Topic: Running mics in plastic wrap/plastic bags? {rain content}

[acidjack]

Saturday's outdoor show has an increasing chance of rain.  Stand umbrellas will be used, but if the rain is really bad, we all know that might not be enough.

I swear I've read on here before about people actually wrapping their mics in plastic wrap or throwing them inside a plastic sandwich bag for added rain protection.  IIRC some folks did that at a Phish NY show a year or two ago. 

The idea sounds crazy to me, in terms of ruining the sound, but I can't say I've tried it.  For those that have, do you have links to stuff on the LMA or something so I could hear it for myself?

[StuStu]

I know people have run with condoms covering their mics. It was discussed here a few years back.

[Craig T]

I know people have run with condoms covering their mics. It was discussed here a few years back.

this ^^  obviously use the non-lubed version.

[tim in jersey]

Extra points if you run French Ticklers...

[aaronji]

Somebody here (Javier Cinakowski?) recommends large finger cots for SDCs.  Depending on your age, you may be familiar with these from various unpleasant medical procedures...

[Todd R]

My recollections are vague, but I remember playing around with baggies and saran wrap in my living room many years back, and didn't like  the results I got at all.

I think an umbrella placed just a few inches above the mics (with big windscreens like the Shure A81WS's) gives all the protection you need, unless you have a serious deluge with winds swirling. In which case, throw some baggies over them and hope for the best, or put bags over them until the weather subsides and don't even tape.

Better yet, perfect time to use those AT3031's -- that was my original intention in getting them, use them as mics you're not that invested in when you're taping outdoors and you expect seriously bad weather.

[acidjack]

My recollections are vague, but I remember playing around with baggies and saran wrap in my living room many years back, and didn't like  the results I got at all.

I think an umbrella placed just a few inches above the mics (with big windscreens like the Shure A81WS's) gives all the protection you need, unless you have a serious deluge with winds swirling. In which case, throw some baggies over them and hope for the best, or put bags over them until the weather subsides and don't even tape.

Better yet, perfect time to use those AT3031's -- that was my original intention in getting them, use them as mics you're not that invested in when you're taping outdoors and you expect seriously bad weather.

Oh, the 3031s will be in the bag for sure.  BTW, I really like them.  A totally underrated mic and perfect for that need.  I ran them onstage at a venue that would make doing so with more expensive mics a questionable move.  Sounded great.

[thunderbolt]

Better yet, perfect time to use those AT3031's -- that was my original intention in getting them, use them as mics you're not that invested in when you're taping outdoors and you expect seriously bad weather.

^^^^^^^^^^^
This.  I used my Avantone CK-1s in bad weather on Friday, and while I'd not run anything in a deluge, at least I'm out a lot less shekels compared to my more expensive mics if the rain damaged them.

[SmokinJoe]

At Gathering of the Vibes last weekend it rained all day on Friday.  I ran with an umbrella fairly low... the mics were probably 1 or 2" below the rim, and well centered, so in theory they still had a straight shot to the PA, but unless it rained sideways, water from the sky shouldn't hit the caps directly.  At the end of the day, the windscreens still felt dry to the touch.

My gut feeling is that cheap mics in the open will sound better than expensive mics with baggies.  I think 4061's would be a good choice in the rain... they tell you clean them by rinsing in distilled water.  It says if they get them completely waterlogged they will become "deaf" but aren't damaged.
http://www.bfm.ee/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/DPA-Microphone-capsules.pdf

[acidjack]

Well, I ended up picking up an umbrella set from Amazon, which wasn't a bad deal - $40 or so for three umbrellas, a mount, and a free mic stand.  I already had a manfrotto umbrella mount, so two of us could use these on our stands.  We ran our regular gear with the umbrellas.  It poured at one point during the show, for about 25min.  The rain was coming straight down, and the umbrellas worked perfectly.  Mics were nice and dry, no baggies necessary.  If it had been that nasty kind of more horizontal rain, we'd probably have had to pull down, but as it was, it worked out OK. 

I can find the link to this set if ppl are interested.  These umbrellas are for camera lights, and are a bit bigger than the umbrellas Ted used to sell.  The mount that came with them was nice and easy to use, too. 

[mccordo]

Well, I ended up picking up an umbrella set from Amazon, which wasn't a bad deal - $40 or so for three umbrellas, a mount, and a free mic stand. ...

I can find the link to this set if ppl are interested.  These umbrellas are for camera lights, and are a bit bigger than the umbrellas Ted used to sell.  The mount that came with them was nice and easy to use, too.

I'd really like to get that link if you find it.  I don't have an umbrella at the moment, and this sounds like something that would fit my needs.  Thanks in advance!

[adrianf74]

Well, I ended up picking up an umbrella set from Amazon, which wasn't a bad deal - $40 or so for three umbrellas, a mount, and a free mic stand.  I already had a manfrotto umbrella mount, so two of us could use these on our stands.  We ran our regular gear with the umbrellas.  It poured at one point during the show, for about 25min.  The rain was coming straight down, and the umbrellas worked perfectly.  Mics were nice and dry, no baggies necessary.  If it had been that nasty kind of more horizontal rain, we'd probably have had to pull down, but as it was, it worked out OK. 

I can find the link to this set if ppl are interested.  These umbrellas are for camera lights, and are a bit bigger than the umbrellas Ted used to sell.  The mount that came with them was nice and easy to use, too.

Definitely could be useful to many of us (including myself) for the times when rolling open.   Please post or PM if you can.  TIA.

[acidjack]

Here's a link to the full kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HR0M4Q/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00 
$41.99 for three umbrellas, mount and stand. I haven't played with the stand yet, but I figure I'll either find a use for it or throw it in the YS. It's a 7-footer and very compact, so useful as an FOB stand if nothing else.

[F.O.Bean]

I would NEVER put plastic bags/condoms over my mics WHILE THEY WERE RECORDING. At moedown last year, it rained so hard they stopped the music for a few hrs. During this time I put a large garbage bag over the tree of mics on my stand, but would NEVER do that while recording audio

[andromedanwarmachine]

the bags/condoms thing is the kind of thing used regularly for a cheap hydrophone setup for recording underwater.

You're dealing more with induction through a medium there rather there acoustic transfer through a gas obviously.

I think depending on the levels your dealing with (in the air!) it might be fine!

JimP