caring for soundelux 195

thearnicasync · 18th May 2005

Howdy,

Just curious...

I do most of my recording this year in a high humidity room. Kinda sucks. In any case, I noticed my u195 kind of sputtering a little right when I turned it on...it might last 2 or 3 minutes, then disappears. I asked a while ago about what it could be, and someone experience chimed in that if there's moisture on the capsule, it could be "burning" off.

Is this potentially damaging? It started pouring again a week ago, so I start thinking about it...

Thanks so much,

kelly

alphajerk · 18th May 2005

dehumidifier?

also get some of those silica packs for the mic cases.

thearnicasync · 18th May 2005

Cool, thanks...I'll track down some silica packs asap...

kelly

Jeff19 · 19th May 2005

here is a totally ******** question that probably doesn't deserve it's own thread...

do you keep your mics in the bag that they came in? I have the U195 too and i put it back in the bag when i'm done, then i place it into the case with a silica pack outside of the bag.

should i ditch the bag? it makes the fit a bit tight.

CeretoneAudio · 19th May 2005

You should ditch the bag. When you are using the mic moisture can build up on the diaphram and inside the mic. If you then put it back in the plastic bag it will start to sweat etc. I had a RODE mic which was damaged this way.

The best way is to store the mic in the Case with the silica pack near the capsule to wick away the moisture.

infiniteposse · 19th May 2005

I just bought a dehumidifier for my basement. It's sucking down h20 as I type and I'm very excited

The one I got is fairly large and costed about $225 or so, but they make smaller ones for about $125 I think. Check out Home Depot's web site. I think you want the humidity around 50-60% or so. You might also just invest in a baramoter for the room to keep track of how much things are shooting up and down. I have a very wet basement so I had to make the investment pronto to ensure the safety of my beloved toys.

Good luck to you.

covert · 19th May 2005

There's a thread on storage of condenser mics at prosoundweb as a sticky at the top of Clause Heine's forum.

Jonsos · 19th May 2005

Hi Kelly,

If it's short term . .

leave your mics on the stands, and pop a plastic freezer bag (with a little silics gel bag cellotaped to the inside) loosely over the top.

The mics there than, ready for a 'quick-draw'

Cheers

John

Jay Kahrs · 19th May 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by thearnicasync

Howdy,

Just curious...

I do most of my recording this year in a high humidity room. Kinda sucks. In any case, I noticed my u195 kind of sputtering a little right when I turned it on...it might last 2 or 3 minutes, then disappears. I asked a while ago about what it could be, and someone experience chimed in that if there's moisture on the capsule, it could be "burning" off.

Is this potentially damaging? It started pouring again a week ago, so I start thinking about it...

Yeah, it's just a little bit of moisture disapating from the capsule. The same thing can happen if a singer has a saliva problem. I've seen it mostly with U87's but it can happen with any condensor mic. I wouldn't get too worried about it unless the mic starts cutting out and sputtering on a regular basis, ie; a couple times a week or during the course of a single session. If your gear is in a high humidity area get a dehumidifier and run it when you aren't working. And FWIW, the best mic storage "bags" I've found are the cloth Crown Royal bags.

C/G · 19th May 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

I've found are the cloth Crown Royal bags.

I don't think those are a good idea either. The bag gives off lint that can attach to the mebrane on your capsules. Ironically there is a thread about this on the 3db forum. If I remember correctly, in the sticky on Klause Heins forum states plastic produce bags as being the best option.

Jay Kahrs · 19th May 2005

Yeah, and while the mics are out on stands they're collecting all kinds of dust and stuff anyway from normal wear and tear. Honestly, I never cover mics while they're up because if a mic is out and on a stand it's being used. Anything that's not being used gets pulled off the stand and goes back into it's box, and then back into the mic cabinet where it's safest.

C/G · 19th May 2005

It makes you wonder. All of those old mics I have in thier velvet lined cases must be giving off lint too. I have been using simple plastic produce bags from the grocery store when the mics are in the case too. I think I am just paranoid.

Jay Kahrs · 19th May 2005

Yup, and while velvet isn't going to give off much lint it does do a wonderful job of collecting it. What's about 1000 times worse are the mic boxes with foam on the inside, like Sennheiser 421's. Over the years the foam breaks down and crumbles into itty bitty pieces which can easily get into the mic.

drmmrboy · 19th May 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by covert

There's a thread on storage of condenser mics at prosoundweb as a sticky at the top of Clause Heine's forum.

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/ind...d013ad26fed105

drmmrboy · 19th May 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

And FWIW, the best mic storage "bags" I've found are the cloth Crown Royal bags.

My wife is a bartender, and brought home a dozen of these bags. She sees the SR guys using them, and figured I could too... I haven't used them for anything yet, because I'm afraid of lint from them.

18th May 2005	#1
thearnicasync Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 641 Thread Starter	caring for soundelux 195 Howdy, Just curious... I do most of my recording this year in a high humidity room. Kinda sucks. In any case, I noticed my u195 kind of sputtering a little right when I turned it on...it might last 2 or 3 minutes, then disappears. I asked a while ago about what it could be, and someone experience chimed in that if there's moisture on the capsule, it could be "burning" off. Is this potentially damaging? It started pouring again a week ago, so I start thinking about it... Thanks so much, kelly

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18th May 2005	#2
alphajerk There is only one Joined: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,260	dehumidifier? also get some of those silica packs for the mic cases.

19th May 2005	#4
Jeff19 Gear nut Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 97	here is a totally ******** question that probably doesn't deserve it's own thread... do you keep your mics in the bag that they came in? I have the U195 too and i put it back in the bag when i'm done, then i place it into the case with a silica pack outside of the bag. should i ditch the bag? it makes the fit a bit tight.

19th May 2005	#5
CeretoneAudio Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 694	You should ditch the bag. When you are using the mic moisture can build up on the diaphram and inside the mic. If you then put it back in the plastic bag it will start to sweat etc. I had a RODE mic which was damaged this way. The best way is to store the mic in the Case with the silica pack near the capsule to wick away the moisture.

19th May 2005	#6
infiniteposse Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 592	I just bought a dehumidifier for my basement. It's sucking down h20 as I type and I'm very excited The one I got is fairly large and costed about $225 or so, but they make smaller ones for about $125 I think. Check out Home Depot's web site. I think you want the humidity around 50-60% or so. You might also just invest in a baramoter for the room to keep track of how much things are shooting up and down. I have a very wet basement so I had to make the investment pronto to ensure the safety of my beloved toys. Good luck to you.

19th May 2005	#7
covert Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2002 Location: capitol district NY Posts: 522	There's a thread on storage of condenser mics at prosoundweb as a sticky at the top of Clause Heine's forum.

19th May 2005	#8
Jonsos Gear nut Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 77	Hi Kelly, If it's short term . . leave your mics on the stands, and pop a plastic freezer bag (with a little silics gel bag cellotaped to the inside) loosely over the top. The mics there than, ready for a 'quick-draw' Cheers John

19th May 2005	#11
Jay Kahrs One with big hooves Joined: May 2002 Location: Earth, NYC metro Posts: 5,899	Yeah, and while the mics are out on stands they're collecting all kinds of dust and stuff anyway from normal wear and tear. Honestly, I never cover mics while they're up because if a mic is out and on a stand it's being used. Anything that's not being used gets pulled off the stand and goes back into it's box, and then back into the mic cabinet where it's safest.

19th May 2005	#12
C/G Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,829	It makes you wonder. All of those old mics I have in thier velvet lined cases must be giving off lint too. I have been using simple plastic produce bags from the grocery store when the mics are in the case too. I think I am just paranoid.