Mic Storage

[shackrock]

Alrighty...i was wondering if there was any special, or better, way to store a mic?

i just got a sm57, i already got a sm58, and a few other crappy mics for shows (not recording). Right now i'm keeping them in my basement...which isn't the best basement ever.......pretty much a crappy DIY studio, from the looks at least lol. I noticed that the sm57, for example, is really really cold to the touch when i use it after it sits down there for a night. Is that bad for the mic at all?

just wondering....

thanks

 

[tdukex]

I don't know about the cold, but damp would be a bad thing.

 

[tubedude]

My method... get a suitcase and some thick foam. Cut the foam to the size of the interior suitcase, 2 squares. Glue the 1st square in the bottom of the suitcase, and arrange your mics in a suitable fashion. Trace the mics where you want em, and sqaush it down and cut out each trace with a razor blade. Tape the 2nd piece of foam on the "lid" of the suitcase but dont cut it at all. Be sure that the traces are cut a little inside of the lines for a good tight fit. Perfect envioronment, safe and snug, all in the same place, and when one is missing, its obvious. Looks cool to whip out in front of people too.
Dig?

 

[Garak]

Sm-57's and 58's can handle just about anything. I work for a live audio company and I've seen it all happen to those mics and I'm yet to see one go bad. Dust(storms), rain, snow, droped again and again, and they all work fine. Some even has rust on them and yet they sound fine.

Condensers on the other hand should be kept good n dry. Most of them come with a little pack of something to soak up any mostiure. They should be kept in their cases when not in use.

 

[Slackmaster2K]

I made a little mic case out of a brief case. I basically used tubedude's method, but I put some nice fabric over the foam. There's a picture of it on my website somewhere under "studio" ( http://www.slackmaster2000.com/ )

Slackmaster 2000

 

[heylow]

I agree mostly with Tubedude: It is, in fact, cool to whip out in front of people.



As far as mic storage I agree with the suitcase thing but at LEAST keep them in pouches with a little gel bag absorber thing. Those mics can take a lot of abuse but doing things well now will have you in the habit of doing things well when you have stuff that doesn't take abuse as well.

I, for one, have this big blue pressboard locker sized cabinet that my mom brought home years ago when she worked at a leather retailer. I installed a locking latch and weather stripping so it seals tightly.....AND.....I keep all mics in their pouches with the gel absorber dealy. I also keep cords, adapters, and stuff in there as well.

heylow
Rock Jedi/Indie Snob