HOw do you store your Mics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alexrkstr
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Alexrkstr

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I have a new pair of MXL's 991/990... they came with the box and the grey foam inside.

Is it enough to just put them back in the box and forget about them or do I need the silica bags to extract the moisture?


Thanks
Alex
 
If you live in a humid climate and/or breathe/spit on your mics, it's a good idea to keep a silica packet in the box with the mics. If the capsule gets moist, it will crack/pop alot and that's not particularly good for the mic.
 
Also. put the mics in a plastic bag, once you're sure it's dry, so that that foam doesn't come loose at attach itself to the capsule.
 
back in the case, & then under a beanbag chair to keep them warm.
 
Also make sure the silica gel packets are dry before placing them in a plastic ziplock type bag with your mic (if needed... slowly dry the silica gel packets in the oven on low heat... they should change color when fully dried).


EDIT...
Also, after your box wears out, or before... you may want to get an aluminum case. Harbor Freight Tools, Lowes, etc has them on sale a lot of the time for about half price. I like this one because there is room for the shock mount and etc http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=35777 and flip over the tool holder thingy, you can move the dividers too... I get them when they are on sale for about $19.
 
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Yup ... plastic bag, silica gel, flightcase. It wouldn't hurt to lock the case in a filing cabinet or something while you're away, either ... can't be too careful!!
 
DJL said:
Also, after your box wears out, or before... you may want to get an aluminum case. Harbor Freight Tools, Lowes, etc has them on sale a lot of the time for about half price. I like this one because there is room for the shock mount and etc http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=35777 and flip over the tool holder thingy, you can move the dividers too... I get them when they are on sale for about $19.
Click to expand...

Now, that's good advice and a creative solution!
 
I keep all my mics in the original packaging it came in. Box, booklets and all. I keep them in a cabinet. I need more mics.
 
Pasta jars with the spring clamps and plastic seals are great for keeping mics dry. And also are visually very interesting. I keep all of my cheapo Chinese whatnot dynamics in those things, and I love answering question on them. Imagine a big pasta jar of microphones, next to a big jar of olive oil and a few jars of traditional antipasta. Because that's where they are right now.
 
Sklathill said:
Pasta jars with the spring clamps and plastic seals are great for keeping mics dry. And also are visually very interesting. I keep all of my cheapo Chinese whatnot dynamics in those things, and I love answering question on them. Imagine a big pasta jar of microphones, next to a big jar of olive oil and a few jars of traditional antipasta. Because that's where they are right now.
Click to expand...

i'm trying to figure another way to ask this but i cant so I'll be blunt.... are you serious!? Pasta Jars? LOL i'm not trying to be mean or anything..i just never thought of doing that..

i leave them in the bags or cases they originally came in....i'm slowly trying to remember to put them in a cabinet but its easier said than done sometimes.
 
distortedrumble said:
i'm trying to figure another way to ask this but i cant so I'll be blunt.... are you serious!? Pasta Jars? LOL i'm not trying to be mean or anything..i just never thought of doing that..
Click to expand...


Really,I keep mine in a mayonaise jar hidden in a as of yet undiscovered pyramid in Peru guarded by flying monkeys

























No just a cabinet :( :D
 
distortedrumble said:
i'm trying to figure another way to ask this but i cant so I'll be blunt.... are you serious!? Pasta Jars? LOL i'm not trying to be mean or anything..i just never thought of doing that..

i leave them in the bags or cases they originally came in....i'm slowly trying to remember to put them in a cabinet but its easier said than done sometimes.
Click to expand...
Sure he's serious - they're made to keep the environment out. The danger is that the wife might think they're some new kind of food, and dump them into boiling water.
 
lol I'll have to look into that....there arent too many enviornmental hazards around my mics though so i may not need it
 
Dude...I'm serious. The plastic ring on top makes them air tight, which the vast majority of mic cases (be they wood or aluminum) simply are not. One of my Audix handheld mics was sounding funny after a session, and I decided to pop one in there with some dessicant packs...worked like a charm, so now I just keep them in there...and they look cool too. :)
 
just out of curiousity, do you guys clean up everything after a session? Put all your mics away? or do you leave them out for the next session, whether it be 1 day or a week from then?

I like that jar idea! I would be worried about knocking them around in there. Slapping against that glass is sure to do some damage...what do you do to prevent that?
 
One last thing...I do a lot of mobile recording...DJL, that flight case looks great, but if I don't have the original boxes, foam, etc, what would you recommend to keep the mics from moving around in there while I'm carrying it?
 
I leave mine on the stands...it's good to cover them with plastic baggies to keep the dust out...maybe tape some silica gel bags inside of those...

War
 
I "strike" them most of the time and zero the board{just habit}..If I leave some out on stands I throw some Crown Royal bags over them..I have a buddy who loves that sh*t so I got about 10 of those "vevet like" bags with the drawstring.. :)
 
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