MXL warns against tapping on mics to test them. Aside from killing the
soundman's ears, I'm a bit horrified to hear that tapping with a fingernail
could damage them. Is this to be taken literally, or are they simply trying
to discourage ignorant forms of behavior, such as whacking the mic against a
table?

If a fingernail tap could damage a mic, this would put micrs ahead of hard
disks in terms of shock vulnerability.

Robert Morein wrote:

MXL warns against tapping on mics to test them. Aside from killing the
soundman's ears, I'm a bit horrified to hear that tapping with a fingernail
could damage them. Is this to be taken literally, or are they simply trying
to discourage ignorant forms of behavior, such as whacking the mic against a
table?

If a fingernail tap could damage a mic, this would put micrs ahead of hard
disks in terms of shock vulnerability.

I sometimes wonder what a tap to your head might do to your grey cells. Wake
them up a bit maybe ?

Graham

r.a.o trimmed.( stop playing silly buggers )

"Robert Morein" wrote in message
...
MXL warns against tapping on mics to test them.

If that's true, I'm surprised that they have said that removing the mic from
its box will void its warranty! ;-)

Aside from killing the soundman's ears,

Huh? Any experienced soundman who would suffer if a mic were tapped on...

I'm a bit horrified to hear that tapping with a fingernail could damage
them.

Never hurt my 603s.

Is this to be taken literally, or are they simply trying to discourage
ignorant forms of behavior, such as whacking the mic against a table?

I can't read their mind. I guess they've decided to err on the side of
caution - lots.

If a fingernail tap could damage a mic, this would put micrs ahead of
hard disks in terms of shock vulnerability.

Maybe some classic ribbon mics, but...

Robert Morein wrote:

MXL warns against tapping on mics to test them. Aside from killing the
soundman's ears, I'm a bit horrified to hear that tapping with a fingernail
could damage them. Is this to be taken literally, or are they simply trying
to discourage ignorant forms of behavior, such as whacking the mic against a
table?

If a fingernail tap could damage a mic, this would put micrs ahead of hard
disks in terms of shock vulnerability.

Microphones aren't as fragile as you seem to imagine. Yes, ribbon mics
have to be treated with care, but most mics can stand up to a fair
amount of abuse before they break. Not that I'm suggesting that one
should be unduly careless, but really you should stop worrying and get
out there and record something.

As they say, ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are
for.

//Walt

A gentle tap, tap tap will do no damage and it will let you know if the
mic is 'hot' or not.

A ribbon is more sensitive and fragile, but a gentle tapping will do no
damage.

Now, if you want to test a mic in the old Electrovoice drives a nail
with a 635 type test, I wouldn't recommend it. But it was an
interesting ad campaign.

--Fletch