Taking care of your mics

[Fishy1500]

I'm interested in picking up a nice mic sometime soon but wanted to be sure that I had the proper accessories to take care of it well. I live in Tokyo, and during the summer it can get extremely hot and humid (during the winter its really cold and dry). Is there anything that I can use to maintain an optimum temp & humidity for a mic? Maybe like a special case of some sort that I can put the mic in when not in use to keep it nice and fresh?

Cheers,
Maru

[Fletcher]

In Tokyo it is common to have a dehumidier box in which microphones are stored.

Call Mitsuo Yanai at Studio System Lab [+81] 048 480 3677 and he can give you a proper recommendation for what is used in the major studios of Tokyo.

Peace.

[Sui_City]

I see Studio System Lab has got "Frying Faders"!

How cool is that? Eggs and bacon right on the desk!

Studio System Lab., Inc. | Frying Faders II 近日リリース予定 (www.ssl-inc.com)

[stagefright13]

You could also buy desiccant packs and put one in every mic box. They can be recharged by baking them in a oven.

[dkatz42]

Any comments for those of us who live where the humidity is rarely higher than 10%? The good news is that nothing is going to grow green fuzz here. My eight-year-old car looks brand new. So I figure that as long as the temps stay reasonable I should be in good shape, yes?

We spent half a day trying to chase down the crackly connection on a Tele this past winter, only to discover that it was static electricity...

[nickolo]

I would say if its not in use for more than a week or so stick it back in its own box or a box somewhere not too hot/cold or humid.If you are using it a lot and it stays on its stand in between sessions then put a bit of rubber or plastic or brown paper bag around the capsule with elastic bands.Keeps dust away etc..smoke or cat/dog hair.If its well made it will take normal use and will be designed to take fluctuations etc..Think of the past with all the fag smoke in studios and spitting singers etc..I sometimes put a fine cotton sock over mine if it sits on its stand for days..

[Fishy1500]

Thanks for the great advice =D

Fletcher, I'll definitely give Studio System Lab a call to ask them about the dehumidifier boxes. It sounds like a great solution

[johnnyjellybean]

Originally Posted by Sui_City

I see Studio System Lab has got "Frying Faders"!

How cool is that? Eggs and bacon right on the desk!

Studio System Lab., Inc. | Frying Faders II 近日リリース予定 (www.ssl-inc.com)

Just wait until the Chinese start opening studios and using Plo-tools.

[Fishy1500]

I just gave Yanai-san @ Studio System Lab a call right now and he told me about the dehumidifier type boxes. It looks like these boxes aren't made specifically for mics, but can be used for things like camera lenses, film, tubes, mics, etc that may be sensitive to humidity. He mentioned that any large electronics retailer like BicCamera or Yodobashi Camera would have these there. You can store around 5-6 mics inside a normal sized dehumidifier box, looks a bit like a wine cooler with a glass door, and will cost around 30,000yen (about $300 USD).

Thanks again Fletcher for recommending Yanai-san, he was extremely friendly and helpful even though I pretty much cold called him about something that they don't even sell

[Fishy1500]

In case any of you are looking for one of these as well, I found this on the BicCamera website:

Dehumidifier Box

[Fletcher]

Mitsuo, Reiko, and their son Taka are some of the absolutely most wonderful people in the entire audio industry. It doesn't surprise me in the least that Mitsuo would take the time to help you.

I have known the Yanai family for close to 20 years... and cherish their friendship. If you ever have any other questions I'm quite sure they will be more than happy to be of assistance.

Peace.