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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: jb63 on April 29, 2017, 01:20:04 PM
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Has anyone here done this?
I was thinking about making my own for the windyest venues, like red rocks, but I could not find a decent source of foam.
Any hints appreciated!
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closed-cell foam will kill treble, I think you want to try to find Open-cell foam for this use.
that said, we have had some OK results with homemade screens made from lawnmower muffler foam, I think it was. Kinda blue and fairly stiff.
https://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-698369-Filter-Element/dp/B0035QAA6K
like this air filter foam maybe?
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81ZpFFMedbL._SL1500_.jpg)
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If you're going to record outside at venue's like Red Rocks often, I'd just shell out for the Big Ass Shure's. I've had to physically hold on to my mic stand at Red Rocks before to keep it from flying away. No wind noise on my recording with these.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68646-REG/Shure_A81WS_A81WS_Windscreen_for.html
Kind of pricey, but worth it IMO.
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Heh, I sort of do both. When recording with the tiny DPA 4098 hypercards outdoors I use open-cell foam-inserts from hair curlers (Dollar Tree pack of 8 for a buck, correct size with no cutting required) sort of as a bulk-up bushing which fits perfectly inside the big Shure A81WS. The Shure's are the king of foam wind noise reduction and work great, the hair curler foams just adapt them to work on the tiny mics.
You might also check out the now popular Movo windscreens which are less costly than the Shures. Not sure how the wind-noise reduction compares for really windy stuff, but they make furred versions which are probably the most appropriate version for high wind conditions.
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jb63- I understand the want/need to build your own windscreens, I've tried it myself several times. After achieving mediocre results, I broke down and bought a pair of Big Ass Sures. These are the screens you often see on televised outdoor press conferences and other public events. Once you see how they're designed, you'll understand why foam-only windscreens are less effective. The Sure has an inner cage that separates the foam from the mic, creating an air gap around the capsule that's virtually stagnant .
One of the better taping investments I've made, worth the $$$ for Sure. :wink2:
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The Shures have a larger-pore foam core inside the tighter-pore foam wind turbulence blocking outer layer, along with a more elastic type foam cuff at the opening. It's a way of retaining high wind noise reduction while reducing the high frequency attenuation effects that would occur from using all the same tight-pore foam. The coarser inner foam is closer to that of plastic filter screening found on the intakes of pond pumps and air conditioner filters.
My take is this- if you just need minor wind protection, home made foam screens can work, but make sure the foam you use is acoustically transparent enough while providing sufficient wind noise reduction. For significant wind, it's usually worth going with a professionally made product. The Movo's are very inexpensive and a new popular favorite here at TS. The Shures are well proven workhorses and the one to beat or emulate. If you need a high level of wind protection and really want to do it DIY, it's probably best to go with faux-fur covers over a foam screen (the more open, coarser foam would be better under fur than standard small-pore foam), or try to do a DIY a plastic basket type screen with a fur cover (with only the plastic mesh and air under the fur).
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The Shure has an inner cage that separates the foam from the mic, creating an air gap around the capsule that's virtually stagnant .
Yes this is a good point- one way that windscreens help is to allow the mic element to be within a little spot of otherwise-still air so the diaphragm is only moved by sounds, not by wind.
I was advised to use the DPA 0896 screens for my KM140s, and when putting them on, slide it all the way onto the mic, then slide it BACK about a half inch, to leave a half-inch gap where the air will be held still.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/282432-REG/DPA_Microphones_UA0896_UA0896_Windscreen_for_0_75.html
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If you're going to record outside at venue's like Red Rocks often, I'd just shell out for the Big Ass Shure's. I've had to physically hold on to my mic stand at Red Rocks before to keep it from flying away. No wind noise on my recording with these.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68646-REG/Shure_A81WS_A81WS_Windscreen_for.html
Kind of pricey, but worth it IMO.
Agreed with Mike and Gut on this: the Big-Ass Shures are the screens to get for the windiest conditions. I'm currently trying the Movos and they seem pretty good but I haven't had them in a "gale-force" situation yet like the Shures, which I have and know will do the job. I've also had the DPA 0896 screens and, while they'll work for indoors and very-light/no wind situations outdoors, they're not up to snuff for medium-low/medium outdoor winds. Tried the DPAs with some of the homemade dead-rat solutions as well and they didn't cut it by a long-shot either.
Good wind screens are worth the investment, IMHO, as it's very difficult or impossible to get rid of wind noise and phasing in post. My 2 cents.
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The Movos have a cool appearance, which is no acoustic concern but counts for something, and their fabric outer layer on the non-furry version seems like it would provide some abrasion protection. My Big Shures are due for replacement, being pretty beat and pockmarked at this point, so I'm careful not to rub them overly hard causing the foam doesn't shed.
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Wow!
Thanks! This is all great stuff!
I'm going to have to cut some stuff out of my bag this Summer because it has gotten REALLY heavy! Why are the best preamps so damn heavy?
I can't keep up, but I will post some pictures soon so you guys can laugh at me. I want to be done by the 20th, because apparently, it is summer!
If I wanted to buy a bunch of furry fabric, does anyone have a link to where I could order some? Its going to be a weird Summer for sure!
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I'm currently trying the Movos and they seem pretty good but I haven't had them in a "gale-force" situation yet like the Shures, which I have and know will do the job...
"Nearly-Gale-force" situation for me a couple of months ago, swirling winds on a cruise ship.
Two windy shows convinced me the MOVO WSTT50's for my NAK omnis did their job, and were a great buy at 18 bucks apiece.
So far so good. Make great tapes, y'all.
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^ Good to know, capn, thanks for the field report. I rarely use omnis, usually cards or supercards, so that's my litmus test.
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I cut arms off stuffed animals and run them over open cell foam wind screens. Over my ca-14s w their wind screens. No problems, I hear the rain on umbrella more than wind noise.
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I cut arms off stuffed animals
sounds totally cute-cruel. :really_sucks:
pictures? :spam: