Topic: Windscreens indoor question

[alienbobz]

Before I start of this thread, I just wanted to state that I have read a good amount of info about running windscreens indoors. Most people have said that is it ok. The reason I am asking this after reading those is because I meet a taper last night who was confused as to why I was using my windscreens indoors. He told me that windscreens will lower the high frequencies. Mind you this was a venue were you aren't allowed to smoke on stage side, so there was no need to protect it from that (except for one guy who decided to break the rules). So now I want to know if his comments are true or not. I am using the stock windscreens for the TL's. Let me know.

[Tim]

good windscreens should not alter the sound of the mics.

[alienbobz]

Any clue if the stock TL windscreens are good? They seem good.

[Tim]

I've never heard anyone say anything bad about them...

[Swampy]

Definitely use them inside, AC kicks on, fan ect... you'll have wind just like outside. It also just added protection for the caps. The only screens that I have ever heard of slightly effecting the sound are the big Shures which are like 4 inches of foam

[pfife]

I've never noticed anything with mine, but I've also never run an A/B test or anything.  I'd always run windscreens, if I were you...

[alienbobz]

Thanks for the help everyone. I pretty much have run the windscreens since I bought the TL's. They sound fine to me.

[ChrisV]

Yeah, any windscreens except the Shure "bigass" ones I've used running indoors.   

Usually stick with the small dinky ones that came with my mics, but if I notice any substantial breeze from AC kicking in I'll switch to the DPA ones.

[Wiggler]

Windscreens do indeed affect the sound of microphones.

copied from schoeps site.
In general, when comparing two windscreens which are equally efficient,  the smaller one will always have a greater adverse effect on sound quality.    If two windscreens are the same size, the one which is more efficient   will have the greater adverse influence on sound quality – altering  the microphone’s frequency response and (with directional microphones)  the polar pattern as well.  Thus it is advisable to select a windscreen that is only as efficient as is really necessary, and perhaps to use a larger windscreen rather than a smaller one that has the required degree of efficiency.

[Tim]

I've never done an A/B but in 7+ years I never noticed a difference....

[F.O.Bean]

never noticed anything here either

[Brian Skalinder]

Windscreens do indeed affect the sound of microphones. [snip]

Makes sense to me.  So I guess the question really becomes, then:  is it at all noticable in our application?  For me, the benefits (smoke, ventilation, and [potential] impact protection) are well worth the not-noticable-to-me effect of the changes.

Anyone wanna run a blind comp?   

[Brian]

Anyone wanna run a blind comp?

sure!  The Pageant here in St. Louis is a pretty open room.  Smoke issues would be minimal.  I'll do set one with the screens and set 2 without.  the real question here is.....will i remember to do so?

i run tl's and will be using the windscreens supplied by ADK.

[jdawg]

Here's an article on windscreen use I just googled, fwiw.
http://www.equipmentemporium.com/windscre1.htm

For me it's come down to the venue I'm taping at. Mainly for smoke and impact protection in crowded situations.  I think I'll try the experiment as well. First set with, second set without. These are some big-ass windscreens I've got here, wish I knew what kind/make they are.

[ethan]

Definitely use them inside, AC kicks on, fan ect... you'll have wind just like outside. It also just added protection for the caps. The only screens that I have ever heard of slightly effecting the sound are the big Shures which are like 4 inches of foam

Yep couldn't agree more...you never know when a fan, AC or heat is going to come on.

-e

[jpschust]

surprised no one has taken issue with the schoeps site on this because, while true, it accounts solely for a studio environment- not a live environment where outside factors cant be controlled.  For example, in one of the last studios I worked in we would just turn off the AC when actually running tape- no need for windscreens (no smoking in studio), wind is virtually nil, so run without- no problem.  You have so many more factors in the live environment just with heating and cooling alone, plus a protection for your mics is key.

[LeftoverSammy]

I've never done an A/B but in 7+ years I never noticed a difference....

Not to toss rocks or any thing but how can you tell any difference if you have never done an AB comp? For all you know its been surpressing the high end (minor is my guess) all this time and you never even knew it was doing so. Unless you are so familiar to what your mics SHOULD sound like and can evaluate the sound you capture and compair that to what your mind remembers the mics are suppost to sound like.

To me the AB comp sounds like the best method to evaluate this therory. Very interesting....been wondering myself. 

[Tim]

because I trust my ears to recognize the difference between what my mics sound like with and without windscreens. I've run windscreens indoors on occasion and never noticed a difference. I haven't done a direct sit down blind a/b but I trust my ears, you don't have to, but I certainly do

[LeftoverSammy]

because I trust my ears to recognize the difference between what my mics sound like with and without windscreens. I've run windscreens indoors on occasion and never noticed a difference. I haven't done a direct sit down blind a/b but I trust my ears, you don't have to, but I certainly do

Ahh, golden ears. I see....just curious is this with SD or LD mics?

LoS

[mmedley.]

I can most certainly tell the difference when using the 4v's. I use the B5 screens. It is fairly noticable in the higher frequencies to my ears. I rarely run the screens for this reason...even outdoors unless it is absolutely necessary. Call me crazy. YMMV.

[nic]

I can most certainly tell the difference when using the 4v's. I use the B5 screens. It is fairly noticable in the higher frequencies to my ears. I rarely run the screens for this reason...even outdoors unless it is absolutely necessary. Call me crazy. YMMV.

have you tried the DPA screens?

maybe the sonic artifacts are resulting from the Schoeps windscreen design   
the only thing I have noticed with the DPA screens is very slight change in level, like 2db or so, but I couldnt tell you if it was only affecting a certan frequency range

[alienbobz]

Anyone wanna run a blind comp?

sure!  The Pageant here in St. Louis is a pretty open room.  Smoke issues would be minimal.  I'll do set one with the screens and set 2 without.  the real question here is.....will i remember to do so?

i run tl's and will be using the windscreens supplied by ADK.

Any update on this? I would definately like to see if there is a difference.

[Brian Skalinder]

I'll do set one with the screens and set 2 without. the real question here is.....will i remember to do so?

Any update on this? I would definately like to see if there is a difference.

If STL didn't run the comp, you have the gear and can run one.  Set up your mics in front of your home stereo.  Play the same song back, at the same volume, with the same settings on all your gear - both with and without windscreens.  Then give it a listen.

[alienbobz]

Thinking about doing that either today or tomorrow. Just wanted to if STL came up with his conclusions after the test.

[alienbobz]

Just did the test. Seems to be a little difference between with and without the mics but not that bad. Could be wrong though (my ears may not be as tuned as others). Ran the mics about 10' from stereo, DIN, 5'.

Edit: Can someone host the clips for me? I can't get geocities to.