View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
ConnieTerwilliger Triple G
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3381 Location: San Diego - serving the world
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject: Bad mic - bad mic |
|
|
Hi there - do mics go "bad?" All of a sudden today, my recordings developed a much higher than normal noise floor - static - and even some hum. I cleaned and repatched everything - changed cables - intermittantly good (very briefly), then back to unusable, I finally switched mics and the sound has returned to it's normal state. The "bad" mic is an AKG C3000. The mic I am using now is my AKG 1000.
Tried to call the place where I bought my mics and they are not answering the phone today for some reason. Pro Sound in San Diego.
Just wondering it if could just need some service. Do they do that at ProSound or do I send it back to the manufacturer? Would hot dry weather affect one mic and not the other? Could dust in the mic be the culprit? _________________ Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Philip Banks Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11060 Location: Portgordon, Scotland
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think it's a build up of moisture on the capsule. Some mic's it's possible to get them serviced but with the AKG3000 it may not prove practical. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ConnieTerwilliger Triple G
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3381 Location: San Diego - serving the world
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Not sure about moisture, unless it's from my hot breath...it's hot and dry here today. But I'll certainly mention it when I reach Pro Sound. _________________ Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Yoda117 M&M
Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 2362 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
Connie, it could still be moisture.
It could also be a warping of the capsule, or even a shrinking/splitting of the material which skins the capsule (though I see that more with vintage mics). It could also be something with the diaphragm (needs to be resputtered or replaced).
If you've got a clip it'll make it easier to tell _________________ Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor
Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Jon Morss Guest
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Connie,
I've read somewhere (Maybe from Jeffery P. Fisher) that if it is moisture that has invaded the capsule of your mic, you can try to pack the mic in a bag or in the case it came in with moisture absorbing silica packs and let it sit for a day or two. Some times the silica will eliminate the moisture and the mic will be usable again. As a good practice, and is probably something that you already do, a mic should be pack away like this when it is not being used especially for an extended period of time.
It’s worth a shot.
Jon |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ConnieTerwilliger Triple G
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3381 Location: San Diego - serving the world
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ed Gambill Cinquecento
Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 561 Location: King, NC 35mi SE of Mayberry
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Connie
I have an AKG 414 EB and it got so bad with moisture that from time to time I would put it into the oven with the oven light on and let it dry for several hours. I had to get it re-skinned and now it’s fine.
If you use a pop filter that will help shield the microphone form the hot breath.
Ed _________________ Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
www.SaVoa.org No. 07000 Member AES |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ConnieTerwilliger Triple G
Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 3381 Location: San Diego - serving the world
|
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I always use a pop filter - the C3000 is very "poppy." I'll try using the silicon stuff and put it away for a while. (See TOF for response to a different thread.) _________________ Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|