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artCROSS
New member
What is the best way to store your mics when not in use? I was looking for mic cases, like aluminum ones, but the best i could find are camera cases with diced foam for custom fitting.
c7sus
Disenfranchised Member
Something like a Pelican case would be perfect.
I wrap all my mics in freezer bags and put dessicant in with them.
Be sure and dry out your dessicant pouches when they turn dark. Put them in an oven at about 150 degrees until they turn clear or light again.
You could even use Tupperware!
Don't laugh, I have a preamp in one right now. Turned out to be a handy little box to keep it in.
I wrap all my mics in freezer bags and put dessicant in with them.
Be sure and dry out your dessicant pouches when they turn dark. Put them in an oven at about 150 degrees until they turn clear or light again.
You could even use Tupperware!
Don't laugh, I have a preamp in one right now. Turned out to be a handy little box to keep it in.
Innovations
New member
The camera cases aren't that bad of a solution.
The real answer depends on 2 questions.
First what kind of mic? A SM57 doens't need to be protected from much of anything. A ribbon is highly fragile.
Second, what kind of transporting is occuring? If your mic is being carried around in your trunk from gig to gig, or even worse being checked into luggage on an ariline, you need major protection. If all it is being moved is from the shelf to the mic stand back to the shelf...not much.
The real answer depends on 2 questions.
First what kind of mic? A SM57 doens't need to be protected from much of anything. A ribbon is highly fragile.
Second, what kind of transporting is occuring? If your mic is being carried around in your trunk from gig to gig, or even worse being checked into luggage on an ariline, you need major protection. If all it is being moved is from the shelf to the mic stand back to the shelf...not much.
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DJL
Self Banned
That's what I use... camera cases work great. Also places like Harbor Freight Tools sometimes has aluminum tool cases with the diced foam on sale for about $19 each that also work great for mic storage cases. Just remember to put the mics in plastic zip lock bags... and make sure you put some silicon/desiccant packs in the zip lock bag with the mic... then zip the zip lock bag up and put it in the mic bag... and then put that in the aluminum case.artCROSS said:
Fletcher
New member
Usually the best method is in a cabinet, unless you're traveling in which case a refoamed brief case kind of thing should work well.
In other news... Klaus Heyne is doing a series on preventative maintenance for condenser mics on his forum on ProSoundWeb.com... here's a link to the first installment: http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/415/0
Best of luck.
In other news... Klaus Heyne is doing a series on preventative maintenance for condenser mics on his forum on ProSoundWeb.com... here's a link to the first installment: http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/415/0
Best of luck.
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artCROSS
New member
I'm about to record my friend in NJ (i'm from NC). I'm either going by car or plane, haven't decided yet, but I really don't want to check my mics into baggage claim. Also, my car's air is kinda screwy, and i don't want to expose my mics to humidity, especially in the summer. I guess these silicon packs you guys are talking about will take care of that...where can i pick some up?
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DJL
Self Banned
Type "silicon pack or desiccant packs" into your search engine... also silicon/desiccant packs come with shoes, camera's and etc, so you may want to ask at some stores like that and ask if they will give you some old ones for free.... just dry them out slowly in the oven at a very low temp (when they change color they are dry) and they will be as good as new.artCROSS said:
Innovations
New member
Unless you are talking about something as durable as a SM57 do not check your mics into luggage. The problem is that you most likely have a few other items that you ALSO don't want to get subjected to the roughness of baggage handling systems and workers and the airline is only going to allow you one carry-on and one 'personal item' and those cubed foam cases are not space-efficient.artCROSS said:
So here is what I would do.
Use a stiff-sided 'roll-aboard' case. Get a bunch of bubble wrap. Put one layer around each side of the case itself inside. Then wrap each item individually with a layer of bubble wrap or use preformed bubble wrap bags. Put items least sensitive to crushing damage at the bottom. Toss a few dessicant bags into the case. Finally fill any spare space inside the case with more bubble wrap or a folded towell. that should be good enough for car travel or carry-on of just about any mic.
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artCROSS
New member
Do i need to worry about any damage to my mics because of the xray machine, magnetic fields, etc.?
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mrface2112
Well-known member
i bought one of those $20 metal electricians cases at Lowe's and i store my mics in it. it's hard-shelled and thus pretty sturdy when i have to use them outside the studio, and the foam holds everything in pretty darn securely. i have probably 20 of those little dessicant packs in amongst them as well.
as for putting your mics through xrays/scanners at the airport, i wouldn't worry about it. i put my laptop through the scanner everytime i travel and i'd contend that it's a lot more sensitive to that sort of thing than a mic, and i've never had a problem with a chip frying, etc.
i'd be FAR more concerned about checking the case with the mics.....something might disappear or get damaged. i trust baggage handlers about as much as i'd trust baboons.....plus, you can be GUARANTEED that the TSA will secondarily inspect that case once it's out of your hands......there's no way i'd want my expensive mics being gone over by clueless TSA goons. i'll take my chances with the scanners and put em in the overhead, thankyouverymuch.
cheers,
wade
PS--another thought it to pack em up real securely and FedEx em to your destination ahead of time--that way you don't have to worry about em on the plane, and since i bet you bought most of your mics over the mail, they've already been there, done that. plus, they're insured and FedEx is usually better on gear than the airlines.
as for putting your mics through xrays/scanners at the airport, i wouldn't worry about it. i put my laptop through the scanner everytime i travel and i'd contend that it's a lot more sensitive to that sort of thing than a mic, and i've never had a problem with a chip frying, etc.
i'd be FAR more concerned about checking the case with the mics.....something might disappear or get damaged. i trust baggage handlers about as much as i'd trust baboons.....plus, you can be GUARANTEED that the TSA will secondarily inspect that case once it's out of your hands......there's no way i'd want my expensive mics being gone over by clueless TSA goons. i'll take my chances with the scanners and put em in the overhead, thankyouverymuch.
cheers,
wade
PS--another thought it to pack em up real securely and FedEx em to your destination ahead of time--that way you don't have to worry about em on the plane, and since i bet you bought most of your mics over the mail, they've already been there, done that. plus, they're insured and FedEx is usually better on gear than the airlines.
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artCROSS
New member
thanks mrface, i think i'll take my chances with carryon...while we're on the subject, any suggestions for carrying a mixer? the dimensions are (HxWxD) 5 3/8" (136mm) x 16 1/2" (418mm) x 17 1/4" (438mm). I'm looking to an alternative to storebought cases, as though are quite pricey and I don't want to spend $60+ for one trip...I was thinking more on the lines of a makeshift carrier, but don't really have any ideas yet...
Warhead
Jai guru deva om
I gotta figure something out also, using the original boxes ends up stacked up around the room! 
War
War
Innovations
New member
Well, looking at my earlier suggestion about the bubblewrap I would just bubblewrap the mixer and pack it in the carryon too.artCROSS said:
BTW x-rays will not harm electronics, but you and expect anything with that much strange looking electronics stuff in it is going to get hand-searched anyhow.
I still say that the biggest challenge is going to be getting everything that you want to carry on into just one bag. Think protection with minimal space.