How do you clean a mic?

[Beat God]

How do u clean a mic without damaging it?

[DrDeltaM]

This sounds geeky to me, moving to Geekslutz forum

[De chromium cob]

You send it to Klaus Heyne.....

[pan]

Jules, will you chime in?

Get a pro to do it.

[zemlin]

Don't get it dirty. tutt

[chadly]

Originally Posted by Beat God

How do u clean a mic without damaging it?

You don't. I've ALWAYS sent mine out. I still have nightmares about Jules description of cleaning that U87 in the horror stories thread. . . Qtip of Gold!

If anyone knows, it'd be fun to know, though I don't think I have the testicular fortitude to ever try.

[SoundChances]

I need to track down that post about the qtip of gold....I too have seen the qtip of gold and proceeded to get really depressed...

So, yeah, have someone else do it....

[Beat God]

yo this post is for real. the thing is people are spitting at it all day. so the questions is how to clean it without killing the mic

[neve1073]

Originally Posted by Beat God

yo this post is for real. the thing is people are spitting at it all day. so the questions is how to clean it without killing the mic

The answer is: if you have to ask, then you aren't qualified to do it yourself and should send it to someone like klause heine.

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by weedmaker

If I can recall correctly post by Klaus Heyne over at PSW boards, the best thing is prevention. Mic capsule if charged with static electricity can attract dust particles from over couple of meters away! Your best bet is to keep ordinary dry plastic bag over mic when not in use even if it is put back into the case! Lining foam crumbles with age, making fine dust particles and before you know you've got a problem. Velvet lining is preferred.

If capsule is already dirty I would find a good mic tech, especially if the microphone is of any value!

Good luck!

Watch out for Velvet too. It sheads fibers and guess where they will end up.
Plastic bags don't shead or crumble.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[Beat God]

thanks mr neve u kinda answered the question. it is nice to know that it should be sent to a professional, but it is also nice to know what the process is. I asked the same question when i wanted to build a daw. if someone would have replied if u have to ask then go to the dell website and buy one, then i would have bought a dell. instead i directed to places such as tom's hardware and other resources and built a killer pc. so can someone with the knowledge please give me a play by play. after all isn't a forum most useful for asking how to questions

[pan]

The thing about this is KNOWLEDGE and TOOLS.

You won't get any of this on an internet forum.

n

[chadly]

Originally Posted by Beat God

thanks mr neve u kinda answered the question. it is nice to know that it should be sent to a professional, but it is also nice to know what the process is. I asked the same question when i wanted to build a daw. if someone would have replied if u have to ask then go to the dell website and buy one, then i would have bought a dell. instead i directed to places such as tom's hardware and other resources and built a killer pc. so can someone with the knowledge please give me a play by play. after all isn't a forum most useful for asking how to questions

This is a tad bit different then building a DAW. It's like comparing installing a AC plug (common DIY) to cutting a diamond from the rough into a wedding ring. (Needs years of exp. and specific tools and facilities)

You seem pretty hell bent on it, so here's a few thing that might help.

1) Use a pop screen. I had to send a U87 for cleaning because of what you were saying earlier, about spray and what not. I'd rather they spray into a $30 screen then a $2500 mic.

2) Check for buildup in the outlier layers of the mic. Check the screen(s) on the mic grill, check everything but the capsule. Is there buildup on them? If there is, you can clean it. (This assumes you can remove the grill around the mic.) There's about a three dozen ways of destroying your mic at this step, so I wouldn't do it. I don't. (For example, air cleaning the screen with the capsule in close proximity will cause damage to the capsule.) I know that Neumanns broadcast line has removable head grilles which would make the grills easier to clean.

3) If everything in #2 is fine, and all electronics and cabling are fine, then your capsule is probably dirty. I have no knowledge of capsule cleaning. No matter WHO you ask, they will refer you to a professional to get the work done. If you attempt to clean the capsule, you might as well have in your budget to buy a new mic, as they're really delicate. The gold sputtering could easily be removed. Is there nicotine buildup? Is there dust buildup? PAY A PROFESSIONAL MAN!


Bottom line, don't clean your mic. Send it out. Or buy a new one if it's a cheapy.

[Beat God]

pan i dont understand what your reply means and yes english is my first language.

thanks chad this is what i was looking for. the capsule is fine and yes i do use a pop filter. the grill is more of what i was concerned with.

[pan]

"the thing about this" meaning "cleaning a condenser mic"

sorry for confusion - not being a native speaker.

n

[Stick]

So, what's it cost to have a LDC cleaned by a pro?

I've got a Neumann U89 in need of some love.

[gyraf]

http://www.josephson.com/clean.txt

..A very good description - but you'll need a steady hand.

I have done this on a number of occations with excellent results.

Jakob E.