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#2
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Gear and humidity
Tape likes 30% to 70% relative humidity and it's usually more touchy
than the equipment. True -- but not all equipment. Some Neumann microphones, for example, have a real problem with high humidity. I had a KM-84's capsule die on me while recording an opera at about 90% relative humidity, 85 degrees F. or so. Had a long talk with the main SR englineer at the Ravinia festival one time (mid-to-late 1980s) about his choices of microphones. I saw a lot of AKG C-451s hanging over various sections, but nary a Neumann -- he said they simply wouldn't hold up to the humidity. His main pair was an ORTF arrangement of -- SM-81s. Said nothing else could be counted on in that environment. Peace, Paul (still remembering Salome) |
#3
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Gear and humidity
P Stamler wrote:
Had a long talk with the main SR englineer at the Ravinia festival one time (mid-to-late 1980s) about his choices of microphones. I saw a lot of AKG C-451s hanging over various sections, but nary a Neumann -- he said they simply wouldn't hold up to the humidity. His main pair was an ORTF arrangement of -- SM-81s. Said nothing else could be counted on in that environment. Sennheiser MKH-series mikes! The RF electronics means there is no high capsule bias voltage to leak all over the place. I am constantly amazed at how well they perform in really humid environments. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
#4
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Gear and humidity
Lars wrote:
How much "relative humidity" can typical audio gear (amplifiers, guitars, drums, microphones, mic preamps, mixing desks) handle? I have a room that has a 50% "relative humidity" that I intend to use for recording and practicing with my band. I have no idea if this humidity is "normal" or not, but to me it looks like a pretty high figure. What made me even think about it is that there happens to be a hygrometer on the wall; it actually doesn't seem particularly humid in there. Most people say 50% is ideal, but I find the drums sound better and hold their tune better, and to some extent guitars do too, at around 60-65%. You definitely don't want to go below about 30% if you have any wooden instruments around, and you don't want to go above about 80% if you can help it. Here in MN, the central air takes care of the humidity in the summer, but it gets very dry in the winter. A humidifier is essential. ulysses |