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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Jhurlbs81 on August 09, 2007, 07:33:36 PM

Title: condoms
Post by: Jhurlbs81 on August 09, 2007, 07:33:36 PM
I've heard people mention they put condoms over the mics for rain protection.  Can anyone speak to this?  Do you acutally roll it right over the mic, or is it more to protect connections? If it does cover the cap, what effects does it have on frequency response?  I'd think you'd lose the high end, but my rationing may be off.

 Do you think the cashier will believe me when I tell her the "extra snug" condoms are not for me?  ???
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: MarkF on August 10, 2007, 05:08:14 PM
I used condoms for my 460's last year at a festival (Nedfest).  I pulled the condoms over the ends and twist tied them closed covering the XLR's.  They were definitley protected, but the sound was muffled/distorted to the point of not keeping the recording.  ???
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: Brian Skalinder on August 10, 2007, 07:40:06 PM
I used condoms for my 460's last year at a festival (Nedfest).  I pulled the condoms over the ends and twist tied them closed covering the XLR's.  They were definitley protected, but the sound was muffled/distorted to the point of not keeping the recording.  ???

How tight were they pulled across the front of the cap?  Remember this from a similar thread...

The condom trick if done properly works really well.  The ENG/broadcasting/movie people use this all the time.  The trick is getting rubber to stretch across the front of the cap real tight.  The best solution I have found is using really thin finger cots used in electronics labs.  These are the "old man" condoms found at Spensers at the mall.  These are so small that when stretched accross the cap they are extreamly thin and don't interfere with the frequency response or air pressure too much...  A dead rat will make your recordings sound much worse than a tightly stretched condom.
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: Jhurlbs81 on August 11, 2007, 09:01:35 PM
Thanks Brian.
Jesse
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: zman on August 12, 2007, 10:48:05 AM
They do need to be stretched. I tried this at summer camp as the wind was bad on the upper stage one day. You do lose sound pressure, no question. Had to crank up the V2. I believe Jeff Frank had trouble with his, then again, he tried it with used condoms!
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: rokpunk on August 12, 2007, 11:33:53 AM
one word....
unlubricated.
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: OOK on August 12, 2007, 12:56:24 PM
I know John Merin has used this method, give him a pm..
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: TNJazz on August 12, 2007, 01:19:24 PM
one word....
unlubricated.

what about ribbed?   >:D
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: gratefulphish on August 12, 2007, 02:18:57 PM
Do different flavors make a difference?  :o
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: dunebug81 on August 12, 2007, 03:13:09 PM
I hear rough riders work best.  :o
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: Stagger on August 12, 2007, 03:29:33 PM
They do need to be stretched. I tried this at summer camp as the wind was bad on the upper stage one day. You do lose sound pressure, no question. Had to crank up the V2. I believe Jeff Frank had trouble with his, then again, he tried it with used condoms!

Yea but who did he get the used condoms from is the question?  >:D
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: nameloc01 on August 12, 2007, 03:55:24 PM
glow in the dark style may be something to look into. ;D
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: balou2 on August 13, 2007, 12:19:11 AM
I tried it once and got horrible results.  In retrospect, I could assume they weren't stretched tight enough.  Then again, the extra large may be thicker.  :wink2:
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: F0CKER on August 13, 2007, 03:48:57 PM
I always buy ribbed for her pleasure, but I'm selfish so I turn them inside out.
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: Sean Gallemore on August 14, 2007, 04:52:35 AM
is this recommended for outdoor S-word recordings?
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: willndmb on August 14, 2007, 10:17:51 AM
don't forget, if you have shotguns, to get magnums  :o
Title: Re: condoms
Post by: suburbanDK on August 16, 2007, 03:22:41 PM
....and what about natural condoms?
Be-ee-ee-ee-ee-ter for warm recordings?