mics and moisture at DVinfo.net

Jarrod Whaley · January 9th, 2007, 02:22 AM

I keep silica gel pouches (of the type that turns from blue to pink when saturated) in the leather pouches where I store my mics, and it seems that the particles in the pouches are routinely becoming saturated (thus pink) within 24 hours of "reactivating" them in the oven to dry them out. This is happening in my office, where humidity levels shouldn't really be all that high. Still, there does definitely seem to be a little more moisture in the air than the silica gel dessicant pouches can deal with without my having to bake them on a daily basis.

How big an issue is this, really? I don't want to risk corrosion, but I don't want to have to dry out the dessicants every day either. Do I need to buy a dehumidifier or something, or am I a little paranoid about something that isn't really a big deal? Just how sensitive to humidity are condenser mics?

Thanks in advance.

Allan Black · January 9th, 2007, 05:27 AM

If the blue/pink thing is happening within 24hrs of refreshing the sachets I think you're not drying them out properly, even though they look blue.

There is a formula for this, maybe Google knows. The only problem I see is, the heat and time required will probably burn up the small outer covers.

You can buy industrial lots in airtight cans relatively cheap and we just used to just chuck the wet ones out.

Problems with mics would come long term so you can't ignore it, you'll start to hear crackles and splats from the 48V condensers first. Try storing the mics. in resealable airtight plastic containers with fresh silicagel; get some for your recorded tapes too.

An office dehumidifier is always a good idea, for the staff too, if it's that humid.

January 9th, 2007, 02:22 AM	#1
Jarrod Whaley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: chattanooga, tn Posts: 721	mics and moisture I keep silica gel pouches (of the type that turns from blue to pink when saturated) in the leather pouches where I store my mics, and it seems that the particles in the pouches are routinely becoming saturated (thus pink) within 24 hours of "reactivating" them in the oven to dry them out. This is happening in my office, where humidity levels shouldn't really be all that high. Still, there does definitely seem to be a little more moisture in the air than the silica gel dessicant pouches can deal with without my having to bake them on a daily basis. How big an issue is this, really? I don't want to risk corrosion, but I don't want to have to dry out the dessicants every day either. Do I need to buy a dehumidifier or something, or am I a little paranoid about something that isn't really a big deal? Just how sensitive to humidity are condenser mics? Thanks in advance. __________________ -->jarrod whaley. www.oakstreetfilms.com

January 9th, 2007, 05:27 AM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	If the blue/pink thing is happening within 24hrs of refreshing the sachets I think you're not drying them out properly, even though they look blue. There is a formula for this, maybe Google knows. The only problem I see is, the heat and time required will probably burn up the small outer covers. You can buy industrial lots in airtight cans relatively cheap and we just used to just chuck the wet ones out. Problems with mics would come long term so you can't ignore it, you'll start to hear crackles and splats from the 48V condensers first. Try storing the mics. in resealable airtight plastic containers with fresh silicagel; get some for your recorded tapes too. An office dehumidifier is always a good idea, for the staff too, if it's that humid.