Topic: Windscreen Foam/ Making Custom WS

[taperwheeler]

Curious if anyone knows where one can get a block or blocks of the foam used in windscreens to make your own custom screen?

[tgakidis]

I would be real concerned about the density of the foam.  Let us know how it works our...

[taperwheeler]

The density is the major concern.  Not sure where to begin.  May start by looking in craft stores.  My goal is to basically design a mountable 'block' of foam to keep my sp-cmc-8 mics in a fixed position on each side of my wheelchair.  Thinking if I do it right, they'll be concealed and I'll be pre-wired for shows.

[anechoic]

I remember reading a thread on one of the audio forums about this
I think what you want is called 'open cell foam' material
but you might want to Google to double check on that
check:
http://www.mcmaster.com/

[taperwheeler]

Thanks and +T for the link!  This is exactly what I'm looking for and very inexpensive. 

I grabbed a couple shapes, a rod and block design.  Once they get in will figure out the best way to incorporate the mics.  Think it will work great...thanks again for everyone's input.  I will post some pics if there's any interest once I complete my design.

I remember reading a thread on one of the audio forums about this
I think what you want is called 'open cell foam' material
but you might want to Google to double check on that
check:
http://www.mcmaster.com/

[jbw]

Thanks and +T for the link!  This is exactly what I'm looking for and very inexpensive. 

I grabbed a couple shapes, a rod and block design.  Once they get in will figure out the best way to incorporate the mics.  Think it will work great...thanks again for everyone's input.  I will post some pics if there's any interest once I complete my design.

I remember reading a thread on one of the audio forums about this
I think what you want is called 'open cell foam' material
but you might want to Google to double check on that
check:
http://www.mcmaster.com/

Did you ever finish your design?
I need to purchase some block foam as well, but had trouble finding the right density, and was curious how you made out with the site mentioned in this thread.

[taperwheeler]

Thanks and +T for the link!  This is exactly what I'm looking for and very inexpensive. 

I grabbed a couple shapes, a rod and block design.  Once they get in will figure out the best way to incorporate the mics.  Think it will work great...thanks again for everyone's input.  I will post some pics if there's any interest once I complete my design.

I remember reading a thread on one of the audio forums about this
I think what you want is called 'open cell foam' material
but you might want to Google to double check on that
check:
http://www.mcmaster.com/

Did you ever finish your design?
I need to purchase some block foam as well, but had trouble finding the right density, and was curious how you made out with the site mentioned in this thread.

Funny you now ask.  Have had the foam and project on the shelf...long winter in New England...but am actually planning on recording open air outdoors on 5/31 and will be breaking out the foam asap.

I can't recall the density ordered but will look around for the invoice.  I'll let you know if I find any information.

Here's the foam I ordered: http://www.mcmaster.com/#open-cell-foam/=1yha6q

[jbw]

Thanks

[it-goes-to-eleven]

It'd be interesting to know how these various approaches compare in terms of sound quality and wind resistance.

I find the big Shure windscreens start to allow noise with subcards around 20 mph.  I assume cards or hypers would be more prone to wind noise.  I'm not sure how much protection fake fur covers on the big shures offer, but they do reduce the detail.  I've seen references to silk being used as a cover material.

For a test....  A controlled source of wind would be needed.  We'd need a way to measure/estimate the wind speed (I guess I do have a weather station I've yet to mount anywhere).  The wind source would need to be just wind and probably not fan noise or duct exit noise.  That part seems very difficult, especially at higher speeds.   And then we'd need a music source.  Another alternative would be to just go out and experiment on a 40 knot day, but that seems more variable.

I'm planning on doing some nature recording this summer. It will potentially be high wind.  In some cases, capturing some wind sound without rumble will be the point (the sound of wind hitting other things, not my mics or their enclosure).  My only omnis are 4061's, so that's probably what I'll be using.