Topic: Break-in for new Microphone

[bluelight]

I bought anew condenser small diaphram microphone and I have been told to break-in the mic by applying phantom voltage expose in liud envrionment.

Is it normal to get the mic to provide a warm tone?

Thanks,

Ed

[Church-Audio]

That is a good question. Phantom power will not "break in" the mic at all; it will have no effect on the mics performance..
However, I do believe that mics condenser and dynamic mics change with time and when subjected to loud environments, and temperature changes.
These changes in temperature and exposure to loud sound pressure will in fact "stretch" the mics diaphragm the part the picks up sound. This stretching can result in many different effects
1- Increased noise
2- Decreased high frequency response (this is due to the fact that the tighter the diaphragm is the more sensitive it is to high frequency)
3- Decreased life span due to the fact that the mics diaphragm has changed due to stretching from temperature changes, the side effect of this is a diaphragm that can and will eventually short out.
4- Not all mics are made the same some will be more forgiving of temperature changes then others.
5- Temperature changes cause condensation that attracts dust and forms a film on the diaphragm effecting its sensitivity and frequency response by increasing the mass of the diaphragm.


Some makers of high end lab quality condenser measurement mics made by companies like DPA use a steel diaphragm or Titanium this metal is stronger and comes back into shape much better then Mylar or other materials.

This is why a U47 condenser mic made in the 50's will not sound the same today as it once did. The diaphragm has changed and the exposure to loud sound pressure and environmental effects have made the mic what it is today.

So I would say no to phantom power having an effect on a mics sound and yes to loud sound pressure exposure as a definite yes

I do not recommend exposing a mic to a loud sound pressure unless you must. Remember not all mics are made the same some mics can handle 150db SPL and be fine some mics will just distort. That being said most condenser mics should be able to handle the sound pressure of your typical rock concert undistorted 110db. I would always protech the mic from extreame temperature changes by puting them in a good case.

Chris Church

I bought anew condenser small diaphram microphone and I have been told to break-in the mic by applying phantom voltage expose in liud envrionment.

Is it normal to get the mic to provide a warm tone?

Thanks,

Ed

[bluelight]

Thanks Chris for an excellent explaination.

In the other words, there are no breaking in required for mics and there is actually an aging process.

Am I getting it?

Cheers,

Ed

[Church-Audio]

No break in at all required. There is an aging process. Some companies actually bake the capsules they use to "re-tension" them.
Speakers on the other hand do need to have a break in period because of the mechanical parts need to "soften up" microphones change with time but not always for the better. Just like speakers all transducers are similar in one aspect or another. All rely on a diaphragm.

Chris Church

Thanks Chris for an excellent explaination.

In the other words, there are no breaking in required for mics and there is actually an aging process.

Am I getting it?

Cheers,

Ed

[bluelight]

Thanks Chris