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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: phishn on December 28, 2003, 10:52:38 AM

Title: Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: phishn on December 28, 2003, 10:52:38 AM
Should windscreens always be used in or outdoors?  And if so, do they affect the quality of the recording?  I have read references to windscreens protecting the mics from smoke, ac systems, and shock if someone knocks your rig down and the mics hit the floor cap first.  I'm debating if I should always use them or not.  My mics are AKG 391's and I have the stock windscreens that come with them.  One last question.. Do the screens go all the way in touching the mic caps or should room be left between the front of the cap and end of the windscreen?
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: rabhan on December 28, 2003, 11:34:22 AM
i agree with moke, and practice the same principles of ws art!
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: F.O.Bean on December 28, 2003, 12:06:46 PM
 You don't want the screens pulled on "all the way" tight.
Quote

mok3, why not?? if theyre on "all the way", that IS creating a dead space in the screen....right??
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: BCostigan on December 28, 2003, 12:43:12 PM
I've read that windscreens do affect the sound quality...not much mind you but....where did I read that? ???
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: nickgregory on December 28, 2003, 12:46:31 PM
I would never not use them....even if I do sacrifice a minor amount of sound, at least I am protecting my investment in mics from smoke that is so prevalent at some of these venues.
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: Swampy on December 28, 2003, 12:52:04 PM
Ya, always use screens, inside and out. Its just a good habit to be in. I also have read that there should be air between the screen and mic...
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: phishn on December 28, 2003, 03:37:32 PM
And if so, do they affect the quality of the recording?
 

A good set of w.screens should not affect your recording.

Are the ones that come with the mics considered a good set?  And if the sound is altered by the use...how?  does it muffle highs?
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: thinkbig on December 28, 2003, 07:12:12 PM
I use :

outside :

 DPA ua0896  ( 19mm dia )

inside :

 DPA ua0020  ( 19 mm )


the 0896's are the standard for outside

Jeff
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 28, 2003, 07:13:47 PM
the 0896's are the standard for outside

Except for all those people running Shure A81WS, IMO a better option for outdoors.
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: John R on December 28, 2003, 09:22:53 PM
dpa 896 inside
shure 81 outside

made the mistake of not running with screens at mule 9:30 on the 26th, bummer.  so much smoke.  ran them last night, less smoke, but the ac was on for some reason.  glad i ran them.

jr
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: nickgregory on December 28, 2003, 10:49:56 PM
the 0896's are the standard for outside

Except for all those people running Shure A81WS, IMO a better option for outdoors.

depends on the location...here in Raleigh, the DPAs are sufficient nine times out of ten....
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: sexymexi on December 29, 2003, 12:43:24 AM
i don't run them inside unless i'm by a vent or yes the lower volume music.  but i've done some with double windscreens and it has muffled the sound a bit..  

someday i'm gonna make a wind screen, using mic pop filter silk, and a wind screen, i was going to base it on the blimp windscreens in that i have an outer protection (the pop screen) which would reduce most of the wind, and under that have a space and then a smaller screen to reduce anything else that might be there.  when i do, i'll be sure to post pics, and maybe make some extra's and let you guys try them if you wish.  when i get all moved out, and back in,  i'll try and do that.  

matt
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: creekfreak on December 29, 2003, 09:08:12 PM
Now that you can no longer smoke in a lot of the areas I tape I have been using them less and less. I see no reason to use them if there are no a/c issues or smoke issues in doors. While a good pair of windsreens will not affect sound that much, I have noticed a difference, just not as bright with the screens on.
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: Arglebargle on December 29, 2003, 10:50:11 PM
I use them with my AKG 480s but not with my DPA 4060s.
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: Arglebargle on December 29, 2003, 11:29:01 PM
Actually they are Core Sounds HEBs, I asked for 4061s, and whoever sold me these things told me to get these 4060s instead because they have lower noise. I was told to use attenuators when the music is too loud. They work great for stealthing and I rarely even need the attenuators, but when I try to record on the stage if the music is too loud they sound awful!!!
Title: Re:Should windscreens always be used?
Post by: drewloo on December 30, 2003, 01:24:17 AM
I've read that windscreens do affect the sound quality...not much mind you but....where did I read that? ???

Yeah, manufacturers do sometimes spec the attenuation.  Here's one from Neumann:

"Wind Screens
Windscreen WNS 100

Close range sounds, wind, and fast movements of the microphone boom, all may cause interfering noises. To avoid these unwanted sounds, windscreen accessories are available.

Typically, they are made out of open-cell polyurethane foam. These windscreens do not cause interfering resonances and do not influence the directional pattern. Only in the upper frequency range is the output level slightly attenuated. The wind noise attenuation was measured without electrical filtering in a turbulent air stream traveling at 20 km/h, generated by a noiseless wind machine.

Windscreen for KM 100 and Series 180. Diameter is approx. 45 mm. Suppression of the wind noise approx. 18 dB. Attenuation at 15 kHz approx. 2 dB. Supplied with initial purchase of the microphone."  

Personally I can hear a difference between using them and not using them, but just barely.

Drew