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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: nolamule on March 12, 2016, 01:01:44 PM

Title: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: nolamule on March 12, 2016, 01:01:44 PM
Trying to decide on the BA Shures or a pair of Rycote Softies for outdoor festival use. I will be running them on the MK41 > KCY setup. Rycote's seems  little more versitle, not interested in the Movo or other light colored fur or slip-on options.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: voltronic on March 12, 2016, 01:45:03 PM
The Rode WS8 (http://www.rode.com/accessories/ws8) works great for me, and much cheaper than the Rycote option.

I can understand not wanting the white / gray Movo clone of the Softie, but Movo also makes a Super Softie clone that is all black:
http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM (http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM)
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: caymanreview on March 12, 2016, 02:26:41 PM
I really like the looks of those ws8's. Im gonna order a pair
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: nolamule on March 12, 2016, 03:15:47 PM
Do the BA Shures provide more protection than the rycote/rode fur options?
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: rocksuitcase on March 12, 2016, 06:13:12 PM
Do the BA Shures provide more protection than the rycote/rode fur options?
We use the Shure A81WS for our AKg 460 mics, I have not used the Rycote/rode's but I can say the Shures do a wonderful job. 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68646-REG/Shure_A81WS_A81WS_Windscreen_for.html/SHA81WS
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: adrianf74 on March 13, 2016, 08:36:33 AM
I've used the Rycote Softies (and DPA's UA0896 with dead rats) and the Softies did a nice job in a pretty windy environment with MK41's.  I'm the BA Shure's will do the trick as well.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: stevetoney on March 13, 2016, 09:18:51 AM
I have both the BAShures and Softies.  I haven't had an issue with either of them as far as the wind goes, so if price is your primary factor I'd probably go with the Shures because they're cheaper.  That said, I definitely prefer the softies.  The rear rubber seal is superior for ensuring the screen stays in place, which admittedly isn't much of an issue on the BAShures either but could be if you're using short mics, such as in the case of active setups.  I also like how I can throw them in my bag and even if they're packed in there, they spring right back to original shape immediately.  The Softies also excel when exposed to rain IMHO because the foam and fur material doesn't retain water.  After rain, just give it a squeeze and a shake to get any moisture out, then comb or fluff the fur and they're pretty much back to original again.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: dactylus on March 13, 2016, 10:48:56 AM
The Rode WS8 (http://www.rode.com/accessories/ws8) works great for me, and much cheaper than the Rycote option.

I can understand not wanting the white / gray Movo clone of the Softie, but Movo also makes a Super Softie clone that is all black:
http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM (http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM)

I like the looks of both of those options.  If you purchased the black Movo clone of the Super Softie would you recommend the 3m or 6cm version for Nbob actives of the Gefell/Schoeps variety and would you recommend the 3m or 6cm versionfor Milab VM-44 Links?

Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: voltronic on March 13, 2016, 12:47:03 PM
The Rode WS8 (http://www.rode.com/accessories/ws8) works great for me, and much cheaper than the Rycote option.

I can understand not wanting the white / gray Movo clone of the Softie, but Movo also makes a Super Softie clone that is all black:
http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM (http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM)

I like the looks of both of those options.  If you purchased the black Movo clone of the Super Softie would you recommend the 3m or 6cm version for Nbob actives of the Gefell/Schoeps variety and would you recommend the 3m or 6cm versionfor Milab VM-44 Links?

Well, I'd go with something no bigger than the WS8, as that is just the right size for my CM3s and X-Qs, and they are about the size of actives.  It's listed as compatible with the NT6 remote capsule mic.  The WS8 lists its dimensions as 100 x 100 x 100 mm, which I can tell you is just the outer furriness, but it also says:
Quote
The WS8 supports microphones of 20mm diameter and 27mm capsule depth.

Unfortunately, Movo has no documentation that the WS or WSTT screens even exist on their website - you only see them on Amazon.  From the 6cm version of the WS80 (white Softie clone) description:
Quote
The Movo WS80 fits microphones 18-24mm diameter and up to 6cm long

So transferring that to the WSTT (Super Softie clones), I would say go for the 6cm.  You want some air space in front of the capsule anyway, and if the 3cm turns out to be pretty short you may have to really shove it on there, resulting in worse performance and/or only being able to use it with omni capsules.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: dactylus on March 13, 2016, 01:06:05 PM
^
Thanks voltronic!
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: capnhook on March 13, 2016, 01:06:21 PM
I tried a pair of those Movo WS80 a couple of weekends ago in Miami, with 10-15 mph steady wind (20 mph gusts) coming off Biscayne Bay.

No wind in any of my recordings...I ran CM-300 NAK omni's spread 16' in a small outdoor pavilion.

Great product for the price.  They have earned their place in my gear bag;  I especially like the rubber base seals.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: nolamule on March 13, 2016, 03:59:32 PM
Do the Rode WS9 Deluxe fit the Schoeps caps with actives? I like the price! Also do they pack well into a bag?
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: voltronic on March 13, 2016, 06:36:18 PM
Do the Rode WS9 Deluxe fit the Schoeps caps with actives? I like the price! Also do they pack well into a bag?

The WS9 is made for mics that are 21mm diameter.  The WS8 (what I'm using) is for 20mm mics.  I doubt that 1mm is going to make much of a difference.  The WS8 is fur around open-cell foam with a rubber ring at the opening that grips against the mic body.  It doesn't "seal" like the Rycote Softie and the Movo clones, but I have had zero problems with wind noise leaking in.  The WS8s could be squished a bit, but I prefer to keep them un-squished in a vinyl banker's bag.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: capnhook on March 13, 2016, 08:58:47 PM
I tried a pair of those Movo WS80 a couple of weekends ago in Miami, with 10-15 mph steady wind (20 mph gusts) coming off Biscayne Bay.

No wind in any of my recordings...I ran CM-300 NAK omni's spread 16' in a small outdoor pavilion.

Great product for the price.  They have earned their place in my gear bag;  I especially like the rubber base seals.

I also run screens on my omni setups, but only for the odd, direct, strong gust that might ordinarily be inaudible (more or less) with an omni.

Believe me, there were gusts.....but none in my tapes all weekend.  Omnis are optimal in those conditions, of course.  I'm no dummy..
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: John Willett on March 14, 2016, 06:55:08 AM
The Rode WS8 (http://www.rode.com/accessories/ws8) works great for me, and much cheaper than the Rycote option.

I can understand not wanting the white / gray Movo clone of the Softie, but Movo also makes a Super Softie clone that is all black:
http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM (http://www.amazon.com/Movo-Professional-Windscreen-Technology-Microphones/dp/B00YHTUCQM)

But be aware that Rycote really *do*know the science behind wind protection and the hairy fabric that Rycote use is a very special design and used only by them.

I do know more about it's construction, but I'm not going to go into details on a public forum with details that have been given to me in confidence.  But the construction of Rycote's Windjammer fabric is designed to maximise the supression of wind noise while, at the same time, minimising high frequency loss and colouration.

Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: rocksuitcase on March 14, 2016, 12:36:23 PM
This thread is useless without pictures, eh?.....I agree  8)

What's the abbreviation for "Mics On Top Of Soundboard..?!
MOTSBD?  ;D
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: stevetoney on March 14, 2016, 12:52:27 PM
^ When it comes to tech notes, I don't particularly care about the mic height all that much except sometimes if there's some loud conversation heard on the recording you can confirm that the mics were at or not much above head height.  Sometimes it's nice to know the left/right orientation of the mics to the SBD since it can sometimes explain some misplaced imaging that's heard on the recording, but I don't usually give that information in my notes if the imaging is good on my recording.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: phil_er_up on March 15, 2016, 11:52:49 AM

The WS9 is made for mics that are 21mm diameter.  The WS8 (what I'm using) is for 20mm mics.  I doubt that 1mm is going to make much of a difference.  The WS8 is fur around open-cell foam with a rubber ring at the opening that grips against the mic body.  It doesn't "seal" like the Rycote Softie and the Movo clones, but I have had zero problems with wind noise leaking in.  The WS8s could be squished a bit, but I prefer to keep them un-squished in a vinyl banker's bag.

Have mics this size:

Microphone Length:
30mm (1.18in); 71mm (2.8in) (incl. connector)

Microphone diameter:
19mm (0.75in)

Above:
 WS9 is made for mics that are 21mm mic diameter
 WS8 is made for mics that are 20mm mic diameter.

The mics inquiring about are 19mm diameter and 30MM long.

Would any of the above wind screen options complete seal the microphone in the back and not be too tight of a fit?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: nolamule on March 15, 2016, 01:09:10 PM
I just can't shake the Rycote Softies, I am going to save my pennies and never look back.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: capnhook on March 19, 2016, 12:35:56 AM
This thread is useless without pictures, eh?.....I agree  8)

What's the abbreviation for "Mics On Top Of Soundboard..?!

Greg Humphreys Electric Trio Plus One

https://archive.org/details/GregHumphreysElectricTrioPlusOne2016-02-20.matrix.flac16

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=585585


(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af359/capnhook53/GregHumphreysElectricTrio2016-02-20.matrix.flac16__.jpg) (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/capnhook53/media/GregHumphreysElectricTrio2016-02-20.matrix.flac16__.jpg.html)

(http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af359/capnhook53/GregHumphreysElectricTrio2016-02-20.matrix.flac16.jpg) (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/capnhook53/media/GregHumphreysElectricTrio2016-02-20.matrix.flac16.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: F.O.Bean on March 23, 2016, 04:43:07 AM
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=174052.msg2181307#new
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: nolamule on April 12, 2016, 12:07:07 AM
I went with the Rycote Softies. I was surprised with their size...looking forward to the festivals this summer!
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 12, 2016, 09:20:45 PM
I went with the Rycote Softies. I was surprised with their size...looking forward to the festivals this summer!

Nice choice! Cant EVER go wrong with a Rycote product ;) 8)

That said, Id LOVE to hear the Rycote Softies comped against the Movo WS80 SS clones that I have, side by side with the same mics>everything! Wishful thinking I guess lol :) ;D

Nolamule, if I had the $$, or was just buying for [1] pair of mics, I probably would've gone with the Rycote's too ;)
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: John Willett on April 13, 2016, 06:41:18 AM

That said, Id LOVE to hear the Rycote Softies comped against the Movo WS80 SS clones that I have, side by side with the same mics>everything! Wishful thinking I guess lol :) ;D

The Movo is *not* a "clone" - it's a "copy" if it's anything at all.

There is a lot of science that goes into the design and manufacture of windshields - and you need to fully understand the science to make one properly.

There are so many copy products around where the copyist has not properly understood the science and makes an inferior product - though it may superficially look similar.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: capnhook on April 13, 2016, 07:00:43 AM
Movos are working fine for me.  Cheap, too.

Give them a try.....let's get some more anecdotal evidence, at least.

Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: nolamule on April 13, 2016, 09:19:21 AM
I went with the Rycote Softies. I was surprised with their size...looking forward to the festivals this summer!

Nice choice! Cant EVER go wrong with a Rycote product ;) 8)

That said, Id LOVE to hear the Rycote Softies comped against the Movo WS80 SS clones that I have, side by side with the same mics>everything! Wishful thinking I guess lol :) ;D

Nolamule, if I had the $$, or was just buying for [1] pair of mics, I probably would've gone with the Rycote's too ;)

maybe our paths will cross this summer and we can run that mk41 movo/rycote comp!
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Craig T on July 22, 2016, 11:04:24 AM
After finally having a chance to listen to a bunch of outdoor recordings I made back in April and May, I have to say I'm disappointed with the Movos.  While I don't have any direct comps, I've gone years running either Shure a81ws or DPA ua0896+fur and I'm noticing far more frequent instances of wind rumble on my recordings with the Movos than I ever have using the other screens.  My guess is that the fur on the Movos isn't up to the task.  Caveat emptor.  Yes, they're cheap and look the part, but I don't think they're worth the gamble to save a few dollars.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: microburst on July 22, 2016, 05:28:45 PM
Amen, cheap is cheap
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: nolamule on July 22, 2016, 05:39:20 PM
After finally having a chance to listen to a bunch of outdoor recordings I made back in April and May, I have to say I'm disappointed with the Movos.  While I don't have any direct comps, I've gone years running either Shure a81ws or DPA ua0896+fur and I'm noticing far more frequent instances of wind rumble on my recordings with the Movos than I ever have using the other screens.  My guess is that the fur on the Movos isn't up to the task.  Caveat emptor.  Yes, they're cheap and look the part, but I don't think they're worth the gamble to save a few dollars.

Only A+ results with my Rycote Softies.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: caymanreview on July 23, 2016, 01:14:54 AM
i ran the shure a81ws at summercamp in some of the hardest winds ive taped in. they did an amazing job! im very happy with them
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: dactylus on July 23, 2016, 08:22:14 AM
After finally having a chance to listen to a bunch of outdoor recordings I made back in April and May, I have to say I'm disappointed with the Movos.  While I don't have any direct comps, I've gone years running either Shure a81ws or DPA ua0896+fur and I'm noticing far more frequent instances of wind rumble on my recordings with the Movos than I ever have using the other screens.  My guess is that the fur on the Movos isn't up to the task.  Caveat emptor.  Yes, they're cheap and look the part, but I don't think they're worth the gamble to save a few dollars.

Craig do you have any idea on the wind speed on the days that the Movos didn't cut it?
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 26, 2016, 01:43:44 AM
I wish I did have the Rycotes! That said, the Movo's have worked great for me so far, and I haven't noticed any wind noise the year or so Ive been running them! Even when I was just recording birds/nature@6am one morning, I didn't notice any wind noise when there were def some decent gusts during the recording time :)

We need a COMP to hear the difference with our own ears! I realize Rycote put a lot of R&D into their design, and Rycote is an amazing company! But for $15/each, it was worth a shot for me to try the Movo's last year. I haven't been let down yet, but I also haven't taped a shitload of outdoor festies this year either :)

Id love to hear any input on the Rycote or Movo's :)
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Nick's Picks on July 27, 2016, 07:47:00 AM
i'm using the Rycote baby ball gag...and must say its the most effective
windbreaker i've used.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=322366&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt-G8BRDktsvwpPTn1PkBEiQA-MRsBTBw6raM1kSnuurLJay15NlekBXyEAzESD8HKvGdLrMaArK-8P8HAQ&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C91438732682%2C&Q=&A=details
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Gordon on August 02, 2016, 09:06:20 PM
which "Rycote Softies" would work for a neumann active setup?  my big ass shures have literally started to fall apart!  so time for another pair or something new.  I've slimmed my rig/bag down so space is an issue as well.  the bas took a lot of room in the bag.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: F.O.Bean on August 04, 2016, 11:34:38 PM
which "Rycote Softies" would work for a neumann active setup?  my big ass shures have literally started to fall apart!  so time for another pair or something new.  I've slimmed my rig/bag down so space is an issue as well.  the bas took a lot of room in the bag.

Well, there are [2] versions of the Rycote "Softie". The "Classic Softie", has the fur covering, and the newer "Super Softie", has a fur-less black nylon covering! I have the Movo WS80's, which are a copy of the Rycote "Classic Softie" which have the fur coating, but I want to upgrade to the BBG/WJ or the Movo WST80's, which are a copy of the Rycote "Super Softie", so that they don't shed, since they don't have any fur :)

Id still love to hear a Movo/Rycote comp sometime! But eventually, I do see myself owning [4] BBG's/WJ's :)
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: DigiGal on August 05, 2016, 09:09:06 PM
^ Knowing that there was a manufacturing issue affecting performance that Rycote encountered when they first released the Super Softie it's probably best to stay away from cheap imitations made in China!  Saving your beans for Rycote's Super Softie would be ideal, if you want Rycote buy Rycote. Their customer service is excellent and they exert extensive product development.  Yes, they are spendy in the US but you are getting well designed and developed products with excellent support.

IMHO with Movo you'll get a big question mark all the way around. It may be tempting spending money on Softie and Super Softie imitations but would be money that could've gone toward the purchase of Rycote gear. Imitators are not producing clones or exact copies, they're simply making a product that visually resembles Rycote's at a price that is too good to be true.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: goodcooker on August 06, 2016, 03:09:42 PM
Movos are working fine for me.  Cheap, too.

Give them a try.....let's get some more anecdotal evidence, at least.

Another vote for the Movos. I've run the WST50 Ballistic screens (the ones without fur) a few times this summer in fairly gusty conditions and they were perfectly adequate. At least once I noticed the wind picked up enough to make the stand wobble for a few minutes and no artifacts. No appreciable attenuation of high frequencies either. On my tiny AKG CK1X active caps the depth of the opening is longer than the cap which creates another pocket of still air right at the capsule and I'm sure that helps.

If it were really gusty I would drop the stand and put a couple of Crown Royal bags over them.

If you have the coin and tape outside a lot, I would spring for the Rycotes with fur despite their manufacturing issues. They are the industry standard for professionals for a reason.

If you don't have to deal with really gusty conditions I think the Movos would do just fine at a considerable discount.

All you guys that diss the discount "imitators" have you actually asked the companies you talk trash about if they do any actual research and testing or just assume they reverse engineer another companies product? Shameless fluffing with no basis in reality is nothing new around here.

Let's face it, no one is perfect. Even the almighty Rycote did all their R&D then released a product that didn't live up to their own specifications.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: jazzgtrl4 on August 06, 2016, 04:31:22 PM
Man i thought my movos did great at Huck Finn, no wind at all really. And there were some serious gusts that would have shown up if i used my DPA's. 
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Gordon on August 06, 2016, 11:38:12 PM
After my buddy jbell's told me he ran the Movo WS80's at red rocks without issue I went with a set of those. have not ran them yet though.  they do seem to shed a bit for my liking!
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: achalsey on August 06, 2016, 11:47:49 PM
Rycote baby ball gag

I thought you were using your own term, like we do for the 'Big Ass Shures'...but thats actually real.  Granted, my mind is always in the gutter, but I honestly can't imagine how that got to the top of development and they agreed, "yeah, that sounds like an alright name."
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Gordon on August 06, 2016, 11:54:14 PM
 :lol:    >:D
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Chris K on August 14, 2016, 02:31:02 PM
Just a note on the Big Ass Shure windscreens...I have an older pair I got about a decade ago. I had not used in a few years, and pulled them out for an event. Well I store them in a large ziplock bag and they have deteriorated to the point of being a bag of black dust.

Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Jammin72 on August 02, 2017, 02:55:51 PM
Just a note on the Big Ass Shure windscreens...I have an older pair I got about a decade ago. I had not used in a few years, and pulled them out for an event. Well I store them in a large ziplock bag and they have deteriorated to the point of being a bag of black dust.

I just pulled mine out of a Pelican case after a couple of year Hiatus and while not disintegrated they have permanent hand prints in the foam.  Not something that used to happen when I was using them regularly.

Oh well.  I always forget how every little thing adds up in this hobby.

Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: voltronic on August 02, 2017, 03:11:41 PM
I ran both the fury and the slick Movo screens in early June. IIRC, I had to do some remedial repair on some gusty bits.

Did you notice any significant difference between the two?  I have the "slick" version but won't get to use them until marching band season starts in September.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: Gutbucket on August 02, 2017, 03:43:17 PM
Many types of plastic foam eventually breaks down, and once the process becomes obvious it seems to accelerate. I made it through this spring using my old Shure A81WS which are on their way out, careful not to rub or squash them too much, but I'll need to replace them this fall.  I've decided to stick with the Shure's instead of moving to the Rycote's or Movo's partly because my application is rather non-standard and the foam Shure's are more adaptable and a proven known-good solution for me and I figure a decade of use before needing to replace them is reasonable. 

I'm now wondering if storing them sealed in bags with some oxygen absorbent packs in there may extend their useful life.  Not desiccant packs, but the oxygen absorbent ones, since many foams are susceptible to damage from long-term exposure to air, or even short-term exposure to ozone.

If anyone has or finds an especially attractive source for Shure A81WS please let me know as I'll need to pickup four of them.



I've considered going back to the DIY baby ball gags based around plastic mesh embroidery balls intended for embroidered Christmas ornaments, which I was playing around with a decade back and have great potential as they form an excellent transparent support structure trapping an optimal-volume still-air space, but the two problematic aspects are sourcing really well designed cover material and engineering a good pragmatic mounting arrangement.  Easier to stick with and make minor modifications to the Shures.  Would love the Rycote BBGs, but as I'd need to modify them as well, so they aren't a reasonable option for me.
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: noahbickart on August 02, 2017, 05:59:15 PM
I've had success with the the various Movo clones of the rycote windscreens.

Like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QJEB604/ref=twister_B00YHY5RJY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Title: Re: Outdoor Festival Windscreens
Post by: F.O.Bean on August 03, 2017, 04:02:40 PM
I've had success with the the various Movo clones of the rycote windscreens.

Like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QJEB604/ref=twister_B00YHY5RJY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Agreed Noah!

And about the BAS screens! I stopped running them because they would deteriorate and then super small particles were getting ALL over the place, so I definitely didn't want them touching my mics at that point! And no matter WHAT you do to them or how you store them, the BAS will fall apart and deteriorate over time. Period. And if you don't think that yours are shedding yet, just put a piece of white printing paper under the BAS and just give them gentle squeezes, and more than likely, you'll see a million TINY particles that fell out of the screen!

That's how you can tell if your BAS are still good or not! If your BAS are still good, then you WILL NOT see any particles on the white paper underneath of the screens! However, if you see a bunch of tiny particles on your white paper, I'd toss them in the garbage immediately before they can get into the grill of your capsules. I would NOT WANT those particles getting inside of my caps, that's for damn sure ;)