crumbling internal windscreen

[antichef]

I have searched this board and elsewhere, and it may be my terminology, but I'm not having any luck. If this is really a frequently asked and answered question -- seems like it could be -- then I take the newbie section defense:

I am one among us who is not averse to used microphones, and have indeed had some microphones myself for decades. With the older ones, I notice that windscreens detiorate and crumble away eventually. For external windscreens, you just have to let go, but for internal ones it seems like a problem, because it's often the only thing wrong with a perfectly good mic.

Is there a good way to replace these without getting the actual replacement part? They're generally specially molded to fit the little spaces they occupy, and it seems unlikely that you could cut a piece of foam to fit right. Has anyone identified a technique for dealing with this?

 

[ssscientist]

Small pieces of foam in many densities and thicknesses are available in most craft and hobby shops.

I've spent many happy hours with a tweezer and a large needle cleaning out a mic screen, then fitting it with a new piece of foam. It's amazing how much better --- clearer, brighter and more present --- a good grill cleaning can make a microphone sound.

And you're right when you say that it's often the only thing wrong with an otherwise good mic.


.

 

[antichef]

Thanks! My wife and I have an occasional ritual where I go to Guitar Center and she goes to an arts and crafts store across the street -- usually, I go over to get her and wind up waiting around for another half hour while she finishes shopping. Now I'll know just what to do.

Anything to know about different compositions / thicknesses of foam?

 

[Tim Gillett]

Yes it just takes a bit of time and patience especially carefully cutting foam pieces to size and shape.
20 years ago I picked up at a pawn shop two (by then quite old) Shure SM53's. Both had damaged internal windshields which I was able to carefully clean and then glue back into place. Then I bought a couple of close fitting external foam windscreens which stay there all the time. Now I only ever have to clean the external foam shields.
The other week I used one of them on a PA/recording job for the main guest speaker and it worked perfectly, even though over 30 years old. I specially used this type because of its extended rear port which pretty much removes bass boost effect at close range (proximity effect). Just as well as the guest speaker loved to move right in to the mic at times and then back right off. I only had to cope with gain changes, not eq changes.
As you can tell, I like my old repaired mics. Good luck.

Tim