Topic: Dropped SP CMC-8 - Are they damaged?

[reverser]

Hi all,

I have a set of Sound Professionals CMC-8 Microphones.  They were set on a table on a little mic stand and knocked off from a height of about 6 ft onto a hard tile floor.  There is no physical damage visible on the outside, but I don't know enough about mics to know if something has happened to the innards.  So my question is 2-fold:

1.  Are these things susceptible to damage from a drop like this?

2. If so, how can I determine if there is damage to the mics?

Thanks in advance for all help.

[paulbaptiste]

I'd say probably not damaged, unless they slammed right on the face of the caps.  but the only way to know, is to plug em in and try them out. 

[reverser]

Thanks for the info.  I'm a bit worried as you can imagine.  Good to have some reassurance.  I actually began my recording right after this occurred.  They are still taking input, but I didn't know / understand if there can be a subtle degradation to quality or any damage that isn't as obvious as "they aren't making any sound."

So, is it safe to assume that if they are still recording (i.e. taking input) that they are OK?  Or can there be a level of damage that leaves them still working but not as good as they should (i.e. reducing frequency response, loss of "matching", etc.)

Thanks again!

[paulbaptiste]

have you used them before?  do you have any shows/experience you can compare them to?  If they are still picking up sound they are still working.   
If there is any drop-out, random static ect., that might be something to be worried about.  Is one channel showing and one not?  Do you have different capsules to try them with?

Use em in front of your home stereo and look and listen

But really they are lightwieght mics, and can take a little tap on the ground.  mine have and are still doing well.

[reverser]

This is my first time using them (I know I'm an idiot, should have protected them from drunken show-goers better, lesson learned).  I don't hear any drop-out or static on the recording I made (immediately after the drop).  Both channels are recording OK.  It does seem that one channel was a little louder than the other, but I have never recorded at this venue, with this band, so I have no gauge as to whether that is abnormal or not.  Unfortunately, I don't have another set of capsules.  I'll give the home stereo a shot and see if I hear / see anything abnormal.  I really do appreciate all of your insight.

[paulbaptiste]

I truly believe you are fine; A OK;  as for one channel being louder than the other, that's stereo, Left and Right Channels picking up sound from different angles and they should be a little different.  That's just the way your set up, and if your mics are actually matched.  

I'm often a druken show goer by the end of the night (and i'm the one taping)  but if you got your gear set up right, then fuck it, we all make mistakes, lotta pulls your gonna have that aren't even good to your own ears, so +T to getting in the game, and let us know if you have any more problems

[paulbaptiste]

if you have the adapters
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/AT-ADAPT
I'd be willing to let you borrow some caps from me to try em out, but again, i think you fine, but if your curious, just pay shipping both ways, drop me a pm. 

[Church-Audio]

Hi all,

I have a set of Sound Professionals CMC-8 Microphones.  They were set on a table on a little mic stand and knocked off from a height of about 6 ft onto a hard tile floor.  There is no physical damage visible on the outside, but I don't know enough about mics to know if something has happened to the innards.  So my question is 2-fold:

1.  Are these things susceptible to damage from a drop like this?

2. If so, how can I determine if there is damage to the mics?

Thanks in advance for all help.

I would say your ok the main reason is the mics have no real mass to them. If it was a Neumann M50 I would be worried I would say your probably ok.

[reverser]

paulbaptiste and church,

Thank you so much for your replies.  I am going to assume that I am OK and learn a hard lesson from this one.  Next time I will be much more careful.

paulbaptiste,

Thanks especially to you for the +T and the incredibly generous and trusting offer to loan me those caps.  I did some more testing and they sound OK to me so I am going to consider this case closed with the expert advice of the TS crew.

Will keep you updated as I get some more shows under my belt, and thanks for welcoming me to the game.