projects gear, but I have had questions as to how best to set things up, etc... The folks at SP have been more than willing to help me out, when, considering the price of the stuff I own, you wouldn't expect they'd bother. SP has been as good, actually better, at taking an interest in my questions as the folks at the aforementioned camera company's tech support division who are supporting a much more expensive product. The fact is, with equipment I've owned over the years, regardless of price, when it's acted up, MOST times the person I've gotten on the phone has NO specific experience with the item in question, let alone solid insight. SP is a rare and welcome exception in today's world.

Yes, it's possible that the B1 in question was poorly assembled, and badly checked. I doubt it, but it's possible. But so what. Unlike what most manufacturers/dealers do, SP really stands by what they sell, and to me, that's worth the entire purchase price.

On top of it all, the fine sound is icing on the cake.
 
It seems to me that it happens more often with other budget Chinese made mics also... not just the SP mics like ozraves said... but, maybe it's happened more to his SP mics, I don't know.

Bobalou, hopefully the place where you bought your mic will just swap you for another one so you don't have to go without while you send it in for repair. Anyway, I hate when stuff like that happens to me... and I wish you the best of luck.
 
Bobalou said:
I'm not sure of the moisture thing, unless this mic is unable to to take upclose soft singing (which would be a big shock to me)..never mishandled either.
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It would be helpful to know whether or not you were using a pop filter. As Brent was explaining, it isn't a particularly good idea to do any sort of close-up singing without one . . . just like anything beyond heavy petting with a strange woman might not be a good idea without the use of a prophylactic.

And, strangely enough, according to it's proper definition, a pop screen actually is technically a prophylactic device (something that protects or forms a barier against something undesirable). :D

Good luck with your problem, by the way.
 
Since I have already killed one SP thread today, I thought I'd go ahead and administer the coup de grace on this one. No thanks are necessary.
 
thanks to all who came with the spirit of aiding a fellow musician. I like my B-1 BTW.

I'm a pro singer with a very powerful tenor voice and in all my years I have never damaged a mic by just singing into it, be it up close intimate, backed off and powerful, expensive or cheap mic..

I simply took the damn thing out of the bag for a scratch vocal of a song I wrote and softly sang. about halfway through the tune "it" happened. It was the "Puff" approach I stumbled upon, long after exhausting all the obvious culprits, as a way to re-create the problem that was already happening by just singing into the mic...very simple, no abuse, like I've done countless times before in my life with no problems. I wont even believe a microphone cannot handle the described task, with or without a pop screen as it was very late in the evening and I was just above a whisper for Pete's sake!.

I will contact SP and or my local store for support. thanks again for all the help fellas, I do appreciate it....

Bobby Loux
 
I take that to mean you weren't using a pop screen.

Maybe you haven't had any problems not using one in the past, but that's probably more luck than anything.

It's still not a good idea. Just thought I'd let you know for future reference. I wouldn't let anyone near my condensers without one. I've got too much money invested in them (a lot for me, at least).
 
<it seems to happen far more often with the cheap Chinese budget mics than with the others>

DJL, I would respectfully disagree here. I saw all kinds of mics with this problem--C12, C422, C414, U47, U67, U87, whatever. My opinion is that the thing is... All the users of these or other expensive mics are real pros. They have their techs who take care of the equipment. They know this stuff, and it is just not their business to complain about their gudgets on different forums. On the other hand, if you've got a $6000-$7000 U47, and it got screwed up, would you start complainig about its low QC?
Psychological thing--the budget Chinese mics just scream: "Please complain about us!" Another aspect--many guys on forums just start to record and their first mics would be.... of course Chinese stuff. If they encountered any problem for the first time in their life--of course they ask about it on the board, so there is just much more talking about it.

I believe the difference between Neumann and Chinese capsules is very small--this difference called 'tolerance', and primarily the flatness of the backplate, uniformity of the diaphragm tension, and uniformity of the bolt torquing. Both capsules are hermetically sealed (except of some designes with atmospheric pressure tunnels release). Personally, I don't see how these tolerances could influence the above problem.
 
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Marik, I repect you and appreciate your opinion, however you have more faith in the cheap Chinese budget mics than I do.

Anyway, good luck Bobalou.
 
<Marik, I repect you and appreciate your opinion, however you have more faith in the cheap Chinese budget mics than I do.>

Thank you DJL. Don't take me wrong. I don't own any Chinese mics and don't have any desire to. It is not a secret for anybody that many of them have crapy parts and personally, I don't like the capsules either--just don't find place for my purposes. However, Chinese mics have their use, and when upgraded or rebuilt they can sound very nice--it is not a secret that often $80 and $400 mics actually have exactly the same capsule.

The point of my previous post was about capsules, and as I said, because of capsule's construction I don't understand how Chinese ones are different from Neumanns in this particular 'moisture problem'. I don't have any intention to start again the "bad QC of Chinese mics" discussion, but would gladly admit that I am wrong if somebody could give me a serious and reasonable answer.
 
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Marik, when answering Bobalou's mic noise question and in light of what Brent Casey, you and what the others said, can we rule out craftsmanship/QC and know without a doubt that his mic noise problem was ONLY caused by moisture and not crappy craftsmanship/QC?
 
<Marik, when answering Bobalou's mic noise question and in light of what Brent Casey, you and what the others said, can we rule out craftsmanship/QC and know without a doubt that his mic noise problem was ONLY caused by moisture and not crappy craftsmanship/QC?>

I am 100% positive that this is moisture ONLY. To prove otherwise, somebody will need to give hard numbers, explaining mechanism and giving a serious argument--not just generic statement.
 
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DJL said:
I'm thinking it has something more to do with the fact that maybe the more expensive mics have the diaphragm capsules bolted and glued rather than just only one or the other... or maybe a better seal or something and this helps keeps the moisture out?
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I can't really say anything other than I have many non-budget LDC mics by Neumann, Audio Technica and lower budget ones like Oktava. I am NOT disputing anyone's claims here. But, in 25 years of recording in the East Coast, I have never had any condensor mic do this. I always use a pop-screen and cover the mics when not in use. From my lowely apartments (at least 5) to my current house, My mics have worked prefectly everytime in Winter, summer, spring or fall.

If this moisture problem is being seen frequently, my gut reaction is to say that there is a design flaw somewhere.
 
<I always use a pop-screen and cover the mics when not in use.>

Here we go!
 
Marik said:
I am 100% positive that this is moisture ONLY. To prove otherwise, somebody will need to give hard numbers, explaining mechanism and giving a serious argument--not just generic statement.
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Well, seeing that I'm not an expert mic trouble shooter and sold almost all my cheap Chinese mics I guess we'll have to stop here. I still don't have as much faith in cheap Chinese budget as you, do to bad past experience. Anyway, thanks for you time.
 
acorec said:

If this moisture problem is being seen frequently, my gut reaction is to say that there is a design flaw somewhere.
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while I admit I didnt use a popscreen this time, I am absolutely stunned! to think this mic is incapable of handling such a task...halfway through a one take, scratch, false-cetto/whisper type vocal performance. If this is the case maybe I'll cancel that order for 2 more (as I was going to use these fragile mics on toms of all things). I've lived near the beach my whole life and no mic has ever! reacted to this "moisture thing"

if any of you guys could've seen what I was doing to warrant this "moisture problem" you'd be just as stunned and disapointed with this situation.

The mic is currently in quarantine! isolated from the rest of the world in air tight lockdown with only his silica gel for companionship!...well see if this works first, then its off to Torrance!
 
<while I admit I didnt use a popscreen this time, I am absolutely stunned! to think this mic is incapable of handling such a task...halfway through a one take, scratch, false-cetto/whisper type vocal performance. If this is the case maybe I'll cancel that order for 2 more (as I was going to use these fragile mics on toms of all things). I've lived near the beach my whole life and no mic has ever! reacted to this "moisture thing">

Bobalou,

I understand your frustration. If it makes you feel better, I can tell you-- once I had to record live classical female singer concert for later broadcast on radiostation. For voice I used a tube mic built around U67 capsule. The singer was quite a primadonna and the pop filter wasn't an option. Relying on destiny I took a chance. Can you imagine my feelings when in five minutes in the middle of aria the mic started doing exactly the same thing as yours???!!!
 
<while I admit I didnt use a popscreen this time, I am absolutely stunned! to think this mic is incapable of handling such a task...halfway through a one take, scratch, false-cetto/whisper type vocal performance. If this is the case maybe I'll cancel that order for 2 more (as I was going to use these fragile mics on toms of all things). I've lived near the beach my whole life and no mic has ever! reacted to this "moisture thing">

Bobalou,

I understand your frustration. If it makes you feel better, I can tell you-- once I had to record live classical female singer concert for later broadcast on radiostation. For voice I used a tube mic built around U67 capsule. The singer was quite a primadonna and the pop filter wasn't an option. Relying on destiny I took a chance. Can you imagine my feelings when in five minutes in the middle of aria the mic started doing exactly the same thing as yours???!!!
 
Sorry, just payed attention it was double posted. It was not here earlier... Something bizzare is happening with this site....
 
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It is a well known fact that condensers are very sensitive for moisture.

When you open the box of a new condenser mic you will find a warning inside many of them that tells you so.

AKG C451's can make some funny noises that disappear when you put them on the central heating for some time.

Never use a condenser for vocals without a pop screen.
 
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