Care should always be taken with condenser microphones. All condensers are fragile mics, since the element and all of the components are thin wires and membranes. There are few handheld condenser mics since a single drop will cause them to break and be inoperable. Here are some basic notes regarding the care of a condenser mic:
Don't drop them, ever.
Don't expose them to excessive heat or cold. In addition to exposing imperfections in the materials (such as cold solder joins), heat and cold cause the diaghram to distort. Over time, this will cause the diaghram to distort, changing the pickup characteristics to change. Over time, this can become permanent, or absolutely unusable. 78 degrees would be just right.
If the mic is a tube mic or warms up, then hang the mic upside down. Why? Simple, heat rises, and this can also cause the mic element to warp again. In addition, the mic will sound different from when you start recording to when you end, making later punch ins very difficult. Hanging it upside down means the element will be under the heat source and not be affected.
Avoid excessive vibration. In addition to preventing vibrations from the ground transferring up into the mic via the mic stand, it also helps prevent cold solder joins from forming.
Try to keep the ambient relative humidity level down. Moisture can condense and form corosion on the electronic parts, eventually eating away at etchings and changing the electrical resistance of the circuitry. Try 30 to 40 percent relative humidity at all times.
Make the cable connection prior to engaging the phantom power switch. Doing this ensures that the proper grounding connections are made when the supply voltage is present.
Provide clean, filtered, and surge protected AC to your system. All it takes is one good lightning stike to kill all your gear. And if that's not enough, if the power goes out, then the city kicks it back on, there is a huge surge that occurs. If you don't have something to clamp it down, you might as well have been hit by lightning.
Hope this helps! For furthur reading, please refer to our Sitemap, What is a condenser mic, or Send us an Email!
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Hi,
ReplyDeleteWhat happens if I plug a condenser mic into a mixing desk with no phantom power? Is that not a good idea or will the mic just not work?
Thanks!
Hey "Anonymous", since I noticed you've got no answer I'll give it to you. No, it will not work,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response :) appreciated!
ReplyDeleteIt feels awesome to read such informative and unique articles on your websites. pro audio
ReplyDeleteI have a xenyx 502 mixer, and it doesn't have a phantom power switch. I have read online that it provides 15 volts on pins 1 and 2 (30 total volts). I know this is not 48 volts, but so far, my condenser has been working with it. Since it doesn't have a switch, is it still safe to use? (referring to the second to last tip)
ReplyDeleteHi guys, can you specify term "excessive heat or cold" ? I mean, the precise temperatures, if possible. I am using Zoom H6 recorder. Thanks in advance! ;)
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