Mic Maintenence?

[Joe E]

IS there any normal routine things to do to your mics?

I have one Condencer mic that stay out on a stand all the time. Its always hooked up and ready to go.

What can you do if it gets dusty inside? Can dust get past the screen?

I use a new, soft, clean 2" paint brush to dust off my studio gear and the out sides of the mic. Would a "gentle" shot of air (from a can) hurt the diaphram?

Thoughts anyone?

joe

 

[notCardio]

Little help, please..

Joe,

I don't think it's a good idea to leave a condensor out all the time. Humidity is the big enemy of condensors,(dynamics are much less delicate), but I'm sure dust doesn't help things either. If you put it away after every use, you'll at least keep the dust off of it.

I don't know if the canned air will hurt, but it sounds risky to me.

Maybe someone who's more knowledgable can help.

Someone?

 

[philboyd studge]

Canned air isn't a good idea. If you're leave a mic out, cover it with something like a loose bag to keep the dust away.

I always leave a condenser mic out too (otherwise I wouldn't record anything) but I live in the desert and humidity isn't an issue. Dust is. I use some shure and akg mic pouches over the top and the mic stays free of dust.

 

[Joe E]

I always leave a condenser mic out too (otherwise I wouldn't record anything) but I live in the desert and humidity isn't an issue. Dust is. I use some shure and akg mic pouches over the top and the mic stays free of dust.

My point too. The canned air idea is that I can blow off dust that could be caugth in the screen. Obviously I know that air could damage the diaphram, but if I hold the can back maybe 18-24" it could be effective.

Who knows? I think a bag or cover is a great Idea.


Joe

 

[NYMorningstar]

The canned air idea is that I can blow off dust that could be caugth in the screen. Obviously I know that air could damage the diaphram, but if I hold the can back maybe 18-24" it could be effective.

Joe

Canned air is a bad idea. A vacuum is what you want if you use air otherwise you'll be blowing some dust through the screen.

 

[Joe E]

Thanks that a great idea!

Joe

 

[philboyd studge]

One of those little battery powered specialty vacuums would be just the ticket.

 

[Joe E]

Yea I actually have one for doing electronic maintenence. I give that a try.

Joe