Topic: Windscreens - Yea or Nay?

[RobertNC]

Read an interesting quote from one of Teddy's article links:

"Please use wind socks/screens only when nothing else will do to prevent popping or wind noise into the capsule. Socks are made of open cell plastic foam which starts deteriorating within 1-2 years after manufacture; thereafter its disintegration accelerates. Fine foam dust and flakes will quickly penetrate through the screen and be deposited all over the (electrostatically charged and therefore attractive) capsule area."

How to keep a condenser capsule clean and dry


Only when nothing else will do to prevent popping or wind noise?

I thought the conventional wisdom was always use windscreens for smokescreens as much as anything.

Any comments?  Is anyone actually replacing their foam windscreens on an annual basis?   

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Well here in Colorado we don't have to worry about smoke. No more smoking inside public places. I only use my screens in a few places inside (where I am forced to set up under a vent).

The whole smoke thing freaked me out on my recent trip to NC. People smoke EVERYWHERE! And tons of them too.

Natural selection at work.

MIKE B

[willndmb]

i use them 100% of the time
wind, smoke, dust
keep in mind with smoke, even if you are in a place with no smokeing and not near a vent/fan - there could still be a fog machine or something being used by the band

[Doc]

OK, So what about the foam "screen" INSIDE of my AKG C1000s?  Do they need replacing?