Drying a condenser mic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter muzeman
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muzeman

muzeman

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Hi,

It's been really humid by me lately,and I think the dampness is affecting my mic.

Does anyone have any tips for keeping it dry,or know where I can buy those little silicon dryer packets or something similar?

I keep it in the linen box it came with,it has a solid piece of foam in it,cut out to the profile of the mic.

Thank's for any help,
Pete
 
that's a good question about those silica packets. I just collect the ones from all the shoeboxes in my family and put them in my mic case. I also have a dehumidifier in my basement which works great.
 
:) :) Good idea. Just get yourself a new pair of shoes and ask them to throw in a couple extra packets of the silagel stuff.

lol.

You're supposed to stick those sila packets in the oven for several minutes untill they turn blue (or is it pink?) I think it's blue. This will supposedly reactivate the crystals, which will help them to absorb more of the moisture.

Just don't use a hairdryer on it. :()
 
Yeah, you have to refresh those silica gel packets, or they actually start to accumulate moisture. I know a guy who RUINED an Alvarez-Yari guitar by throwing a couple dozen of 'em in his guitar case and storing it in his (south Florida) garage for a couple months.

Scott
 
You can buy a bag of that new kind of cat litter that is pure silica crystals! Just make sure it's it's the pure product without any other fillers or anything... This stuff is completely odorless and absorbs moisture and oder like a sponge!

You'd need to put a bit in a little paper bag or something. Maybe empty a teabag and use that.

When it gets old, you can use it for cat litter again!
 
If you got the cash, buy a dehumidifier. and a temp/humidity meter. this way you can monitor when the humidity gets really hi.
 
That's interesting about the kitty litter - I'll have to check that out.

One source of silica that I found was at sporting goods stores (that sell guns). They normally have silica packets for gun cabinets. The ones I bought were about $6 (for a 2"x6" packet). They can be "recharged" by using an oven (they even have a color indicator to tell you when they have too much moisture).

I tried to find a wholesale/retail source of the small packs you find in electronic/shoe boxes but came up blank.
 
Thanks very much for all the tips!

I have 5 cats and mommy's pregnant again,so I'll have enough litter to last me a lifetime!
(anybody want a cat cheap?)

I don't know about putting it in my mic case though,hate to find out the hard way,know what I mean.

The gun store sounds like the way to go,can't afford a dehumidifier(or 10 pairs of sneakers).:D

Mabey if they only have big packs I can just break it up into smaller ones.

I'll keep checking for the small ones,if I find them I'll post back.



Thanks again
Best to all,
Pete
 
shoe dept

go by one in your local store and ask em for the ones they toss from the shoe boxes. i did that for my GFs camera gear and they loaded me up. Peter
 
It figures...

I think it says something about our culture that nobody sells anything to help us mainain our musical equipment, but we damn sure know where to go to get stuff to keep our guns dry.

GIMME ANOTHER COLD ONE! Hey, what channel's The Man Show on, anyway? Yeeehah!

End of OT rant.
 
I went to the gun store and bought one.

It's about 3x6",and comes in a sealed foil pouch.
Has a cardboard box with holes in it,and inside a giant silica pouch.

On the bottom are 3 dots that change color as the silica dampens.
It's made by Browing,$20.

I think the man show is on channel 42.:D

Best to all,
Pete
 
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