Topic: Do mics in a hat still need windscreens when outdoors?

[acidjack]

I'll be recording some shows outdoors this summer, in some cases with AT U853 cardiod mics, where I'll probably have them in an acoustically transparent hat (due to no-stands, rather than no-taping policies).  It logically follows to me that if the hat itself is acoustically transparent, it is probably not blocking out wind noise either and thus, that I should put the windscreens on anyway.  Any thoughts?  I also have omnis that I will use in situations where I can get close enough, but I want to consider all the options.

[chrisnubar]

i would stand in front of a fan w headphones on to see how windy it needs to be to require the screens, if it's a nice day, you probably don't need them. got any pics of the hat??

[nameloc01]

Screens are not real stealthy,especially with those mics. And covering them with a hat or something like that could cause some noise also, if the caps are getting brushed or rubbed. SP sells "Shure locking type" windscreens that fit those mics and they are the smallest that I've seen..I'd recommend those and making friends with your shirt collar.

[Sunday Driver]

You do if you use a mesh "trucker" style hat. I used the same mics in a mesh hat last year for an outdoor show, and while there are no actual rustling sounds from the wind, there are a few spots where it sounds like it's phasing i.e. moving my head around when actually I wasn't.

[su6oxone]

I use a 'bamboo' style Kangol that has a pretty fine mesh that blocks out most mild wind but not moderate wind.  I always use some small windtech windscreens though on top of my MK4 caps which has been sufficient for more moderate wind conditions.  For heavy wind, the hat and windscreens are not enough, and forget about stealthing the big @$$ shure windscreens in a hat... 

[doodee]

Get a big fur pimp hat and you can hide some dead rats up in there with no one knowing the difference...