Lets face it, when you buy some new gear you always look for ways to preserve it so it can last you longer.
Microphones in audio production are so important because without them we can’t record or broadcast any audio.
It is for this reason that we need to know how to properly take care of them so we can use them long enough, at least until we are in a position to replace them.
This post will provide various tips that will help your microphone last longer …..
So without, wasting much time lets get to it…
How can I make my microphone last longer?
To make your microphone last longer you need to handle it with care and ensure that you’re using the correct microphone meant for the work that you’re doing. You also need to avoid water, humidity and direct sunlight because these things can damage your microphone.
How to make a condenser mics last longer
1. You have to ensure that you keep your mic in a plastic bag when you’re not using it.
Any plastic bag will can easily stop airborne dust and foam particles from things like windscreens and storage boxes from settling on the capsule which is a very important component of your condenser microphone.
Therefore use a plastic bag to go over the mic when you are not working, and place your mic in a plastic before storing it in its case.
2. Use a pop filter when recording vocals.
A pop filter will easily catch any spit from the person recording so that it doesn’t end up inside your microphone.
Recording without a pop filter will lead to having a contaminated capsule that will degrade high frequencies, cause discharge noise, or shut down completely.
3. Avoid recording too close to the microphone because this can damage your capsule. If you have a pop filter long enough to act as a barrier between the singer and a microphone, use it.
4. Always connect the cable from the power supply to the condenser mic before turning the power supply on.
5. Voltage shocks from a live power supply can easily damage or destroy a tube microphone
6. Avoid exposing your condenser microphone to excessively loud noise. A good rule is to never put your condenser mic where you wouldn’t put your ears.
Excessive sound pressure level will eventually degrade the capsule’s diaphragm the same way that prolonged exposure will damage your hearing.
How to make ribbon mics last longer
1. Ribbon microphones are quite delicate and they’ll last longer if you handle them with the utmost care. So make sure that you avoid being too rough with them.
2. You shouldn’t put your microphone down without covering it first, especially not on the floor.
Because ribbon mics have powerful magnets that can easily attract tiny metallic particles. This will ultimately lead to getting bad recordings.
3. Avoid easily lending out your ribbon microphone to people that have no experience with them. Somebody without the proper knowledge of handling ribbon microphones can easily damage them.
If you’re using them around people like fellow engineers you might want to see to it that they take good care of the ribbon microphone.
4. When carrying out close miking techniques, position your microphone slightly off-axis in order to protect it from excessively loud sources.
Ribbon microphones have a fairly even pickup pattern, so moving it slightly off-axis won’t have an huge effect on your recording.
When using a ribbon on a kick drum or any other instrument with a strong directional blast of air ensure that you angle the length of the ribbon at 45 degrees to the source, not parallel to the drumhead.
This will reduce the stress on the ribbon, allowing it to pick up the sound without the entire acoustic pulse hitting the ribbon all at once.
How to make your dynamic mics last longer
The inside of your dynamic microphone can easily accumulate a lot of dirt so you can unscrew the grille from your mic and then rinse it off with water.
Avoid using strong detergents, instead use a mild one to eliminate odors. You can also use an old tooth brush to clear up in any dirt that is stuck.
Let the grille dry before you put it back on the microphone.
Just let it dry with air.
If your microphone doesn’t have a removable grille, you can hold the mic upside down and gently scrub it with a damp toothbrush. You don’t want to use a wet tooth brush because you don’t want water entering the insides of your mic.
Then, hold your microphone upside down so the moisture doesn’t leak into its cartridge.
DO NOT spray disinfectant or any cleaning agent at the head of the mic, because it can penetrate the microphone and end up damaging it.
With that said, keep your dynamic microphone clean will make it last longer.
