Topic: Windscreens for small diameter condenser microphones?

[Chuck]

A few years ago I did my own informal testing and determined that the Shure A7WS A81WS sounded the most natural to me for windy outdoor recording.
I thought at the time that they sounded more natural than the DPA UA0896.

But, I've been thinking about this again and wonder if there is any definitive information online about windscreens. Like, which ones work the best and sound the best.

I'd love to save some space in my gear bag if there are windscreens that work as well as the Shure A7WS A81WS but don't take up so much space.




Edited to fix part number error.

[Gutbucket]

Is the A7WS what is refered to around here as the 'big-ass shure' (B.A.S.)?

I've not come across a comparison between various foam screens, although some manufacturers list test figures for rumble reduction and also frequency attenuation at something like 15kHz.  Since the primary negative of foam screens is attenuated highs, I suspect the prefered screens will be dependant on the response of the microphone.  I use the B.A.S. on the MG M94s which have a pretty strong diffuse-field type peak up top- it's sort of like EQing that down to a flatter response curve.

I did come across an interesting paper years ago by Jorge Wuttke and posted about it at TS before in another windscreen tread a few years back, probably with a link to the paper.  If I can find it again I'll post a link here.  In it he discusses wind protection, how and why various approaches work, their problems and advantages, etc.  His conclusions as I recall were more generic than what you are probably looking for, suggesting the superiority of foam over basket-style screens in sonic terms (mostly due to the isotropic nature of the foam creating no internal reflections from a supporting basket or outer cover), as long as the wind rumble reduction of the foam screen is sufficient to stop the wind noise.

It was intersting to learn that besides attenuating highs (which he says is more or less completely and transparently reversible with an inverse EQ boost), foam screens actually change the polar pattern of directional mics somewhat by reducing the velocity component of the sound waves reaching the capsule.  That doesn't effect true single-diaphram pressure omnis of course.

[darby]

Chuck,
are you sure about the Shure model number?
I have the A81WS, which has a smaller diameter opening than the A7WS

[F.O.Bean]

Yea I have the a81ws screens. 2 pair actually. They are the most natural sounding to me!

[Chuck]

Darby, you are right. Thanks! I had the wrong Shure part #.

I fixed the first post.

[MIQ]

I did come across an interesting paper years ago by Jorge Wuttke and posted about it at TS before in another windscreen tread a few years back, probably with a link to the paper.  If I can find it again I'll post a link here.  In it he discusses wind protection, how and why various approaches work, their problems and advantages, etc.  His conclusions as I recall were more generic than what you are probably looking for, suggesting the superiority of foam over basket-style screens in sonic terms (mostly due to the isotropic nature of the foam creating no internal reflections from a supporting basket or outer cover), as long as the wind rumble reduction of the foam screen is sufficient to stop the wind noise.

It was intersting to learn that besides attenuating highs (which he says is more or less completely and transparently reversible with an inverse EQ boost), foam screens actually change the polar pattern of directional mics somewhat by reducing the velocity component of the sound waves reaching the capsule.  That doesn't effect true single-diaphram pressure omnis of course.

Lee, I think you are refering to "Microphones and Wind" - Jorg Wuttke AES 1992.  Like you noted, he shows some interesting freq response graphs showing how whack the high freq (>5kHZ) response gets due to reflections when using a basket type wind screen.  Some of the benefit of the basket style design (enclosed volume of air around the capsuel) can be gotten, without the reflections, by using a foam screen that has a small open area around the capsule ("hollow foam").  The basket design definitely works better at low freq (<200Hz).

This DPA article has some similar stuff with an obvious nod to their WINDPAC product.  http://soundsofnewmexico.com/PDF_Files/Microphones,_High_Wind_and_Rain_(DM02992)_(DPA).pdf

-MIQ

[Gutbucket]

That's the one.

Some of the benefit of the basket style design (enclosed volume of air around the capsuel) can be gotten, without the reflections, by using a foam screen that has a small open area around the capsule ("hollow foam").

I expect the double density foam design of the Shure A81WS with the more open foam on the inside around the capsule operates somewhat in that way.

[axomxa]

Most natural and the most protective also.  I too have two pair for outdoors. Recorded the outdoor moe set at Killington a couple of weeks ago in pretty good gusts (and snow) with zero distortion.  Can be cumbersome but for festies I carry the B. A. B. (bag) to go with the B. A. S.     

[John Willett]

All windscreens work in basically the same way - by making a volume of still air around the microphone.

The larger the volume. the better the wind protection.

It's basically as simple as that.

So - a smaller windshield would not be better than a larger one.

But, with foam windshields, the sound refracts within the foam - to these can colour the sound more.  This is why some better foam windshields are two layer with the inner layer being a more coarse foam so the sound does nor refract and colour the sound so much.  But these are obviously more expensive than a simple and cheap windshield.

[haftodo]

How do you store or carry your Shure A81ws windscreen without crushing them?   I just got some and was a surprised at the size
-haf

[flipp]

I use a PortaBrace CP Pouch clipped to the side of my bag to carry my A81s. Also good for the Rycote Softies though only one pair of each will fit in the pouch. Others use the smaller coffee "cans" for storage, the 11.3 oz/320gr size is the best fit.

I'll try to get some pics posted tomorrow.

[F.O.Bean]

How do you store or carry your Shure A81ws windscreen without crushing them?   I just got some and was a surprised at the size
-haf

I have a fanny pack for each setup. They fit perfectly in those IMO

[haftodo]

I use a PortaBrace CP Pouch clipped to the side of my bag to carry my A81s. Also good for the Rycote Softies though only one pair of each will fit in the pouch. Others use the smaller coffee "cans" for storage, the 11.3 oz/320gr size is the best fit.

------------------------------------------------------------
I like the porta brace, but coffee cans are a great idea.  I have a 10oz cafe bustelo can and it fits pretty well.  The foam sticks up just a hair but with the plastic cap it works fine.

Do you think the smell of coffee will help the screen perform better 

[Hypnocracy]

How do you store or carry your Shure A81ws windscreen without crushing them?   I just got some and was a surprised at the size
-haf

I use two small 10oz Folgers Plastic jars...the lid is secure and has not degraded with multiple openings and closings...fit is perfect just a bit larger than the Big Ass Shure

[time will tell]

How do you determine the proper windscreen for the mic that you have? I have the busman bsc-1's and I am not sure how to go about getting the proper windscreen for them. Is the inside diameter pretty constant for samll diameter microphone windscreens?

It would be nice if I could walk into a store and size it up easily. It seems that nobody stocks windscreens in the store.

[F.O.Bean]

How do you determine the proper windscreen for the mic that you have? I have the busman bsc-1's and I am not sure how to go about getting the proper windscreen for them. Is the inside diameter pretty constant for samll diameter microphone windscreens?

It would be nice if I could walk into a store and size it up easily. It seems that nobody stocks windscreens in the store.

Bigass shures will fit the busmans. So will the large dpas

[time will tell]

Nice. Just ordered them. Thank you.

[jeromejello]

any tips to un crush a wind screen?  like in 24 hours?

just found my dpas under my 722. 

[T140V]

I need some new windscreens for my AKG 460's, lost my old ones dang it. Are these A81ws the best way to go or are there other options as well...thanks!

[Gutbucket]

any tips to un crush a wind screen?  like in 24 hours?

just found my dpas under my 722.

Leave 'em out unpacked and they should re-expand, unless so old they should be retired anyway before turning to dust and contaminating the mics.

Might help speed up the process by tumbling them in a clothes drier as long as you can run it with it without heat. 

[F.O.Bean]

any tips to un crush a wind screen?  like in 24 hours?

just found my dpas under my 722.

Leave 'em out unpacked and they should re-expand, unless so old they should be retired anyway before turning to dust and contaminating the mics.

Might help speed up the process by tumbling them in a clothes drier as long as you can run it with it without heat. 

Yea i ALWAYS crush my bigass shures during the summer. I just let them sit out and they always go back to their original shape!

[fotoralf.be]

Just a few general remarks from someone doing soundscape recordings, mostly outside around industrial sites and often close to the sea:

- Omnis are far less susceptible to wind noise than directional mics.

- Directional mics (pressure gradient transducers) need a windshield with an open volume inside in order to de-correlate low-frequency wind rumble while omnis (pressure transducers) don't.

- A thin layer of faux fur does more than centimeters of foam. I use smaller foams with an added layer of fur.

- Large-diaphragm mics are easier to tame than small diaphragm, supposedly because of the volume of air already contained inside the grille.

BTW, the article by Joerg Wuttke is "J. Wuttke, Microphones and Wind, Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, Vol. 40, No. 10, October 1992, page 809 - 817". There's a German version that can be downloaded on Schoeps' website. Maybe you could try to crank it through one of the online translation engines.

Ralf

[DigiGal]

Bumping thread for picture of the big Shure's in the Portabrace CP Pouch.

I think I paid $15.00 for mine a couple of years ago so deals are out there if you are patient. 

Here is a photo of my Big Shure Windscreens with the tbrown dead muppets on them as in the CP Clip On Divider Pouch to demonstrate the fit.

[JimmieC]

Thanks for the picture.  This is the same bag, yes?  Not too expensive.  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=65568&is=REG&A=details&Q=

Didn't know I would need a bag for some windscreens, just got a pair of big Shures .  Figured the foam would pop back into place quickly but sounds like it takes some time.  Side note, I may get to use them for the first time this weekend at a free festival in a local park.  Guess for now I'll pack them at the top of the bag.

[flipp]

Thanks for the picture.  This is the same bag, yes?  Not too expensive.  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=65568&is=REG&A=details&Q=

yes, that's the one and it's also at a pretty good discount from msrp - which b&h was showing it priced at last time I checked (which was a few years ago)

DigiGal thanks for posting a pic since my lazy ass never took/posted any.

[DigiGal]

Thanks for the picture.  This is the same bag, yes?  Not too expensive.  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=65568&is=REG&A=details&Q=

yes, that's the one and it's also at a pretty good discount from msrp - which b&h was showing it priced at last time I checked (which was a few years ago)

DigiGal thanks for posting a pic since my lazy ass never took/posted any.

Yes that's it, Amazon's currently got them for $17.39 and with free shipping on orders over $25.00.  I'm quite sure it was $15.00 a couple of years ago so an increase of a couple of dollars is to be expected.  Sometimes Amazon's prices fluctuate during the day and/or week so it might go lower from them if you keep an eye on it for a while before ordering.

http://www.amazon.com/Portabrace-CP-Clip--Divider-Pouch/dp/B0010C455I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381255254&sr=8-1&keywords=portabrace+cp

[F.O.Bean]

Thanks for the pics digigal

[DigiGal]

I'm thinking of cutting off the metal zipper pull tab and replacing it with a nylon string loop clipped into a plastic cap.  This would eliminate the tinkle tinkle sound the metal zipper pull makes as the pouch is moved and jiggled during transport.

[pohaku]

Or you could plasti dip the pull tab.

[DigiGal]

Or you could plasti dip the pull tab.

Hey thanks for that, lacking plasti dip I'll give heat shrink tubing a try. 

[flipp]

I'm thinking of cutting off the metal zipper pull tab and replacing it with a nylon string loop clipped into a plastic cap.  This would eliminate the tinkle tinkle sound the metal zipper pull makes as the pouch is moved and jiggled during transport.

Or you could plasti dip the pull tab.

Hey thanks for that, lacking plasti dip I'll give heat shrink tubing a try. 

don't forget every tapers' staple - gaffers tape

[Church-Audio]

The best windscreens are made by windtech they are carved from foam blocks not injection molded. there is a huge difference in the way they work. Windtech also does the oem design and builds for companies like shure.

[DigiGal]

The best windscreens are made by windtech they are carved from foam blocks not injection molded. there is a huge difference in the way they work. Windtech also does the oem design and builds for companies like shure.

I do have windtech foam and mic muff's for my shotgun mics but I like the size and dual densities of foam used on the Big Shure's for sdc's, do you happen to know if these are oem design made by windtech? 

[Church-Audio]

The best windscreens are made by windtech they are carved from foam blocks not injection molded. there is a huge difference in the way they work. Windtech also does the oem design and builds for companies like shure.

I do have windtech foam and mic muff's for my shotgun mics but I like the size and dual densities of foam used on the Big Shure's for sdc's, do you happen to know if these are oem design made by windtech?

I would bet they are. They will probably not tell you though And it would be an exclusive item made by them for Shure.

Chris

[DigiGal]

I'm thinking of cutting off the metal zipper pull tab and replacing it with a nylon string loop clipped into a plastic cap.  This would eliminate the tinkle tinkle sound the metal zipper pull makes as the pouch is moved and jiggled during transport.

Or you could plasti dip the pull tab.

Hey thanks for that, lacking plasti dip I'll give heat shrink tubing a try. 

don't forget every tapers' staple - gaffers tape

I did put heat shrink on it which has reduced the sound and may be enough to quiet it down.  Gaffer tape could work but if the sound is still annoying I'll just go with my first thought using the replacement pictured below. Only thing once the old one is cut off then it can't go back on. 



I have used different colors of heat shrink on zipper tabs before for color coding purposes to distinguish contents between my assorted portabrace stuff sacks.  For instance the blue covered tab on this one is reserved for my Blueline Active cables...

[John Willett]

The best windscreens are made by windtech they are carved from foam blocks not injection molded. there is a huge difference in the way they work. Windtech also does the oem design and builds for companies like shure.

There is nothing special about carving from a foam block - this is normal.

Foam windshields *have* to be carved from foam blocks - everyone does it this way.

You need open-cell foam for a windshield and if you mould it you seal up the foam and the windshield won't work.

Every good windshield manufacturer I know does it this way.

All the manufacturers do it this way - some of the better ones are dual layer foam with a finer foam on the outside and a courser on on the inside, as the fewer bubbles the less colouration occurs (the Sennheiser MZW 8000 is a dual-layer one like this).

[Church-Audio]

The best windscreens are made by windtech they are carved from foam blocks not injection molded. there is a huge difference in the way they work. Windtech also does the oem design and builds for companies like shure.

There is nothing special about carving from a foam block - this is normal.

Foam windshields *have* to be carved from foam blocks - everyone does it this way.

You need open-cell foam for a windshield and if you mould it you seal up the foam and the windshield won't work.

Every good windshield manufacturer I know does it this way.

All the manufacturers do it this way - some of the better ones are dual layer foam with a finer foam on the outside and a courser on on the inside, as the fewer bubbles the less colouration occurs (the Sennheiser MZW 8000 is a dual-layer one like this).

I beg to differ most windscreens are injection molded and not carved on Lethe. That's an expensive and material wasting process. it's much cheaper to injection mold except the cells are not as open. All of the windscreens from china are injection molded. I don't know how they do it but they are.

[audBall]

What's the effective porosity of injection-molded vs. lathe cut? 

[Church-Audio]

What's the effective porosity of injection-molded vs. lathe cut? 

I have no idea all I know is from my conversations with the owner of windtech. He tells me he uses a no heat process that eliminates any fusing of the foam cells so that there is no unnecessary sound blockage. One thing is for sure not all foam is the same and it pays to spend a few more bucks for quality windscreens.

[John Willett]

The best windscreens are made by windtech they are carved from foam blocks not injection molded. there is a huge difference in the way they work. Windtech also does the oem design and builds for companies like shure.

There is nothing special about carving from a foam block - this is normal.

Foam windshields *have* to be carved from foam blocks - everyone does it this way.

You need open-cell foam for a windshield and if you mould it you seal up the foam and the windshield won't work.

Every good windshield manufacturer I know does it this way.

All the manufacturers do it this way - some of the better ones are dual layer foam with a finer foam on the outside and a courser on on the inside, as the fewer bubbles the less colouration occurs (the Sennheiser MZW 8000 is a dual-layer one like this).

I beg to differ most windscreens are injection molded and not carved on Lethe. That's an expensive and material wasting process. it's much cheaper to injection mold except the cells are not as open. All of the windscreens from china are injection molded. I don't know how they do it but they are.

OK - I take your word for it - I only have experience of quality windshields all of which are cut and not moulded (these would be manufacturer originals from quality manufacturers, and companies like Rycote and Schulze-Brakel).

[Gutbucket]

Anyone have leads on windscreens for miniature 'shotgun' style mics?

Looking for outdoor capable screens for DPA 4098H miniaure directionals.  The portion of the mic which needs screen protection is ~1-1/2" long X 7/32" in diameter (or just under 1/4").  I called DPA but they have nothing appropriate and had no sugestions.

I need to find something pretty quickly for use in about a week.

[flipp]

Pink foam curlers from the 50s/60s are the only thing that springs to mind quickly.

Have you checked out teh Rycote softies to see if they have something with that size hole? The opening is extremely flexible, and also quite grippy, so if they list a softie with a 1/4"  or so hole I would think it would probably work. Looks like they don't have anything that small. Would something for one of the Audix mini-mics fit?

[Gutbucket]

Hair curlers! That gives me an alternate idea.  Plastic mesh-basket type curlers could be pressed into service as DIY basket screens supporting a fur cover.   I have fur material on hand already.  Time for a dollar store trip for curlers and resulting odd looks as I hold the foam ones up to my ears if they have those.  I know they have the plastic basket type.

Rycote lists a 4cm mini softie #033003 specifically for the DPA 4098, yet searching a few vendor sites no one has them in stock, and many of their softies I can find for slighly larger mics all seem to list around $120 and have a ~2week lead time.  I don't have that long and don't want to drop $240 for a pair.

[DigiGal]

Speaking of mesh-basket type, how do Rycote Baby Ball windscreens with Rycote Windjammers compare with the BIG Shure's for small diaphragm condensers???  Like all things Rycote they are expensive but surely they're built to last a lifetime, at least they wouldn't deteriorate like foam does with age.  There's a set of baskets in the yard sale for 21mm diameter mics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cq30e2UUJo#t=368

   

[Massive Dynamic]

Anyone have leads on windscreens for miniature 'shotgun' style mics?

Looking for outdoor capable screens for DPA 4098H miniaure directionals.  The portion of the mic which needs screen protection is ~1-1/2" long X 7/32" in diameter (or just under 1/4").  I called DPA but they have nothing appropriate and had no sugestions.

I need to find something pretty quickly for use in about a week.

Have you considered the AT8117? Perhaps a hair large for the 4098? Here's an old post of mine when I had them.

Just got my AT8117 windscreens and thought I'd post some more info.  They are serious in size, though I have still to do some tests to determine how well they work.  Here's the size comparison AT8102 vs AT8117.
AT8102: 2" long, 1" diameter, mic opening, 3/8", mic insertion depth over 1"
AT8117: 3" long, 2" diameter, mic opening 5/16", mic insertion depth 2 1/2"
The foam material of the AT8102 is softer than the stiffer AT8117.  The AT8117 is oval in shape vs the cylindrical shape of the DPA 0896.

The Audix 1290 fits nicely in either of the AT windscreens, but I won't know how well they attenuate wind rumble until after I do some field testing.  Thought I would pass along some of my legwork to other micros owners.
Price from Full Compass is @ $7.74 (special order), B&H and SP are both higher.

[Gutbucket]

Have you considered the AT8117? Perhaps a hair large for the 4098?
[snip]
AT8117: 3" long, 2" diameter, mic opening 5/16", mic insertion depth 2 1/2"

That could be a good option, thanks.

Speaking of mesh-basket type, how do Rycote Baby Ball windscreens with Rycote Windjammers compare with the BIG Shure's for small diaphragm condensers???

Good question.  I've wondered the same.
5 years ago I made some DIY baby balls using plastic mesh snap-together embroidery balls.  Found I didn't really need them for the omnis I was using them on and didn't bother developing it further with fur covers, etc.  The primary problem I had was figuring a way of keeping the ball centered around the mic, with the mic element at the center of the ball.  How is that done with the Rycote Baby Ball? Does it simply rely on the stiffness of the rubber grommet collar around the mic body or is there an elastic suspension inside?

The DIY version-












Funny, I mentioned plastic hair culers in the same thread and forgot about that.  Probably still have a package of them in the bottom of the recording junk box.

[Chuck]

Hmmm... I still have a pair of (ball gag type) MBHO MB 115 No. 99-8055 http://www.mbho.de/pdf/accessories.pdf (bottom right of the page). I used to use them with my Josephson mics back in the early 90's They don't quite fit on any of the mics I have now, so I haven't used them in a while. But, with a little sanding on the ID of those things, I may be able to make them work with my current mics. I remember they used to work really well when I did use them back in the day.

[tgakidis]

Here is my DIY Blimp from a few years back.  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=110851.msg1480061#msg1480061

[DigiGal]

How is that done with the Rycote Baby Ball? Does it simply rely on the stiffness of the rubber grommet collar around the mic body or is there an elastic suspension inside?

From these images it looks like Rycote relies entirely on the stiffness of the rubber grommet for sdc's...

 

[DigiGal]

Here is my DIY Blimp from a few years back.  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=110851.msg1480061#msg1480061

Thanks Ted, are you still using them and how well did they work compared to Big Shure's?

[tgakidis]

Here is my DIY Blimp from a few years back.  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=110851.msg1480061#msg1480061

Thanks Ted, are you still using them and how well did they work compared to Big Shure's?

I used them once along time ago with good results.  I should dust them off for next festival season.

[flipp]

Funny, I mentioned plastic hair culers in the same thread and forgot about that.  Probably still have a package of them in the bottom of the recording junk box.

I recalled someone had mentioned curlers before but couldn't recall who and I'm too lazy to spend much/any time searching. Glad  the mention rang a bell.

I do miss the old days of lots of folks doing DIY and especially the pictorial documentation/tutorials that often accompanied the various projects. While I've attempted a few DIY projects I never took pics, which is probably a good thing as most were either outright failures or very crude, if effective, contraptions.

[DigiGal]

I do miss the old days of lots of folks doing DIY and especially the pictorial documentation/tutorials that often accompanied the various projects. While I've attempted a few DIY projects I never took pics, which is probably a good thing as most were either outright failures or very crude, if effective, contraptions.

flipp, In case you missed it take a look a Chucks recent DIY...

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=164894.0

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=2457.msg2062065#msg2062065

http://www.timebetweenthenotes.com/review_shockmount.html

[adrianf74]

Bumping thread for picture of the big Shure's in the Portabrace CP Pouch.

I think I paid $15.00 for mine a couple of years ago so deals are out there if you are patient. 

Here is a photo of my Big Shure Windscreens with the tbrown dead muppets on them as in the CP Clip On Divider Pouch to demonstrate the fit.

Running out of room in my Nova 4 (now that I'm adding PFA Actives and a 60D into the mix).   Would this Divider Pouch work properly with DPA UA0896's with dead rats on?  I actually need room for four -- unless somebody can suggest another idea.  TIA.

[F.O.Bean]

Adrian, I use the 1980s hip huggers[cant recall the geeky name for them] and each one holds [2] BAS! And I have them tied to the handles of my gear bags!

[Gutbucket]

Forgot to report back on the results of quick DPA 4098 windscreen search I was on a couple months back. 

I ended up going the hair-curler route, but used open-cell foam ones instead of adapting the basket type with a furry cover.  In the bottom of my recording junk box I found an unopened package of 8 of them I had bought at the Dollar Tree discount store that were the perfect size, removed the plastic clips from them and found that they slipped perfectly over the 1-1/2" long interference tubes of the mics. 

Did a quick recording test listening for response differences and satisfied with that, I sprayed a few of them with silicone water repellent I bought to treat my camping gear, which doesn't make them water-proof but does help keep rain mist or other moisture from saturating them as easily as it would an untreated foam windscreen. I cut a small plug of foam from another one to fill the hole in the open end.  Quick, easy and effective, and a steal at 8 for a dollar (well, make that 7 for a dollar since one got sacrificed for fashioning small foam end plugs).  I may make some dead animal covers that I can slip over these for when the wind is more severe, but they did the job nicely.  The diameter of the hole in these would probably also work well on DPA 406x, Countryman B3, or other similar diameter small mics, if one needed something a bit larger than the typical mini omni foams.

In the photos below, the foam curler windscreens are the barrel shaped things on the end of the shorter arms.  The small screens at the end of the long arms are actual DPA 406x foam screens for the omnis, and although those windscreens are much smaller, the omnis are a great deal less wind noise susceptible and those are usually sufficient in the conditions in which I'm recording.

[John Willett]

How is that done with the Rycote Baby Ball? Does it simply rely on the stiffness of the rubber grommet collar around the mic body or is there an elastic suspension inside?

From these images it looks like Rycote relies entirely on the stiffness of the rubber grommet for sdc's...

 

Yes - but it's rather more than a "rubber grommet".

It is extended inside the baby ball gag to minimise it twisting off axis.

I have one for my Soundfield SPS200.

[Gutbucket]

Thanks John, I can see that now.   Do you know how its fitted to smaller diameter microphone bodies?  Is there an adapter of some sort or is the ball itself offered with few different diameter openings?  I've wondered about one for the Tetramic, but its smaller than the SPS2000, with a body that is maybe 3/8" in diameter or so.  I also wonder about using it side-address and if the solid snap-together interfacing surface of each half of the basket which together bisect the ball right at the horizontal equator is any concern in that orientation.

[John Willett]

Thanks John, I can see that now.   Do you know how its fitted to smaller diameter microphone bodies?  Is there an adapter of some sort or is the ball itself offered with few different diameter openings?  I've wondered about one for the Tetramic, but its smaller than the SPS2000, with a body that is maybe 3/8" in diameter or so.  I also wonder about using it side-address and if the solid snap-together interfacing surface of each half of the basket which together bisect the ball right at the horizontal equator is any concern in that orientation.

There are several versions of the Baby Ball Gag - for 19/21mm, 22/23mm and 25mm diameter mics.  The Soundfield SPS200 one was a special for SOundfield.

However, I think the Tetramic body is so thin that you would need something to make it larger.

Talk to Rycote in person - they are very helpful and would be able to do you a special if it's at al possible.

[F.O.Bean]

I would LOVE to have a ball gag, but since I run just my capsules/actives on my stand, it would never work. Not enough room on the capsules BUT, I have been using BigAss Shures for almost 15 years, and I have only had wind ruin MAYBE 2 recordings Some phasing, yes, but certainly not wind noise. And the phasing is only audible between songs I wish Rycote made an "active" version so tapers like me could use the ball gag!!!