Foam Windscreens Indoors? at DVinfo.net

Dave Largent · May 10th, 2004, 09:06 PM

Any reason to? Any real reason not to?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · May 10th, 2004, 09:52 PM

pros: keeps crap off the mic

keeps the mic a bit more 'safe'

makes the mic a little more visible.

Looks sexy sometimes.

Keeps lipstick off the mic

Cons: anything brushing against it can make a horrendous noise, just like outdoors but it's more likely in an enclosed area.

Some people like to touch squishy things.

impact on overall sound? None if it's a good screen.

Dave Largent · May 10th, 2004, 11:26 PM

Thanks, Douglas.
So would you think I could feel confident that
windscreens offerred by companies such as
Sennheiser, Audio Technica, and Rode
would be "transparent".

Ken Tanaka · May 10th, 2004, 11:36 PM

Manufacturer-supplied foam screens should be fairly transparent (although they may not be very effective in wind). All screens will attenuate some frequencies to some degree. The best way for you to judge your screen's impact is to simply test it by setting it up on a stand and recording someone reading a passage of text with and without the screen.

Such an experiment will help you judge whether or not to leave the screen on the mic at all times for sonic continuity. Personally, I prefer to keep a screen mounted on my shotguns at all times, principally for bash protection.

Jay Massengill · May 11th, 2004, 08:01 AM

I get pretty fed up with the average manufacturer-supplied windscreens for vocal, stand and instrument mics. They are usually too thin, and worse, they are usually too small to effectively cover the rear of the mic's grill area.
They are designed for maximum transparency and protecting from breath pops from the front only. If you are doing anything with the mic other than using it in the studio at 6 inches or greater distance, the stock screen usually isn't sufficient.
I usually get slightly thicker and larger generic screens to use for indoor booming or outdoor light-breeze protection.
With the addition of a black no-metal, no-exposed-rubber hairband, they stay in place very well. They are also much easier to install and remove.
In addition, this hairband makes the over-sized foam poof out a little to form an air gap around the head of the mic. This greatly enhances the ability to stop noises from swinging the boom or a light breeze.
Under most recording conditions that would require wind protection in the first place, the sonic difference is minimal.
As mentioned you should test it out for your particular conditions.

Dave Largent · May 11th, 2004, 12:55 PM

Yeah, I will test and get back with the results.
I have done testing with furries, and they seem
to attenuate the upper frequencies.

Mike Rehmus · May 11th, 2004, 02:57 PM

Don't forget that the foam windscreens and fuzzy covers make great toys for Police Dogs. They think it is their 'reward' toy. Let's you get great pictures of a large dog lunging for the camera.

Anybody need a slightly chewed microphone?

Seriously, a foam screen on a boomed microphone can kill the slight wind noise caused by moving the boom to follow the action. It also works well for the errant breeze caused by air conditioning, etc.

Because I work with a lot of students, I keep the shotgun in the full zepplin when shooting their activities. Saves on shotgun dents and motion-induced wind noise.

For voice work, I don't think the fuzzy covers have much effect do they?

May 10th, 2004, 09:06 PM	#1
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Foam Windscreens Indoors? Any reason to? Any real reason not to?

May 10th, 2004, 09:52 PM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	pros: keeps crap off the mic keeps the mic a bit more 'safe' makes the mic a little more visible. Looks sexy sometimes. Keeps lipstick off the mic Cons: anything brushing against it can make a horrendous noise, just like outdoors but it's more likely in an enclosed area. Some people like to touch squishy things. impact on overall sound? None if it's a good screen. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

May 10th, 2004, 11:36 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Manufacturer-supplied foam screens should be fairly transparent (although they may not be very effective in wind). All screens will attenuate some frequencies to some degree. The best way for you to judge your screen's impact is to simply test it by setting it up on a stand and recording someone reading a passage of text with and without the screen. Such an experiment will help you judge whether or not to leave the screen on the mic at all times for sonic continuity. Personally, I prefer to keep a screen mounted on my shotguns at all times, principally for bash protection. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

May 11th, 2004, 02:57 PM	#7
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Don't forget that the foam windscreens and fuzzy covers make great toys for Police Dogs. They think it is their 'reward' toy. Let's you get great pictures of a large dog lunging for the camera. Anybody need a slightly chewed microphone? Seriously, a foam screen on a boomed microphone can kill the slight wind noise caused by moving the boom to follow the action. It also works well for the errant breeze caused by air conditioning, etc. Because I work with a lot of students, I keep the shotgun in the full zepplin when shooting their activities. Saves on shotgun dents and motion-induced wind noise. For voice work, I don't think the fuzzy covers have much effect do they? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 10th, 2004, 11:26 PM	#3
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Thanks, Douglas. So would you think I could feel confident that windscreens offerred by companies such as Sennheiser, Audio Technica, and Rode would be "transparent".

May 11th, 2004, 08:01 AM	#5
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	I get pretty fed up with the average manufacturer-supplied windscreens for vocal, stand and instrument mics. They are usually too thin, and worse, they are usually too small to effectively cover the rear of the mic's grill area. They are designed for maximum transparency and protecting from breath pops from the front only. If you are doing anything with the mic other than using it in the studio at 6 inches or greater distance, the stock screen usually isn't sufficient. I usually get slightly thicker and larger generic screens to use for indoor booming or outdoor light-breeze protection. With the addition of a black no-metal, no-exposed-rubber hairband, they stay in place very well. They are also much easier to install and remove. In addition, this hairband makes the over-sized foam poof out a little to form an air gap around the head of the mic. This greatly enhances the ability to stop noises from swinging the boom or a light breeze. Under most recording conditions that would require wind protection in the first place, the sonic difference is minimal. As mentioned you should test it out for your particular conditions.

May 11th, 2004, 12:55 PM	#6
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Yeah, I will test and get back with the results. I have done testing with furries, and they seem to attenuate the upper frequencies.