Microphone care and maintenance for longer life

It is essential that any person handling a microphone needs to understand that a microphone is an electronic item and hence should be handled carefully and gently. A common misconception with microphones is that the only abuse that we subject this equipment to is dropping it around.

If you’re buying a USB microphone it’s worth investing in a well built one such as the Audio Technica AT2020.

But in reality there are many instances where we subject the device to much more extreme conditions than just dropping it. Hence, it is important to understand that the life of the device also depends on how well we handle it and that Microphone care and maintenance is essential for longer life.

Here are a few typical abuses that a microphone can be subjected to:

Though the work of a microphone is to amplify sounds the intensity of sound levels that it can withstand are limited. Hence, any intensity more than the threshold limit will affect the microphone adversely. One such practice that troubles the equipment is blowing. Blowing into the microphone to test it is a common practice, which needs to be totally avoided to make sure your microphone works for a longer period of time without any repairs and complaints. It is better to stick to the conventional, “test, one, two, three” for quality check.

Another common issue with the Microphone care and maintenance is with storage. The method of storage for microphones should be as advised by the manufacturer. For most of the brands it is good to remove the battery packs before storing it. Make sure that it is placed in a dry and cool place away from excessive moisture and any direct forms of heat. Make sure you place it away from all types of strong magnetic substances. Avoid placing it along with heavy substances which can damage your microphone accidently. Hence, it is important to take enough care while storing it too.

Moisture especially from the mouth of the person using the microphone is another major problem. Microphones are designed to catch sounds from quite a distance; hence it is necessary that you keep the microphone slightly away from your mouth while using. This will also help to give a clearer sound as such disturbances such as your breath are avoided. In case it comes with a pop shield, make sure you use it while in usage. This will make your microphone work for longer. In case your microphone comes with a windshield make sure that it is used while usage and removed during storage.

Cleaning is an essential part of the Microphone care and maintenance procedure. It is important that your microphone is minutely cleaned periodically with the right sort of tools that won’t harm the device in any sort of manner. Generally with most of the handheld set the top portion, i.e., the metal grill along with the pop guard is generally removable. This makes the cleaning procedure much easier for you. You can easily take out the removable portion and clean it in mild soap or detergent solution and rinse it in clean water. This will help to remove all the air borne, microscopic materials that might be embedded in the mesh like structure. Once the parts are completely dried they can be reassembled.

In case the device isn’t removable then you should never use soap or detergent solution. Rather using a soft brush for cleaning the outer portions is preferable. The soft brush can be used after wetting it with a little water. This facilitates easier removal of the air borne particles. Hence, regular Microphone care and maintenance is essential for long and problem free service life of your microphone.